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Original poster

Constant 'heavy right arm' fingers feel strange.

26 replies

Chloeisobelle21 · 27/10/2015 08:33

I'm in a total panic here so please no nasty comments. I'm nearing on 14 weeks pregnant and about a week ago I noticed pain down my right arm when I moved my fingers. A few days later I was waking up in the night with an odd feeling in my arm like it was heavy, I shook it and it went back to normal. That happened around 4 times in a row at night but now my arm feels constantly heavy and strange. Like it tired easily and my fingers feel strange and weak. I have an anxiety disorder so I went to my doctors and had a total breakdown about it because I keep thinking it's the signs of a brain Tumor. She said its a mix of carpel tunnel and also my fear and anxiety is making it worse, she's referred me for intense therapy. I just can't shake this fear now at all, I feel like screaming I'm so scared. I don't know what to do with myself Sad

OP posts:
Iammad · 27/10/2015 09:19

I have the same, had it in all of my pregnancys.
Carpol tunnel, ask midwife to be referred to ot or get some wrist splints to wear at night it will help.

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 27/10/2015 09:24

Thanks so much for replying, everytime I google carpel tunnel it says tingling but I'm not experiencing that. It does ache sometimes if I hold a heavy bag but I've been spiralling into such a panic. This is my second pregnancy and I didn't have this with my 1st baby

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Finola1step · 27/10/2015 09:28

I recognise that heavy feeling in one arm, weakness in fingers, very odd feeling. Your GP is right, it really does sound like nerve trouble - in your case carpal tunnel. According to the NHS, up to 50% of pregnant some develop some level of carpal tunnel. So you are not alone.

The key is to alleviate the symptoms. But the big thing is to get support through this anxiety crisis. Do you have an OH you can talk to? Or a good friend?

Finola1step · 27/10/2015 09:30

Oh and I had different issues in my 2 pregnancies. Pregnancy 1 was full of ligament pain and SPD. Pregnancy 2 was back ache and sciatica. All of which cleared up nicely a few weeks after each baby was born.

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 27/10/2015 09:47

I am a single mum and live alone. I do have family to talk too but it doesn't stop the anxiety about this arm. The thing that scares me is I was in the shower and washed myself and my hand and arm felt so pathetic, like it was so weak. It is a very odd feeling. I broke down to my GP and she has sent an urgent referral but I know how long these things can take Sad I just hope it is just nerves in the arm. It is a really horrid feelinf

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Eminybob · 27/10/2015 09:58

Sounds like carpal tunnel to me.
Could also be de guervains tenosinovitis, which is has similar symptoms and occurs during pregnancy. I hadn't heard of it and it took until well after I gave birth to finally get a diagnosis and treatment. Either way, nothing to worry about. (Easier said than done I know, I suffer from ancient too)

Eminybob · 27/10/2015 09:59

Anxiety that was supposed to say!

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 27/10/2015 10:02

I feel ancient and I'm only 25 Hmm
Thank you. The whole thing has set me off big time. I had a close family member that has a brain tumour and it's never left my mind how ill they were. Brings it all back

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Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 27/10/2015 10:02

Also the arm that's suffering is my right so I use it more than the other. It feels clumsy even holding a fork to eat dinner

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RoobyTuesday · 27/10/2015 10:30

Hey OP, I had this is my last pregnancy and it was something similar to carpal tunnel but affecting the other nerve (can't remember which one carpal tunnel is - ulna or radial, anyway it was the other one!). I had numbish tingly fingers and a heavy arm, sometimes with greatly reduced grip and function. I pit came to a head when I picked up my phone and it just fell out of my hand. Mine actually persisted beyond pregnancy but a week before I was due to go for nerve conduction studies it resolved completely. I'm sure yours will be something like this but as others have said it's worth mentioning to your GP.

RoobyTuesday · 27/10/2015 10:32

Should add it was a type of nerve entrapment and I think carrying a baby predominately on one side and poor posture from breast feeding meant it carried on for a while beyond pregnancy. Baby. Number three is 11 months now though and it's completely better.

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 27/10/2015 10:35

Hey rooby that sounds like a nightmare, I'm not dropping things (yet) I did go to the GP and she did say carpel but my anxiety was making it a billion times worse. Which I find hard to believe. Just want to try and not panic but everytime I move my arm and it feels heavy I'm just like ahhh. This is scary! My GP said it could last the entire pregnancy. It actually affects my whole arm right up to the shoulder. Horrible!

