Numbness in arms when waking up?

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glenn gavanaugh

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I've had this problem for about 4 months now... every morning I wake up my arms are completely numb... anyone else experience this?
I guess I can add this to pools of drool on my pillow every morning too... and the new one: choking! (this occurs at any time during sleep. luckily it has only happened a few times).

thanks.
 
i'm no dr and I don't have ALS, but numbness is a sensory issue that isn't (i don't think) associated with ALS. are you sleeping on your arms? if it goes away when you wake up, don't worry. the choking thing kinda sucks. do you suffer from acid reflux? That might be your problem...
 
Yeah, I've read that ALS doesn't involve sensory symptoms.
It happens to be both arms, actually. Doesn't really matter which side I sleep one.
And yes, I do have acid reflux. Hopefully that is what is causing it.
Unfortunately other problems are still progressing (namely weakness...)
 
well...there are a ton of conditions that can cause weakness. i take it you've been seeing a neurologist. keep presssing your dr to provide answers. remain persistent until they find a diagnosis. i'm in limbo too. it sucks, i know. i don't think i have ALS but my neuro hasn't ruled it out for some reason. i have strange symptoms that has effected just about every muscle/nerve in my body (i.e., legs, arms, tip of penis, eyes, ears, back, scalp, throat, etc.), but i haven't lost muscle mass or strength. my throat is acting up again. i get a constricting feeling just below my adams apple...kind of scarey. but i had an ENT dr stuff a camera up my nose and underwent a barium swallow to confirm my bulbar reflexes are still intact. the ENT said he detected some acid reflux and diagnosed me with reflux laryngitis (aka globus hystericus) caused by GERD. my symptoms wax and wane so it's not likely ALS, as it's progressive (i.e., meaning you don't have good and bad days).

hopefully we'll both find answers
 
my weakness + atrophy are progressive. started asymmetrically, now on other side too. also, fascic's, and a host of other problems (i.e. - the aforementioned numbness, drooling, choking, etc., etc. .). Well see. Hope you find a definite answer too.
 
I started experiencing numbness in hands and an overly still, relaxed sensation in lower legs during sleep, which resolved quickly upon awakening. I have figured out for me that this (and maybe the GERD and lots of other things) was being caused by the muscles being over-relaxed at rest, as though they are not processing energy correctly. During sleep, they became eerily still, and I believe this prevented blood from flowing in the extremities strongly enough, which resulted in numbness.

Once things became much worse, I had several days of drooling on the pillow, difficulty swallowing, and occasional choking. However, those things went away. The GERD got better under control through medicine (Aciphex in morning, Zantac generic + Reglan at night), and I was finally able to sleep, which may be roughly when those things went away.

I am trying to find a way to get to muscle/energy specialists now, to look at mitochondrial disorders, Pompe disease, etc.
 
My husband has that!

Glenn,
My husband has this happening! He first started noticing it in the multiple MRI's that he was having done...then he started noticing in when he'd wake up from sleeping in a laying down position.

No one can explain why as his herniated disc (T6/T7) isn't in an area that would normally impact his arms and hands...same with his fasciculations...no one can explain why right now other than they describe that area of his spine as the "watershed" area and it "could" impact a few levels up if the main artery (That runs to the front of the cord between T4 and T9) is being compressed along with the nerves.

Keep looking and keep hope!
Tracy
 
I wake up every day with numb/weak fingers. Happens on both hands, usually on the ulnar pathways. No DX, getting my first EMG in 1.5 years next week.
 
thanks guys.
I'm waiting for an appt date with Dr. Pierre Bourque (thanks for the recommendation Glen)... hopefully some real answers will finally materialize then.
 
You are welcome Glenn.
Hope he gives you better news than he gave me.
 
Glenn, my pulmo doc gave my some eye drops (atropine). two drops under the tongue and the drooling is cut way down. See your local doc about this. It may help while you are waiting.

With your arms, are you sleeping face down with them over your head ? Thats a guaranteed sleeper form me. Heavy buggers when they go.

Hope this helps

Glen
 
I'm new here--my first reply.

I had numbness in my arms on awakening. I figured out that if I keep my elbows extended--not flexed--I would not wake up with dead arms. I keep my arms extended across the bed or down at my side.

Wynn
 
Glen, I was just going to ask if your arms are bent when you sleep; across your chest, up over your head? My left arm goes numb now without fail if it is bent for any extended length of time, and I think that is what Wynn is describing as well. My doctor said it is some "entrapment syndrome" and right now has recommended PT to see if it improves. Because it is on my left side (the troublesome side with neuro confirmed weakness and "thinning") I feel intensely paranoid that it could be something more sinister and everyday remind myself to get a grip. My GP doesn't believe it is connected to anything else that is happening to me and I try very hard to believe him (but that little incessant voice inside of me keeps whispering...but it is the left side, the left side! What else can happen to the left side?).

Take care,

Lydia
 
Not sure which Glen you are asking but:

I do not sleep on my back, just one side or the other.

I always have one I am lying on, bent with my palm cradling my head , and the other bent in front of me ready to steal the blankets back from the better half.
 
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