Left pinky and ring finger numb again after waking!

matisworried · Jan 14, 2020

this is highly unlikely anything serious. i've had similar issues in the past, waking up with arm/hands being numb. you could be sleeping on them or laying in a position that's restricting blood flow to your limb(s.) it could even be anxiety induced. the fact that they return to normal pretty quickly would indicate it's nothing serious.

bin_tenn · Jan 14, 2020

Sounds like a nerve issue, probably in the elbow (ulnar nerve). I get this exact same thing often. Something as simple as propping myself up on my left arm for a few minutes can trigger the numbness/tingling in my left pinky and ring finger. I asked my doc about it and she said possibly cubital tunnel syndrome (like carpal tunnel, but in the elbow) and to take an OTC pain reliever if it causes pain. So I just leave it be.

Anxiousholly · Jan 14, 2020

I got this a few times in my pinky & ring fingers the dr said we never know what positions we have been asleep in its u likely our arms have been dead straight all night anyway

she also said it could easily be anxiety x

Bobnnat · Jan 14, 2020

Agree with Bin. what do you do for a living/ Type at a computer? How are your elbows supported? Same question regarding all other activities you do during the day. Bottom line is that what you describe is incredibly common and never a cause for alarm.

Ms.Honey · Jan 14, 2020

I have this too.
Can you see an RMT or chiro, physiotherapist.. ?
Mine is driving me crazy too and of course I worry it’s something else, but from having been through a massive MS scare before, I’m sure it’s not that. It’s most likely a pinched nerve somewhere in shoulder/neck. Anxiety causes so much muscle tension, it totally makes sense. The fact that it goes away is a good sign too.

bin_tenn · Jan 14, 2020

JustMe said:
I used to do data entry and my hand joints have been hurting a lot too. I quit that job and have just been a stay at home mom for the last year. I am a photographer but since I have just moved to a new state and have been dealing with HA I haven't even tried to advertise.

That history of data entry probably contributes. Photography probably does as well, since you're holding the camera. And if you use a DSLR, it's probably not all that lightweight...

For me, having my arm bent for an extended period of time, including talking on the phone, tends to trigger these sensations and sometimes mild aches in my hand and / or elbow.

bin_tenn · Jan 14, 2020

JustMe said:
Yes! If I'm laying down and have my elbows bent holding my phone near my face on my phone my pinky and ring finger will start to go numb too! This is really normal? Yes I use a pretty heavy camera too...

Yep. When it happens, use some ice if needed and / or take Tylenol or similar. Otherwise, give the arm a rest. Straighten it out, do some light stretching, and try not to bed it for a little while. It'll resolve on its own.

Jgriffin · Jan 14, 2020

JustMe said:
Ok so I tried sleeping different last night. On my stomach, back left and right side. No matter what I did or how I slept I woke up with my left pinky and ring finger going numb.
I'm scared to death! Is this maybe nerve damage in my arm? Heart related somehow? Signs of a blood clot or stroke? Signs of MS? As soon as I wake up and move it for a few seconds it goes back to normal pretty quickly. I don't understand why it is doing this no matter how I sleep!
I'm really scared and don't want to go to the ER again but idk what to do! Please help!

I've been following this forum for some time but never made an account until I read your post. Last year I had thoughts of Ms to the point even with no health insurance I almost went to the er. I did go to urgent care..to which the Dr..said I see people with health anxiety all day long..anyway a week after I convinced myself I had Ms I started waking up with my pinky finger and ring finger numb..multiple times a night actually. I no longer do. I solved my own case after months. My health anxiety consumed me so much I googled it all day holding my phone with my right hand. That led to trapped nerve in wrist. Trapped nerve in wrist when bent during sleep leads to numb Pinky and ring finger. After a few months of dismissing Ms but of course I'm onto different worries I stop googling and stay off my phone and do exercises for wrists and elbows and problem gone. I hope you find any answers or comfort in this message

Jgriffin · Jan 14, 2020

JustMe said:
Omgosh! Yes! Thank you so much! Can you tell me what type of exercises you were doing? I'm so so so glad you replied! This can be a game changer for me!

First of all you have to stop doing whatever your doing to trap a nerve. For me it's holding the phone more than I care to admit with my hand. My exercises include extending my arm out palm facing up and with opposite hand Extending fingers downward and holding for 10 seconds..then will repeat. I'm telling you it is not Ms. It's nerve damage from repeated behaviors and when I had severe health anxiety my husband would watch me sleep and I guess I naturally curled my hands into fists and rested on them as a protective mechanism. Then the numbness would hit and wake me up. As my health anxiety lessened I noticed that combined with exercises it disappeared. I told myself ok rationally if it's Ms why does it only hit when I'm sleeping or laying on my couch with my elbow trapped or bent!

Jgriffin · Jan 15, 2020

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JustMe said:
Omgosh! Yes! Thank you so much! Can you tell me what type of exercises you were doing? I'm so so so glad you replied! This can be a game changer for me!

I chose to sign up and respond because I know exactly what your feeling. Those who've encouraged me along with way with health anxiety thanks can't even begin to descri

JustMe said:
Sounds just like me! Thank you so much and I will definitely try this! Im always holding my phone or reading a book. That is going to have to stop at least how I'm holding my books. I will let you know if this helps! Thanks again so much! You are a life saver to me right now!

As soon as you wake up and feel is just extend your hands a few times to get things flowing and now you can go right back to bed easily knowing it's nothing

Left pinky and ring finger numb again after waking!

JustMe

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matisworried

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bin_tenn

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Anxiousholly

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Bobnnat

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Ms.Honey

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JustMe

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bin_tenn

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JustMe

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bin_tenn

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