I have neuropathy of my feet (probably T2 diabetes related) and hands (ulnar entrapment - thought to be due to lifting weights without gloves). But I was also recently diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome, which can also cause neuropathy.

I was only diagnosed with T2 diabetes last June. I probably had it a few years longer but the onset and degree of neuropathy have surprised me. I'm now beginning to think that my neuropathy may have more to do with other autoimmune diseases like Sjogren's rather than the diabetes itself. Especially since I have normalized my BG now and my HbA1c and FBG tests are now in the normal range (5.8 last time, usually 85-95 FBG).

My hands are frequently going numb at night multiple times. Often, I wake up because my either hand is numb. I've been trying to sleep with my arms straight but it's difficult to do this. Does anyone with hand numbness use wrist or elbow braces or support while sleeping? If so, is it effective?

I'm a little but worried because I seem to also be suffering from reduced manual dexterity: I'm frequently dropping things with my right hand, drop bottle caps while trying to open, fumble with different coins from my change purse, etc. I'm seeing a neuro but these are some recent developments which I have yet to report.

Welcome to NeuroTalk.

Do you take metformin for your type II?

If so, you may be low in B12, as this drug upsets B12 absorption.

Yes, the wrist splints are very useful for wrist compression.
Another thing that will cause this is low thyroid functions.
So you need some tests at the doctor's.

When you lift weights it would be good to try the wrist supports sold for that purpose to protect the ligaments of the wrist from strain, and the following inflammation that can result.

Watch your salt intake too. And avoid the additive MSG in all foods. You must read labels and avoid restaurant food for a while. (soups and certain chains like Chili's use MSG heavily)
Ask Asian places to not use MSG also.

When you get your B12 tested, ask for the results. The numbers should be 500 or above. Don't accept "normal" from doctors as they often use antequated lab ranges.
Also get a Vit D run at the same time. Low D is being found in many people, today and fixing this can fix many problems.
Please watch this video:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html
The video on this link can help you understand the new data on Vitamin D and how you should keep it at optimum levels.

Numbness and tingling can be a sign of poor calcium absorption, and when Vit D is low, you can have signs of this like you describe. (other things can be a cause too, but ruling this out and/or fixing it is important).

Feel free to visit our PN forum:
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/fo...aysprune=&f=20

I had a lot of problems with my hands and arms going numb. I also have PN in my feet fWIW. I used the wrist braces for about 6 months at night. It really did help and I was surprised that it did, as it was to the point where the pain was so bad that I could not sleep unless sitting up.
After about 6 months I stopped using the braces most nights until I didn't need them at all.
Now I sometimes keep my wrist slightly bent by putting a small pillow under it when I sleep on my side. That helps ease any discomfort.
Turns out I had a herniated disk in my neck that caused the problem even though I was first told it was Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, and then Ulnar nerve entrapment. If not for my family doctor who could read MRI's I probably never would have found out about the herniated disk as the MRI report did not suggest it. And my neck really didn't bother me much.
So to make a long story long, yes the braces really do help!
But I also had an epidural in my spinal column to reduce the inflammation for the disk. That helped a lot but I still needed the braces afterwards.

"I'm a little but worried because I seem to also be suffering from reduced manual dexterity: I'm frequently dropping things with my right hand, drop bottle caps while trying to open, fumble with different coins from my change purse, etc. I'm seeing a neuro but these are some recent developments which I have yet to report. "

Hi dolby,
What kind of work do you do?
This sounds so much like how my RSI started.
I'm wondering if it is some kind of repetitive strain injury?

You might want read on our Thoracic Outlet Syndrome forum about it & RSI, just to see if anything fits for you. Be sure to check out the sticky threads too.
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum24.html

I wrapped kitchen towels around my elbows to help me keep my arms straight and the padding helped reduce the pressure from the mattress.
I had the neoprene wrist wraps that were soft but supportive and warming.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome....
Do listen to the wise advices of those before me. Hand braces can help carpal. Be very very cautious about surgeries tho? As the success rates there vary quite widely. Exercises for hand use from good physical therapists and braces can help a great deal. Spinal issues? Also be very careful and cautious...sometimes it works and other times not so...then things can get worse.
I truly hope that what ever it is, testings will clear confusions and a good diagnosis and direction will be there for you! 's - j

Thanks for your response. Yes, I take Metformin (1,000mg). I'm aware of the possible B-12 depletion but stopped taking B-12 vitamins, because of gout attacks. Ever since I started taking fish oil (7,000mg), however, my gout attacks have become more manageable. So I'll reconsider taking B-12 as well as B complex (containing Folic Acid). Last time, though my B-12 was 550, right in the middle of the normal range (200-900), while my Folate was 20. My B-6 was 26, in the middle of the 5-47 normal range. That was all in 11/09, after having been on 1.0-1.5k Metformin for 6 months. So I'll probably have to get that retested in a few months.

