Unless I keep my hands pointed straight toward my toes when I'm sleeping I wake up with hands and fingers that have "fallen asleep"/are all swollen with no feeling.

I'm hoping this isn't carpal tunnel syndrome and "only" peri-related (I never have any pain/selling in my hands during the day, knock on wood.)

Do you get this? Have you found anything that helps?

Just like all my peri symptoms it comes and goes. It is worse the closer I get to my period. I'm assuming this is because of the extra fluid at that time.

Thanks!

I hae encountered this too!, though haven't tracked when it happens in conjunction with my cycle (thought I bet there'd be a correlation!) I kind of do the same thing, keep things as straight as I can when I can. It started minorly over a year ago, but not enough for me to really be concerend. Since my system spazzed this past March, have noticed it ALOT more often. Used to have a pillow that was ergonomic, and it happened then too. I've been told to drink more fluids, maybe that'll help? I do yoga too, but again, it still happens on occasion. Its up there on one of my least favorite symptoms. Sorry I couldn't be of more assistance.

I do yoga also. I drink plenty of water. It seems to be getting worse. It's as if my hands are trying to wake me up from whatever sound sleep I manage to get.

It doesn't happen to me every night, but it does occasionally. I'm a 'tucker'. I tuck my arms and hands under my head and I swear I cut off the circulation. A couple times, I woke up and thought somebody elses hand was touching my face! I could NOT feel my hand/arm at all! Scared the bejeezus out of me. The feeling eventually came back with a prickly, pins and needle sensation. Made me feel better when I found out other people have experienced the same thing, too!
HUGS!

I'm hoping this isn't carpal tunnel syndrome and "only" peri-related (I never have any pain/selling in my hands during the day, knock on wood.)


Hi K2
I have had this for years... started during peri.
Mine has been diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome. I had some tests where they sent mild currents down your arms to see if the nerves conducted well (mine didn't)
Don't let that spook you though..... the consultant offered me an operation which I refused as I didn't think my symptoms were bad enough. I am one of those people who do everything to sort out my problems before resorting to drugs or surgery! (the consultant had had the op done himself!)
For those who don't know Carpal Tunnel symdrome is caused by a nerve in the wrist which goes through the carpal tunnel being pinched and causing loss of sensation (and pain) in the hands. It is not know exactly what causes it but fluid retention/imflammation makes it worse and it is common in pregnant women and peri women.
Mine was definitely worse during peri but has eased a lot now I am post. I still get odd bouts of it when I am holding fluid for any reason and when I do something prolonged with my hands at a particular angle such as painting a wall!
Don't worry if it wakes you up.... this is your bodys way of making you change position... for a while I used to wake up in the morning with really painful dead hands... then my body started to wake me up a few times a night as soon as it recognised the symptoms so I then never got it badly.
I also found by trial and error the most comfortable ways to sleep... mine is to put my hands in a prayer position in front of my face.. I lie on the edge of the pillow and my hands are a little lower down beside the pillow.
Hanging your hand over the side of the bed helps to bring back the feeling.
I also took glucosamine sulphate liquid for mild arthritis (it improved it hugely) and found that while I was taking this the Carpal Tunnel improved too (glucosamine reduces inflammation).
If it contines K2 you may want to go and get checked out for Carpal Tunnel... but don't rush into the op.... mine is only mild now and it was really bad at first.
Also cutting out salt and down on added salt in foods will be helpful.
Love and hugs Lindy

K2:

I have been suffering from the annoying hand thing for quite some time! It is generally just my thumbs to my wrist, it doesn't seem to bother my fingers. I have also noticed it is from how I position my arms at night, like you if I keep my arms staight be my sides it doesn't happen, but how many people can sleep like that! I always want my arm curled under my head.....doesn't work!...so I try straightening out my arm and just having the upper arm under my head...doesn't work either!.....and it doesn't matter whether it is left or right arm, same thing happens. This weird problem keeps me from falling asleep, but once I have found a position that is comfy and doesn't put my thumbs to sleep, I can sleep and it doesn't wake me up during the night. I suspect it a shoulder issue myself.

