Carpal tunnel syndrome - can my GP help?

[YouAreMyRain]

I have self-diagnosed with CTS as I am getting worsening aches/numbness etc in hands/forearms. Worse at night etc.

I am 24 weeks. Is it a case of just waiting until things hopefully go back to normal after the birth or can anything be done to help me? It's very uncomfortable and is preventing me from doing stuff.

Definitely see your gp or your midwife, one of them will e able to refer you to physio and they can fit you with wrist splints to wear at night. Unfortunately it wont go away until after you have had the baby, and is exetremely painful and annoying.

Exactly what cake said! I have the same problem and my midwife sent me to the physio who gave me wrist splints. Unfortunately I find them too uncomfortable and end up taking them off in my sleep! They do help a bit though on the nights when I manage to keep them on a bit longer. Hope you have better luck with them.

Thanks both, I will try and sort it out next week

You can jut buy the splints from Boots if you don't fancy a trip to the doctors.

I got some splints when I got carpel tunnel in both wrists when pregnant. Mine was worse at night. I used to wake up with numb, tingling hands and fingers. The splints worked a treat. It did settle down a bit after I had dd, but it remained for a few weeks as I was very fluid overloaded after the birth

Have this permanently, fortunately in just one wrist. Slpints really really work.

I had it on both my wrists at 23 weeks pregnant and it lasted until ds was about 5 months old . But it does go away eventually. And no, my gp was of no help whatsoever. I bought splints from Amazon and they helped immensly while I had to lift ds and get on with my days work. My gp just said to keep taking ibuprofen 4 times a day which I refused as I did not want any thing passed on to my baby. Dont worry though, it will get better and eventually go.

My GP was really good and referred me, got an appt with the physio in a week. They fitted me with a splint and it felt reassuring to talk about it with someone. Unfortunately I still get the numb arm despite the splint... but worth a try. Definitely go to the doctor, it is apparently very common and they were happy to try and help me.

I have seen both my GP and my MW for this - I now have it in both hands/arms.

They both told me just to get on with it, it will go away after the baby is born.

I resent paying for them in boots when other people are being supplied them in the NHS. After all, that's what I pay my taxes for isn't it?

I couldn't even find them in boots, some stretchy supports but no splints. Hopefully my GP/MW will be helpful

I had to order them at Boots, if you do want to buy them, ask at the pharmacy counter and they'll order them.

GP was rubbish, asked me what I had done to help myself?! I said I had been in a number of pharmacies but not found any splints. He told me to self-refer to physio, which I have done, got diagnosed with bilateral CTS. Now I need to go back to the GP to get referred to "surgical contraptions" or summat. Could take weeks.

I also mentioned my concerns about SPD as I have been having a lot of severe pelvic pain. He literally sneered at me and said pelvic pain is expected in pregnancy. I said what about SPD? He had never heard of it!!!

I have this and it's horrendous. I went to GP who said she could refer me but as I'm 34 weeks it would be better to buy splints at the chemist. I got splints at my local pharmacy for £18 each so not cheap but I'd say definitely worth it for the few nights I've had almost pain free.

YouAreMyRain I feel for you - I had this in both wrists/hands a few months after giving birth which my GP said was because the hormones were still going strong because I was breastfeeding. I used to wake in the night with totally numb hands (nightmare when you've woken to feed/change a new baby). GP suggested wrist splints which I bought from Boots and wore at night - they definitely helped. Good luck.

I think I may have to invest in some. Thanks everyone