Why carpal tunnel?

babykitcat · September 2015

Does anyone have a reason why some of us have gotten carpal tunnel? This seems so unnecessary, like I understand the kick in the crotch feeling and all that but carpal tunnel? It just seems a bit unnecessary...

NDimanov · September 2015

Agreed....I have been suffering for a couple months. My doc said it's because of water retention and the stress it puts on the joints in the hands. Some days I can't even move my fingers on my right hand when I wake up in the morning

margies2010 · September 2015

Pregnancy causes us to retain extra fluid - our blood volumes are the highest ever right about now! When this extra fluid gets trapped in your tissues, in this case your wrist, it puts pressure on the nerve that passes through a tiny tunnel in your wrist. There's also a tendon squeezing through this tiny passage. So, essentially, the excess fluid you retain due to pregnancy hormones is "pinching" the nerve and causing the pain and numbness.

Casseylemon · September 2015

I know, right?! I am constantly dropping things too because of it, I can't tell you how many drinks I've spilled :-q

mllelibbington · September 2015

And here I thought it was a work injury

margies2010 · September 2015

mllelibbington said:
And here I thought it was a work injury

It very well can be, also! The tendon that passes through the tunnel with the nerve can thicken with repetitive motions, and that's where the "work injury" part comes in.

I already had carpel tunnel in both wrists before this pregnancy, so the swelling has just compounded the issue.

meghan82 · September 2015

yeah carpal tunnel has come on strong for me in the past month or so... a totally unexpected pregnancy symptom if there ever was one! like you @ndimanov sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night to pee and can't bend my ring fingers. it hurts like hell. my knee has also been bothering me for weeks. i will be so excited when these pains go away (even if they are replaced by postpartum pains!).

millereliz13 · September 2015

margies2010 said:
Pregnancy causes us to retain extra fluid - our blood volumes are the highest ever right about now! When this extra fluid gets trapped in your tissues, in this case your wrist, it puts pressure on the nerve that passes through a tiny tunnel in your wrist. There's also a tendon squeezing through this tiny passage. So, essentially, the excess fluid you retain due to pregnancy hormones is "pinching" the nerve and causing the pain and numbness.

That is exactly what my doctor told me. I had to see an orthopedic hand dr the other week for a different injury and he gave that explanation for the carpal tunnel.

blsav23 · September 2015

It hurts so bad! Sometimes, I wake up in the middle of the night having to pee so bad but my wrists hurt so much. I then have to make the choice of peeing the bed or endure excruciating pain to push myself up. This must be what it's like to be 87.

stineamaphone · September 2015

I have it too. It feels like a mix of
Carpal tunnel and arthritis because my
Joints are so swollen too! Went for a massage and she was able to help this a little but it only lasted a night or two. I I wear a brace on each wrist now at night which helps keep the joint straight, less numbness that way. Kind of annoying for writing, cooking, makeup, pretty much anything. My
Midwife said it will get a little worse after birth with fluid shifts and and then it should get better.

babykitcat · September 2015

Omg it can get worse? I only have it in my right hand but I can't put on my own bra and it hurts to wipe myself after the bathroom! Seriously I had no idea this was even a thing to do with pregnancy....blows my mind!

margies2010 · September 2015

Mine definitely got worse! Pre-pregnancy I could wear splints and not have any issues the next day, but could tell if I didn't wear my splints because I would hurt in the morning. Now, I can't wear my splints because it traps too much fluid in my wrist and hands and makes it worse!

I've found that hanging your hand down and shaking it can get some nerve impulses through, even if only for a bit. I do this when they go completely numb and get some feeling back in temporarily. I have a constant pins and needles feeling in my right hand.

Thankfully, once I get fluid regulated after baby and get breastfeeding going, we are going to operate on my hand. Gotta love insurance and out of pocket maximums.

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