Tingly thumb & index finger after waking up

[wpcoe]

I woke up at 100am (about 2.5 hours ago) after a long nap and the thumb and half of my index finger on my left hand is tingly and numb.  This is not totally unusual except that after 2.5 hours it's still the same.  Usually after I start moving around and circulation gets going, any numbness/tingling goes away pretty quickly.

 

Any idea what could cause this?  If I go to a hospital to investigate, what type of doctor should I seek out?  A neurologist?

 

I'm still hoping this goes away by sunrise, but if not, I guess I should get it checked but thought the wise folks on the forum might have some ideas to share.

[ezzra]

Not knowing how old you are, I would look at my magnesium levels, maybe

you need an extra intake of  magnesium citrate or chloride, works well for

people over 50' of those with Mag. deficiency.....

[chiang mai]

I'm guessing restricted blood supply or nerve impingement, if it continues you really should get checked out by a doctor.

[wpcoe]

Update:  Went back to bed and got up again at around 700am.  There is no tingling any more, nor a surface numbness.

 

It's difficult to explain.  It's like a deep tissue sensation under the surface of the pad on the thumb and the side of the side of the upper and part of the middle section of the index finger.  It's not pain, it's just a "sensation" well under the skin in those areas, which are two areas that easily (and often) touch each other.

 

My suspicion was that something bit/stung me while I was sleeping, but there's no evidence on the surface:  there was no mark nor any swelling or discoloration on the surface at any time.  Bizarre, but it seems to not be getting worse, so I'll hold off on a hospital visit for now.

 

I'm curious what other theories you folks might have.

 

@ezzra:  I'm well over 50, but it seems odd that a mineral deficiency would manifest so suddenly and locally, no?  I do take a daily multi-vitamin and -mineral tablet to try to cover such things.

 

@chiang mai:  A pinched nerve/blood vessel was my first suspicion and that occurs sometimes when I wake up -- in fact it sometimes wakes me up.  However, that usually disappears after a minute or so of movement when blood circulates (and/or the nerved gets unkinked?) normally.  With the latest change in status, I'm less likely to think it was that.

 

Hey, while I was typing I remembered what the sensation is like:  If you have a deep, but non blistering burn, only without the surface skin pain.  Like if you burned yourself with a clothes iron.

[MissAndry]

Onset of Diabetes 

[chiang mai]

48 minutes ago, wpcoe said:

Update:  Went back to bed and got up again at around 700am.  There is no tingling any more, nor a surface numbness.

 

It's difficult to explain.  It's like a deep tissue sensation under the surface of the pad on the thumb and the side of the side of the upper and part of the middle section of the index finger.  It's not pain, it's just a "sensation" well under the skin in those areas, which are two areas that easily (and often) touch each other.

 

My suspicion was that something bit/stung me while I was sleeping, but there's no evidence on the surface:  there was no mark nor any swelling or discoloration on the surface at any time.  Bizarre, but it seems to not be getting worse, so I'll hold off on a hospital visit for now.

 

I'm curious what other theories you folks might have.

 

@ezzra:  I'm well over 50, but it seems odd that a mineral deficiency would manifest so suddenly and locally, no?  I do take a daily multi-vitamin and -mineral tablet to try to cover such things.

 

@chiang mai:  A pinched nerve/blood vessel was my first suspicion and that occurs sometimes when I wake up -- in fact it sometimes wakes me up.  However, that usually disappears after a minute or so of movement when blood circulates (and/or the nerved gets unkinked?) normally.  With the latest change in status, I'm less likely to think it was that.

 

Hey, while I was typing I remembered what the sensation is like:  If you have a deep, but non blistering burn, only without the surface skin pain.  Like if you burned yourself with a clothes iron.

 

"the sensation is like:  If you have a deep, but non blistering burn, only without the surface skin pain.  Like if you burned yourself with a clothes iron".

 

Go see a doctor and get it checked.

[Sheryl]

Given that it has passed I would not worry about it now.

 

Possibilities are: some sort of a bite vs nerve compression, if nerve compression could be either at the carpal tunnel space or at the cervical spine. Carpal tunnel symptoms frequently come on in sleep due to involuntarily clenching one's hand and night splints are helpful if this is the case.

 

It sounds like what you usually have is a little nerve compression (as do many people). What  happened this morning might have been that too but unusually severe or may have been something altogether different, it is a little hard to follow your description as in the OP you say numbness but later what you describe is more of pain.

 

In either case I would just observe for now. 

 

If in general you tend to be awoken by tingling/numbness in your hand that is most prominent in the thumb and index finger and definitely does not include the little finger,  and no arm symptoms, just the hand, wearing a night splint like these may help

 

https://www.google.co.th/search?q=hand+splint+for+carpal+tunnel&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi1pfjCguHOAhXGsY8KHTUMDOoQ_AUICCgB&biw=1224&bih=654

 

May be able to find them at Boots

 

If despite a splint it persists or worsens, may need to see a hand specialist for possible treatment of Carpal tunnel syndrome. If it is CTS, you may be able to head this off through careful ergonomics (use mousepad with wrist rest) and night splint.

 

If it does not follow that pattern (i.e. if the little finger is involved and/or the entire arm has some numbness, not just the hand)  then cervical spine may be the culprit and if persistant or worsening, see a spinal specialist. Sometimes a change of pillow or propping pillows such that your head cannot fall forward to the side, may also help.

[The Fat Controller]

Agree with above, cervical spondylosis or carpal tunnel.

Mine turned out to be spinal.

Had nerve conduction tests on both wrists, good side and bad side, speeds same on both so that ruled out carpal tunnel, not much fun having several thousand volts jolting your arms.

Diagnosis of spinal problem was following an MRI scan, a disc was squished and causing nerve issues.

Luckily for me, not got much worse and your body actually adapts to the condition and you notice it less.

 

[wpcoe]

Thanks.  As the day progresses, it seems slightly less "irritated."  Not sure if that's because I'm getting used to it, or that it really is dissipating. 

 

Initially (when I woke up) it was tingly and numb in that I couldn't feel pressure or pain when I poked it.  Within a few hours the tingling stopped and I was left with that "sensation" under the skin.  Hard to explain.  Closest I could come would be the sensation under the skin in a moderate burn -- not really pain, but if you removed surface burn pain, it's close to what it feels like now.

 

If it recurs in the morning, or in any way changes for the worse, I'll seek medical treatment.

 

And, although I didn't notice them when I first examined my fingers when I got up, later I noticed two almost-unnoticeable bumps on both my thumb and index finger.  Not sure if that might indicate some sort of bite/sting?

 

Funny how my finger looks so blotchy in the photo like I have poor circulation.  It doesn't look like that with just the naked eye.

[chubby]

plz provide you age, medical history, and medications.  then, it's less guesswork , if you have any. 

[Johnniey]

Docs here sometimes give antidepressants for these symptoms.