Carpal tunnel syndrome - best way to sleep??

[Snooks1971]

I haven’t been diagnosed officially but had it during pregnancy about 15 years ago and recognise the signs. It went away by itself then.

Fingers are already tingling and slightly numb in my left hand.
Sick of waking up at night...
Is it even worth going to the doctors at the moment??

In the meantime - best way to sleep please?

Go to Boots and buy one of the splints to wear at night. Has helped my mother in law whilst waiting for the op. Worked like magic!!

I was told to take anti inflammatory meds for a week and see if it helped and it made a real difference.

I wear splints when mine is really bad

with splints &arms propped up (hand above elbow) helped.

Thanks so much everyone. I slept better last night by trying to keep my arm/wrist straight, and if pins and needles started propping my hand above my elbow like @lljkk advised.
Have found DS old wrist splint when he broke his wrist - trying that tonight until I can get to Boots!

I had crippling carpal tunnel during pregnancy but acupressure was life changing. I don't give alternatives therapies much attention usually but acupressure definitely made a difference. Lots of videos online that show you how/where to apply pressure.

Oh thanks @poloevi
When I had it during pregnancy it went away of its own accord... fortunately!
I will look up the vids online - great advice thank you!

My friend rests her arms on ice blocks during the night, really helps her.

The wrist splint is fantastic. A Koolpak / ice pack too.

I also get DH to pull hard on my hand while I pull my arm back. It's probably not a recommended move but I found that it releases the trapped nerve sometimes.

I haven't had carpal tunnel syndrome but I have had other things wrong with my wrist and had 5 surgeries on it.
I found the easiest way to sleep was in a splint and either with my arm across me raised so like you are in a sling or making a cross with arms flat on chest. Another comfortable way was also to have it propped up in a cushion or pillow next to me.

I’m wearing DS wrist splint already, dug it out from his drawer. I feel secure and supported, it’s quite comfortable. Will see how it goes overnight, fingers crossed (not literally haha that wouldn’t help).

So far I’m ok during the day, mild tingling in my hand but nothing too bad.

Interesting about the ice, blimey though @purrswhileheeats your poor friend! That doesn’t sound conducive to a good night’s sleep!

@HouchinBawbags I like the sound of that move - although DH is currently suffering from a bad back from lifting our 6stone dog into the bath. So he’s pretty useless at the mo

Urggh, it's awful. Definitely splints. Pillows propped up around me, and usually my hand dangling over the side of the bed. I have had several bouts of this in both hands and it can be excruciating, especially at night. I get it where my hand is locked like a claw and I can't open it. Hope yours disappears soon.

I used to wear splints and hang an arm over the edge of the bed.

@PettyLittleThings yes it’s awful I agree! The causes of it seem really woolly. Apparently females are 3 times more prone to it than men, but I don’t know if that’s due to pregnancy numbers.

So sorry, yours sounds excruciating.

If the splint doesn’t work it’s worth going to the GP. I’m having mine injected tomorrow.

Thanks @SpeedofaSloth splints seem the way to go. It’s weird because my instinct is to try and flex my wrist to try and relieve the ache but the splint obvs won’t let me.

Steroid?

Sorry that was to @BloodyBollockingHell

I had surgery approximately 8 years ago for this (completely cured now) but I remember the pain like yesterday. I found relief by dangling my hand down the side of the bed. I was prescribed Amitriptyline to help with sleep. I believe now you have to try injections and splints before you can be referred for surgery, but 8 years ago it was straight to surgery and relief was instant.

Splints and amytriptaline (sp?) are the only things that work for me. I seem to go through periods when it gets better though.

Steroid yes.
It’s weirdly been not so bad this last week but when it’s bad the only thing that helps is sandwiching it between 2 very hot hot water bottles.

Steriods, but they only lasted 28 days dead and the first 48 hours after each injection was agony - so I was only pain free for 26 days at a time. Surgery was magic that was eight years ago.

I had carpal tunnel for 17 yrs before I saw a consultant. He tried steroid injections first I’ve never felt pain like it the 48 hrs after I had them and they didn’t work.
Finally had surgery which worked to begin with but then the symptoms started to come back. Saw the consultant again and he thought it was scar tissue causing the issue. He didn’t want to operate again but upon talking to him he realised when I sleep I curl my hands in so they’re bent inwards putting pressure on my wrists.
I now sleep with splints on and I keep my hands under the cover.
Cold makes mine worse.

Raising my arm helps as well. Many an evening has been spent with my elbow on the sofa side and my hand above my head

when I sleep I curl my hands in so they’re bent inwards putting pressure on my wrists

I do this too, not sure why. The splints stopped me doing that when it was bad.