Numbness

[dayles]

I was wondering if anyone else has problems with numbness in their arms and hands during the night and what can be done to help.

[Harold]

Yes, but it is usually the arm on top and not the one I am lying on. I just roll over and go back to sleep. Interesting the arm I am laying on, so far, never goes to sleep or numb. Sleeping on a free flow water bed, sleeping in the same position for an hour or two is not uncommon.

[DCaplinger]

The numbness may or may not be associated with the condition known as neuropathy. I experience numbness all the time in my hands and parts of my arms. For me, the condition is caused by carpal tunnel, as I constantly have pressure on the nerves and vessels that feed the arms and hands. I type a lot, and even the way I sleep puts pressure on them.

Having said that, it's not something to ignore. If you are diabetic, do not withhold the symptoms from your doctor. If this happens to be a mild case of neuropathy, there are things that can be done to possibly reverse it before it can progress too far.

Welcome to the forums, and please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Regards,

Darian

[Penny]

I also usually sleep in a waterbed and seldom have numbness in the arm I lie on. Lately I have been sleeping semi reclined in my recliner chair because of a cough that keeps me awake when I lie down. I wake with both arms numb, I am not lying on either of them, they rest on the arms of the chair. I found putting pillows under them to raise them, has helped.

[DCaplinger]

The nerves in the arms run along the underside of the arm. Through the armpit down the length of the arm, through the area of the funny bone, and down into the hands. Any pressure on those parts of the arm can cause numbness or tingling. Of course, that pressure can be caused by excess body weight too. Again, if you haven't discussed those symptoms with your doctor, you seriously need to. Never withhold symptoms from your doctor. S/he can only fix what they are aware of.

Regards,

[dayles]

I did tell him back in October I also had pain shooting through my feets and he prescribed Neurontin, I've been afraid to take it because I'm taking so much medication. I had an angioplasty done in December I don't know why but the pain in my feet has stop since then.

[DCaplinger]

The question is, do you still feel your feet? The fact that the pain stopped may not be a good thing. It could indicate that the neuropathy has advanced.

If in doubt, get a second opinion. Don't just not take a medication because you feel you don't need it. Always get a second opinion (preferably from a naturopath) before deciding to disregard a particular regimen. Doctors aren't always right, however you may be playing with disaster by simply disregarding a medication suggestion without getting proper backup opinions.

Regards,