Sleppy Hands

Stanimal · #1 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 07:07 AM

Does anyone have problems with their hands falling asleep often? It seems that when I am sleeping I lay on my arms and they fall asleep. Then when I get out of bed they continue to do this throughout the day. I keep my control very tight and have no complications. If this does happen to anyone what do you do to stop it from happening?

Stan

Tony · #2 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 07:59 AM

My hands will fall asleep during the day. Lucky it does happen to often. However when sleeping I always sleep on my side. My arm would fall asleep.
Just about every night my arm would fall asleep until I decideed that I needed a new mattress. The sales guy said If your mattress doesn't conform to your shape, it can restrict circulation.
Ever since my new mattress my arm hasn't fallen asleep.

Stanimal · #3 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 08:15 AM

Tony, what type of mattress did you get? Is it a special type?

Thanks,

Stan

Tony · #4 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 08:30 AM

I got a sealy Posturepedic mattress. The mattress itself is about 18" thick and the box spring is only about 5 inches thick.
It has a pillow top.

Tony · #5 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 08:45 AM

Here is a link
I couldn't find the same mattress as I have.

Dewey · #6 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stanimal
Does anyone have problems with their hands falling asleep often? It seems that when I am sleeping I lay on my arms and they fall asleep. Then when I get out of bed they continue to do this throughout the day. I keep my control very tight and have no complications. If this does happen to anyone what do you do to stop it from happening?

Stan

Hi Stan,

I was experiencing this at one time. Out of curiosity, does your job require alot of repetitive motion (i.e. typing, etc..)? (Mine did, as I was inspecting large PC Boards and working on them consistently). I found out I had bilateral carpal tunnel, and wound up having surgery to release the bands in each of my wrists. I've been doing fine ever since, but like you, I'd experienced the same symptoms and had great control. It's just a thought, and definitely worth checking into. I'd ask the endo or your Primary Care Physician to set up an appointment to test for carpal tunnel. If it goes untreated, it can cause irreparable damage. In the meantime, you can try one of those carpal tunnel gloves or braces (commonly found at Wal-Mart - Futuro gloves seem to work best) to help alleviate the sleepy or tingling sensation. Please keep us posted on any findings and in the meantime, hope this helps!

Below are a couple of pics to show what the braces look like:

Here's the one like I used to use (before surgery):

I found those pics on the drugstore.com website, but your best bet is to find them at Wal-Mart. They're cheaper there, and readily available (Just make sure that the glove doesn't fit too snug..I know, I sound like a mom

)

Below is also the website where I found the pics:

Drugstore.com

Stanimal · #7 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 11:37 AM

Thanks guys. I think I will look into carpal tunnel with my endo. I also look forward to mattress shopping as my mattress is getting old and worn.

Stan

notme · #8 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 11:42 AM

My arms also fall asleep. I did exactly what Tony did. I got a new mattress and I bought a memory foam topper. I got the memory foam mattress top at Costco for a hundred bucks. A life saver.

I do have radial neuropathy in my arms.

Nancy

nantomsuethom · #9 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 01:30 PM

Same here... whatever side that I sleep on that arm and hand gets tingly. I would love to get a new mattress. I actually got a prescription from my dr. for a new mattress. My husband didn't go for it. We have a full wave waterbed (18yrs old). He thinks its the best bed he's ever slept in.

The tingly did ease up some when I was working out 5 days a week, but I haven't been consistant lately.

Nancy- Does you foam mattress have a funny smell to it? I bought a memory foam contured pillow and it smelled like pencil shavings. I thought it was just that pillow but when I smelled other pillows at the store they also smelled like that. It was better after I washed it, but then it took 4 days to dry!

Nancy

Tony · #10 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 01:46 PM

18 years old! That is more the reason to go and buy a new mattress. They say very 8years you should buy a new mattress.

nantomsuethom · #11 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 01:53 PM

I agree!!

I have been asking for a few years now. I am to the whining point. Our 20th anniversary is on the 24th. I told my (frugal) husband that all I want is a new bed.

We did just spend a good bit of money on adding a room to our house, so I may have to wait a little longer.

Harold · #12 (**permalink**) 11-21-2004, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Does anyone have problems with their hands falling asleep often? It seems that when I am sleeping I lay on my arms and they fall asleep.

Sometimes when laying on our sides we have a tendancy to curl our wrist, especially when sleeping with someone in the same bed and fighting for covers. Wearing the first Wrist Brace that Dewey posted to bed at night will keep that from happening. After awhile your body learns to keep those wrist straight. Went through this 13 years ago and been sleeping on a free flow mattress for the last 25+ years.

Jenny · #13 (**permalink**) 11-22-2004, 08:34 AM

Mine do that too sometimes. Especially on my left side. My left leg does it more too than the right.