When I was a kid, my family moved a lot, which meant unstable sleeping arrangements. Even when we'd settle, I remember sleeping without a pillow, using my palm or forearm to cushion the head. In some cases, the bed was busted and I couldn't fall asleep due to a metal rod pushing against my shoulder. Later on, I became a hardcore gamer, playing for up to 8 hours a day over the course of literally 2 decades. It was no surprise then that I developed tingles in the hand, a result of long-term abuse of the ulnar nerve that runs down the length of the arm.
One day in April 2019, I fell asleep and, just like I was accustomed to, put my right arm behind my back. I woke up with my arm completely numb and a sad realization that if this keeps going I'm going to lose all function in it. That's when it struck me that I might not have had the healthiest habits and that I might need some medical assistance. I started observing what I was doing with my right arm and I noticed that I have indeed started developing a feeble grip in my right hand, with things often slipping out of it. Rather than freaking out, I considered this a challenge and decided to investigate.
I scheduled an appointment with a neurologist and in the meantime exercised with a 4kg barbell, noticing immense tightness in the right biceps and forearm. As I said, this has been going for quite some time, so when I finally got a chance to sit down with a neurologist, I knew I was about to be enlightened.
The doctor asked me to put my right arm on the desk with my palm up. He asked how I would describe the symptoms ("feels like nettle") and whether the discomfort was grouped on the left or right side of hand, drawing a line from the wrist to the gap between ring and middle finger. I immediately said it's the pinky that seems to be burning up at times but tingles seem to appear in bursts on the entire hand. The way I understood it, localization of discomfort shows the extent of damage.
He said this, "The ulnar nerve runs down the entire length of the arm and has an inner and outer layer. Inner layer conducts motor signals, allowing you to move your arm; outer layer handles sensation, which are the tingles you're feeling. The fact you can move the hand means the inner layer is still not damaged ("that's why things are slipping out of my right hand!"). Other good news is that there's no atrophy here," pointing to the area beneath my pinky. "Your ulnar nerve could be damaged at shoulder, elbow or wrist."
The doctor suggested EMNG - electromyoneurography to determine the actual extent of the damage and prescribed B vitamins: 100mg of benfotiamine and 100mg of pyridoxine hydrochloride in a single capsule, taken twice a day. According to the doctor, this combo will strengthen up the nerve.
I came home and started devising a set of routines to make my life easier. I noticed twiddling a pencil or a large coin feels good and restores my confidence, extending my range of movement and breaking up the cramp in my right forearm. I also take extensive breaks from using the PC and even then use the mouse with my left hand. I placed pillows and towels wherever my wrists and elbows touch hard surfaces to prevent any more pressure. I no longer elbow the desk I'm sitting at and have become watchful of how I position my body during moments of relaxation. Finally, I started sleeping in a "hands up" position to avoid falling asleep on the arm.
Talking to people about this experience revealed that tingles and discomfort in arms are extremely common. We are so stressed out of our minds that we don't even notice the discomfort; as soon as my stress levels dropped and cortisol+adrenaline combo was no longer pumping me up, I started feeling the tingles. Wrong posture is a related problem, one which I have as well, but that's going to wait until I visit another doctor, though I'll be sure to share my experience with you on that when the time comes.
Life now seems effortless compared to how it used to be just 1 year ago. I feel the strain letting up but I do realize the body will take some time to readjust. With a positive attitude and expert medical help, I believe it's possible. We don't have to win the lottery to drastically improve our lives, perhaps all it takes is – an extra pillow or two at the right spot.
I just felt tingles, but the good kind. I've gone through this experience and shared it with you because this is the kind of thing that's worth saying and knowing. This is the kind of internet we should be striving for, one where we hear actually useful and usable information that makes us more centered in reality from one moment to the next.