Question:
What could be causing my hands and feet to go numb?

Lately when I lay down to sleep at nite I wake several times b/c my hands are feeling swollen, numb and have to shake them. Also I noticed when I did my "Walk away the pounds tape" my toes went completely numd and tingely. If I sit too long it also happens to hands, and feet. Can feel it in my arms too. Left arm mostly. What could be causing this? I think I should call the doctor but thought you might have an idea. I don't want this to interfer with my upcomming surgry. Thanks all.    — sandy W. (posted on March 27, 2002)

March 27, 2002
I had the same thing before my surgery and I had it for a while. Since I have lost 50# and my surgery date was January 8, it has disappeared. I am not sure, but I think the circulation was bad with all the extra added weight.
   — Cathy J.

March 27, 2002
I have the same thing happening to me. It is so bad that when the phone wakes me up my hands are too numb to pick up the reciever. Anyway, I told my doctor and he basically told me it was my own weight which is cutting off circulation. He says this will improve as I lose weight.
   — Jennifer Y.

March 27, 2002
I had the same thing happen lots of times. I was told it is poor circulation.
   — Delores AKA DeeDee O.

March 27, 2002
My "GUESS" would be low potassium. PLEASE, have your doctor write you a prescription for a blood test SOON. If it is low potassium you could have a heart attack. I've had several close scares with this, and had to have potassium IVed in the emergency room while being hooked to heart monitors. You see potassium is needed for your muscles (the heart being a muscle). I got all numb and tingly on my arms, hands, face, neck, chest, and stomach. It always seems to start in my hands first. That's how I know it is low. But everyone is different. Please understand, it may not be low potassium. However if it is, it can be very dangerous. DO NOT DELAY. Please be safe and get it checked. Read my profile if you want to know alittle of my experience with low potassium.
   — Danmark

March 27, 2002
Are you diabetic? I have occassional bouts of numbness when my blood sugar gets high.
   — kultgirl

March 28, 2002
Sandy- Sounds definately like poor circulation that could be caused by excess weight. Although, I agree that you should definately check it out with your doc since none of us reponding are doctors (that I know of anyway :)
   — emilyfink

March 28, 2002
Sandy.. I too have the problem of my toes going numb after walking a bit. Sometimes my feet feel so cold, due to the numbness.. I know for me, I have poor circulation in my legs, due to the excess weight. I am hoping that with more weight loss.. it will get better. I already think it is somewhat better. God bless Gail
   — Gail S.

March 28, 2002
With your profile not available we dont know much about you. I was the same pre op, and being diabetic my toes started getting tingly at night too. About a month post op that slowly went away. Thank God! Diabetes interferes with circulation. 85% of types 2 are fixed by WLS and the big weight loss that copomes with it. I am one of that 85% my PCP says I am no longer diabetic, and am off all prescription drugs as well,. See my profile for details YOU can be helped too.
   — bob-haller