Around 18ish weeks, I started experiencing carpal tunnel issues overnight when sleeping. I figured it was how I was sleeping and started sleeping with a wrist brace on. It has mostly been helping. Until lately. I'm 29 weeks now. Within the past week or so, the numbness and tingling has been staying around longer instead of going away when I wake up. It's also expanding throughout my arm. It feels as though it's radiating out of my elbow. Like when you hit your funny bone but get the nerve? It feels like that . I've been awake a good 3 hours now and I'm still experiencing the tingling/pins and needles in my elbow and hand. I wouldn't care as much if it were my non-dominant hand but no such luck. Anyone experience this? I keep telling myself I'm halfway there symptom wise as though that'll help... I'm trying to sleep more on my left side instead but didn't know if there's anything else that could help. Makes getting ready in the morning rather difficult!
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A girlfriend of mine had really awful pregnancy induced carpal tunnel and wore a brace at work, especially b/c she was on a computer all the time. It went away afterwards.
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I had this exact thing my last pregnancy, and I'm already starting to get it now at 22 weeks. My doctor last time around said to wear the brace as much as possible, 24 hours a day, and to cut down on mouse pad use (an actual mouse is better) and phone use (the repetitive motion of constant scrolling) when at all possible. I can't really cut down on those things (work and my personal internet addictions, haha), so I switched to using my left hand.
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I had it expand up to my elbow on my left arm for my first pregnancy. It went away 7 months PP. I wore a brace and took some anti inflammatory meds.
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@Anagram: My OB last time (maybe 5 weeks ago?) casually suggested wearing the wrist brace more often than just at night. I might have to try that...
@autumnlove: Was it an elbow brace? And what kind of meds? There's no way I can deal with this until 7 months PP!
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@LindsayInNY: I think it was Naproxen after I gave birth. (It didn't affect my breastfeeding supply) Brace looks like this!
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If it's feeling like your funny bone and tingling in your 4-5th fingers, it's your ulnar nerve that's getting irritated, which is different than carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel affects the median nerve. The ulnar nerve passes thru the elbow and can get compressed or irritated if you rest your elbows on the table or armrest often. Also be mindful of posture. Try stretching your pecs/chest in the doorway. You can put ice on the area that's painful/tingling too.
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@autumnlove: That's kinda what I've been wearing at night. Mine might be a little shorter in length?
@BeachMama: The tingling is in most of my fingers, not just limited to the 4th and 5th ones. But it's definitely a numb feeling originating (at least now) from my elbow area. I'm wondering if it's both my ulnar and median nerves being irritated? I'll definitely try those exercises though! At this point, I have nothing to lose. Where would I ice? Around my elbow?
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@lindsayinny: put the ice on your elbow or wherever your pain is. It'll help with inflammation and also pain, though only temporarily. You may want to see a chiro or PT if it continues
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I had a similar problem while pregnant and them further irritated by the way I held baby while nursing. I was referred on to a hand therapist who advised me wear wrist braces, avoid wearing a watch or jewellery on my wrists and to do nerve glide exercises (I'll find the instructions for you!)
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@LindsayInNY: I had pregnancy induced carpal tunnel and went to see an orthopedic and they had me wear an elbow brace so I didn't bend my elbow at night. It was much better with the brace and went away after delivery. It hasn't come back with this pregnancy yet.
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have you seen a chiropractor about this? i had radiating tingly feelings from my neck to my elbow and fingers and seeing a chiropractor really helped!
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@MrsH: I wore both an elbow brace and a wrist brace to bed last night. It was really sexy
Seemed to help a bit though. At least with the elbow nerve pain!@birdofafeather: No... I've been resistant, LOL. Just putting up with it and hoping it goes away post-birth!
Seemed to help a bit though. At least with the elbow nerve pain!
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