Awful wrist pain - just more preg-related carpal tunnel?

[becomingme]

This started the other day during a nap, and seems to be getting worse (though, oddly enough, the pain seems most noticeable when I'm laying down and resting, rather than when I'm typing, cooking, etc.).

I've had what I'm pretty certain is pregnancy-related carpal tunnel -- lots of tingling and numbness from my wrists through my fingers -- for at least a few months now. But this is the first time I've experienced any pain.

It feels pretty awful.

Is anyone one experiencing this? I suppose I should just ice it and be thankful that I managed to go this far along before it started to be painful. My understanding is that for most women, it goes away after pregnancy.

Thanks,

nk

[diamond lil]

Same boat here. The tingling and numbness actually wake me up in the middle of the night and prevents me from getting a good night's sleep. It also flares up when I am driving. It must be the way my arms are bent when I am holding the steering wheel. If I drive for 15 minutes or longer, my fingers and hands fall asleep. It is worse in my right hand (I am right handed). Very annoying, but my doctor said it is pregnancy related and will go away after delivery.

[AKA_PI]

My mom suffered from this with my brother. She bought a wrist guard (at the recommendation of the doctor) and wore it as often as possible. It cleared weeks later.

[femuhnistmama]

my ob says it is very common this is my 4th pregnancy and 1st time experiencing this lovely symptom. it gets worse every day! i am seriously hoping it goes away after delivery, or you have to get the fluid drained. i am getting a massage tomorrow.... i am hoping it magically disappears!

[OhMel]

Mine does get exacerbated during pg, but the chiro is always able to help. Might be worth it if you're in that much pain.

[berrybear]

I've had the exact same progression of symptoms. For 2-3 months i've had the classic numbness and tingling - more in my right hand. For the last couple of weeks, I'll wake up in the middle of the night and my wrists will hurt and be very stiff. When i move my hand back and forth my wrist "clicks" as it loosens up a bit. Ironically, this particular symptom has been worse with my left wrist.

[starparticle]

Uh, I have this terribly. Burning hands all night and numb all day. Can't wait to get the baby out, I'm comfortable other than this.

Getting acupuncture and trying to reduce swelling as much as possible! And not type to much, ha.

[Pyrodjm]

My carpal tunnel got progressively worse from 20 weeks on and the pain was horrendous by the end. 3 wks pp I am almost all better. Hang in there!

[bettymamma]

Oh mi gosh....Although I hate to hear that you all are having this problem, it makes me feel less insane knowing that I am not the only one!!!!!

It is miserable!!! Mine is also much worse at night, and the first few hours of morning. I can no longer sleep on my side....I have to sleep sitting up with my arms stretched out.

Sometimes my husband will stretch my hands out before bed and that helps. But, I still wake up with that awful pain. I have to get out of bed, stand there and wiggle my arms around!!!! I feel your pain!!!!

My midwife said it is rare for it not to go away after baby comes. I did have this once before when I started a really physicall job taking care of brain injured adults. I went to the chiropractor and it was like magic...gone after a few visits!! SO-there is hope if it doesn't go away!

I am thinking about going to get wrist splints if I don't deliver soon!!!!!!!

Hang in there!!!!!!!

[becomingme]

Thanks for all the responses, mamas. As always, it's good to know that I'm not nuts and I'm not the only one. I'm really going to keep my fingers crossed that it goes away soon after birth.

I see a chiro and an acupuncturist...for some reason I'd never thought to discuss this with them. As long as I'm seeing them, I might as well...it can't hurt, I don't think.

I may try some ice in the morning before heading out for my NST...I'm just heading to bed now and I can already feel the pain intensifying...and berrybear, I have the same issue you do...it's much worse in my left wrist, even though I'm right handed. Go figure...

Take care all,

nk

[robertandenith]

you can try ingesting some foods with inflammatory properties like fish, flax seeds or oil, dark greens and walnuts.