Isn't it fun all these weird and interesting symptoms we get to explore!! What a journey we are on!! I personally would like to go home and skip the trip!!

Kathie

Hi Ladies,

I get it a lot in my left hand. I don't my right as I have already had a carpal tunnel decompression to it.

It is worse now I have peri and I think that is beacuse I retain more fluid than I did, a contributory factor to CPS. and this is caused by the hormone fluctuations.

Don't be scared by the thought of CPS surgery however, I had mine several years ago and it was a cinch. My CPS was so bad my grip was affected and I kept dropping bottles - bad, I was working in a bar then! I had it done electively under a local anaesthetic and had no pain at all, uncomforatble afterwards and it was 6 weeks before I had full function again but it was not so very bad.

If your symptons get worse do seek attention from your GP as it can be quite debilitationg without treatment.

Best wishes, Amandax

Thanks for the replies!

I think I will try glucosamine/condr. I had read that it's made from animal throrax or something like that and had been putting off trying it.

I also suffer from arthritis caused by an injury. (A car slid on ice and hit me at hip level as I was walking across the street in college. It didn't hurt at the time but now can be terribly painful). Between the sleepy hands and the hip pain, I'll try any non-invasive treament at this point.

Here's what I had read about glucosamine/chondroitin on an arthritis web site: "Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are sold as dietary or nutritional supplements. They are extracted from animal tissue: glucosamine from crab, lobster or shrimp shells; and chondroitin sulfate from animal cartilage, such as tracheas or shark cartilage."

My dad has SEVERE Rheumatoid Arthritis and he swears by glucosamine. Believes he'd have killed himself from the pain without it.

About hands falling asleep...mine started doing this about a year ago. Happened about a 1/2 dozen times. What was bad though is that even though they were numb, my hands still hurt! Terribly - enough to wake me up. I've noticed that it happens when my hands are curled under my chin. When I sleep with my arms outstretched (I sleep on my side with a pillow to support my top arm), the numbness doesn't happen.

[quote name='K2sad' date='Nov 7 2007, 06:30 PM' post='194765']
Thanks for the replies!

I think I will try glucosamine/condr. I had read that it's made from animal throrax or something like that and had been putting off trying it.


Hi Girls
Glucosamine is normally made from shellfish shells but for those vegetarians out there it is possible to get a vegetarian form of Glucosamine Hydrochloride made from Aspergillus Niger. I am in the UK but I guess it can also be found online. (it is available from Holland and Barrett in the uk).
I can't recommend glucosamine highly enough for arthritis... it certainly dramatically improved mine and took all of the pain in my hands away. I took it for a few years. I also found if I didn't take it for a few days if I forgot to take it with me when I was away my carpal tunnel syndrome was much worse. I no longer need to take it but will do at the slightest hint of the arthritis returning. However you do have to be patient as it can take a couple of months plus to take effect as it helps rebuild the joint cartilage which is a slow job! so anyone taking it don't give up or measure your results for at least 3 months. I took the liquid form Glucosamine sulphate.
Hugs Lindyxxxx

Does glucosamine have to be taken with chondroitin for it to be effective for arthritis?

I've looked in several popular US stores and only have found the combination of those two together being sold.

KD
I took the glucosamine on its own....it was effective for me.... remember tho that it does take a few months to take effect fully so don't give up!
You should be able to ship some over from uk websites.. try the Holland and Barret website. I wanted some B12 methycobalamine and couldn't get it here so had to order from the US... the shipping isn't too much extra. You could also try ebay.
Hugs Lindy xxxx

Sorry Holland and Barrett... wrong spelling on the last post... you won't be able to find it on a search if the spelling is wrong. lol!
Lindy xxxxxxxx