Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Legs and arms "go to sleep" easily

In the past year I have noticed my arms and legs "go to sleep" very easily, even when i sleep, which has never happened before. I actually noticed this at school when my legs would completely "go dead" when sitting at a desk -- even when they were not crossed. I am a quite healthy, 120 lb. 17 yr old female, physically active, good diet, with no other noticable symptoms. Should I be worried to have this problem at such an early age?
7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I have CREST scleroderma. For a couple of years prior to the onset of most of my CREST signs and symptoms, I experienced this falling asleep of my arms up to 5 times a night. It turns out that many CREST patients do. This April 2009, a study showed that vasculopathy of the ulnar artery (artery running through the arm) is quite common in scleroderma. In fact, even prior to this it was well known that scleroderma causes all sorts of vasculopathy. Go google "CREST scleroderma" and see if you have any of the other signs of CREST.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the sensation of my arms constantly falling asleep while I slept (or tried to) when I was pregnant.  The doctor explained that since you have more blood in your body circulating during pregnancy, sometimes carpal tunnel symptoms appear.  I now have (5 years and 3 kids later) a constant sensation of wanting to exercise my legs until exhaustion and then starting over again - until I finally go into a deep sleep...........Do you think this is a sign of restless leg syndrome, ...could you maybe have the same?  Are you maybe low on B complex (that usually helps w/ nerves)  Good luck to ya, hope all gets better!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh ok.. nothing to worry about then.. whew... thank you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Most likely pressure on the nerves, you compress anybodies nerves for long enough and that is going to happen. If you stay in one posture for a long time it can happen, which is why it is more likely to happen when you are asleep.

In the long term there may be some reason why a particular nerve is being chronically compressed due to an injury or deterioration in the spine or any joint.

A typical example of long term compression is carpal tunnel syndrome which is compression at the wrist, which I have.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Is anyone ever going to answer these????
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In the past couple months, I stared feeling a sensation of mosquitos biting me all over when I'm trying to fall asleep. Then,  some time after that my legs or arms fall asleep while I'm sleeping and this causes for me to wake up in the middle of the night.  Last night same thing mosquito sensation bitting all over my legs and arms and then tingling and legs and arms fall asleep.  I have to get up and walk or rub my legs.  I'm in my mid 30, mother of two, good diet very active. 125 lb . I have no idea how to aproach this symptoms!!!
Could this be anxiaty, strees, or some neurological problem??? Could this also be related to some nerve pinching in my back????
Tks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In the past couple months, I stared feeling a sensation of mosquitos biting me all over when I'm trying to fall asleep. Then,  some time after that my legs or arms fall asleep while I'm sleeping and this causes for me to wake up in the middle of the night.  Last night same thing mosquito sensation bitting all over my legs and arms and then tingling and legs and arms fall asleep.  I have to get up and walk or rub my legs.  I'm in my mid 30, mother of two, good diet very active. 125 lb . I have no idea how to aproach this symptoms!!!
Could this be anxiaty, strees, or some neurological problem??? Could this also be related to some nerve pinching in my back????
Tks.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Neurology Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
5265383 tn?1669040108
ON
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease