sore swollen hands

sarteratops

I didn't swell at all during the heat this summer and now things are actually at a tolerable temp here in Chicago and I'm having a hard time enjoying the simplest things because of these darn hands. The past week or so I've woken up with my fingers feeling swollen and it hurts to make a fist or really use my hands for anything. I've been doing stretches for my hands and fingers but it doesn't seem to help. I have read that some women develop carpal tunnel, but isn't that more in the wrists? My wrists are fine, it's mostly just my fingers. Anyone else? Any recommendations?

bundymommy

Sorry, no good advice, but maybe it will help to know others are in the same boat? My finger joints have been sore for a while. At first I thought I did something to them, until it never went away and I assumed it was pregnancy-related. Staying in the AC helps with my swelling, and taking it easy on the couch in the evenings. GL!

shortie2008

Mine too. I asked my dr about it yesterday, she says it's normal and that it is pregnancy's version of carpal tunnel. I'm thinking it has less to do with the heat and more with the amount of fluid we're hanging on to, as it's not as hot here, either. They also start tingling at random times. At first I thought it was just how I was sitting or lying, but now it happens however I hold my hands. It's also worse on my right side than my left.

Unfortunately, I don't have recommendations, but you're not alone.

Kitty Holland

yes! I have that too - it feels like arthritis or something. I don't know what helps. For me the only thing that help a bit is running my hands under cold water. 

loisloan1118

I've got the same thing, so I feel for ya!  I asked my OB about it.  She said there's not a whole lot that can be done, just tough it out till LO is born.  She did say that sleeping with wrist supports may help (but not much).  She also said raising your arms to get the extra fluid out of your hands can help, and it does a little.  I was doing that in bed at 4am 2 days ago (that's when it's worst for me) and I thought DH was sleeping - but he wasn't... he just looked at my like I was crazy & fell back asleep! 

TruN

Mines are in my wrist, Its very painful and the pain sometimes are unbearable. But what is carpal tunnel??? My doc said its pretty normal.

uberbitter

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve in the wrist has pressure on it, like from swelling, and can cause pain and numbness. A wrist brace can help with this, but my numbness is being caused by the nerve being pinched elsewhere, as my chiropractor can usually help by loosening up my shoulders and elbows, so the wrist braces are useless for me.

For the joint pain caused by the swelling in my fingers, what seems to help the most is to hold my hands in the air as long as can in the morning, then soak them in warm water to loosen them up, and then soak them in cold water to help with the swelling.  But they still always hurt at least a little bit, and if I sit with my hands too still for more than a few minutes, the pain and stiffness gets much worse really fast.  Sometimes at work I run them under the hot air dryer for a while.

sarteratops

Thanks for the advice ladies, good to know I'm not alone. And yes to PP, it does feel like arthritis! I could actually hear a snapping sound in my finger joints this morning when I tried to make a fist. Holding the arms above the head does seem to help a little. 

txhottie

The carpal tunnel is in your wrist, but it swells and puts pressure on nerves that go into your hand. It can cause a swelled feeling (but no actual swelling) and tingling in the thumb, forefinger, middle finger and 1/2 of the ring finger. It can be incredibly painful and hurt to use your hand.

does your hand actually look swollen, or just have a feeling of being swollen?

You can buy some wrist splints at Walgreens and wear them at night or while working on computers.  It will help! Good luck!

MyBun&Me

I've had the painful swelling in my hands for about 4-5 weeks and nothing has helped except taking a Tylenol... Thankfully, I'm hearing what everyone else is saying that this is normal and will cease after delivery...

Good luck to you!!!

K

ces25c

I agree with all PPs about ice and elevation on your hands and you might try stretching the rest of your arm and shoulder and massage.  That will help in case anything is pinched in your shoulder or elbow plus just helping your entire arm relax.  The muscles in your hand and wrist go all the way up your forearm and a few cross your elbow joint as well.  Having hand pain can also change the way you hold and move the rest of your arm, causing strain, if that makes sense...

If someone will give you a massage, tell them to stay above anyplace that is swollen, though!