Wrist and Thumb Pain

Yep, I had the same thing! I agree with everyone else that it is carpel tunnel which can be common in pregnancy. I found that a masssage of the arm and shoulder really helped as well as a soft wrist brace. Luckily mine was in the last month so I didn't have to wait too long before I could take ibuprofin which helped. Hope you find some relief soon!

I had the exact same problem after I had my daughter. It's actually called tenosynvitis (spelling?). I developed it from (I think) from carrying around that wonderfully heavy baby carrier all the time. I had to get a brace and go through physical therapy for a few months to get completely better. I would talk to your doctor about getting a referral for a physical therapist, and definitely start wearing a brace. You can get one from any drugstore, but once again, I would talk to your doctor about getting a decent one. Mine was re-inforced with a steel bar to keep my thumb and wrist aligned properly. Hope that helps!

S.,

Yes! I know exactly what you are going through! I have the same thing, although mine started after my pregnancy, last November when my daughter was 6 weeks old. It is called DeQuervain's tendonitis (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/de-quervains-tenosynovit...) and getting thumb braces (I use the FUTURO Thumb Stabilizer) and icing the area should help you, since you cannot take medication right now. If you'd like more information, email me at ____@____.com luck!
C.

Going to the Chiro regularly really helped my muscle pains when I was pregnant. You may try one.

S.
www.workathomeunited.com/S.

Hello S.,

I would recommend Mona Vie Active. It's safe to drink during pregnancy because it's fruit juice with Glucosamine and Fatty Acids added. The Glucosamine and Fatty Acids help reduce swelling so it's great for things like Lupus, Arthritis, Aches/Pains and more. Not to mention it'll help you get your daily dose of fruits (one should consume a minimum of 5 servings/day) which is always good for baby too! :)

Email me at ____@____.com if you want more info or send me a private message here on MamaSource.

I had a pinched nerve on my right side during pregnancy which caused a burning pain down my leg and up into my arm when I laid on that side. It went away shortly after giving birth but I still have a twinge if I lay on my right side for too long. I guess those are the things we all have to go through to bring new life into the world. If I had it to do all over again, I wouldn't change a thing! :)

Good luck,

M.

I didn't have this exact problem when I was pregnant, but I did have carpo tunnel due to pregnancy with my son. My whole left side of my body was numb and tingle (like it was "asleep")from 7 months on. That was fun with a 2 year old that I was afraid to hold because I didn't know if I would just drop her unexpectedly. I was very worried at first that it was heart related problems. But the doctor said that it was normal and it should go away after I deliver. It did about 2 weeks later.

I do know that your joints loosen up during the last few months of pregnancy to allow for your pelvis to expand, it might be that this is causing your thumb to feel like it is moving out of socket. If the doctor says it isn't anything to worry about I really wouldn't worry. If it is real painful you might try something topical like bengay.

Good luck,
S.

I found and read that there are a lot of wierd things that cna occur due to being pregnant. Many go away after delivery. Three out of the five fingers on my right hand constantly tingled. After delivery it was just the finger tips and then went completely away. I also got severe leg cramps at night.
I found that the book "What to expect when your expecting" was very helpful and it addressed all issues small or large.

You're not alone mama! I started getting the same pain right after my last baby was born, 4 months ago. My doc diagnosed DeQuervain's tendonitis. He sent me to a therapist who said that it's VERY common in pregnant/post partum women. I guess the hormones released to loosen up the muscles/tendons in the pelvic cavity for birth affect all muscles/tendons, and since mama's use there hands a lot,,, Anyway, the brace thing that Carol recommended helps A LOT, as does alternating cool/hot soaks. (Soak in cool water for 2 min, then hot for 2 min, alternating for about 10 min). Ice is wonderful,,, mine felt 90% better for about an hour after each icing, but be careful not to overdue it. After trying therapy, the brace, exercises, etc for 3 months my doc finally agreed to a local injection of cortisone with lidocain. He warned it would probably be a temporary fix, and that the next step would be a orthopod. But I lucked out and haven't had a problem since! You might ask your doc about the injection since it's localized and not injected into the blood stream.

GOOD LUCK!!!

P.S. carpal tunnel in the wrist generally effects the index and middle finger, not the thumb.

