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Conference moira::parenting

Title:	Parenting
Notice:	Previous PARENTING version at MOIRA::PARENTING_V3
Moderator:	GEMEVN::FAIMANY

Created:	Thu Apr 09 1992
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1292
Total number of notes:	34837

802.0. "Carpal tunnel syndrom, Tendonnitis, hand/wrist/arm" by APSMME::PENDAK () Fri Aug 12 1994 17:38

    I went to my regular doctor (as opposed to midwife or obstetrician)
    about some extreme pain I was having in my wrists/hands/arms earlier
    this week.  I was worried about it being carpal tunnel syndrom, instead
    he diagnosed it as tendonnitis.  The treatment he recommended was to
    take a couple of tylenol with each meal and before I go to bed       
    (apparently tylenol has been found to be a mild anti-inflammatory)     
    for the next few days.  I'll also wear wrist splints as much as
    possible both day and night for the next week or so, if there's
    improvement I'll just wear them when I sleep after that.  I phoned my
    midwife after I got back to work to verify that taking the tylenol (he
    recommended extra strength) would be ok, I figure you can never be too
    safe...
    
    He also said that cts and tendonnitis can "pop up" during pregnancy and
    will hopefully go away after the pregnancy is over.  I thought it might
    be helpful to discuss this (very painful in my case) "symptom" of
    pregnancy.  And I thought I was really lucky to have such light morning
    sickness!!
    
    So is anyone else having problems, and what treatment is recommended to
    you?
    
    sandy

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
802.1		CNTROL::JENNISON	Troubleshootin' Mama	`Sun Aug 14 1994 02:28`	23
	Sandy, My CTS didn't show up until the day I delivered. The next day, I kept telling my husband that the woman who drew my blood must have really messed up, because my right arm was in such extreme pain. I ended up seeing my OB about a week later, and he diagnosed it as CTS, and said it should go away in a month. I couldn't even hold a cup of coffee in my hand without nearly dropping it. It actually took nearly 4 months for it to go away, but it has never returned, and I did not have it with my second pregnancy. The doctor said the swelling in pregnancy constricts the nerve that goes from your wrist to your hand, causing the CTS. I didn't have any noticeable swelling until the week I delivered, so perhaps that's why it came on so late. I'd definitely opt for a wrist brace - I wore one for CTS on my left arm (work-related) and it cleared up quite quickly. Karen
802.2		SUPER::WTHOMAS		`Mon Aug 15 1994 14:16`	21
	Although I do a lot of typing, I had never had CTS before my pregnancies. With Spencer I had it in both arms and had to wear braces on each wrist (along with a metal brace on my leg - I was quite a site). After Spencer was born, my thumb joint kept dislocating (don't know if it was related) and I had to wear a cast for three weeks to let it heal. With Griffin I only had CTS in one wrist but still had to wear the wrist brace. Since Spencer's pregnancy I have found that if I type too much I do get an ache in my arms and I have also found that I no longer have strength in my hands, I can't open any jars anymore. People have told me that I should get surgery (especially if I have lost strength) but there is no great pain and besides, Marc is there to open the jars. ;-) Wendy
802.3	CTS surgery has side affects!!!!!	STRATA::STOOKER		`Mon Aug 15 1994 20:07`	15
	Re. FYI... CTS sugery. I have heard that CTS surgery is not all its cut up to be and a good percentage of the time, the surgery results in more pain that what was experienced before sugery. I have not had the surgery, but do know of some people that have and regret the day that they had it. Evidently, the surgery can cause scar tissue build up in the Carpal Tunnel causing more pressure on the nerve. I'm not sure of the statistics around the surgery, but it seems that the surgery is not really worth it in some cases. Just some info... Sarah
802.4	jaw dislocating	ODIXIE::RICHARDSON	Are we there yet??	`Mon Aug 15 1994 20:16`	17
	This doesn't relate DIRECTLY to this note, but Wendy mentioned her thumb joint dislocating during her pregnancy, I have a mild (usually) case of TMJ - where your jaws dislocate and lock open when you open too wide. This is usually only a problem at the Dentist but every pregnancy it becomes more pronounced. I'm at 4 months now and I can't eat an apple without my jaw dislocating. I have to hold it in to take a bite. Apparently your joints get much looser when your pregnant which contributes to this. This is the same reason they tell you to be careful and not "overstretch" when you exercise during pregnancy. Fortunately it's not painful like the CTS but just another weird little nuance of being pregnant. Cindy
802.5	Repetitive Stress Notes File	WROSS2::CROW_DO		`Tue Aug 16 1994 00:11`	26
	Hi Sandy, I suggest you check out the Notes conference for Repetitive Stress Injury for information regarding treatment. I did not see a note specific to pregnancy, so you might want to cross-post this your note there. Notes> add entry GAAS::RSI Dora P.S. I've had tendonitis in my right wrist and elbow since January it is NOT fun. And it gets WORSE if you use it. Physical therapy along with limited use of the arm helped a lot. The physical therapist used ultra-sound on my arm, and iced-it. You can do the icing yourself. Wrap an ice pack in a towel and hold it on the affected area for 15 minutes. Check with your doctor to see how often to do this - I did it once a night. P.P.S Oh, and I'm NOT pregnant! Mine was caused by lots of typing.
802.6	Also had CTS symtoms after pregnancy	DECWET::WOLFE		`Wed Aug 17 1994 17:33`	7
	After delivering Lauren I had CTS symptoms for almost a year. This included my hand going numb (would wake up from a sound sleep and below my elbow would be completely numb), and I couldn't hold a baby bottle in that hand (my right) as it was extremely weak. I was very worried. I had two visits to the doctor and wore a hand splint for a few months. It has never reoccured.