weakness/pain in hands

[dublinmom]

I have a 5 week bf DD and my hands have started to feel weak and sore. I remember this with my other babies, too (this is DC4, I've breastfed all of them).

Does anyone else get this? And does anyone know what the cause might be? My best guesses are:

1. My shoulders/upper back muscles are sore from holding her (both while feeding and carrying her around ALL DAY to keep her happy) and that's making my hands weak.

1. Some kind of vitamin deficiency - one dr. said it could be lack of calcium.

1. The ridiculous tiredness of having a newborn and 3 other kids who all take turns to wake up in the night!

Any suggestions or just commiserations would be appreciated!

Do you get pins and needles in the night or when you wake up in the morning? could be mild carpal tunnel syndrome related to pregnancy. I have it and doctor was very surprised that it came on after baby was born but I think it has been exaserbated by breast feeding. I try not to rest her on my wrist by using lots of pillows but it is getting better now at nearly 4 months. There is some info about it on kellymom. They can refer you to physio to get splints to wear at night but it will probably be getting better by then!

I remember the joints in my hands were sore a couple of weeks after having DD#2. I google-d it and it seemed to be fairly normal and they stopped hurting after a while without changing anything - but can't remember when!

I don't have pins and needles, it's more just sore. And weak, like I can't make a tight fist and feel like I can't pick up anything. Unfortunately, there's a baby and a heavy 2 year old who both want to be held all the time (maybe that's the problem?)

I think it's probably just one of those post-natal things (like my hair falling out!) that comes and goes, but I also don't remember how long it ook or if I should be doing anything to make it better.

Please someone tell me the cure is ice cream!

I have something similar, again with the weakness in the hands, I find it difficult doing up the car seats for instance. And sometimes it is very painful. The doctor diagnosed tennis elbow - which I think is tendinitis - even though it's in my wrist. It has improved now.

You should see your GP, don't take my word for it.

Is the pain in the thumb side of your wrist? When DS was 6 months old this suddenly kicked in and I ended up self diagnosing as De quervian's syndrome after the GP failed to come up with anything. It's v common in new mothers from picking up babies and straining the wrist. Info here

It got better by itself after another 6 months, probably once DS was more mobile and required less carrying.

To do with hypermobility? I had this in pg and have had bad wrist pain since which has been linked with it. It's often made worse by hormones e.g. relaxin which relax your joints and make it easier to strain things.

But SpiderWilliam, thanks for the link - that's what I have (had physio for it, waiting for steroid injection) which is complicated by hypermobility and back problems (gah). I got it at 4 months.

And glad to hear it got better by itself! :)

Sorry I don't know what hypermobility is . Sorry you are having to have treatment for it. I remember reading that this was one scenario. Hope it improves quickly. It is really quite painful.

It's when your joints move too much.

It's blimmin' annoying, isn't it? It's no so bad now but when DS was about 4 months old I really hurt my hand and couldn't hold him for a week. :( My dad came and waited on me hand and foot while DH was at work. :)

I can mention De Quervian's now at my next appointment to chek they've thought of it.

I had tendinitisin my wrist years ago and it doesn't feel the same now. Not as sharply painful, more weak and sore. I did wake up with pins and needles this morning so maybe it is carpal tunnel? I'll ask at my 6 week check next week.

Angeldog, I had a steroid injection and I would advise you to avoid it if possible. Hurt like crazy and didn't help much in the long run.

I found that when my boobs were huge with milk, they pressed on nerves at the top of my inside arms when I was in bed, and that had an effect on my hands/numbness.
Maybe sleep on your back?