Numbness in Arms/hands

See a RD (real doctor) before you see a chiropractor. This could be anything from something small to something serious.

I had a lot of tingling and numbness in my hands (as well as a few other neurological issues) a while back and went to the doctor. I went through all the testing for MS, including a spinal tap and a cat scan, and they were pretty sure I have MS, but wanted to see me back in a year to run the tests again. In that year, our insurance changed and I would have had to pay everything out of pocket with a high deductible, but in the meantime, I started to notice a connection between drinking diet soda and the symptoms. The days I drank a lot of soda, I ended up with a severe spike in the symptoms, whereas I hardly had any problem when I ran out of soda. So I stopped drinking all diet soda. I stopped consuming all artificial sweetener and then started doing some research about it, and I learned that there are quite a few people who react to aspartame this way. I no longer consume any artificial sweeteners at all and my symptoms have gone away completely. I've never had the follow-up tests, but it would seem there's no reason to. And I've now met a few people in person who have had the same experience -- our doctors think we're crazy, and yet it's so obvious to us. So although the government and doctors advocate that Splenda is perfectly safe, I was reacting very badly to it. Now, even if I have just a stick of gum with aspartame in it, the tingling and shooting pains return. You don't mention that you are drinking diet sodas, but just thought I'd throw that out there in case you're consuming any artificial sweeteners.

My daughter has this problem - it is her fibromyalgia. See your doctor and no matter what he says, it probably wouldn't hurt to have a chiro adjustment as well.

It's Unofficially called "mommy arm"..go see a chiropractor!

It doesn't hurt to rule out other conditions of course, but MDs aren't "real doctors" they're medical doctors, who specialize in medicine. Chiropractors are Doctors of Chiropractic.

I have been getting this alot lately and I have not had a child in 9 years! I do have Sarcoidosis, but I am starting to lean towards it possibly being fibromyalgia, FINALLY getting a referral to rhuematologist, I would call your PCP to see about getting an appointment and getting checked out, it may be something related to the new baby, by the way CONGRATS!

For me it was carpal tunnel syndrome. I always thought it affected your hands/wrist, but for me it was from my shoulder down. Numb/tingly like it was asleep...and it was like that on and off ALL day. It happened at the end of my 2nd pregnancy and afterwards. It's 13 months later and it still affects me every once in a while...

With a new baby you're sitting in odd positions, carrying baby while all bent up, etc. Defintiely see a chiropractor. I needed one after both babies for a while since my back, neck & shoulders were twisted. The female chiropractor called it new-mother syndrome! Also - consider putting a pillow under your armpit while you're sleeping and see if that helps.

It could be a lot of things. Get tested at an MD and see what they say. It's a start. Sounds like a nerve but sounds like one in your neck to me. It can affect both hands and arms like that.

If it's happening at night primarily, it sounds to me like low blood pressure. Not only did you just have a baby, but you also significantly decreased your water intake. Combine that with the fact that your heart rate slows significantly when you're resting/asleep, and you're more likely to have that happen. I know if I even keep my arm bent while sleeping (not laying ON it, just keeping it bent) I will get the tinglies. You could always try increasing your fluids again to see if that helps, but for a long term solution, consulting your doc would probably be best.

If it is a pinched nerve like I had, a chiro can help. If it is carpel tunnel, you may want to see a physical therapist and learn some exercises to correct it. One of my personal training client has carpel tunnel. The doctor recommended surgery, but the PT is making great progress in correcting it.

Oh you poor thing. It's carpal tunnel. I had it and HATED it!! You are describing exactly what I went through. Is it the arm you hold the baby with? It would keep me up at night because I couldn't get comfortable enough to fall asleep.
For now get an arm brace and where it every night to bed. And during the day if you need. If that doesn't help, you may need to get a cortisone shot. I did and since then it's hasn't bothered me. But I still where my brace because I'm terrified of it coming back!

I get this and I have fibromyalgia. It could be caused by a number of different things, carpal tunnel, pinched nerve, etc. Be sure and keep us updated after you see your doc. And I would see your doc BEFORE your chiro, just my opinion. Good luck to you!

I know I'm a little behind, but wanted to know if it happens when you're sleeping as well. Hope you consulted a dr and have an answer.
Curious to see what others say. Good luck...

There are different causes depending on which nerves are being pinched to cause it. The doctor should be able to tell you the issue when you explain which parts go numb. I know for carpal tunnel it is the first 3 fingers that lose feeling and that sleeping in a brace will help, but for other areas I don't know the causal areas or treatments.