carpal tunnel?

Hi
I don't post often, but lurk all the time. I am now 35w+ pregnant and have a c section scheduled for 2/27. I have developed carpal tunnel and I swear, it is getting worse by the minute. I got a brace for my hand, but my fingers are half asleep. I can't say that I have noticed any improvement with the brace. It is driving me nuts and sleeping at night is getting impossible, all because my hands just ache and throb. I am still working full time, which hasn't been much of a problem. I am an adoption social worker and spend a lot of time doing paperwork/typing. That is where the problem is coming in. Has anyone dealt with this or have any suggestions of what I can do to get some relief? I only have 3 more weeks to go, but it is literally driving me crazy. Thanks!!

Stacy

 

I had bad carpal tunnel in one of my wrists too while pregnant as I also do alot of computer work as well as floor work which is where I spend most of my time as an OT. Unfortunately other than the brace and resting your wrist there really isn't much you can do while preg. It's from all the extra fluid your retaining which I'm sure is alot b/c you have more than one in there. Maybe increase your water intake to help push it out when you void.

I still get it now and again and let me tell you trying to pick up a baby and or change a diaper w/ the brace is quite challenging... I'm not sure if Tylenol would help but that is okay to take while pregnant according to my obgyn. I thought it would magically go away after the babies were born but in my case that did not happen.

Can you get someone to help you with all the typing you do and play the 'twin' card a bit early?
Good luck!

 

I just asked my OB about this yesterday. He said it is normal and not much you can do!

 

I had it too, after I had my girls I never had it again though! Not a lot you could do, my OB said I could do physical therapy, but at 35 weeks I wouldn't bother!

 

it's the worst! at least you are almost done but get a brace. they really really work.

 

I had carpal tunnel really bad in both hands the last month I was pregnant. It did completely go away, but it took a few weeks after delivery.

I know it drove me nuts though! (And sleep was really hard!)

 

My DD experienced severe carpal tunnel during her twin pregnancy and afterwards. It started getting better when the boys were about three months old. She did wear a brace on both wrists quite often but didn't get much relief from them. It got so bad there were times she could not hold either boys' bottles because her hands hurt so much. Her OB said it would eventually go away, and to just hang in there. It never entirely went away, but she got pregnant again when the boys were only five months old so it may have very well corrected itself with time. It's now an issue for her again but fortunately she's not having as bad a time with it as she did during her first pregnancy. We're hoping it will go away more quickly after this delivery as well.

I have CT (I did computer aided drafting for 15 years, that's what did it for me) so I can empathize. It's annoying and painful. I wish I had some advice for you, but I don't. Just hang in there, as my DD's OB told her! Pregnancy-induced CT should go away after delivery.

 

Do you wear the braces at night? I get carpal tunnel with every pregnancy. If I wear the braces on my wrists when I sleep, I am good for the rest of the day. It's not very glamorous. Hope that helps!

 

I too had carpal tunnel in both hands. Wearing the brace at night helped a lot and when it got very bad I used an ice pack. sort of helped a bit. Unfortunalty my left hand never got better and with having to handle two babies, it got worse. I had an operation to correct it and now its fine.

 

QUOTE(2B2G @ Feb 8 2008, 01:48 AM) [snapback]612268[/snapback]
Do you wear the braces at night? I get carpal tunnel with every pregnancy. If I wear the braces on my wrists when I sleep, I am good for the rest of the day. It's not very glamorous. Hope that helps!


I just realized that this is what I have! Its only in my left hand - evidently that's prevalent to be in your dominant hand... I was told to sleep with my arm elevated, which helps but... I'm now trying to figure out about a brace. Until I get to the docs office on Monday, is a rollerblade wrist guard brace going to do the same thing that a brace from the doc would do??

all of the above posts were very informative!!

thanks.

 

Honey, I know how you feel. I had it from about 25 weeks on in my right arm mostly. Sleep was nearly impossible. It got to a point that I couldn't write or hold a book or magazine. I wore braces on both wrists every night and I guess it helped a little, but the only thing that truly helped was delivery. I know that isn't comforting but it WILL go away and once those beautiful babies are here, you will quickly forget. :hug99:

 

thanks - I did get a brace and it has definitely helped. Glad to hear that delivery will give me relief!! And really its not that bad. Well, its not as bad as the early morning that I posted when I couldn't sleep any longer...

 

One silly thing that works to give me some relief is to stick my arms straight up in the air for a few minutes at a time a couple of times a day. I'm thinking that it drains the blood and fluids away from the joints/nerves that are getting squeezed. It's also good for stretching your shoulders - mine get really sore during the day.

 

I think any brace that keeps your wrist straight would work. I like mine that has 3 velcro straps and a metal bar that keeps it stiff. My chiropractor said it helps if it tips your wrist slightly up. I make the lowest velcro strap on my arm tight and it helps with fluid retention. I only wear them at night and will ice sometimes during the day.

 

My twins are almost 2 and I still have carpal tunnel. Ugh.