Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or something else?

Bybo

Hi Ladies,

If you have experience w/ CTS can you tell me more about it?  Is it more in your fingers or wrists?  My right hand feels numb sometimes and I can't bend my fingers all the way to touch the palm of my hand.  It seems to be worse when I wake up, but still affects me all day long.

 

babycrane

I have this due to my swelling in my hands. My fingers hurt when I bend them and I have really bad pains in my wrists. Especially when I put weight on them. It is definately worse when I wake up in the morning. Doctor told me to use splints when I sleep. I have been using them for a couple of weeks now and it helps a little. It will go away after the baby. I understand what you are going through and it sucks! Good Luck with it!

BelhurstBride

I don't have carpal tunnel, but the same thing with the nerve that runs up the other side of your hand. When I have flare ups my wrist gets really sore and my pinkie and half of my ring finger go numb. I can bend my fingers okay, but I imagine that my depend on how much the nerve is affected.

I would try sleeping with a brace on. You're probably contorting your wrist when you sleep, which is why it's more aggravated in the morning. 

wachs

i have the same issue. glad im not the only one!

Qrichar1

I have the numbness in my fingers and some of the fingers are sore to bend.  My doctor has recommended the wrist brace, but I did not get it, I just say try to flex your fingers as much as you can.  I also try to stay away from putting my hands above my head!

A_seattle

I had pregnancy carpel tunnel when pregnant with DD - my pinky finger and ring fingers were numb and tingly (until about 3mos pp!) and swollen...and pain and tingles radiated up my wrist and into my elbows. It was really bad at night - I ended up having to sleep in wrist braces which helped tons but were uncomfortable (and super sexy haha) - and also wore them during the day if it was a bad day. Fun. Hasn'y happened yet in this pregnancy - but I think I was closer to 35 weeks when it started with DD so there is still time.

StrawberryAlarmClock

Hold your hands in front of your chest, elbows horizontal. Bend your hands down and touch the backs of your wrists together.  If your fingers start to get numb and tingle in under a minute it's most likely CTS. I have it on both sides. On my right, it's my wrist/hand that goes numb easily. On my left, it's in my middle finger which aches/hurts/cracks all day long. I had to come up with a new way to wash my hands b/c it hurts to "wring" them. Your family doctor can tell you where to get "*** up wrist splints" to hold your hands straight over night. They're not as uncomfortable as I thought they'd be and they help so much.

 

Bride2b2004

To me, sounds like "something else."

I had that during my first pg and hope not to get it again this time.  They said it is similar to CTS, but called something different (I can't remember the name) and it is VERY common during pg and right after birth.  Basically, there is a tendon that slips in and a circle in the bone of your wrist when you need to move your hand/wrist/fingers.  Pg hormones can cause the tendon to swell so that it is unable to pass through.  Also, the kind of wrist/hand work used in lifting babies and changing diapers overtaxes that tendon, which is why it is also common in new moms.  In my case, there were times it even felt stuck (I couldn't move my thumb in the middle of the night)!  I had to wear a brace, had physical therapy for a couple months and received a cortizone (I think that was it) shot that hurt like an SOB (because they couldn't lace it through to the other side of the tendon) but helped dramatically.  It has been years since I even thought about it.

 

gonzagabride

I have something in my wrists as well.  I have been going to accupuncture and talking fish oil and it seems to have helped some.  The only REAL thing that helps is to drink a TON of water.  My fingers are almost completely stiff in the morning and by the evening, if I drink enough H20, it is much better.

 It is painful though....sorry!  My doctor said this is really normal during pregnancy.  Do you work at a computer?  If so I would recommend one of those mousepads with a wrist rest on it.  That has help some as well.

bobbisworld

I had this with my first pregnancy and it hurt like heck and would also leave my hand numb/tingly, especially first thing in the morning. Unfortunately it doesn't go away right after birth either, it took me probably 2-3 months until it was totally gone which is real fun when changing diapers and tiny clothes!