carpal tunnel, anyone?

[ciga]

Anyone else dealing with carpal tunnel?

I had no idea this was something that happened in pregnancy. The numbness and shooting pains are driving me crazy and wrist/hand exercises only mildy help.
From what I've read it generally subsides after birth but it is still not fun.

[LittleLegos]

For me it has to do with swelling. My hands get pretty swollen if I'm hot. Staying cool keeps me much more comfortable.

My sister said she used a wrist brace at night and it made a big difference.

It is uncomfortable when it happens and I feel like not using my wrist!

I'm sure it will get better with birth...much like every other complaint I have lately.

Amy

[Molliejo]

Yes! I have it bad and every night it wakes me up about fifteen times. Sometimes I have to actually get out of bed to get the blood flowing to my hands again. I sew a lot during the day and I have noticed that when I do a lot of work the night is particularly bad.

Just got to make it a few more weeks and it will be gone!

[Dov'sMom]

Not this time, but I had it with my first and it was really uncomfortable.

BUT the most amazing thing was that by the time they handed me DS (which was, admittedly, a few minutes after birth because they had to suction out tonds of meconium), it was GONE. Totally gone, never to return (so far...DS1 is 3) within 20 minutes of birth.

Something to look forward to...

[Chryseis]

Yep. I had it terribly for the last 12 weeks of my first pregnancy, but was lucky enough to avoid it my second go round. Unfortunately it reared its ugly head again during this pregnancy. It showed up about 2 weeks ago. It's not as bad as it was the first time I had it, but I do have a really hard time holding untensils, cutting anything, etc. It also wakes me up all night long. I've spent a few nights sleeping sitting up lately to keep the blood flowing.

I hope it disappears soon after birth this time. After I had my daughter it actually stayed around and worsened a bit for me. It finally went away about 5-6 weeks postpartum.

[harmie0515]

Not this time, but in the past. Sorry you're experiencing this "joy" of pregnancy.

[october]

OH YES.

from knitting (and pregnancy swelling)
it hurts tot ype!!

[zannster]

Yup, I have it. I wear a brace to bed too, and it helps somewhat.

[ArtsyMomma]

I didn't realize carpal tunnel could be so painful until I started experiencing symptoms. I couldn't use my hands at all for a few days. I got a steroid shot to mature the baby's lungs (history of preemies) and within a few hours the symptoms began to subside...so nice...but they are starting to come back again. Knitting, crocheting, typing....all the stuff I enjoy is getting uncomfortable.

[lunita1]

Originally Posted by ciga

Anyone else dealing with carpal tunnel?

I had no idea this was something that happened in pregnancy. The numbness and shooting pains are driving me crazy and wrist/hand exercises only mildy help.
From what I've read it generally subsides after birth but it is still not fun.

The braces really help, and you can pick one up from Wal Mart. They're a little annoying though! I have mild carpal tunnel when I'm not pregnant, and right now I swear that my hands go numb if I *think* about knitting. I should probably dig out the annoying brace. I've been just not knitting, but I *really* want to finish something!