why are my hands numb while sleeping? - Thyroid Disorders Message Board

miller01 · 01-27-2004, 04:21 PM

I have hashi and am taking .075 levoxyl. My hands are constantly falling asleep at night. I wake up and wonder what the heck is going on. It takes a while for me to get the feeling back. Maybe its the start of Reynauds? Should I be taking selenium to help? Any other ideas?

Either that or that I am just so tied at night that I go into a deep sleep from my stressful day: having two youngs children, working, mid-life husband, etc. Maybe thats the only way my body can fully relax, huh?

Then again I thought about female hormones and all...whats the chance?

Thanks, any input will be appreciated.

flow3rlady · 01-27-2004, 08:57 PM

I have the same problem. My gp mentioned thyroid problems earlier this week. He said I was on the high side of normal and have been for about six months now. Don't know if and when he will consider medication. Wished I could help but I'm in the same boat you are in. Good luck!

LuvMyLilDoggie · 01-27-2004, 11:40 PM

Miller01,
Do you sleep with your elbows bent more than 90 degrees?
Do you notice the numbness and tingling more in your little finger and half of your ring finger (ulnar nerve)? Or is it more in the thumb, index and middle finger (carpal tunnel)?
Does it happen anytime during the day like when you rest your elbow on a table with your hand supporting your head or when you're talking on the phone for long periods of time?
Is there any night time pain in your wrists? (carpal tunnel)

There is a strong connection between thyroid disease and carpal tunnel syndrome. But what a lot of people don't know is there is also a connection between TD and cubital tunnel syndrome (aka ulnar nerve entrapment).
Do a search on these and see what you come up with. You've peaked my curiosity now because I have cubital tunnel syndrome. I can tell you that my symptoms have greatly improved since being dx'd and treated for hypo-t. I still have the symptoms but not as bad or as often. I no longer need the surgery to correct it either.

Barb

midwest1 · 01-28-2004, 06:15 AM

When I first read your question yesterday, I had no answer for you. But last night, at a point when I woke to roll over, I noticed both of my hands were also tingling. (I thought of your question immediately... I think I've got Healthboards on the brain... LOL!) It isn't something that ever really bothered me, so I never paid it much attention.
Bosmom raises good points about carpal tunnel syndrome. But if you don't have wrist pain, or the elbow thing, a simpler explanation is that your wrist is bent upward (toward the crook of your arm, not down toward your elbow) while you're sleeping. When it stays in the position too long, it presses on a nerve and cuts off circulation to an extent. This is what happens to me. Moving my hand to a position flatter on the mattress helps.
There are wrist splints designed to relieve CTS available at drugstores that hold the wrist in a straighter position and prevent that nerve compression. They aren't exactly inexpensive, but if the problem is really bothersome, those or something like them are likely to help.

LuvMyLilDoggie · 01-28-2004, 07:09 AM

I forgot to mention the splints. Thanks midwest.
I had to wear a half cast from my elbow to hand at night for a while but discontinued that because of recurring tendonitis. The cast aggrivated it. So I lay on my side, took a spare pillow, folded it and placed it in between my arms. This kept me from putting my hands under my pillow and bending my elbow too far. This alone helped a lot. Putting your hands under your pillow is the #1 cause of hand numbness at night.
Take care!
Barb