3rd Trimester

Excruciating Back/Hip/Sciatica Pain...

Anyone else experiencing this? Mine has become seriously worse this weekend (I can barely walk at times), but I have been busy organizing things so that could be why. 

Usually its worst when I've been sitting or laying down too long, so I have to get up slowly and have something to hold onto because my legs give out beneath me from the pain. DH had to help me up the stairs yesterday because it was so bad. I have acupuncture for it, but the effects don't seem to last long enough. I've told the doctor, but that was in the beginning of 2nd tri when it first started. 

Anyone have any ideas to make it better? Heat or ice therapy? I do have back problems to begin with, slipped discs and arthritis in my lower lumbar spine, but my back has been fine until the last week or so, it was my hips and legs before that.

 Thanks in advance! 

Re: Excruciating Back/Hip/Sciatica Pain...

  • Heat is great, and wet heat is even better! If you have a bathtub, take a warm bath every night before climbing into bed. Have DH help you in and out since your balance will be out of whack and you're already having back/hip problems.

    Have you tried massages? Even just having DH rub your lower back at night might help more than you'd think. GL!

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  • I'm not any help, but I just wanted to say that I hope you feel some relief soon!
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  • Thanks for the suggestions and kind words! I'm not really a bath person, but I should try it more. I do have a heating pad but I avoid using it since I'm pregnant because it can get really hot, but I guess if I don't let it get too hot and don't use it too long it should be okay. We also have a magic bag I could use too. 

    Thanks! 

  • I have been using the icy hot patches (The ones that stick on) my doctor said they are okay.  It doesn't completley take the pain away but it does help sooth it and makes it easier to walk the best part is they last for 8 hrs so you can sleep with one on or wear one all day and still do what you need to.  It might not work for you but its worth a try.
  • Back rubs are great -- get DH to rub the butt cheek that hurts, too. Sounds weird, but I promise it feels fantastic!

    Also, I tried doing pelvic tilts, going on all fours and rocking, and other stretches to try and ease the pain; I felt excruciating pain like you're feeling now for a couple of weeks straight at right about 27/28 weeks.  I've also heard of alternating cold packs and heat packs on the area.

    What I think ultimately worked for me was just getting baby to move. DH was "playing" with the belly one night -- we called it Hide'n'Seek. He would put his hand where baby was and feel for him, and then baby would move, and DH would find him again, and baby would move, lol.  Ultimately, I felt baby move and my relief started soon after that.

     Good luck!

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  • Sorry to hear about your pain!

    I had similar problems that started about 5 weeks ago, but I never had to have DH help me up the stairs-- you poor lady!!

    I started seeing a chiropractor. He said my right hip was rotated forward and my sacrum was grinding against the illiac crest (top of hip bones in the back) to cause the sharp sciatic pain. Several gentle adjustments later and I am soooo much better now.

    Look for someone who specializes in treating pregnant women. Good Luck!!

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  • Yep, I'm right there with you!  I've been hospitalized twice in the past week because of the pain.  My doctor is having me go to physical therapy, I see a massage therapist and on nights when its really bad I have a vicodin prescription.  So far I've only had to use the Vicodin a few times.  I also Ice my back lot!
  • I got to physical therapy, see a chiro, and take a lot of hot baths.  But, ice is best over heat.  Good luck.
  • I agree with the heat. I was having alot of sciatica pain Friday night so I sat on a heating pad. Just don't let it get to hot & if you start feeling hot get off of it & you'll be fine.
  • Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I can walk today, its worse than usual, but I can walk on my own. In the night when I got up I was worried I'd fall over so I just have to hold onto things as I go, the bed, the wall, the dog, lol. 

    I'm hesitant to try a chiropractor, it kind of scares me, but I'll see what the doctor thinks. I was wondering if physio might help. I don't think its the baby's position, I think its just the previous problems I had with my back getting much worse because of pregnancy, everything shifting around. I'll try the pelvic lifts too, its like a yoga position, the cat.  I can do it on all fours, but if I lay on my back, I can't lift my hips at all. The pain is much much worse if I've been laying on my back. 

    Thanks again for all the help, I'm open to any more suggestions! I'm going to try some cold packs tonight and some heat and see if it helps too.  

  • I had this during my eight month.  I went to Physical Therapy.  There was a PT for Women clinic at my hospital.  After about 2 weeks, the pain is almost completely gone.  I'm so happy!  Good luck!
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  • imageboomom:

    I'm hesitant to try a chiropractor, it kind of scares me, but I'll see what the doctor thinks. I was wondering if physio might help.

    I was nervous to go to a chiro, too, but it was a god send. At ~32 weeks I was in so much pain I was ready to down pain meds regardless of possible harm to baby.  I finally tried chiro and physical therapy, but the chiro is where the magic happened.  I've always been a skeptic, but I'm now converted.  I've come to decide that the reason for my skepticism is when chiro's claim to be able to cure diabetes and cancer.  They're great for musculo-skeletal issues, though.  I got a rec from bumpies on my local board.
  • imageboomom:

    Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I can walk today, its worse than usual, but I can walk on my own. In the night when I got up I was worried I'd fall over so I just have to hold onto things as I go, the bed, the wall, the dog, lol. 

    I'm hesitant to try a chiropractor, it kind of scares me, but I'll see what the doctor thinks. I was wondering if physio might help. I don't think its the baby's position, I think its just the previous problems I had with my back getting much worse because of pregnancy, everything shifting around. I'll try the pelvic lifts too, its like a yoga position, the cat.  I can do it on all fours, but if I lay on my back, I can't lift my hips at all. The pain is much much worse if I've been laying on my back. 

    Thanks again for all the help, I'm open to any more suggestions! I'm going to try some cold packs tonight and some heat and see if it helps too.  

    I am right there with ya... a week long constant pain when walking and stairs are the worst.  Its like a pinch nerve in my right hip joint.  I have a PT appointment tomorrow (yea!) and am considering a chiro appointment if the PT doesn't help but my insurance doesn't cover chiro so we'll see... good luck to us all during this home stretch!!!

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