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Both arms fall asleep at night when sleeping

I hope someone can give me an answer to my problem I am fed up with my arms falling asleep at night I just want to cry!

It started with my 1st child in 2000 my right arm use to go to sleep I would actually have to get up and walk around shaking my hand to get the feeling, tingling and numbness to go away. This happened every night constantly. It sort of tappered off after my child was born it happened every now and then.

Then last year I was pregnant with my 2nd child. Needless to say I slept on the couch for the last 5 months because the pain would bring me to tears. But this time it is both arms. It starts at the top of my arm on the inside the side that is pressed against your skin then travels down and around to the inside crease of my arm then straight down to my wrist and fingers. Well I figured it was from the swelling of pregnancy so I tried to deal with it by chiropractic visits, circulations pills cold packs, sleeping on couch but nothing helped. And now my baby is 4 months old and I still have the problem in both arms. Even during the day if I sit in my recliner to hold my baby to feed him my arms go to sleep.

If you have never had this happen you would never know the pain.
But it is unbearable. I have to get out of bed and continously shake, shake and shake my hands to I get the feeling back and the tingling which hurts goes away and as soon I lie back down there it goes again. My arms are so sore after this all night, please,please I hope you have an answer and a remedy for me!!!!!
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Avatar universal
No one may read my posts but I hope it helps someone!
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1 Comments
Good luck with your surgery, Babyblu. And good for you for staying determined. The people in this thread who seem to have gotten the best results were the ones who saw an osteopathic physician, who got with a good massage therapist, and then there was the one who found out it was carpal tunnel after all. I hope there are some clear answers to be found for you.
Avatar universal
I also have numerous disc gone in thoracic area too. I have had to stop working. I worked as a paramedic 10 years and then on computers for 15 years. It destroyed my back and knees! I am receiving a total knee replacement at age 49 on March 31 2020! Keep fighting the good fight and please stick up for us women who are battling this. We suffer from pain terribly and now it is possible that I will lose my only relief from pain due to opioid abusers. As usual those who suffer most pay for the idiots!
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I have the same along with a degenerative disc disease. It has twisted my spine and now my shoulder and neck muscles are as tight as a banjo string! I am attempting to get the swelling in my muscles down to see if it helps. Long hours of computer reading and looking at my phone inflamed the muscles! I will fight on! At 49 I am so miserable and tired of it! Here’s to hoping yours gets better soon!
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Avatar universal
Go see a massage therapist  the muscle in your shoulder gurth there are tight and possibly littered with some thing called trigger points( which are tiny some times large knots in a muscle that are cause from excessive calcium locked in the fibers of the muscle and every time you flex more calcium can be trapped ) a massage therapist specialized in trigger point therapy should be able to relive your symptoms. Depending on how severe it my take more than one visit. To prevent form happening again yoga is a long term solution and remember drink lots of water
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Don't know if you have had this response,  But, it sounds like you have the same thing I do.  Cubital Tunnel Syndrome.  Also known as tennis elbow.  This is where the ulnar nerve is being pinched by your bones. In effect your arm(s) become numb.  If you sleep with your arms bent it makes it worse.
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Look into thoracic outlet syndrome and try some of the stretches for pectoralis ( front of the shoulder) and other shoulder stretches.  
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Avatar universal
Look into thoracic outlet syndrome and try some of the stretches for pectoralis ( front of the shoulder) and other shoulder stretches.  
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Avatar universal
My arms have been falling asleep at night, especially my right arm, due to heavy manual labor of digging post holes. I am a 50 year old woman and only 5' 1". So as others, who have posted on this site, I believe my problem is pushing myself too hard. I really like the idea of going to an Osteopathic Physician should my symptoms not disappear after I am no longer digging the post holes. I am also going to try "Deep Blue" an essential oil rub which has Helichrysum Oil in it which is very healing to tissues.
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Avatar universal
