Numb arm on waking?

[madmaggot]

For the past couple of months I often wake to find that my left arm feels numb from about mid-forearm down; it takes about 5-10 minutes to feel 'normal' again. Now if I had been lying on this side I would put it down to that but I normally lie on my left side so the side where I get the numbness is the 'up' side.
I have hypertension that is successfully controlled by tablets so my BP is around 115/70. I am about a stone overweight; 5'2" and 9st7lbs.
Any ideas? Is this something that I should make a special appointment with the doc or will it wait until my next routine appointment in about 8 months?

[Sqad]

Does it involve the fingers and if so, which ones?

[madmaggot]

Yes Sqad, the forefinger and the next one (don't know what that one's called).
BTW just re-read my ? and I should have said I lie on my right side, not left!

[Sqad]

mad.....you have a little finger, middle finger, index finger and a ring finger.

I assume that you mean middle finger and either index or ring finger.

So we have numbness of the forearm and at least one other finger.

Most likely cause is compression of a nerve running into the hand..Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, although the numbness of the forearm is unusual.

If you have arthritis in the neck, then this could be trapping a nerve.

See you GP.

[jno]

I have those fingers, Sqad, but not in that order (I keep my index finger next to my thumb, where I need it most). Do I need surgery?

[Sqad]

jno...you put your thumb where it is needed most!!!!..LOL

[madmaggot]

Bingo Sqad; I have quite painful osteo-arthritis in my neck. Used to cause really bad migraine headaches but I had physio for a while which stopped the headaches; perhaps the resulting alteration in my posture has something to do with it then?

[madmaggot]

Gotta go out. Many thanks Sqad.

[Sqad]

mad...no problem.....I usually get one diagnosis right each year.........!!!!

[NoMercy]

It sounds just like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I had that about a decade ago. Your doc may prescribe Diclofenac, and then refer you for a surgical decompression if the pain/numbness becomes acute.

[Sqad]

NoM but would CTS explain the numbness in his forearm?

[NoMercy]

I was having numbness and pins and needles all down my forearm. Doc said I probably hand a few things going on, capsulitis being one of them. I did have some strange cramp attacks where my thumb would curl up and I was completely unable to uncurl it or even move it. Really weird.

[Sqad]

NoM....slip into something more comfortable and I will nip over and *** the situation!!!

[NoMercy]

That Haza de Condado.... do they sell it in the supermarkets?

[Sqad]

NoM........probably the better supermarkets.....worth the trip NoM

[NoMercy]

Carrefour and Mercadona? I really need to pop into both today.