Carpel Tunnel Syndrom and Pregnancy Issue?

Question

I am 32 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I developed Carpel Tunnel Syndrome awhile back. My doctor has told me that I need to cut back on my activity. I am a bit concerned because I am not sure what the end result could possibly be, i.e. could it turn into preeclampsia or any other birth related issues? I know that right now it is becoming increasingly difficult to even walk as my feet are having the same problems (tingling, numbness, swelling). How much worse can this possibly get with 2 months left? I am not sure I can cut back my activity any more as I do not particularly wish to become a vegetable, as well as the simple fact that I have a 1 year old child and 2 older step children. Sitting around all day is not really an option.
Has anyone had any experience with issues like this, and does anyone have any clue as to just how bad it can all get?

I said that wrong lol. I didn't think CTS could actualy become preeclampsia. But from what I had heard retaining water could be a sign of it, on top of extreme weight gain. As I said this is my 2nd child, so yeah I'm already ready to get it over with. I haven't had extreme weight gain in fact I lost weight with this one (lucky me). I was basicaly wondering if the water retention can cause anything more, my doctor has not been very clear when I have asked him. I do indeed drink tons of water, since I can't stand to drink anything else. Sorry I made that confusing!

Answer 1

It will go away shortly ( as in a couple or three weeks) after delivering the baby. It also may get a little worse until then, so try not to over-use that hand, or both hands. When sleeping, the only way I could get relief was to hang the affected arm off of the edge of the bed and let it dangle. Sounds strange, but when it's really hurting, you will try anything. If your blood pressure is within normal limits, you have no worries about preeclampsia. If you cut back on your salt intake, you will notice a big improvement on the swelling. Don't add salt to anything, and avoid high salt foods. Keep with the water! Good Luck!

Answer 2

I'm not sure if Carpel Tunnel can turn into preeclampsia (high blood pressure) or any other kind of birth related issues. You can do a lot with your children while sitting down, crafts, eye spy, board games, watching them play outside, conversations with them.
The swelling in for feet is probably water weight and the tingling and numbness are from that. Cut out salt from your diet and drink tons of water.
You should talk to your Doctor about your concerns because he is the only one that knows your pregnancy and can tell you what is going on and what to do about it.

Answer 3

If CTS is the concern, knitting and racquetball is probably not a good idea. Can't see that it would affect your ability to walk unless you had TTS, tarsel tunnel syndrome.

Good ideas- get some full support maternity pantyhose. Find some really comfy shoes. Make sure you're drinking plenty of water. Cut out any excess sugar from your diet (really important to read food labels - corn syrups, high fructose corn syrups, glucose- you'll be surprised). Walk, even if it means turtle speed and short distances. Keep good posture when sitting or standing. Holding your tummy in, rather than just let it hang there is a good work out for your abs. Take some time and baby your feet with a good cool soak with or without epsom salts. When you are sitting, keep those feet moving - wiggle, tap, circular motions. Shift positions often whether standing or sitting.

And yes, if you're uncomfortable now, it gets more so. It's why we say, I can't wait till this baby is out until the first hard contraction hits. After that hits, we'd rather have just suffered along in discomfort.

- don't listen to people who tell you to cut out salt from your diet, unless it's your doctor or you use it to excess.

Answer 4

FIrst carpel tunnel is in your hands/wrists & can be 'pregnancy induced", meaning it will go away after you have your baby, mine did. The feet problem can be several things. Like the previous answer said, it coudl be water retention, too much salt or it could be that the baby is sitting on your sciatica nerve, causing pain & numbness. I dont' see any way possible that it could cause preeclampsia or any other birth related issues.

Answer 5

I too am suffering from CTS in my hands and wrists. It is very annoying and painful-but I have found 2 things that provide some relief. 1) Memory foam pillows to sleep with if you have it in you hands. I found that when I use these pillows the pressure from my head laying on my hands at night is not so great and makes it a bit more bareable to sleep. 2) CTS wrist braces that you can purchase at Walgreens, etc. I also use these when I sleep, drive, computer, and other repetitive tasks.
Good luck