My strong suggestion is to see an osteophathic physician who practices "manipulation."   In short, an osteopathic physician is like a chiropractor (but infinitely better), as they actually attend medical school.  The key is that the osteopathic physician must perform "manipulation" (a term of art).   Many osteopathic physicians don't perform manipulation. These doctors are unreal.  They solve these type of "freaky" problems all the time. I'll give the names of a few of these doctors at the end of this posting.  About 15 years ago, I had a roommate who was an osteopathic physician.  Had never heard of one and presumed it was some quack science.   My roommate solved these types of weird problems all the time.  I later had some quirck injuries and he fixed them (I was totally amazed).   He told me that manipulation solves almost all bizarre problems.  
    Two osteopathic physicians that I know are in California and Florida (my old roommate - - he moved back to Florida from California - - bummer).  The osteopathic doctor in California is Aline Fournet, located in Escondido, CA.  It is unreal what she can do.  The doctor in Florida is Brett Thomas, in Orlando.
   Both of these osteopathic physicians trained under the top osteopathic physician in the world, Viola Fryman, who runs a center called "The Osteopathic Center for Children" in San Diego.   They don't simply treat children, however, Dr. Fryman does limit her treatment to children.
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Avatar universal
I totally used to have this problem very badly. I would cry too it was so painful. I believe for me it was pinched nerves in the neck/shoulder area.. I would wake up at night and would take 20 mins for my arms to come back to life.. For me I just had to loose some weight. 20 pounds did the trick. I still occasionally have minor asleep feelings if I fall asleep on my stomach with arms under my pillow/above my head (my favorite way to sleep!! >_<) Thought I'd share, not sure if your overweight but that would possibly be a factor if so. Hope you feel better!
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Avatar universal
I totally used to have this problem very badly. I would cry too it was so painful. I believe for me it was pinched nerves in the neck/shoulder area.. I would wake up at night and would take 20 mins for my arms to come back to life.. For me I just had to loose some weight. 20 pounds did the trick. I still occasionally have minor asleep feelings if I fall asleep on my stomach with arms under my pillow/above my head (my favorite way to sleep!! >_<) Thought I'd share, not sure if your overweight but that would possibly be a factor if so. Hope you feel better!
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Avatar universal
I had this problem found that using a microwaveable heat neck thing subsided the numbness in hands at night   and pain I,  i think the problem is in my neckhavent gone to doc yet thought it was carpal tunnel but it's a combination of that and neck issues
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2137175 tn?1335985812
Hi there..began having this problem after I moved to NH from FL. Only at night and sometimes from holding the phone for awhile. Thought it might be the angio tension blood pressure meds I was taking so decreased that. Seemed to help a little, but also made a trip to the chiropractor. I think that did the trick.  Probably nerve pressure, but it scared me enough to decide to do something about it...let me know how you make out!
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Follow-up:  for me, this turned out to be carpal tunnel syndrome.  Easily fixed by changing the set-up on my computer keyboard.
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Well, I did initially get this pain and asleep hands from my pregnancy, and ended up wearing two braces, for both arms... in fact while in labour, this pain in my arms was worse.  Haven't really had alot of issues in the past few years, until about 3 months ago when I went back to work in a coffee shop.  All of a sudden the pain is back and I am up 2-3 times a night!  Now I am trying to figure out if it is from the work that I am doing or maybe because of my increased fat/salt/processed food intake.  So I think I will stop eating the donuts/muffins/coffee sweets... and see if it makes a difference.  I know that I have definitely increased my intake and I ate mostly home cooked meals and not a lot of processed foods!  Maybe this will help
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Avatar universal
My hands fall asleep so I have been sleeping close to the edge of the bed and hang my hands over the edge in addition to wearing wrist braces that help a lot.  Also eating less salt seems to help.  I have been dealing with this for a few years now.  Has anyone had surgery for carpal tunnel that have experienced hands falling asleep?
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Avatar universal
I am 24 weeks and my doc said to wach it. This could just be the baby on a nerve in my back. But it is getting more and more painful and more frequent and I'm bout to go nuts. I work at a packaging plant where a lot of coworkers have had surgery for carpal tunnel. And they were not even pregnant. So who knows what my problem couldbe. At my next doctor's appointment I will make it very clear that I'm in a lot of pain.
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My arm started to fall asleep at night a year ago.,during the day I have muscle pain, can hardly bend my fingers, and recently my left arm has also started to suffer.,I was so worried that it would be beginning of MS!.. I saw a Profesor in Neurology and it turns out to be THE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME, altought it is painful, I am most relieved that MS has been ruled out. I was told that so many people suffer from this syndrome.