My TSH (.75) is low-normal, so if anything, I'm probably hyper, not hypo. My D-3 hydroxy was 85 - that's after taking Vit D supplements after testing initially very low (15). I stopped taking D supplements, since I'm also suffering from constipation and a D overload could exacerbate it. But since I lost 45 lbs., and I wasn't done losing weight by January, all these serum numbers may not be reliable. Now, I'm stabilizing around 160 pounds, and consuming about 22k cal's per day.

What kind of wrist braces did you use? I'm thinking of getting something neoprene that's not too tight, loose enough so that i don't sweat yet tight enough that my wrist remains firm. The same for my elbow. But since I move around a lot when I sleep, this will create certain discomfort. I'm not at a stage where I experience any pain, however. So far, the only symptoms are hands and arms going numb at night and occasional soreness after being on a computer. But the frequently with which my hands go numb does alarm me, and my neuro told me to try to prevent that, if I can.

I'm a financial analyst, so I use the computer extensively. About 8 years ago, I swore I had carpal tunnel: my hands were so sore, and I used to be a wordprocessor. My neuro told me I didn't, however. The EMG/NCV test I took only showed ulnar entrapment so far. But I can tell you, it has worsened since my test, which was 3 months ago, and I'm wondering why - my hands are going numb much more frequently at night, multiple times. On the other hand, my feet seem to be getting better, probably because I've normalized my blood sugar (no more pins & needles). This tells me whatever I'm doing is probably work-related: tapping on the keyboard with my right hand -- I've stopped working out with weights for fear it will worsen my neuropathy. My left hand isn't as bad, since I'm a rightie and use the numberic keyboard and characters on the right extensively.

EMG/NCV won't show much if upper body soft tissue are causing the impingement/symptoms.
The nerves can be slightly irritated by adhesions or sticky tissues and that will not show up, but it will cause symptoms.

Possibly farther up than only at the wrist or elbow??
Scalene muscles, pec minor tightness, collar bone area tenderness?

any neck or shoulder pain?
changes in c spine curve {hump back??}
posture - forward head, forward or rolled or hunched shoulders?

If any of what I mention makes sense please come read/visit on the TOS forum for more information.

You might check out the Medline lace-up wrist splint. I have a drawer full of splints I tried before I finally found it (including neoprene, which did make my hands/wrists sweat).

It is lace-up canvas with flannel lining, and is more breathable than other varieties. It has an aluminum spoon to keep the wrist stationary, but it can also be removed. The lace straps pull to tighten, then attach to velcro, so they are very easy to fasten one-handed.

I find the design makes it really easy to still a computer - numeric keypad and all. When I was still able to drive, I even used them for driving.

[QUOTE=dolby;632695]What kind of wrist braces did you use? I'm thinking of getting something neoprene that's not too tight, loose enough so that i don't sweat yet tight enough that my wrist remains firm. The same for my elbow. But since I move around a lot when I sleep, this will create certain discomfort. /QUOTE]

Hi! I used the one like this: (copied from previous post) "It is lace-up canvas with flannel lining, and is more breathable than other varieties. It has an aluminum spoon to keep the wrist stationary, but it can also be removed. The lace straps pull to tighten, then attach to velcro, so they are very easy to fasten one-handed."

Mine did not lace up, but they had velcro. And they had the aluminum "spoon" to keep the wrist stationary and in the proper angle. I also have neoprene "gloves" that I used for the computer but I found them too confining and didn't really like them. Yet my sister uses them and likes a lot.

Basically I just used what the doctor ordered me and figured it was supposed to work. :P
At first I thought "I can't wear these and sleep!" I felt like I was suiting up for a space walk on the moon at night. But actually I didn't have any problem with discomfort while sleeping (at least from the braces) and I'm a light sleeper.

I know it's so hard, but try not to worry too much. I have been DX'd with so many things since 2001 and many have healed, or were wrong DX's in the first place. Probably most healing happened on it's own, since I have had no surgery of any kind for any problem.
Sunrise