Hand, wrist, arm pain with baby

[RacyG]

Terrible pain for several months now- burning & stiffness in hands, wrists, up forearms. Tendinitis possibly from daily care of 10 month old. Waiting for doctor appointment. Stopped breastfeeding 2 months ago & no better since then. Has anyone been through this?

Yes, I ended up having to wear a splint and have physio. They said it was RSI and laughingly called it ‘new mum syndrome’ 🙄

www2.hse.ie/conditions/child-health/thumb-and-wrist-pain-after-having-a-baby.html

I also had De Quervian syndrome. Cortisone injection was the only thing that helped in the end. SO SO painful.

Carpel tunnel syndrome can often happen after childbirth.

Second carpel tunnel syndrome. Or any history of rheumatoid arthritis? Pregnancy can trigger it.

Is the burning in your thumb and first couple of fingers or more your little finger and ring finger?

If its the thumb side, that is a trapped median nerve, if its the little finger side its the ulnar nerve. It could be pinched at the neck, shoulder, elbow or wrist. Google nerve glides for the relevant nerve and try them, take anti inflammatory medicine (ibuprofen if you can) and try to see a chiropractor or osteopath to loosen you up. If it isnt any better soon, you will need to see a doctor. If the nerves stay pinched for too long, they will eventually deteriorate and that is not good

I’ve started wearing splints on and off. Did yours fully heal eventually?

I had this,

Ibuprofen gel helped.

I promise it eventually eases then goes!

I had that to start with & had the injection too which worked but now it seems to be more all over not thumb specific.

I’ve wondered about these. No RA history.

Thanks. How long did yours take? Did it only go once you were less hands on with child?

Thanks. It’s kind of all over & worse in different places at different times.

I had this. I bought splints online and they really helped. Also did exercises I'd seen online. And was very careful with my hand positions when lifting baby, pushing the pram (avoid pressure on thumb joint). It went away after a few months thankfully. Sympathies. I remember not being able to lift baby in car seat.

I had it in my hand and had to have a steroid injection. It was incredibly painful but fixed the problem within days. Hope you can get what you need!

Thanks.

I had De Quervain's, all sorted with a steroid injection.

Carpal tunnel syndrome for me.......... flare up right now and DD is nearly 7. Awaiting another physio referral.

It's bloody agony. When she was still in the pram I nearly dropped her down 20 steps at the train station. Terrifying.

Oh no, awful for you. If you’ve had it that long, maybe surgery? I believe that’s successful for carpal tunnel. I’m awaiting tests to see what my problem is.

@RacyG did anythinf help? Xx

Hi. Pleased to say yes. TIME and, crazy as it might sound, reducing stress/anxiety. helped! I’m 99% sure it was only partly a physical problem. A big contributor to the pain was stress, anxiety & bottling up a lot of negative thoughts/emotions. For you or anyone else suffering unexplained or confusing physical symptoms I’d suggest researching MindBody Syndrome. Good luck.

I had this 10 years ago and only told dh this year. Sounds mad saying it now but I felt like I was failing and couldn’t admit to it as I had twins and not using the painful arm/wrist wasn’t an option. Do get actual advice and try a support rather than behaving like I did. I’m hindsight I can’t understand why I hid it but I think I felt like everyone was waiting for me to fail as a mum of a toddler and newborn twins.

Just realised this was a zombie thread

@NeedAHoliday2021

I had this 10 years ago and only told dh this year. Sounds mad saying it now but I felt like I was failing and couldn’t admit to it as I had twins and not using the painful arm/wrist wasn’t an option. Do get actual advice and try a support rather than behaving like I did. I’m hindsight I can’t understand why I hid it but I think I felt like everyone was waiting for me to fail as a mum of a toddler and newborn twins.

I totally get that. I now believe or know what stress and negative emotions can actually worsen or even fully cause a whole range of physical symptoms via pain messages. I felt really alone, under pressure, stressed and anxious after having my child and honestly think that was a huge factor. Yeah this was a zombie post lol but I hope,other people will see this and maybe it'll help them.

@RacyG im glad it went! I have had awful anxiety and atress! The osteopath keeps telling me thats a major role! I dont know how to get out the negative pattern!! Xx

@Trebormints74

I also had De Quervian syndrome. Cortisone injection was the only thing that helped in the end. SO SO painful.

Yep me too, it’s also called “Mum thumb” but often affects more than the thumb. Cortisone injection totally cured mine.

I hope things are better for you now OP.