If your arms fall asleep and get all the discomfort associated with it, do not worry it is not MS, the Profesor told me that in general the main symtomps of MS are:you have double vision, your face and arm or leg fall asleep and remain like that without a break for (at times) an entire week or two!. The main issue is not to wait too long before taking the desicion to see your doctor!, if your ams fall asleep you need help.
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Avatar universal
There is another syndrome that might be causing your problems. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness in the arm and hand due to pressure against the nerves or blood vessels that supply the arm. It is due to tight muscles, ligaments, bands, or bony abnormalities in the thoracic outlet area of the body, which lies just behind the collar bone. Pressure on the nerves is the problem more than 95% of the time, but occasionally the artery or vein is involved. You need to see a vascular surgeon and be tested for it. The most common cause is a neck injury like whiplash but can be caused by other things. Also, excessive stretching and exercise will only worsen the condition. It does have decent response to proper physiotherapy and light stretching but some people do require surgery. Research TOS!
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Avatar universal
For the past month, I have been waking up several times per night with severe pain related to my right arm having fallen asleep. The pain and tingling can last up to 10 minutes, and I've tried many things to get it to "wake up," including hanging my arm off the bed, walking around shaking it, and running my arm under warm water. This morning the pain and tingling lasted more than 30 minutes, and I had trouble getting ready for work because my arm just wouldn't function properly. I also experience a burning sensation when it's starting to "wake up." I am in very good shape, exercise daily, and eat a low-fat vegetarian diet. I have been this way for 10 years. I am only 31. I'm a psychologist, so I don't spend too much time working on the computer or doing any heavy lifting. I sleep in various positions during the night, so I know it's not because I'm just sleeping on the arm. My thyroid is fine. My only health issue is that I had spine surgery 1 1/2 years ago, but it was a fusion of my L-5, S-1, so the nerves that run through my arm are far away from that place in my spine. I haven't had any neck injuries. I just don't know what is going on, but I am freaking out about it more and more as I experience it more often and for longer periods of time. This morning was the worst. I have an appointment with my chronic pain doctor, so hopefully he will have some suggestions or referrals. I'm glad, as many others have said, that I am not alone in this.
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2 Comments
Did you ever figure out what was wrong? It is 2018 and I am experiencing the same symptoms.
Hi, welcome to MedHelp!  So glad you found us. What position do you sleep in?  Sleeping with arms outstretched above head, both arms, will make both go to sleep (due to nerve compression) as well as other positions you may be sleeping in. More details would be helpful so we can try to help you.  Best to start your own thread by ask a question but if you do that or post here, it doesn't matter, I'm happy to try to help you.  hugs
Avatar universal
I also have the same prob. I wake five if not more times a night with numbness and pain. During the day it starts all over. Driving. Writing. Eatting. Doing my hair. Helping my three yr old eat. Right now typing this. Havent been to dr as i have no insurance.  Dunno what to do either.
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Avatar universal
I read your comments from back in 2006 and feel that u are experiencing the same pains as i am. Its a numbness but is also VERY painful. The other comments i read in reference to your question, all related the "sleeping arms" to pregnancy which i guess can cause carpal tunnel, but that is not the case for me. And u had said your pains came after you had given birth; so pregnancy, i think, was unrelated in your case.  It is unbearable and i believe in our case the pain is not related to pregnancy and/or carpal tunnel. I am 27 and have never been pregnant or worked at a computer for a relatively long period of time. I used to do a lot of manual labor on a daily basis but did not experience anything more than the occasional arm numbness. The pains and numbness that i am feeling now scares me because it usually only happens in my left arm so i thought it had to do with my heart and/or blood circulation. My arm and hand also goes numb during the day, sometimes while i am active but also sometimes while i am just sitting or standing. I have tried everything while its happening to make it go away but no position or motion helps. Its been happening almost ever night for the past 6 months, give or take. So needless to say i have tried to fall asleep in every position i could think of, put pillows at various heights to keep the blood from rushing away but nothing even reduces the pain or keeps it from happening.  I just have to wait and message my arm and then it goes away. I would very much like to know if your pains have gone away and if anyone can tell me what this actually means. I am pretty desperate at this point and want to enjoy nights of rested sleep. Thank you to whoever is listening

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Avatar universal
I am so glad to know some one else has had the same symptoms I have, not that I wish pain on anyone but just that I'm not alone! I have been experiancing severe pain and numbness in both arms from shoulders to finger tips while sleeping! It wakes me up no matter what time of day I lie down or how I lay! I have to rub and shake my arms and hands to get any relief and take pain meds! One thing I have found out that helps is heat! I put a long sleeve shirt on or soak in tub or use heating pad. Hope this helps out! I'm going to my nuro doc at the end of month and I will ask him bout it and post what he says.
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Avatar universal
Hello all. I am NOT pregnant and I am having a lot of issues with my arms falling asleep while I'm trying to sleep. However, when I get woken up at night because of the ridiculous amount of pain I am in, my arms don't wake up right away. In fact, it takes several hours to regain full feeling and strength in my hand. I also can't stretch or extend my fingers for the first hour or so. It's definitely getting to the point that it is unbearable. I don't sleep in this arm on purpose. It's been happening a lot lately and I am worried that it may be pretty serious. I'm only 25. I also don't work on the computer and am rarely on. It is very painful and sometimes I can't get it to wake up for periods of time and I think my arm is going to fall off. Sound familiar to anyone? Any suggestions?? Thanks!
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