Signs and symptoms - Page 41 « Back to Group Discussions

[FeralFox]

Pretty much every night I have to work has turned into a nightmare.  I'm still having a lot of contractions, and now have gotten to the point that I am in such pain by the end of the night (back, hips, and butt) that I can barely stand the walk out to my car.  I can't even sleep some days because I'm in such pain, so I end up going back to work on maybe an hour or two of sporadic sleep.  I'm going to try to convince (I don't even know who. boss? midwives?) to give me a note to go out at 35 weeks, but that's 13 more weeks!  I honestly don't know how I can last that long.  I want to cry at the thought of it.

[intime0]

I'm so sorry!  Have you tried a chiropractor or a massage?  Those usually help me for a few weeks.  In fact, I used to get them done at the same time and I felt normal for about 2 weeks. 

[LeAnn A Doula]

Feral - That sounds terrrible! You could also look into acupuncture and craniosacral therapy. Some chiro's also offer craniosacral therepy, finding one who specializes in pregnant/postpartum women would be best. Your MW may be able to prescribe massage and chiropractic work since you are in so much pain, insurance is more likely to cover it that way. I hope you can find some relief.

[ilovetchotchkes]

Feral- 

Last time I only went to my chiropractor sporadically. Maybe once every 3-4 weeks. This time, I'm sucking it up, and paying out of pocket without insurance for 1x a week and holy cats is it worth it. 

Last time, I could hardly MOVE because the bursitis in my hip was so bad. This time? I've had NO bursitis flare ups. None. 

Its worth a shot!!!! 

Feel better! 

[FeralFox]

Thanks guys.  I wish we could afford all that, but right now it's not in the budget.  I'll maybe see if the husband can give me a back rub though.  He offers all the time, but ends up accidentally hurting me so much I usually turn him down.

Edited by FeralFox - 4/17/12 at 1:43pm

[intime0]

Feralfox, did you double check your insurance for coverage? Mine's always been covered.  But also, I know some chiros will give a discount to cash patients.  It couldnt hurt to try.  I know I had a friend do that recently.  It paid off for her.  (Pun, hahah.)

[iixivboots]

My sciatic nerve is killing me. KILLING. I have never been to a chiropractor, maybe it's time. Any tips or advice?

[NewMumJoy]

Feral - so sorry!  I can only imagine how you must be aching, as my back tightens up with little activity/walking by the end of the day (and I'm hardly on my feet like you are)..... I've found that doing yoga stretches really helps my back when I tighten up like that - forward bends and downward dogs - I feel so much better after a few of those and you can do them at home (for free!)

[FeralFox]

We can't afford the co-pay, so it doesn't really matter if insurance covers it.

Boots - have you tried the stretch where you lay on your back, and pull knee up to stretch your butt?  I have awful sciatic pain, and that helps it sometimes.  You can also do it standing facing into a wall, if you can't be on your back at all anymore.

[LeAnn A Doula]

Boots - Another good one for sciatic pain is to use a foam roller. You sit on the roller w your leg in figure four (rt ankle on lft knee or vice versa) and roll slightly back and forth. It can hurt but it works like a charm to stretch it out. Also hanging out in frog pose or yogi squat help a lot.

[intime0]

Sorry Feralfox!!  That totally stinks! 

[ithappened]

I started to get horrible painful varicose veins (vaginal, exterior) which also run down the inside of my right thigh a little.. they hurt SO bad.. and the ice, I still cannot stop eating it.

[NewMumJoy]

Originally Posted by ithappened 

I started to get horrible painful varicose veins (vaginal, exterior) which also run down the inside of my right thigh a little.. they hurt SO bad.. and the ice, I still cannot stop eating it.

Ahhh!!  That's sounds awful!  I hope you can get some relief.... maybe put some of those ice chips on it??  Eeek.

Boots - Hope your sciatica is easing up.....

[lakeruby]

ithappened-- ouch!  that sounds terrible.  I think I'm starting to get varicose veins too (definitely seeing an increase in spider veins!) but they aren't painful.

Boots-- how is the sciatic pain doing?  I just saw a directional non-force chiropractor this week and loved it-- am going back for a follow up tomorrow. It's expensive but if it helps my back pain it will be 100% worth it-- I'm to the point where I'm hobbling to the bathroom in the middle of the night and I'm only 21 weeks along!   However, I'm not dealing w/ sciatica right now, but I have in the past. What healed it up for me was 1) taking pilates (I know, not in the cards for you or any of us right now probably!) and 2) switching out my office chair for an exercise ball.  yes, it's kind of a pain sometimes but my sciatic pain is completely gone.  

[pennywhistle]

Is anyone having ribcage pain?!  I periodically wake up in the middle of the night from intense pain across the front of my ribs - it's right where a bra would wrap around me.  It feels like someone has their hands on my chest, right below my breasts, and is squeezing.  It only happens in the middle of the night, and goes away if I sit up for 15-20 minutes.  My baby is sitting REALLY high, so it seems like he's sort of creeping up during the night and pressing against my ribs.  It HURTS!  Anyone else?  It seems so bizarre.

[ithappened]

penny- I had that with DS1!! It was horrible, I still remember the pain from it. This girl is riding really high breech transverse still and occasionally likes to push my lungs or stomach into horrible positions but luckily I havent had any rib cage pain. . . is there anything which helps you?
 

[pennywhistle]

So far sitting up for a bit seems to help...I may trying elevating my torso a bit before going to sleep to see if that keeps it from happening.  Glad I'm not alone!

[LilyTiger]

Penny, I've had that since the middle of the second tri.  It seems to be exacerbated by heartburn, so Tums helps for me.  Otherwise, I'm just really freaking uncomfortable.  Stretching out seems to help and while sitting up doesn't do it for me, bending slightly backward seems to take some stress of.  It really does suck. It's so uncomfortable.  I find myself rubbing my ribs and breastbone all the time.  Booo.

[pennywhistle]

I've been sleeping with my torso elevated for the past few nights, and haven't had any rib/breastbone pain so far.  I'm not up too high - just an extra layer of pillows.  Seems to do the trick.

Also: my midwife suggested papaya enzymes for heartburn - I've been eating a tablet or two after every meal or snack, and so far I've been heartburn free.  It's only been 4 days, but it definitely seems to help.

[sallyrae17]

I did the papaya with my first pregnancy because I was so miserable that I was willing to try anything. It helped for a bit, but it definitely wasn't long lasting for me. This time I'm combining weekly acupuncture with chia seeds and "Mommy's Bliss" Pregnancy Heartburn Comfort. They surprisingly work better than Tums. Tums doesn't really do anything for me and my heartburn happens everyday - it doesn't matter what I eat. I could eat a piece of buttered toast and get heartburn. :( It really, really sucks and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.