I am 8 months pregnant with my fourth child, and I have carpal tunnel in both hands. It is so painful and numbing that I can hardly even write my own name. This is the first time I have ever experienced this, and my doctor assures me that it is just because of swelling, that it is actually pretty common, and that it will probably go away after I have the baby. I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on what would offer some relief in the meantime? I am trying a brace that I got at CVS, although it is not really doing much good. I can't imagine 5 more weeks of this!
I had this as well- when I used a brace my wrist and arm got really stiff and it became more of a tendonitis sort of pain. What worked best for me was cold presses- since it is due to swelling- that will bring it down a little. about 5 days after my son was born the wrist problems went away.
The only advice I have is (and I am sure you are already doing this) take your vitamins (rumor, a deficiency in B6 could cause) and get a hand massage.
I got carpel tunnel with my twin pregnancy...Two weeks PP I am still waiting for it to go away! I read it can take six weeks to go back to normal. It is really fun to try and change them when you can't feel your fingers! My plan is to stick with the brace and keep taking ibuprofen (fine for BF)
K.
I just powered through mine. I'm a hairdresser and that was just no fun. When it got really bad I took Motrin for the inflammation. It sucks- I feel your pain, literally.
Oh - I am so sorry! I know how bad that can be. I have had it each time, and nothing cures it. I have found tylenol, braces and ice help. Also, try to wear the braces all the time - including sleeping. It is a little awkward but it made a big difference for me. And the brace needs to be the one with a splint in it - not just a soft one. Warning - it may last a little after the baby is born, but will go away!
S.
I had carpel tunnel starting somewhere around month five? It would make it difficult to sleep and wake me up with excrutiating pain in the mornings. I've suffered with tendonitis before (ended my martial arts career) so I was twice traumatized by the experience. Then one day, it just stopped! It was terrible for about a month or two and then it went away. I can't tell you what I did differently to make that happen. Just drink a lot of water (as always!) to help with the swelling/bloating and try to relax!
I did not get my CTS until AFTER the baby was born!! The baby is now 7mos and I have to have surgery to relieve the CTS in my right hand. My left hand is doing much better so no surgery there.
I find that "icing" my wirst on cold soda cans helps with temporary relief. Otherwise - motrin helps with the swelling.
Hi K.,
I had the same problems for both my pregnancies and unfortunately the pain and numbness didn't go away until 3 month postpartum. For my first I used a brace and soaked my hands lots, but with the second I went to the acupuncturist about once a week. It helped take the edge off at least.
Hi K.,
Try acupuncture. I have tendonitis and probably arthritis in my hands and forearms from work and acupuncture helps quite a lot.
The New England School of Acupuncture is in Watertown and they may be able to refer you to someone or give you more info. I've also used acupuncture for other things like frozen shoulder (in addition to P.T.) etc.
Good Luck
I experienced carpal tunnel with both of my pregnancies. With my daughter, 2, I only experienced numbness. With my son, 3 months, the pain was so bad that it would wake me up at night and it wouldn't go away until I got out of bed and moved around for a while. I used the braces, but I also found that they didn't work very well for me. Fortunately, it wasn't overly painful during the day--just when I drove, or spoke on the phone. The other fortunate thing for me, is that it went away almost immediately after giving birth. I know it seems like it will never go away and it's pretty unbearable, but it most likely will go away after you give birth. Hang in there.