I just went to a seminar regarding Worker's comp injuries. They said that you are more likely to have carpel tunnel issues when you are pregnant.

I wear a brace on my right arm (I work in an office and keyboard all day). It really helps

i had a similar feeling- i think to what you are describing. I could barely turn the key of my car one day. Thought I had caral tunnel or something. The doctor couldn't give me an actual diagnosis, but i purchased some wrist braces at walmart & wore them periodically throughout the day & at night when I slept & it helped A LOT!

I would try going to the Chiropractor, getting a massage, those two even if you only do one of them should help. Arnica cream found at the health food store should help with the pain. It's a topical used specically for pain and swelling. My last resort would be getting a brace, although they do help. Good luck looks like you got some great suggestions!

I had pregnancy induced carpal tunnel with my first pregnancy. I was a secretary so I did a lot of typing. When I went home at night it felt like my wrists were on fire. I had to sleep with ice packs on my wrists. That seemed to help.

OMG! Someone with the same exact problem as me! I thought it was just me! LOL! Well, I started having this issue when I was about 7 months pregnant. I told my doc as well. I also had an x-ray done, and nothing there to fix from what he said. But, it still feels like there is something moving around in there and sometimes it feels like I have to almost "pop" my thumb back into place. My wrist didn't really hurt at first, but now it is starting to. My doc took another look at it and said it was probably a ganglion cyst. Don't worry, they aren't normally concerous or anything. It's just a small pocket of fluid in a sack under your skin. They like to show up pretty much anywhere you can bend a joint, especially in the hands and arms. Go to your doc and make sure he feels what you are feeling. He should refer you to a specialist. I have had a cyst removed before. It's really no big deal. They probably won't do anything right now since you are pregnant, but talk to your OB/GYN about seeing a specialist. If it is indeed a cyst, you might be able to have them remove it while you are in the hospital having your baby. Hey, one less trip right? If you opt to not have anything done, I hope you don't have any pain from it. I still have trouble taking off my bra or even holding a bottle. The pain for me has only gotten worse. Well, I hope that helped.

BTW I went to thr hospital last night cuz I jammed it again, and they told me I have tendonitis... you might look into that.

Actually I think I know exactly what you are talking about. It is right on the top of your wrist in alignment with your thumb right?! I have the same problem only it came after my daughter was born. I went to the orthopedic and he told me he say it in a lot of new mothers. Its a tendon problem. The tendon has become inflamed and now is swollen and is rubbing on your wrist bone. I was prescribed a topical cream because I am nursing and given a wrist brace and told it should get better in about 6 weeks. Well being a new mother it is just not that easy to wear that wrist brace and apply that cream 3 times a day while running after my 8 month old. But it does feel better when I can wear the brace and apply the cream. I hope this helps. Good luck to you.

From what I understand, this is very normal. It also happened to me. In fact, it still happens on occasion and sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and my wrist/thumb are is on fire! Tylenol and a thumb brace (any Walgreen's will have it) worked wonders for me while I was pregnant! Now, when it hurts, I just take Ibuprofen and it goes away for a long while. Good luck to ya!

Hi S.-

I am a chiropractor in Overland Park, and I specialize in pregnancy and pediatric care. Carpal tunnel-like symptoms are common in pregnancy, and it is something I treat on a fairly regular basis (FYI with great success... often symptoms subside after three treatments or less). I find that it's related to postural changes as your belly and breasts grow, and you may also find that you are having increased tension in your shoulders, at the base of your neck, and/or between your shoulder blades.

I would be happy to talk to you in more detail if you like. You can call my office at ###-###-#### to set up a no charge phone or in-person consultation.

Yours in health-
Dr. Alyssa

It's carpal tunnel (sp?). I had it in both hands, by the end of my pregnancy both hands pretty much either throbbed all the time or were numb. Mine went away completely about 3 or 4 weeks postpartum.

S.:
I would love to talk to You, as a Registered Nurse, with a Bachlor's degree from East Central University and over 300 hours for a medical modality called Lymph Therapy. I would like to share with you.
Please call me at ###-###-####
My Office is located at
7149 S. Braden Ave
Tulsa,OK
Thank You
P. D.