Re: pregnancy induced carpal tunnel and the aftermath....

In Reply to: pregnancy induced carpal tunnel and the aftermath.... posted by dmm on December 13, 2003 at 01:51:49:

: This is a very common thing. That was how mine surfaced. I had it when I was pg. It went away for a while and came back, but I also have a hands on lifestyle. I do lots of things with my hands, work and home.

: It's common for the symptoms to come and go. Have you noticed if you're retaining water when the symptoms flare? If you're not pg, you might consult your doctor about trying a diuretic if you are retaining water a lot. The extra fluid pressure in your body can cause the carpal tunnel sypmtoms which is what pregnancy induced carpal tunnel is, I was told.

: If your symptoms have gotten to the constant stage, you definitely need to get it treated. It could be as simple as you retaining more water as a result of biochemical changes from being pregnant, or it could be something else. It will take some diagnostic testing to rule things out, as well as determine how bad the problem is.

: You should also realize that you may not think you have a "typical" job that could cause carpal tunnel, but you use your hands constantly when you cook, clean, pick up after kids, do laundry, drive a car, make beds, etc,etc. With 3 kids, you must be doing something almost constantly, even if it isn't typing. You seem to have the typical opinion that you have to have been using the computer to get carpal tunnel. That's incorrect. Carpal tunnel syndrome is often called Repetitive Motion Syndrome, as many different things can cause it, not just typing. Any particular things, done excessively, can contribute. I would guess that the combined effects of the pregnancy triggering it initially, and then the constant work of taking care of house and kids, has taken it's toll. So, get it checked out and see where to go from there.

Thanks for your reply, I quess I've just been in denial. I keep hoping it will just go away on its own. I also as you noticed am very informed about this and didn't realize there are treatment options out there besides just wearing a brace to bed(what my ob recomended way back when) Again Thank you