is this carpal tunnel?

[HankyPanky]

This morning I woke up to very achy fingers in both hands. The best way to describe it is they feel the way I imagine arthritis would feel. They've been aching all day long. I have not done any unusual activity lately (no painting, knitting, or sewing... too lazy!) so I know I'm not sore from anything specific.

I always thought carpal tunnel involved wrist pain, which I don't have. But what else could it be? (I am 36 weeks, BTW).

[MaerynPearl]

totally normal in pregnancy!

I get it towards the end with mine (and have yet to be diagnosed with actual carpal tunnel) I forget now what my doctor has told me it was in the past but I do remember them telling me not to worry it is 100% normal and will go away after baby comes.

As far as I know, carpal tunnel involves numb fingers and aching wrists? but I could be wrong there, I just know that was the symptoms for my brother before he had his surgery for it.

[cameragirl]

Yep - sounds like it. If you haven't already, I recommend getting a brace to sleep in. It's easy to curl your hands under while you're sleeping, and you won't realize it. Icing several times a day can help, too.

[MaerynPearl]

Okay according to this http://www.babycenter.com/0_carpal-t...egnancy_234.bc it is carpal tunnel but not anything worrisome... after reading that it very much sounds like what I go through and it did go away after the pregnancy with both children so far.... which is why my doctor didn't care to do anything about it.

[meganlisbeth]

if it's just coming on at 36 weeks you will probably be okay.
i got pregnancy carpal tunnel with my last pregnancy starting at around 25 weeks. it got really bad and i ended up being on sick leave for 1.5 months before my mat leave started. i'm 21 weeks now and can feel it starting up...

good news is, like MaerynPearl said, it typically goes away after baby is born. mine did a few weeks post-partum.

[Terrilein]

I had a bad round of carpal tunnel several weeks ago. My mw does accupuncture and after the second session, my complaints were gone! Try it, I say!

[HankyPanky]

Thanks everyone... I guess I just assumed that carpal tunnel involved the wrists and only my fingers seem to be affected.

I noticed this morning that they felt slightly better and that some minor swelling I had yesterday was down. This afternoon they are aching again and I'm having some swelling. Perhaps if I concentrate on getting my swelling down (fluids, dandelion root), I'll be able to avoid more discomfort.

And yes, I'm thankful that I only have a few more weeks and that my pain isn't extreme!