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Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
#1
Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
Since being on CPAP for about 8+ months I am noticing some better sleep patterns.  However there is one major issue that is interrupting a better night:

I am a side sleeper and as a result I am putting pressure on my arm/ shoulders that causes my arms (on the respective side) to fall asleep (that numbness of which we are all familiar.)  This may have been present before I started CAP but I was never aware of it because the was apnea causing me to toss n' turn which would alleviate any numbness- it may have been there before but I never noticed it.   It seems that the phenomenon comes on very slowly such that I do not notice it until it becomes too unbearable upon which it will wake me.

Now that I am sleeping better (sometimes in the same position on one side all night) I am putting pressure at points that now cause this discomfort which in turn is now waking me up.  I am pretty sure that I could have better nights if there is a way to correct this discomfort.  I have tried to position/ reposition my arms many times during the night-  outstretched, along my torso side, cured up under my head, etc... but nothing seems to work. 

I have tried to sleep on my back.  I can start out this way but invariably I will revert to one side during the night.

Any advice/ comments/ opinions?
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#2
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
Just throwing this out there....could it be your mattress or needing a new or different type pillow?
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#3
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
I use a "My Pillow" brand pillow and that helps quite a bit. This type of pillow is one that has strips and shreds of memory foam inside a permanent case. It adjusts very easily to any shape the user forms it to and it keeps that shape relatively well throughout the night. I perhaps could use a new mattress. The one that I use of which I am used to is a relatively firm one. There are so many types out there and I do not know where/ how to shop for a new mattress that will work well down the road.
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#4
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
Years ago, I had the same problem. I changed my life style and started exercising more.  This got my cholesterol down and I stopped taking a statin. Almost immediately the problem cleared up. Now, I can actually sleep directly on my arm without that tingling. Not saying the statin was the problem, but, I had many side effects clear up once I stopped the statin. Now I walk 2 miles every day to keep my cholesterol in check.
CPAP is a journey like “The Wizard of Oz”. It’s a long slow journey. You will face many problems and pick up many friends along the way. Just because you reach the poppies, it doesn’t mean you are in Kansas. 
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#5
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
I use the My Pillow brand too.  It's the best pillow I've used and I've gone through a lot of pillows over the years.  
Can't advise on mattresses, that's as bad as buying a car.   Smile

I do remember having some arm and shoulder pain at first, but haven't experienced it for awhile.  Now it's hip pain that keeps me tossing and turning. Sad
OpalRose
Apnea Board Administrator
www.apneaboard.com

_______________________
OSCAR Chart Organization
How to Attach Images and Files.
OSCAR - The Guide
Soft Cervical Collar
Optimizing therapy
OSCAR supported machines
Mask Primer



INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#6
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
Do you use a body pillow? If not, try one. It will keep your shoulders better aligned as well as help take pressure off the one on the bottom. You can use another head pillow and just wrap your arms around it to see if it helps any but it won't quite be the same. It may be enough for you to know if you should invest in a body pillow.
PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.




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#7
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
Have you been tested for carpal tunnel?  My hands go numb unless I wear a wrist brace on both hands lol.   That with a cpap mask makes quite the sleep setup!  However it works....no joke.   So I do it every night.
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#8
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
(06-29-2017, 06:36 PM)speed3914 Wrote: Have you been tested for carpal tunnel?  My hands go numb unless I wear a wrist brace on both hands lol.   That with a cpap mask makes quite the sleep setup!  However it works....no joke.   So I do it every night.

Same exact issue here.  Both my hands go numb due to carpal tunnel.  What kind of a wrist brace do you use?
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#9
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
I use a bowling brace made by a company called Robby's. I prefer the original leather ones.
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#10
RE: Side sleeping: arms going numb disturbing quality of sleep
(06-30-2017, 12:18 PM)speed3914 Wrote: I use a bowling brace made by a company called Robby's. I prefer the original leather ones.

Thank you !!!!
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