Really bad pins and needles

[CarrieD2018]

Hi all

I have autoimmune gastritis. But now am being tested for hasimotos. TSH 4.95 in one test and 5.05 in another. Free T4 within range. The pins and needles are driving m crackers. They wake me up at night and I experience them in both hands, albeit with worse on the left. Any insights into what could be causing this? I did the carpel tunnel test and it came back negative. Thanks

Carrie

[Gambit62 Administrator]

Probably the wrist position whilst you are sleeping - mine got so bad that I'd wake up in the morning and the only way I could open my hand was to use the other hand to prize it open.

You may find sleeping in wrist braces to keep the wrist straight helps - suggest you speak to your GP or to a pharmacist as you can buy the braces over the counter - important that you don't wear them 24/7 though as that will/can lead to other problems.

I also find that I get pins and needles whilst cycling for the same reason (but not so easy to wear braces then ). I'm quite good at keeping my wrists straight whilst sleeping now so would be very rare to use them at night.

Mine tends to get worse if there is water retention going on at the same time,

Alternatively it may be neck position (which Is what I'm getting lately).

Interesting that you had the test for carpal but it came back negative - when I spoke to my GP about it about 20 years ago he told me there wasn't a test - though I knew from the occupational health department at work that there was one ... but I've never had the test so don't know if that is a factor.

[Hypopotamus]

I had the same until my thyroid was treated properly.

[clivealive Forum Support]

HI CarrieD2018 how often are you having B12 injections for your P.A?

It is also important that your Folate level is monitored as this is essential to process the B12.

There is a complex interaction between folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron. A deficiency of one may be "masked" by excess of another so the three must always be in balance.

Symptoms of a folate deficiency can include:

symptoms related to anaemia

reduced sense of taste

diarrhoea

numbness and tingling in the feet and hands

muscle weakness

depression

Folic acid works closely with vitamin B12 in making red blood cells and helps iron function properly in the body.

I am not a medically trained person but I've had Pernicious Anaemia (a form of B12 deficiency) for more than 46 years.

I wish you well.

[Starfish123]

Ive not got pa but have suffered with low b12 and found went supplementing I’d get pins and needles in my arms and problems raising my arms as it would get far worse. I was also supplementing with folate so I couldn’t understand why it was getting worse. I’ve just been reading about mthfr gene mutation due to not being able to raise my folate level from just inside bottom of range. I’m going to start taking 5-mth version of folate to see if I get any changes occur.

Hope it helps.

[Hidden]

assuming you are absorbing vitamins ok you may have to eliminate intakes which are damaging via your autoimmunity such as gluten and similar proteins and , of course dairy. Easiest to identify if you have a simple diet. see Dr Myhill.

[Ryaan]

I don’t know much about hashimotos but if you haven’t got a B12 deficiency or absorption problem (if you do then I assume you know that is most likely the cause and treatment is B12 injections together with Folate and iron levels should be good).

I know carpel tunnel syndrome causes the stiffness in hands and pins and needles also. (I don’t know how accurate the test is for it).

The optimum sleeping position is to sleep on your right side with your right hand under the right side of your face with the thumb going beneath your ear and your legs tucked towards your stomach. (If you understand the description).

Sleeping on your left is not good and sleeping on your back is of no use (medically/healthwise) and sleeping on your stomach is very bad for you (bends your upper spine with time like you see many old people with a hunched upper back) caused by sleeping on your stomach.

I’m quite surprised it’s not carpel tunnel but hope the above info helps.

I don’t know the symptoms of Hashimotos.