Bursitis and pelvic separation

I get a lot of hits on this blog with people looking for information on pelvic separation (also referred to as SPD or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) and bursitis in relation to pregnancy. I thought it might be a good idea to post an update on my “conditions”.

We’ll start with the bursitis. I don’t know if there is any correlation with bursitis (especially Greater Trochanteric Bursitis, like I have) and pregnancy. All I know is that my bursitis flares up when I’m pregnant. I don’t know if it’s hormone related or what. It was pretty bad a couple of months ago to the point where I almost went and got a steroid shot in my hip so I could stand it. I decided to try a maternity body pillow instead and let me tell you, it’s like Heaven. My bursitis didn’t bother me at all. Even my doctor noticed and commented on how great I looked and how she could tell by just looking at me that I wasn’t in pain. I went from tossing and turning all night because my hips ached to being able to sleep on the same side all night long. Yay! The trick was that I could keep the pillow between my knees and ankles and sleep kind of half on my belly and half on my side. This kept direct pressure off of my joint and kept the bursa from being inflamed.

Then on Halloween, we took the kids trick or treating and I walked a lot more than I should have. I was so scared that my bursitis was going to flare up, but it didn’t. Wow. The only thing is, my pelvic separation was worse. Ever since then, it’s been a constant pain, especially in the evening and in the middle of the night. Since my pelvis hurts, the only way I can sleep is to sleep directly on my side with my pillow between my knees and ankles but with my knees together at the same level. I can’t sleep half on my belly and half on my side anymore. This causes my bursitis to flare up because of the direct pressure. I swear I can’t win.

Right now, the bursitis isn’t too bad. It’s pretty tolerable and I can’t really complain about it. I keep hearing my pelvis “pop” when I roll over in the middle of the night. It’s almost like it shifts and then I go to roll and it’s locked. Once I move it so far, it unlocks and pops. This is especially painful if I get out of bed and try to stand up and take a step when it’s locked. As soon as it unlocks, I’m fine. I don’t know if that makes any sense or not to someone who doesn’t have the problems associated with pelvic separation.

So there it is, what I’m feeling at 21 weeks pregnant.

I was 29 weeks when I was taken off of work last time. For some reason, I think I’ll be able to go longer this time. I don’t know if it’s just not as bad this time or if I’ve just learned to manage it better. I don’t know that I can take being home all day but not being able to do anything. It’s a lot harder than it sounds.