guitarplayer1's picture
guitarplayer1
  • 286
  • PRO
1984

Dead arms at night

ad

Had this problem for years that when I sleep both my arms fall asleep from the elbow down as well as hand numbness. Did a search and found it could be a condition called Ulnar nerve entrapment.

Presumably it is from muscle I've build around my major arteries and nerves, muscle/weight of my arm will press the muscle against the veins, causing lack of circulation.

I hear it's a very common condition amongst bodybuilders. I'm sure some of you deal with this yourself. Here are a couple of links that have helped me better understand and how to cope with it and keep myself going forward.

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00069

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d85QKyWvrbI

Andro1's picture

I've been getting this for the past few months now, mostly in my right arm, the pain wakes me up it that bad. Going to make appointment with doc see what he says.

johnmarshall12's picture

If you have median nerve, ulner nerve or radial nerve entrapment different fingers will be numb or tingling and some may be painful. The fingers affected depend on the nerve involved!

wanted's picture

I get that but its with the whole arm. I use my good arm to lift my dead arm amd it just falls. Scary stuff. It really happens to me when on tren i notice.

Stefan1800's picture

That shit really scares and freaks me out!

JorixB's picture

Me too.
Trying to sleep on my back, not laying into my limbs.

guitarplayer1's picture

Me too and I think ripping on the guitar may have aided to the situation.

Owes a Review × 1
Drop-set's picture

Had that problem a few months ago. Pinched in the shoulder area actually. Went to chiro and after a couple sessions I was good to go.

guitarplayer1's picture

What was his procedure to fix you up?

Owes a Review × 1
Drop-set's picture

He crunched my spine up high in between my traps, and stretched my front delts. One stretch is to stand in a corner facing the walls. Put a hand on each wall and lean forward. Do this a few times a day and right before bed. He said that area gets compressed from lifts like bench. My arms were failing asleep every night and waking me up.

guitarplayer1's picture

Awesome, thanks for the info. I'll give this a shot +1

Owes a Review × 1
Lilbear's picture

The secound vedio is awsome bro. Thank you

guitarplayer1's picture

No prop LB

Owes a Review × 1
jansen's picture

I feel your pain! I have to have pillows stacked up all around me in certain positions to rest my arms on just so i can sleep. My Dr is a pretty serious lifter amd he has the same problem. He says there's not much you can do.

humpnpump's picture

I know a guy that's has this, he wears a sleeve at night to keep his arms straight which keeps the circulation going and pressure off of the nerve. He says it works most of the times, but occasionally arms still fall asleep.

tonytulo's picture

I have ulner nerve entrapment and yes it sucks. sometimes extremely painful also. Was told if it doesn't get better over time I should think about ulner nerve relocation.

guitarplayer1's picture

Have you tried the exercises? And have they been bringing you ANY relief?

Owes a Review × 1
tonytulo's picture

Well that was the first step "therapy" at times I wanted to believe it worked other times it was like I was doing nothing. Add in my lifestyle in the gym and the fact im in the finish construction trade they said it was probably going to be relocated, for now ive delt with it. There has been days when couldn't bend my elbow due to the pain , pushed a job back a day or two, pushed the gym back a day or two. Once it got inflamed it was a wrap. Everyone is different so ive been told and its a case by case thing as far as severity and options to relieve it.

guitarplayer1's picture

Works temporarily for me and like you once I hit the weights it's back so it's an ongoing issue. I may have to make an appt to see if I should have mine relocated as well. Two problems though, 1. It is in both arms . 2. The recover looks to be a few months which is probably why you have put it off yourself, correct?

Owes a Review × 1
tonytulo's picture

Both arms? that sounds either like a circulation issue or a deeper nerve issue in my opinion , I could be wrong but to have a trapped ulnar nerve in both arms , what are the chances of that? http://www.premier-ortho.com/patient-education/ulnar-nerve-transposition/ 3 to 6 months recovery depending on severity and any complications along with slightly different from patient to patient case to case.

guitarplayer1's picture

I'd say the chances are not to bad considering I neglected it for like 6 years in my right arm and now has crept up in my left.

Thanks for the link but I gotta tell you 3-6 months down doesn't sound appealing. Especially if it's one arm at a time or ever both arms. Just called for an appointment so I can get down to the bottom of the situation and if there is another alt to surgery..

Owes a Review × 1
tonytulo's picture

There are many alternatives you can try bro.

If it truly is that in both arms have pity for you bro as it is nothing nice. Best of luck.