Dead arms and legs in the night

[loupelou7]

Hi all, I just wondered if anyone has had numbness in their arms and legs in the night as early as 15 weeks? I can't sleep it's so bad, I'm waking up constantly. As soon as I get up and move around it goes. The midwife and Dr both looked at me a bit blankly and said it's usually much later on in pregnancy this happens. I am wondering if I am just more susceptible as I have a hypermobility condition called ehlers danlos syndrome. Would appreciate anyone else's stories if they have had this too and anything that helped.
It is really scary when it happens!

I don't have dead arms but I do have dead hands that then go into pins and needles - I've always struggled with carpal tunnel in pregnancy.

My legs tend to be ok other than random bouts of crippling calf cramp!

Have you had any conversations with your EDS specialist about the pregnancy? They might be able to shed more light on the situation. Also, do you know many people with EDS who are, or have been, pregnant? An EDS pregnancy needs to have someone keeping a bit of an eye on it, and they might be able to give good advice!

Hi spargle, thanks for your reply. I am not under anyone anymore for the eds, I just self manage. They have put me under consultant care so I have extra follow up through the pregnancy but I asked the registrar about the numbness yesterday and she was a bit stumped. You have prompted me to email the EDS specialist midwife that I came in contact with via the EDS UK charity website... So hopefully she has some ideas! Unfortunately I don't know anyone else with eds who has been pregnant, I wish I did!

It sounds a bit like restless legs syndrome. I had this even before I was pregnant, sometimes I get it in one or both legs but I also get it in my arms sometimes as well. It feels like a tingling sensation that makes me want to move and when I move it eases. It usually comes on just when I go to bed and drives me mad because it keeps me awake!

It’s very common in pregnancy and is basically harmless but in some people it can be a sign of low ferritin (iron) levels so may be worth getting them checked.

Thank you for your reply darkstar4855, I'll mention the iron count at my next appointment. I just had a look on the EDS website and it says this under eds and pregnancy...looks like it probably is swelling related!

Oedema

A common symptom of pregnancy, the additional laxity of blood vessels in EDS may exacerbate symptoms. Monitor carefully and encourage your patient to keep her legs higher than her hips at rest and avoid crossing the ankles. Support tights and regular passive leg exercises will help to improve circulation and ease oedema. Women with EDS may experience an earlier onset and more severe symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome causing tingling and numbness in the fingers and, sometimes, radiating pain up the forearm. A physio can provide splints and simple exercises to reduce discomfort and swelling.

Horrible isn't it!
I've found this helps.... www.clarins.co.uk/energizing-emulsion/C020301006.html