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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - from breastfeeding?

33 replies

islingtongirl · 04/11/2013 06:57

I think I have this - numbness and tingling in hands at night, getting worse and hand feeling weaker, especially left hand side. I think its from the hold when I bf 10 week old DD and she often has a nap on me when out and we seem to favour the left hand side. Another reason I think its carpal tunnel is my mum had it badly after having me and had to have an op in the end on the nerves in the wrist does anyone have/had similat symptoms? What worked for you to relieve it? I don't want it to get worse and its driving me mad already and affecting my sleep (annoying as DD has just started sleeping much better but now something else is keeping me up!). I could try other bf positions but the cradle type hold I do works well and DD is used to it....

OP posts:

gretagrape · 04/11/2013 07:32

Hi - I've developed tendonitis in both wrists since being given really bad advice on bf technique, which I think is a similar thing to carpal tunnel syndrome.

I had wrist straps fitted that have metal pieces to stop the strain on the tendon by restricting the movement of the hand, but to be honest I found they made it worse because it was as if it put strain on the wrist in places that wouldn't normally have to take the strain, so I stopped using them.

Son is now 7mo, and it's no better, but no worse - first thing in the morning it's quite painful and it's hard to hold a pen or anything in a pincer grip - quite depressing sometimes. I'm not sure how it will get better really, until he doesn't need me to constantly lift him I guess....

PseudoBadger · 04/11/2013 07:39

I have it (am BFing 4 week old dd) but I've had it since about 32 weeks pregnant. I was hoping it would go away like after I had DS but I've still got it. My hand has been numb since August, not just at night either.
I hope yours goes away soon!

fuckwittery · 04/11/2013 10:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ToddleWaddle · 04/11/2013 21:27

I have had it with 2 pregnancies and actually getting worse after babies born.
Splints helped to some extent but I did end up getting steroid injections at 4/5 months which have cured it completely within days. Injections were quick and easy.
It is unusual for it to worsen but does happen.

themummyonthebus · 04/11/2013 22:03

I think I may be developing tendonitis. DC is almost 3mo and getting heavy, especially when he falls asleep on me. My wrists are achy all the time and painful when I put pressure on them.

I'm hoping it'll go away once we're out of the "snuggle with mummy all day"phase.

CinnabarRed · 04/11/2013 22:07

I had it, getting progressively worse after each of my three pregnancies. Splints relieved it for a while, but all I was really doing was delaying until DS3 learnt to walk. I had the operation on both wrists (separately, with a couple of months in between) and haven't looked back. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner, because I have permanent nerve damage in my right hand the makes it hard to use touch screens.

HighVoltage · 04/11/2013 22:10

I've got tendonitis too (de Quervain's/Mother's thumb) and have had a splint made which I wear mostly at night. I had it for DS1 and has been really bad for DTs (now 4 months).

I was advised by the physio to ice it as tendonitis (as inflamed).

I'd recommend going to the GP and getting referred (OP if anywhere actually near Islington the Whittington has good postnatal physio apparently). They've really helped me.

Original poster

islingtongirl · 04/11/2013 22:26

Thanks all - seems fairly common then! Will try and find time to visit docs over next few weeks. Can't see it getting better without help as DD just gets bigger! Kind of dread going to sleep now and waking up with a numb hand....

OP posts:

Original poster

islingtongirl · 04/11/2013 22:26

Toddle - my mum said that, got worse after pregnancy. I fear I am going down the same route...

OP posts:

ScariestFairyByFar · 04/11/2013 22:28

I get this but it's caused by a trapped nerve in my elbows from sleeping with my arms bent.

Original poster

islingtongirl · 04/11/2013 22:31

Interesting scarlet - how did you find out that was what it was?

OP posts:

Original poster

islingtongirl · 04/11/2013 22:31

Sorry Scariest, not scarlet!

OP posts:

FrontLoader · 05/11/2013 00:46

Just to add OP, definitely go to your GP sooner rather than later if you can.

