Should I go to MIU?

[ItsMeRhondaFromPS129]

Posting here for traffic as I'm at breaking point.

For the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy, I had what appeared to be carpal tunnel syndrome. I would wake up with pins and needles in my hands and wrists and they would be really painful. Midwife said normal and should ease once baby here. I gave birth at the start of January and since then, whilst the classic CTS symptoms have disappeared, I am now left with a very painful wrist - right wrist in the 'notchy' bone - thumb side. It has been getting worse and it's now starting to affect doing things with my baby inc changing, holding etc.

I spoke to my doctor during my 6 week post natal check (this was done on the phone) and I was told to try a wrist support and come back in May. The wrist support makes the pain worse and I really don't think I can last until May!

Would IBU in going to the local minor injury unit?

Can you ring your GP tomorrow and ask for an appointment?

The GP won't see me again until May regarding this as I need to give it time. I'm just getting frustrated now as the pain is getting worse and it's impacting doing basic activities, including things with my baby

Have you got the right wrist support?

I have CTS and I use this wrist support. Really helps. Difficult to use with baby though.

They can give you cortisone injections

Maybe go to minor injuries. I had carpal tunnel, was really painful

Hi @ I also had incredibly sore wrists in pregnancy and for about a year after. I used wrist supports with a metal splint that curved over the lower part of my palms, that stabilised the wrists so I couldn't bend them. I also had several steroid shots and that got rid of the pain completely within about 48 hours. They lasted for several months each. I was also referred for physio, they did a few things that really helped including strapping it properly so it hurt less. It did go away eventually. Go back to your GP. All the best

If you want any help from the NHS, you really do have to make a nuisance of yourself, unfortunately. So yes, I would say go. I have a disability that affects my hands and I've been sent to A&E in the past with the pain because I can't cope with it.

Have they given you pain relief?

I had this whilst pregnant. I think it was de quervains. I booked a private physio appointment and he sorted me in one session. It was amazing and probably the best £60 I’ve ever spent.

You may have a specific condition that I don't know about.

If it's a type of RSI however I have a lot of personal experience with it and will suggest two things.

1. if you identify what's causing it and change it successfully then you should notice the difference pretty much immediately. It could be a combination of things. For example the angle of the car seat when driving, the position you are sleeping in, your pillow.

2. in your body everything is connected to everything else. It could be the result of a strain on a totally different part of your body. I found this book really helpful
   ITS NOT CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: RSI Theory and Therapy for Computer Professionals https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0965510999/ref=cmswwrcppapiglttiZW2GP6GT2H8QD47KZQSZ

As pp suggested I would speak to a physiotherapist (they aren't that expensive privately) though it may take a while to find one who can identify the cause rather than just treating the symptoms.

It might be de Quervains - common in pregnancy and can last/get worse throughout breastfeeding, if you are BFing, as triggered by hormones. It can present similarly to carpal tunnel syndrome but needs a different kind of splint than carpal tunnel.

I had de Quervains when DS was between about 2 and 6 months old (I was exclusively breastfeeding) and it was agony and stopped me doing things I wanted to. I got a kind of clunky feeling when I moved my thumb, like I could feel the tendon moving over the bone in my wrist and hand

GP diagnosed carpal tunnel so didn't point me to the right support. What helped was seeing a specialist physio, who set me up with the proper specialist splints I needed (got them off amazon) and I'd wear them as much as I could which was mainly when baby was asleep. Also ibuprofen gel and exercises from the physio.

I would definitely recommend seeing a specialist here. I went privately and paid out of pocket, I think it was about £100 but completely worth it to resolve the issue. If you happen to be in the Bristol area I can recommend the guy I saw - he specialises in arm/hand stuff and used to work at the main maternity hospital here, where he used to see de Quervains all the time.

No, see a physio/ask your GP for referral to NHS one, can't believe people are advising minor injuries for this.

@89redballoons omg you have described exactly what I am experiencing!!!! That's so good to know! Are you able to send me a link to the splint you bought?