# "Pins and needles" feeling in hands growing more & more common. Cause for concern? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 22, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222 "2004-12-22T21:20:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/1 "2004-12-22T21:20:25Z")
I’ll generally tough physical complaints out, but I’ve never had this happen before with such regularity. When sitting down at the PC it’s happening _a lot_ lately in the last few months. If I stop moving my fingers for even few minutes it starts up at random, and I’m getting kind of worried (and slightly creeped out) about it. I’m a 46 year old non-smoking, non-exercising male in good health who needs to lose 25 lbs. Is is potentially indicative of anything othe than poor circulation? ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/2 "2004-12-22T21:28:55Z")
It could be Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or some other form of Repetitive Strain Injury. Then again, I am not a doctor, so it could be something completely different. It would be a good idea to see a doctor, just in case. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/3 "2004-12-22T21:32:56Z")
Until our resident **QtM** does a workup on you, try these links: [http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/pins\_and\_needles.htm](http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/pins_and_needles.htm) [http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum\_2/FibromyalgiaF/7.25.999.04PMthesensation.html](http://neuro-www.mgh.harvard.edu/forum_2/FibromyalgiaF/7.25.999.04PMthesensation.html) [http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/32812a.html](http://www.medhelp.org/forums/neuro/messages/32812a.html) [http://medlineplus.gov/](http://medlineplus.gov/) (Search for pins and needles) ---
**Author:** ![kelly5078](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6f9a4e/32.png) [@kelly5078](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kelly5078)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/4 "2004-12-22T22:44:25Z")
I’d go with **mbh** on this one, if it only happens when you’re operating a computer. You can google for some sites on how to deal with it. Some things are: 1. Use the mouse and keyboard with a straight wrist; 2. Maintain a good posture; 3. Don’t rest your arm on an armrest while typing; 4. Keep your elbows at your side. Don’t reach; 5. Keep your hands warm. I forget the rest. Anyway, if you don’t see some improvement very quickly, see a doctor. This sort of thing can worsen very rapidly, and then it can be a bitch to deal with. If it’s happening at other times than when you’re at the computer, you should see a doctor now. Nerves are nothing to fool around with: they can make your life hell. ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2004, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/5 "2004-12-22T22:56:11Z")
My mother had a pinched nerve in her neck that manifested as a pins and needles feeling along one edge of one hand. For her, it wouldn’t go away. Some unknown everyday activity probably caused it and she is otherwise in good health. Maybe there’s something about the way you’re sitting at the computer that pinches a nerve? Fiance’s [sciatica](http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/d_sciatica/sc01.html) would only manifest when he sat in a particular chair at work. Maybe yours is similar? Best wishes to a quick, cheap, and painless resolution. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/6 "2004-12-23T02:24:53Z")
IANAD, which I believe you know, **astro** , and there’s no substitute for an in person diagnosis. That being said, I’ll add that I experience a very similar numbness in my left arm and fingers that my doctor attributes to a herniated disc. I guess the message is that more than one situation can cause this symptom, and an examination by a physician is probably in order. More than one friend has expressed concern about a potential heart problem when I’ve mentioned this. Good luck with it, and see your doc! ---
**Author:** ![goddessodd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cab0a1/32.png) [@goddessodd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/goddessodd)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/7 "2004-12-23T06:23:55Z")
My carpal tunnel problems started out just that way, numbness and tingling in first one hand, then both. I also tried toughing it out, but soon found things progressing rapidly…loss of mobility in a couple of fingers, pain in my elbow, etc. Finally, made it to an orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed my problem in about 2 seconds. I had to have a couple of surgeries, and am still not 100%, so don’t mess around with this…get thee to your doctor pronto. One of the diagnostic tests my surgeon did was so simple you can try it at home. Hold your hands in front of you, elbows flexed, palms facing each other, :eek: thumbs almost touching your shoulders. Can you do this for a minute without going numb? I made it for about 15 seconds. Wearing wrist splints when you sleep can help a great deal, but see your doctor before your symptoms get worse. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/8 "2004-12-23T07:18:54Z")
I’ve been wondering about this too, but this is sort of a corrolary rather than another example - I’ve found that within the last year or so I’m more **prone** to having limbs fall asleep. It happens almost every time I sit crosslegged and every single night when I sleep. I just don’t get what could make me more prone to putting pressure on nerves. ---