I had the same problem after DC 1 and waited (busy with baby etc) until mine had become tendonitis, then ended up having to use a splint for months, plus it was incredibly painful at that stage.

ToddleWaddle · 05/11/2013 08:23

Agree definitely see GP sooner than later. The steroid injection if you are suitable is do quick and easy. You won't look back!

gretagrape · 05/11/2013 09:02

ToddleWaddle - I was offered the steroid injection for my tendonitis but was told it doesn't actually cure it, just gets rid of the pain for a few months, but that because I wouldn't feel the pain I could do more damage, so I didn't go for it. (told by GP)
How long ago did you have it - has it lasted?

Lorelei353 · 05/11/2013 09:16

mother's thumb is a thing? I definitely have it. All around the wrist bone on one hand is killing me. Definitely worse when I pick ds up in certain ways.

Lorelei353 · 05/11/2013 09:17

Might it resolve on its own?

HighVoltage · 05/11/2013 20:06

Hey Lorelei - it can resolve on its own but really needs rest (not v likely with baby).

Best thing is to put ice packs on it and there are some exercises you can do (google them - there are drawings, videos).

I bought a splint from chemist which helped with DS1 and eventually it went but this time it got really bad (twins) so physio has made me a splint which really helps if I wear it at night. I'm also on the waiting list for seeing a consultant about injections.

TheIggorcist · 05/11/2013 22:40

I had it for months and then with the right physio exercises cleared up within a month. I wouldn't wait for it to get worse, I found I was getting depressed about having to feed the baby, pick him up even, as I knew it was going to hurt me.

Petcat · 06/11/2013 07:57

I have developed carpal tunnel and tendonitis in both hands since my DD was born. It's much worse in the morning, I really struggle to hold and dress her. My GP won't give me the steroid injections so I have these horrible splints to wear at night, however my baby wakes at least 5 times a night and I can't pick her up with them on so they don't get much use!

I carry her in a sling a lot to save my hands and bf lying down when I can. I also take ibuprofen every day for thepain.

It's worth getting blood tests done to rule out an underactive thyroid and rheumatoid arthritis as both can cause similar symptoms and be triggered by pregnancy.

Hope you feel better soon.

ToddleWaddle · 06/11/2013 10:34

Greta had the 1st injection after DD1 born 2 plus years ago and no problems until second pregnancy.
2nd injection after DD2 born about 2 months ago. Absolutely fine since.
GP has a special interest in rheumatology and really seems to know his stuff. Injection was only 1mg of steroid so really low dose.

gretagrape · 06/11/2013 16:21

toddlewaddle thanks - I'll see if I can talk to a different GP and see what they say then.

WheresMyCow · 06/11/2013 16:36

I had it in both hands, but it was worse in my right. I was prescribed ibuprofen gel and when that didn't work algesal cream. If that had'nt worked it would have been steroid injections.

The cream did work to ease the pain, but I also think that as I got more proficient with the feeding, my hold got more natural and I wasn't putting as much pressure on my hands.

It still flares up every now and then now...perhaps I should have got the injections.

mustardtomango · 08/11/2013 20:39

I'm really identifying with this.. Only found our yesterday that it was actually a 'thing' (any not just me).

Is cross cradle worse than cradle? So far only doing the former, pain around my thumbs getting quite intense though

Bexiwoo · 03/12/2013 02:41

I had carpal tunnel symptoms early in pregnancy which went away in third trimester. Came back after birth and have got progressively worse since. Just had electronicnerve sstimulation tests at hospital today andghave been told I need emergency surgery on left hand before the nerve damage becomes permanent.
I've now been referred to specialist to have operation before Christmas. ....ds is 5 months old and ebf. Totally panicking about how this will work post op as I won't be able to lift him. Will need dp to be with us 24/7 to do all baby care. I've read some scary stories about recovery times (weeks of not being able to do anything or drive)
Got to have right hand done as well in a few months.
Has anyone else had the op while still bf their baby?

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