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What Causes Numbness In Left Hand While Lying Down?

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Posted on Tue, 4 Aug 2015
Question: There is a sudden numbness in my left hand while lying down, trying to sleep, hand falls asleep. I was not laying on it or twisting it in anyway that should have caused this feelings my dad died of prostate cancer, my grandad died of colon cancer. I have a long athletic event tommorw (riding my bike) which causes my hands to numbl is there anything to worry about? I did not sleep on it, pinch or twist it in anyway. Both hands tend to go numb when on bike for over an hour, it is just coming back now. I can feel it again. I am concerned with a stroke XXXXXX






doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Definitely not a a stroke. What exact part of the hand gets numb?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this numbness that you have reported. I have reviewed you information fully and it is suggestive that this is not a stroke. Stroke will a rely ever affect both arms at the same time. Stroke often affects only one side of the body at a time. The fact that this same sensation happens when you are riding a bike is suggestive of a nerve problem outside the brain. It is my thinking that the nerve is being pinched by surrounding hypertrophied structures/muscles resulting from the prolonged and intense use of your hands in biking.

Before concluding, please describe to me what exact part of the hand often gets numb so that I can identify the nerves to this area.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (7 hours later)
It was just my left hand as it always is that goes numb while sleeping. Never the right. It is both that go numb while riding my bike. I have done two sleep studies. They both indicate sleep apnea and dangerously low oxygen levels during periods of sleep. I have tried CPAP, can't sleep with any I've tried. I have used oxygen but had to stop when medicare stopped paying for it. I am involved athletically on a competitive basis. I always find myself chopping for air when those around me are fine. Then when a sprint happens or a hill climb, I fall behind as I go quickly anerobic and have to slow. Wouldn't EPO help me? I am not a pro athlete (I'm 63) so why is there such a stigman attached to this drug. It was obviously designed to help people like me who have an oxygen production problem. XXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
EPO will not help in this!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this precision.

The problem you have it that enough air//oxygen doesn’t make it to the lungs and not that there is not enough red blood cell mass to carry the oxygen around. This is why what you need most is oxygen supplementation and not EPO. The body all by itself must have increased levels of blood cells because oxygen shortage causes increased EPO secretions.

I am so sorry to hear about the financial difficulties that led to the discontinuation of your oxygen. That is what you really need. If there is one thing that I will recommend for you to further invest into to address this low oxygen problem, assisting breathing machines is the best way to go.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. As usual, am available to address any further worries that you may have.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (10 hours later)
Dear Dr. Ditah, Blood work is done recently; shows no nutritional deficiencies, coagulation and lipid profiles are fine. Cardiac profile; mild atrial fibrillation controlled currently by carvedilol. While competing as I related (amateur cycling and inline skate racing) I struggle for air while others around me can still speak. During any high intensity output I go very quickly anaerobic and am dropped. Lactic acid seems to build instantly in me during even short bursts. I am only competitive at ultra distance events where a steady pace, just before going anaerobic can be maintained longer than those who sprint and rest; coming from behind to win. Can I be anemic? Wouldn't epoetin help me? I am also suffering severe sexual dysfunction due to an over zealous Green laser TURP operation leaving me a eunuch with no erections without viagra and no ejaculate whatsoever. I have read that epo is useful for these conditions as well as my Ankylosing Spondylitis which I was born with. I don't understand your quick dismissal of EPO when you also concur I need oxygen supplementation. Your opinion?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
See below!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

EPO increases the red blood cells which carry oxygen. However, your problem is not a lack of cells to carry oxygen but inability to move enough air/oxygen into the lungs. This is why I say oxygen supplementation is the problem and not EPO. Between, what was your hemoglobin level the last time you did a blood test?

EPO is generally used in person with kidney failure because the kidneys cannot produce it anymore. It is not very much indicated for you.

I will recommend you do a blood test so that we can look at your numbers and tell you why you may not need this product now.

Let me know what your thoughts are.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Chobufo Ditah

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 6323 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Left Hand While Lying Down?

Brief Answer: Definitely not a a stroke. What exact part of the hand gets numb? Detailed Answer: Hi and thank you so much for this query. I am so sorry to hear about this numbness that you have reported. I have reviewed you information fully and it is suggestive that this is not a stroke. Stroke will a rely ever affect both arms at the same time. Stroke often affects only one side of the body at a time. The fact that this same sensation happens when you are riding a bike is suggestive of a nerve problem outside the brain. It is my thinking that the nerve is being pinched by surrounding hypertrophied structures/muscles resulting from the prolonged and intense use of your hands in biking. Before concluding, please describe to me what exact part of the hand often gets numb so that I can identify the nerves to this area. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thanks for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.