wrists still not back to normal 8 months after baby

[whenwillisleepagain]

Anyone else had this problem - I heard it was very common? A few weeks after DS born I got really tender wrists and was referred to physio. Its the thing when the tendons go stretchy and not carpal tunnel. I was really struggling to pick baby up and do basic tasks, but had miraculous steroid injection from NHS physio and discomfort / difficulty vanished instantly. 4 months later it's gradually creeping back and now DS weighs twice as much as he did when it first happened. I've got another physio appt in 3 weeks, but had hoped this problem was gone for good. Any tips / advice about getting rid of it? Thank you.

I had a similar problem but with my thumb, but it's the same type of condition I had as mine wasn't carpel tunnel either. GP kept saying it 'would sort' out, but it kept getting worse. (I'm glad you got a physio appt....something I could never get from the NHS.)

GP kept saying it would get better but might take 12-18 mos....how the heck can you care for a baby when your thumb (or wrist in your case) isn't right?

I don't mean to upset you, but fortunately my husband's company also pays for private insurance for us. On my first private appt. they gave me the steriod injection which completely took the pain away...for about 6 months,but then it came back just like earlier. When I went back, he said it would never get better without surgery. I had the surgery and needed help with DD for two weeks, but I'm fine now.

Keep fighting for good care and don't have too many steriod injections..they're not good for you and they should never tell you to keep doing that. My private dr. (interestingly who also works for NHS) told me in confidence that many women suffer becasue they don't take care of the problem. I'm not saying that you definitely need the surgery as I'm not a medical professional...another injection may take care of it for you, but if it coninues to linger...demand it be sorted sooner rather than later as you can continue to weaken it and it might get worsea cause further damage.

Good luck and know you're on my mind..I have a friend who's been in some pain for nearly 3 yrs. after having her baby...after what she learned about me and being fine now..she fought hard and is finally getting the help she needs.

Not to be self-centered, but I had to get this taken care of as I couldn't bear weight on that thumb and was in danger of dropping DD. If that's your case, fight with confidence for the help you need.

It's called "nappy thumb", according to the rheumatologist I saw re. this. Tenosinovitis specifically affecting new mothers - a sort of RSI I think.

Mine was sorted with a cortisone injection when DD was 10 months (God knows how I got through that 10 months, it is so painful and debiliating). But is came back again recently (4 years later )& I've had to have another injection. But as expatinengland says, you really shouldn't have too many of those & if it returns, I will press for surgery. I don't think there's anything else you can do to help it, other than wear a wrist / thumb splint.

I would make a nuisance of yourself until you get referred for surgery.

Thanks for that both of you. I think that's really good advice about not having too many steroid injections, I'd begun to wonder what the situation is and whether you can go on having them indefinitely (my instinct was most certainly not!). Bit depressing about surgery, but I'll talk to the physio when I see him, he seems knowledgeable.

I forget what it's called now - have posted about it before (if you can be arsed to search!)

I had it for years afterwards - I wear a stiff wrist brace at night every time it flares up. That helps a lot (you can probably get them from your physio).