[Sabrina]

I have had this problem for years but it is bothering me more and more lately. I seem to sleep with clenched fists. When I get up my hands are swollen, 'spongey' and it takes ages for the 'pins and needles' or numbness to go away. And lately, my hands hurt - I don't really know how to describe it.

I can't even wear my wedding ring - it won't go on!

Any ideas?

[Rhapsody]

Hmm - that's a good question.... wish I knew the answer - but all I can come up with is that babies do this a lot in their early days of being.

But, what I can say that the numbness is coming from the air flow (blood) to your hands being restricted from your clenched & tight fist.... maybe a wrist brace would help?


LoVe,
Rhapsody -

[pegasus]

(((((((((((( Sabrina )))))))))))))

I used to do that too, and spend all night grinding my teeth.

I think it is to do with how stressed or anxious we are.

I found doing relaxation before going to sleep helps, noticing where the tension is in the body and trying to relax!

Try to make yourself as comfortable as possible when you go to sleep, so that you feel safe.

Take care.

[ErinBear]

Hi,

I have rheumatoid arthritis, and some friends do too. We have pain in our hands and have to be careful with our hands at night. We put our hands underneath the pillow at night, flat, and sleep that way so that they don't get clenched during the night. It might be worth a try :-)

Good luck!

Take care,
ErinBear

[Sabrina]

Thanks everyone.

I go to sleep with my hands under the pillow and follow concious thoughts to keep my hands relaxed, but when I wake up (and that is several times), my fists are clenched and I have to start over. Needless to say, I am tired as well!

((((( Sabrina )))))

I'm sorry you have this. It sucks. I wish I could help and offer some suggestions of what helps me, but I struggle with the same thing.

I have been doing this for most of my life, and I also clench during the day. I have been "clenched" for so long now it is wearing down my muscles. I even clench my toes.

I had to go on muscle relaxers and they worked very well but with my family history of drug addiction, I was afraid to stay on them. Now I am afraid to ask for them because I don't want my docs to think I'm trying to con them. (I know, I know. Past issues.)But when they relaxed my muscles, I ached all over like someone beat me up.

I take Ativan when I get to a breaking point, but all that does is unclench my "mind" not the body.

My neurologist had me wear wrist splints to bed but I couldn't do it. They were too big and clunky so my mother got me some crafting gloves. They definetly help.

Some info...
More info here...

[Sabrina]

Thanks for the links Petunia. I am going to try and source them here.

[wisewoman]

I would go with what Petunia says and try wrist splints. I have had the same problem. The ones at the drug store that have a metal rod on the underside are good. I also discovered that you can simply go to a sporting goods or department store and by wrist guards like people use rollar blading. They are smaller and less intrusive, not to mention cheaper. Good luck.

here in local stores there is a health isle. (where you can find first aid items, crutch tips, hearing aid batties, tylenol, and other pain relievers. in the ace bandage section is hand and wrist items some with slint like plastic/metal sewn in. When I noticed I was sleeping with my foot curled and turned at a wrong angle when sleeping which was causing pressure point and nerves not recieving blood suppy (which causes the numbness and pins and needles effect upon waking) my doctor had me pick up an anlke ace bandage with a split sewn in cost me $2.99 and it held my foot in the right position and it was comfortable to sleep in. ace bandage company makes all kinds of ace bandages and slpits for all kinds off uses and I believe there is a few wrist hand versions out in local stores a friend of mine recently got one because she had carpal tunnel or something with the carpal word. hers covers her wrist and hand. when she is wearing it she cannot make a fist but can use her upper finger areas for typing and so on.

Maybe that will help you

[(JD)]

Did you solve this? I wear wrist splints most of the time, different ones for sleep..but all have thumb spicas... must haves for clenching. TC!

[Sabrina]

I tried to sleep with wrist splints but night after night (or should I say morning after morning), I would find them on the floor. I kept taking them off in my sleep.

The clenching does seem to have lessened though as I have fewer "pins and needles" on waking. Still plenty of water retention though. It takes hours for the swelling to go down. I don't know if this is related.

Thanks for asking Sky!

[(JD)]

Yeah I know the feeling.... keep trying to wear them, it might prevent further problems like carpal tunnel? Try using powder on your wrists first... or a sport creme (odorless) to numb them up a little? I have the same results on some nights... good thing my dog doesn't chew on things, eh? sigh.

Gotta think about your sleep environment too... cold/warm enough? Quiet? Dark? Pillows comfortable and supportive? Linens not too heavy etc? '

When I 'm really upset... even the green light on the smoke detector on the ceiling is too bright!!! grrr TC!

[Spaceystacy1]

I'm sorry you experience this. So do I. So much that I have pulled my flank muscle on my right side. My hands hurt all the time. I wake up so exhausted I call in sick to work and sleep up to 16 hours. This includes the night it happens and that day. I'm dizzy and foggy headed. I feel so alone because I look just fine and I don't think my husband believes me. Reading your story makes me feel less alone. I've told my doctor all about it. It's very random. I don't know what to do.