**Author:** ![hlanelee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3bc359/32.png) [@hlanelee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hlanelee)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/9 "2004-12-23T07:34:27Z")
Sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome to me, too. I get it when I write with a pen, use a screwdriver a lot, and sometimes when I drive. It’s annoying, I wear a splint to bed if it gets bad and hope it doesn’t get worse. I’ve got 2 or 3 friends that have tried to have it surgically corrected, none of them are any better off. I won’t let some hack cut on me for something not life-threatening…note that **goddessodd** has had a couple of surgeries and is not better. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/10 "2004-12-23T07:43:13Z")
Thanks for the replies. I type on the keyboard but not _that much_, so if it’s carpel tunnel that would be odd. Also it’s just the tingling. I don’t have any pain (so far) associated with the tingling. It is worrisome though. I think I’ll lose weight and start weight lifting again. This is getting kinda sorta scary. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/11 "2004-12-23T07:52:45Z")
Once had pins and needles in my left hand only. Since I was handling hazardous waste at work, they sent me to an ortho doc for free - even gave me gas money. It turned out to be truck related. The truck I drove to pick up the waste had no working AC. So I rolled down the window while driving and would lean my arm out the window in just the right position to pinch down the blood flow to my lower arm. I stopped leaning my arm out the window and it went away. Eventually the AC was fixed, which reduced the temptation. Unfortunately, once the pins and needles was reported to Occupational Health, things got stupid. But even that eventually worked out. ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Fire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Silver\_Fire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Fire)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/12 "2004-12-23T08:04:07Z")
> [@Ringo](#): > > I guess the message is that more than one situation can cause this symptom, and an examination by a physician is probably in order. Reading through this thread, I almost thought maybe **I** have CTS. But I don’t; I have a ganglion on my wrist, and recently my left thumb, index, and middle fingers have all started tingling a lot. Hell, even my elbow hurts. Definitely see a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/13 "2004-12-23T08:06:42Z")
By the pricking of my thumbs, **xash** with lockdown this way comes. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/14 "2004-12-23T08:22:01Z")
Do you take any supplement with a lot of Vitamin B6? ---
**Author:** ![MontrealChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b38774/32.png) [@MontrealChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MontrealChick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/15 "2004-12-23T08:25:57Z")
It sounds like carpal tunnel syndrome to me as well. I have bouts of it myself about 3-4 times a year for a few weeks. The “flare ups” are almost always caused by working with my hands, i.e. typing more than usual, knitting, and other repetitive use of my hands. I’ve found that good wrist guards work very well, especially for night time numbness. If I get numbness during the day, I’ll use the guards and it alleviates the discomfort. After a couple of weeks, it’s usually gone. Of course, I suggest you consult with your doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment. MC ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/16 "2004-12-23T17:32:12Z")
A friend of mine had Carpal Tunnel surgery. Here’s what his hand surgeon told him. “I can do a lot of tests, but I’ll know with the answer to one question. Do your fingers go to sleep when you hold a phone to your ear? If so you have CTS. If not, it’s something else.” ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/17 "2004-12-23T17:32:45Z")
I had something similar earlier this year, shooting all the way down my left arm. I went to a chiropractor a few times to get my neck and back cracked because the problem seemed to be stemming from a nerve in my neck. He also recommended getting up a lot more often from the computer and doing some simple stretching exercises. It might even be [thoracic outlet syndrome.](http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/thoracic_outlet/) Hope these posts help you. ---
**Author:** ![Pullet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Pullet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pullet)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/18 "2004-12-23T17:43:18Z")
Hey, **vivalostwages** , I just wanted to tell you that my mom, the one with the pinched nerve, went to a chiroprator for years without success. It would work for a while and then the numbness would come back. Can’t even tell you how much money we threw at the guy. The periods of relief got shorter and shorter, so my mom finally decided to see a conventional doctor. One x-ray revealed it all: she had destroyed two disks in her neck and the cartilage shrapnel and closely set vertebrae were pinching the nerve. A surgery later and she’s much better. If she had gone sooner, she might have saved herself a lot of irritation and her neck would have been in a better condition to work on. Not saying that you have the same situation, just suggesting that a second opinion might be a good idea. Best wishes ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/19 "2004-12-23T18:02:08Z")
How are the arm rests on your chair? I get the same thing and it is not the typing but the way my elbows hit the arm rests. (Kind of like hitting your funny bone) One of my arm rest is a little loose and it wggles and it makes my lower arm hurt and sometimes my hand tingles. ---
**Author:** ![uglybeech](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/82dd89/32.png) [@uglybeech](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/uglybeech)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2004, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222/20 "2004-12-23T18:58:49Z")
Also - get your blood calcium checked. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pins-and-needles-feeling-in-hands-growing-more-more-common-cause-for-concern/281222.md?page=2)