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Finola1step · 27/10/2015 12:56

Back in May, I woke up with a really strange pain in my right shoulder, running down my arm into my fore and middle fingers. Just woke up with it. The only way I could get some relief was raising my arm above my head. My arm didn't feel like a part of me anymore.

Turned out it was a trapped nerve in my neck. Had a lot of physio and back on track. I also have had significant issues with anxiety so I can really understand why you are so worried.

But the symptoms you describe are related to a nerve problem. And your GP is right, your anxiety will make it worse because you will be tensing up. If you are like me, you wont even realise how tense your muscles are in your neck, shoulder and back. All the result of anxiety and stress.

You will be fine. The baby is fine. This will pass.

5hell · 27/10/2015 13:09

sorry this is causing you so much extra worry and discomfort OP; could you try to get to a physio asap...it wont cure it, but it might give you relief from some of the symptoms and actively doing something might be a good distraction from the anxiety?
good luck

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 27/10/2015 13:28

Thank you for all the kind comments, I haven't been able to get any physio and I don't drive which also makes it difficult
I had a pain like I had pulled a muscle it was very sore in my arm when I moved my fingers, but it did go away, now I just have this awful dead useless arm. Trying not to worry because of the baby but it's very hard. Just want to have a decent pregnancy and be mentally stable Sad

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Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 28/10/2015 14:01

I'm really worrying about this blasted arm... It's driving me insane. So scared its something more sinister Sad

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Finola1step · 28/10/2015 14:15

Chloe is the nicest possible way, there is very little anyone else can now say about your arm. Your GP has been spot on. The key now is to focus on reducing your anxiety.

I suggest you go back to your GP and ask them about support for your anxiety.

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 28/10/2015 14:17

I completely understand, and I know there's not a lot anyone can say. My anxiety is overwhelming me at the moment. I'm currently waiting for councilling just struggling with my thoughts a lot

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brookeberry · 28/10/2015 15:11

Hi Chloe, I'm getting this a lot when I wake up down arm and all of my hand. I haven't told anyone because it seems to lift within minutes while I'm still in bed. Funnily enough, the only other time I had it was when I had quite severe anxiety and I did assume it was a symptom of that. But I never saw it as anything sinister, sort of a nerve thing that hopefully would pass. I have no idea while I'm getting it now whilst pregnant (I don't feel stressed). Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 28/10/2015 15:17

I think if it went away I wouldn't feel as worried. But because it's now a constant thing. That used to be what I had, in the morning it would start and then after a few mins would right itself. It's making my hand feel clumsy and odd. To be honest I don't know how much is me 'overthinking it' I tend to over think things and catasophrise them. Especially anything to do with my body. thank you, hopefully yours will start to stop x

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Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 31/10/2015 11:18

Just bumping this up in case anyone else has similar experiences

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5hell · 31/10/2015 17:35

Sorry to hear it's no better op....is your referral for the arm or anxiety (or both?)

Hope your appointment isn't too far away so u can get some reassurance and relief.

Are there any exercises u can do for carpal tunnel? Even if they don't help that much, wondered if it might help you to feel like you're doing something? X

Original poster
Chloeisobelle21 · 31/10/2015 18:51

It's my therapy I'm waiting for :( my arm feels slightly better tonight but not holding my breath. Thanks though, I hope it doesn't take too long :(

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TammyH0110 · 01/11/2015 23:47

Chloe, I am an Osteopath (in Loughton and Wanstead), I have had patients with this before and although these symptoms are not amongst the more common pregnancy related aches and pains I have dealt with I have seen this and have been able to help. Maybe you should try an Osteopath instead. Please message me if you would like further advice.

ACatCalledFang · 02/11/2015 08:04

I had this, though it started a little later on in my pregnancy. It was a mixture of carpal tunnel syndrome and pressure on the ulnar (sp?) nerve.

I say this to warn you, so you can avoid panicking, rather than to freak you out: mine got worse as my pregnancy progressed, which I think is because all the extra fluid puts pressure on the nerves. So if yours seems to be getting worse, don't panic! I was never referred for physio (long story) but I recommend you push for a referral as soon as possible, as it can take time. I found a splint helped at night.