Arthritis flaring up?

[precariouslybalanced]

Hello,
Does anyone have any experience of the above? I am 36 weeks, and this past week my hands and feet have become ridiculously stiff and painful in the mornings, lessening only slightly as the day wears on. This used to happen occasionally pre-pregnancy, but the swelling and pain would generally be gone by within an hour or so of waking up, and for the periods when it didn't I took glucosamine and chondroitin tablets. These are not approved for pregnant women, and the old cold-water/hot-water trick is totally ineffective these days.
If anyone has any tips on how to deal with painful and swollen hands, fingers and feet, I'd be very grateful indeed! I just hope this goes away after delivery, as I don't know how I'll be able to pick the baby up in the mornings when my hands are so bad!
Thanks in advance all.

i have the same thing!!!! they doctors thought it was carp snydrom but they did a test and i have inflammation in my hand joints. they said it should be 20 and i am at 36. they said it might be pregnancy related or related to the constant cold i have had over the past 8 weeks. its terrible isnt it? especially during the night and first thing. you lay your hand straight and they seize up you ball them up and the same thing. sometimes your hand slook puffy and blotchy. so relieved its not just me :) the doctors told me they cant treat until after delievery, but they are hoping it will dissappear after delievery.

Hi OP

Have you considered acupuncture? I had swollen hands and carpal tunnel at the end of my last pregnancy and it was the only thing that helped. We did 'moxa' on them - like hot coals.

Thanks for the tip, crochet, I may look into that. I've never had acupuncture before, but I know people for whom it's been hugely beneficial for all sorts of things.

Keely, yes I'm also hoping that it will clear up of its own accord after delivery! I think not being dehydrated really helps a lot, I'm currently downing over 2 litres of water a day in addition to a mug of tea in the mornings and afternoons. I suppose on the plus side there's not too much longer to go (hopefully for you too)!

i am drinking a lot of water, mine is def not carp syndrom. it gets really irritating when people keep thinking it is :( even my consultant started giving me the carp lecture at my last appointment. weird how some days you can't open your hands without huge pain and others it feeling less, you think it might be moving on and then next night BAM! it's back with vengence. sorry i dont have any remedies to help you, but you have helped me because you are the only person who has the same as me. i thought i was going mad :)