HELP!!!

[gyesy123]

Hi

I am 21 weeks pregnant and really suffering with Carpal Tunnel, its got so bad that I cant feel my hands in the day!!!

Any advice on on what i can take would be really useful, i am using elastic bandages in bed at night, but the pain in my thumbs and wrists the day after is bad!

Thanks

Sarahx

Cold/frozen compresses every few hours might help. I used the little freezer pod things in not very tight tubigrip.
A physio referal would be good. I had gentle stretching exercises for a wrist injury they thought might be carpel tunnel...it wasn't, but the exercises helped a lot. As for analgesia, def. worht going back to GP and seeing what they can do. Codeine is ok during 2nd trimester, but not ideal and has to be a script. Either way, a trip to the doctors for referal and pain management sounds like a good idea.

thanks for your reply, i have managed to get an appointment this afternoon!!!

Sarahxx

Wow! Good going! I hope they can do somethig more for you.

I had carpal tunnel for about 15 months, had the op on both hands just before I got pregnant (was in fact pregnant at the time of the op but the test on op day came back negative!). I'd push for a physio appt and get some splints to wear at night and when you're not using your hands. It takes a while but they do eventually improve it a little. I'm so glad I had the op as apparently pregnancy can make it even worse and it already used to wake me up several times a night with the numbness.
Good luck

I am suffering this very badly, I feel your pain! I'm 38 weeks and worried about picking the baby up with numb hands when it comes.

My doctor has said there is no point referring me to a physio, he reccomended sleeping with my hands elevated and buying a splint. I found splints on amazon after searching for carpel tunnel splint. It is a McDavid one. I wear that on my right hand which is worse and a tube bandage on my left which isn't so severe. I wear the splint and bandage over night and only during the day if I need to when they go numb or painful.

I find the cold doesn't relieve my pain and numbness but heat does so I often soak in warm water.

Also when numb try holding your hands up in the air and stretching your fingers out and making fists and releasing 10 times. Also stretch your wrists by bending at the wrist 10 times.

None of this is a magic cure but I don't think there is one till after pregnancy when it with either disappear or a steroid injection or operation can be considered. It has helped me resist chopping my own arms off however so has done some good.

Hope you get some relief soon.

Oh I really feel for you. I have been having trouble sleeping due to numbness in my left hand, i dont think it is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I think it might be Restless Hand Syndrome. I have read about it on the internet and I have been getting it excessively since I have been pregnant. I sometimes get it in my legs. It is a nightmare! I found that having a bath helps ease the muscles. I dont know if that would work for you.