I've had carpal tunnel problems since about 18 weeks. Around 29 weeks maybe, it started to get really bad. It's no longer nighttime only but 24:7. I've been off a computer for 2 1/2 days now and that isn't even helping. Every finger in my right hand, except for my pinky, are numb and tingly 24/7. Its hard to deal with my contacts, put makeup on, etc. I started acupuncture last week because I don't know what else to do. I wear a wrist brace to bed. I've tried during the day but it doesn't help at all. Is there anything at all that can help? I'm at my wits end... Only 8 weeks but this is bad.
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Have you looked at ergonomics at all? Is there an ergonomic specialist at your job? HR might be able to help. I switched to a trackball mouse and it made a world of difference. You might try an ergonomic keyboard too.
Good luck!! I had nerve pain radiating up to my elbow, so I sympathize with you!!
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Oh no, that sounds terrible... no advice, as there was nothing I could do to make it better. Mine wasn't as bad as yours, but mine actually got worse after delivery and lasted another month! Then it went away completely.
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@Mrs. Coral: Part of the problem is that I'm not in the office all day. I visit clients in the field and sit at their computers. I'm trying to limit computer usage when I'm at a clients office but it doesn't seem to help or matter.
@Meridian: It's brutal. I see my OB on Tuesday so I'm going to ask her. I'm gonna die dealing with this for another two months!
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@LindsayInNY: yeah, I feel you there...I had the exact same problem. However, you can still bring your own mouse with you.
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I would try wearing the braces 24/7. Might take a while to notice a difference.
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@LindsayInNY:
I'm sorry
I had the same problem and nothing fixed it. It didn't go away until a little less than a week after delivery. From what I understand the braces don't really do anything because it's caused by the pressure of fluids on the inside. It would wake me up in the middle of the night, it was so bad. -
@sapphire: That's a thought. I didn't think it would take a while... Maybe I haven't given it long enough.
@rachiecakes: Ugh. Even braces won't help?! Yeah overnight is bad. It's in both hands then. I've tried ice but that doesn't help either. DH is worried that it won't go away after but I think/hope it will.
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I'm sorry that you're already dealing with this pre-baby. I had horrible carpal tunnel once my baby was born and I'm dreading it. Both wrists. And at times I felt like they might just break off. I wore the braces to bed because I didn't want to wake up and have slept on my wrist in a bad way, causing more pain.
Only thing I can say, it doesn't last forever
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@LindsayInNY:
not for me but I was so, so swollen, you couldn't see any veins in my hands for IVs and I'm normally so bony and thin-skinned on my hands and feet. After delivery it felt like I was sweating gallons (so gross!) but all the fluid made it's way out one way or another and everything was back to normal. I haven't had carpal tunnel since, it was only third trimester through delivery.
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I also had this in my first pregnancy, and it went away for me immediately after delivery.
No advice, just lots of sympathy.
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@sweetooth: Ugh. It's so bad. Even when I sleep. I try different ways to keep me from sleeping in "bad" arm/wrist positions and even they don't really work.
@rachiecakes: I've been swelling as well. I thought it was heat related but it's not all that warm and it's still happening. And I'm overheating at times too. I'll feel like I'm sweating and DH looks at me like I'm crazy.
@ValentineMommy:
I hope my OB has some suggestion, anything! next week. I'm so desperate.
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I think you'll have to wear them all the time. I had some numbness/tingling in my hands last week and the OB recommended LOTS of water, cutting way back on salt, elevating my hands, wearing a brace to bed, and massaging around the wrist to try to get the fluid to drain. It comes and goes for me, though.
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@blackbird: Ugh, I was hoping that wasn't the only option... I'll try 24/7 brace wearing. It sucks because I'm starting to feel it in my left wrist/hand now too. I woke up and put my arms above my head to see if that would help. I'll give your suggestions a shot. I need to make these last 8ish weeks somewhat bearable!
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Bad carpal tunnel is the worst and I had no idea it was a thing! What helped a little for me was trying to sleep with my arms above my head (does that make sense?) and every night before bed I would have my husband massage my wrists and it felt really good. I drank a ton of water and soaked them in cool water. I had the braces but they annoyed me so I probably didn't wear them as much as I should have. Also, mine didn't go away right after delivery so I got scared it would last forever! But it did go away a couple weeks later, thank goodness. Eye on the prize (baby
).
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@RLCeigh: Sorta makes sense... I've been trying that but how do you sleep with your arms above your head? I couldn't seem to figure it out this morning! I'll ask DH to massage them... I've been doing that myself at times. Did the water help? DH is afraid it won't go away but at least post-baby I can take an anti-inflammatory and whatnot!
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@LindsayInNY: a friend of mine wore hers all the time and it did help! It went away after delivery. It's really unsettling and uncomfortable to lose feeling in your hands! Hope it gets better for you
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@LindsayInNY: It really does suck. I hope it ends for you when your bundle of joy arrives. The braces were hard to sleep in - but waking up with a tingling hand, wrist & arm was worse. So I slept with the braces often.
I'm sorry
).
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