Carpal tunnel and numb hands?

[namistenicole]

Hi ladies,

I'm chiming in from December here. I'm almost 36 weeks, and I'm getting numb hands and arms while I sleep that are unbearable. I roll on the left and my left arm goes numb. I roll on the right and my right side goes numb! Ah!

Have any of you experienced this? And if so, did you find anything that helps? I'm wearing a brace on my right hand/wrist at night and taking 100mg of B6 but it's getting worse. What worked for you?

Thanks!

[Jaysmylilpunkin]

I haven't done that this pregnancy, but I did it with DS. It got so bad that I couldn't even turn door knobs or grip small things. Things that helped were doing stuff to reduce swelling, LOTS of water, no salt, baths/pools... things like that, but nothing really helped all that much. Good luck at least you're in the homestretch!

[ma_vie_en_rose]

I had this with DD2. It is caused by a build up of fluid putting pressure on the nerves in your hand. Definitely things that reduce swelling will help you. I actually slept was a make-shift splint to avoid having to spend money on a brace. I rolled up a large sock to hold in my hand. I kept it in place all night by slipping the other sock over my entire fist. It kept my hand in the same position and helped with the numbness. I also avoided sleeping on that side of my body. The only real cure I found for it, though, was given birth.

[Carolann S]

I had this with most of my first pregnancy and now with this pregnancy I've had it since about 34 weeks. I'm 39 weeks now. I don't really have any suggestions or help to offer you. The only thing that worked for me was switching the position I was in. I know it's very uncomfortable. I feel for you.

[OkiMom]

I get it occassionally, but not every night. If I make sure to be really hydrated before I go to bed it helps some.

[yogagirl]

I have this too! Sucks because I keep dropping things on the floor and have to pick them up which is getting tricky these days! Plus, I have this crazy urge to knit all day long but that just aggrevates it. It was worse about two months ago and now it just hurts more when I first wake up. I'm just glad it's not keeping me up all night like it did for a while! I find sleeping on my left side with my arm on a pillow with elbow at 90 degrees helps me.

[LaurenAnanas]

My hands are a mess, but it seems to be caused by the position of my shoulders (rounded forward, lately), rather than carpal tunnel issues (I've experienced CTS before, and this is different). My hands are swollen, sore, and stiff, and it is difficult to grip things- It's taken me...oh crap...almost two months to get through the thank you notes from my baby shower! Should have typed the damn things.

Anyway, since I can only sleep on my side, that compresses the shoulder area and keeps it all going, but my acupuncturist showed me pressure point in my armpit that really help restore circulation. Also, soaking my hands in hot water feels really good, and keeping my shoulders as far back as possible during the day seems to have helped.

[namistenicole]

Originally Posted by LaurenAnanas

My hands are a mess, but it seems to be caused by the position of my shoulders (rounded forward, lately), rather than carpal tunnel issues (I've experienced CTS before, and this is different). My hands are swollen, sore, and stiff, and it is difficult to grip things- It's taken me...oh crap...almost two months to get through the thank you notes from my baby shower! Should have typed the damn things.

Anyway, since I can only sleep on my side, that compresses the shoulder area and keeps it all going, but my acupuncturist showed me pressure point in my armpit that really help restore circulation. Also, soaking my hands in hot water feels really good, and keeping my shoulders as far back as possible during the day seems to have helped.

Hm, that really strikes a chord. I know the tension starts in my shoulder/neck, and I've really been noticing at night when my head's all crunched up against my shoulder. I'll look into some acupressure relief. Thanks so much for your ideas ladies.