Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Question

Has anyone else suffered from this? I been diagnosed with it this afternoon and I'm not allowed anything apart from paracetomol its killing me, luckly I only have it in one wrist at the moment but doc said it will possibly spread to the other as it another one of those side effects of pregnancy.

I HAVE IT IN ONE HAND NOT BOTH SO IT DOESNT AFFECT TYPING AS IM RIGHT HANDED!!!

Answer 1

it can be pain full . i used to soak in warm water used to ease the pain. you will need an op not much to it in and out same day.of work 3 weeks good luck

Answer 2

I have it through work. But my tendonitis in my hand muscles is worse. It gets set of if i use anything with vibration. No matter if it is riding a motorbike, pushing the electric lawnmower or using a drill at home.
When the pain is really shooting it sometimes help to make a fist. Not sure how but it does make it more bearable i find.
I've had it for years now. The pain used to be worst at night and on bad days i would wake up and just sit there and cry. I also found this on Wiki on carpal tunnel:

"Immobilizing braces
A splint can keep the wrist straight.The importance of wrist braces and splints in the carpal tunnel syndrome therapy is unknown for many people. In 1993, The American Academy of Neurology [12] recommend a non-invasive treatment for the CTS at the beginning (except for sensitive or motor deficit or grave report at EMG/ENG): a therapy using splints was indicated for light and moderate pathology. Then the “Clinical Guideline on Wrist Pain” from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons [13] recommends that patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome modify their activities for two to six weeks while they are treated with wrist splints and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medication. If these therapies are ineffective, or if the patient has thenar muscle atrophy or weakness, the Guidelines recommend referral to specialist. The practice Guidelines of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine [14] suggests a similar approach. In 2002 Katz JN and Simmons BP, about carpal tunnel syndrome say: “If carpal tunnel syndrome seems likely, conservative management with splinting should be initiated. If the condition fails to improve, we recommend referral to a specialist with expertise in the diagnosis and management of carpal tunnel syndrome” [15]. Many health professionals suggest that, for best results, one should wear them at night and, if possible, during the activity primarily causing stress on the wrists,[16] but they can be limiting and uncomfortable to wear.[17] The problems of limitation of movements (especially fingers) and discomfort have been improved with a new type of brace (Policarpal). This brace can be comfortably worn night and day because it does not have a splint and the fingers can move freely; it requires 15 days of use to be effective."

have a look at the other link too. it's about Tendonitis & Carpal Tunnel with new baby

Answer 3

My missus had Carpel Tunnel and it WAS caused by pregnancy.

How it works is this: You have a tendon running through a sleeve. Somehow (probably inflamation) the tendon starts snagging against the sleeve. Aparently it hurts like b*gg*ry!

So you'll probably get some funny gloves to keep your wrists and hands straight. You can, apparently, have an operation but there is a risk that they could bodge it and make it much much worse - ie lose the use of your hands!

My missus is a musician, so this was a major blow, but she got through it. First couple of years it was quite bad. It's rare that I hear about it now. Not sure if she's given up complaining or if it's gone. Don't see the gloves anyway. She does say that her hands are generally weeker though.

Answer 4

i suffered for this 4 years ago when i was pregnant it was horrible aches, pins and neddles etc finally went to the doc about 4 mths after had my baby, i had it on both wrist but much worse on 1, i went to a physio and got exersies to do and some sort of electriod therapy ( i think thats what it was called) its realy common in pregnant women b/c of the extra swelling which causes pressure on the nerves, luckly i had another baby 2 years later and didnt suffer it again.

Answer 5

I get carpal tunnel syndrome and its really painful. You can get splints for it that relieve the pressure which builds up most at night. These velcro together round your hand and have a metal plate that sits in the palm of your hand and runs down to the wrist - you can either ask the doctor to send you for physio and ask them for one, or buy a splint at a good chemists. Good luck, its really uncomfortable at its best, and at its worst its downright agony.

Answer 6

hi i have it also i am 22weeks pregnant and i had it with my last pregnancy also i wear wrist splints at night and that really helps did the doctor not give you any ? if you have it in one wrist at the moment you may get it in the other ,i would ask the doctor for a splint they are not nice too look at but its better than waking up in pain through the night honest. after i had my last daughter it went away and has only returned because i am pregnant , i hope this helps and get a splint good luck love tattiebogal

Answer 7

i know what your going through i had carpal tunnel caused by an injury not pregnancy and it took doctors 3 years to diagnose me with it. I had steroid injections, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, acupuncture, massages, you name it i had it. Then i finally decided to have surgery and touch wood i haven't had any pain since, well not near as bad as it was. it helped me to wear a metal based bandage during the night and keeping the hand slightly elevated at night to help relieve the pain.

All the best

Answer 8

quit typing

before and after my bilateral surgery...I had this therapy..

[I had both wrists done at the same time....I was in THAT much pain...]

any way
go to Walgreens, CVS ,etc etc any good drug store
get the micro wave heated pads for the back...not the small ones...the BACK ones...

get two...

make a "sandwich" dry towel, heated pad, slightly damp towel...then for the second "sandwich" the opposite...sightly damp, then the heated pad, then the dry towel...
put your hand -ut to the mid forearm - in the middle of the "sandwiches"
heat the pads as hot as you can stand them
try to keep your hand "cooking" in the middle for at least 10 min....
the longer the better

the therapists told me "blood heals" and you need the deep heat to allow/promote better circulation for the pinched area

it worked for me....
remember...the longer the better...you might want to add a weight of some sort on the top towel to press down on your wrist and get the heat from both top and bottom equally....

good luck...

Answer 9

Hi I had this in both wrists when I was pregnant with my twins. Its caused be water retention. It will go once the little one is born. I just simply suffered with mine. I tried wrist splits and everything. I found sticking them in warm water helped but once you took them out of the water the pain returned! Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

Answer 10

never heard of that being a side affect from pregnancy..usually due to over usage of the arms and hands.like...from being a cashier,waitress,factory work.mostly from too much work with the hands....i would get a second opinion............good luck......