Carpal tunnel misery

[MamaLazarou]

Am 36 weeks and it's keeping me awake at nights

Anyone else? Any tips? Please tell me it will go away when the baby comes.

I had this when I was pg with dd, Im currently pg with dc2 and havent really had it. I think its because this time I havent put much weight on and am not swollen.

I used to sleep with my hands raised on a pillow IYSWIM. I kicked dp out of bed so that I could get comfy.

You can ask your GP for a wrist splint to help, I never bothered though.

Mine took a few weeks to go but its defo better at night once you have had dc

I had CTS after DS was born (trust me to be different!!) but I didn't have it when pg- splints really helped they keep your wrists at about a 30 degree angle - damm difficult to go for a pee in the night with them on. Mine was exacerbated by other things so yours will probably go after the baby arrives - if you do have symptons still the splints will help - I've also heard that things like reflexology can help (if your still looking for a non-drug solution). Good luck.

Get some splints, I only wear mine at night because that is when the pain really kicks in.

I got it last time as well, is a total bitch.

If you have a good pharmacy they should be able to sort it out for you without going to the GP.

I had really painful CTS with 1st DD but not second!! Saw physio, suggested splints but was more awkward than helpful. 37-end of pregnancy was the worst, pain started to ease the minute DD was born but didn't totally disappear for a month after birth, although obviously you can take better pain medication. Some people recommended heat pads or using them frozen- both seemed to work!! Good luck

Like PelvicFlawed, I got it after DS was born. Docs couldn't recommend much other than it would probably go away in time. V helpful....

I got wrist splints and wore them at night and sometimes during the day when it was sore and they really helped. I also found - oddly - things improved when I bought a new, very big, quite firm pillow.

Things were quite bad for about 4 months and it went away completely by about 12 months although up until then I still kept getting the odd bad night and would have to put the splints on again for a couple of days.

Thankfully, it did not reoccur during and after second pregnancy.

During my pregnancy I had DeQuervain's Tendonitis (pain/inflammation in my wrists under thumb joints) to start, and nearer the end developed CTS symptoms as well. I used wrist splints, elevated hands at night, used a joystick mouse for computer, and had accupuncture (which seemed to help a bit). Thankfully it lessened in severity right after the birth and went away completely about 4-6 weeks after.

I've had CTS with all 3 of my pregnancies and sleeping with the splints really makes a difference.

In the last two pregnancies (DC3 due next week) it has cleared up within a week of the birth.

I'm a computer programmer and being on a keyboard all day hasn't helped!

Thank you all for your help and support. It's so reassuring to know that I might not necessarily get it again with a subsequent pregnancy. I am going to try your suggestions - thanks again!