Carpal Tunnel Woes

So, many of you have asked how I am doing and if I am ready for this baby...let's just say that ABSOLUTELY READY for Austin to be here. And as far as how I am doing? I am doing well. Baby is growing (he's a big one), I am basically healthy (no high risk concerns), I am HOT and swelling a bit, I'm tired (normal), and excited to meet our sweet little guy! However...

...As I am entering my 35th week, I am increasingly being plagued by a painful side effect that hit a good number of pregnant women in the third trimester - CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME.

I will say that I have never heard of this before as being something induced by pregnancy and I have not ever dealt with this issue ever before (pregnant or not). It is fairly common. It is extremely painful. And the the kicker is...there is basically NOTHING you can do for it! It is HORRIBLE! What started several weeks back at tingling and numbness in my hands, has increased to loss of use, throbbing, and burning sensations in both hands caused by swelling in the wrist. I have heard of Carpal Tunnel in individuals who use their hands in a repetitive way over a long period of time. I have known of all of the ergonomical devices and instruments that were out there to purchase to avoid this syndrome, but never took it too seriously and wondered "how bad can it be?"

OH MY! Shall I begin complaining to you now? Ugh! I am now at the point where I have very limited hand use. I can't open things, cut things, pick up small things needing a tight grip, pick up heavy things, text (which I need to stop again anyways), holding the phone upright while talking (must rest on shoulder), typing (without first icing my hands and taking many breaks...like I am now), drive my car with hands high on the steering wheel, and more. Night time is the absolute worst, I have lost lots of sleep and tears this past week. My hands now begin burning (as in ON FIRE!), and throbbing after laying down for any length of time. I am tired but not excited to lay horizontally anymore :( I no longer look forward to bedtime. I would rather be awake.

I have tried chiropractic treatment (recommended by my midwife) and was going twice a week. But now that I have seen no improvement, I have resigned treatment and just doing as much home therapy as possible. My sister-n-law (and also my amazing Doula), has made life a lot easier for me the last few days as she has messaged my hands for long periods of time to improve my circulation and reduce swelling. This is a temporary relief but such a NICE one! And just last night, she surprised me with a wrist brace and a menthol spray to help with the pain at night. I wasn't sure about how effective it would be and because my pain was so severe I really doubted the success rate of this wrist brace.

But, it worked! Last night, I placed my right hand (which is the most severe) in the brace and fell asleep. I actually slept a few hours without waking up in pain! I had some numbness and tingling in both hands but the throbbing and burning were no where to be found! Then 4:30 AM came, and sadly I did wake up in excruciating pain. This time it was in my left hand :( I grabbed the "middle of the night" ice pack, did some stretches and walked around a bit till the pain subsided. I did this on and off until around 7am.

So, here I am today, both hands are pretty much useless except for menial things. Obviously I am able to type a little. I won't be doing this much because it hurts after a few minutes (even when propped up on ice) and I have to take breaks. It also aggravates the nerves for later in the day and makes night time worse. Later, I will be heading to store to grab another brace for the left hand and see if that helps. I am very hopeful and excited at the possibility of getting at least a few more hours of uninterrupted sleep at night. We'll see.

I am hoping at this point to make it to at least 37 weeks and then spontaneously go into labor (safely and naturally)! The only remedy for the pain is post-partum! Baby is out, swelling goes down, pain disappears! Now that is my hope and prayer. There are also those few that go into months of continued pain that slowly subsides and those that deal with it for years after and/or require continued treatment or a minor surgical procedure. PRAYING THAT IS NOT ME!