My hands and arms fall asleep a lot, but it is usually when I have them up above my heart. I can only hold my left hand in the air for about 30 seconds before it falls asleep. I think it might be from bad circulation, but I'm not sure. My one leg goes to sleep quite a bit too, for no reason. I don't really have an answer, but when I go to my new rheumy next month I am going to ask her about it. This probably wasn't helpful, but at least you know you aren't alone with this!
-Kate

Possibly a side effect from medication? I used to be on Topomax and it made my hands and feet constantly tingle and feel like they were falling asleep. It could also be a symptom of Raynauds, which is very common with people who have MCTD (not sure if you've had issues with Raynauds before). Definately check with your doctor, but if you've been diagnosed with MCTD it coule be "just another symptom". Lucky, lucky us!! Hope this helped : )

How about carpel tunnel syndrome or a pinched nerve in your neck?
Mary Ann

I agree with Mary Ann Carpol tunnel sounds like the best one but with all that we have to cope with you never knew chat to your doctor.

Tiggy

I notice this happens for me when I am carrying a few extra pounds of fluid from my meds. if I take a Lasix I will notice it gets better. Hope it gets better----Michelle

I've had carpal tunnel in both hands in the past year. My dr told me it was absolutely related to the MCTD! It became so severe that I couldn't sleep more than an hour at a time, then had to get up and walk around the house for one, two, three hours until it eased. (For some reason being upright long enough eventually controlled it.) Obviously I couldn't go on like that! My dr suggested trying a shot of steroid into each wrist. (Some gp's can do this, others can't. It depends on their level of training, so you might have to go to a rheumy for it. At least here in Ireland that's the way it is.) Anyway, one shot and the problem was gone. He said I could have two or maybe three shots in one arm over the course of a year or so, and if that didn't stop it, surgery was the only other option. I'm glad that I've been able to avoid surgery, at least so far.

hi, Im new here as well. I was looking thru the answers and Havanas reply is what I feel.
My blood work suggests MCTD, Lupus and Bachettes. I have NO symptoms of Bachettes. I do have stiff painful joints, mostly hips, feet and hands, they are also swollen, especially in the mornings, cant get my rings off. But for about a month now my hands are falling asleep at night. terrible pain, feels like my hands are going to pop. My Dr said probably carpal Tunnel. I have no other signs of carpal, just the going to sleep. I have started sleeping with wrist braces, they help some. But I believe its all got to do with whatever this is i have. Frustrated!!! I do not feel tired. the mornings are the worst. and my memory is getting worse!

you can try using splints at night to keep your wrists in a neutral position......I used to use them all the time and it really helped.

It is almost impossible to focus on anything but the numbness / tingling. I feel for you. It's enough to drive a person crazy. Mine seems to be related to Raynaud's. Do you have that?

I had carpel tunnel in both hands had to have surgery and it worked great. That was about 13 yrs ago and I have started getting it again so I would get it checked out

(Ask MD/ Rheumatologist before doing anything,of Course.)
Are you able to tolerate Massage? I suffer from occasional numbness in my pinkies and feet as well. All can be symptoms of a pinched nerves due to tension.
I go to a massage therapist as much as I can. It hurts like hell sometimes but it seems to help relieve some of my pain and improve some flexibility as well.
Muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medications help too.

I have numbness in the fingertips and as you mentioned, from the pinky down to my wrist. A few years ago, my doctor wanted me to do a brain MRI because of this...it came out fine...it usually comes and goes....i usually have this issue for maybe a week or so and then nothing for a few months and then comes again...my fingertips are usually cold too...i'm not sure if this is a circulation issue.

Hi AsElle,

A quick update, my dr injected both my wrists with kennalog, and WOW what a difference, my hands and arms are no longer tingling and falling asleep. In fact all my joint pain has pretty much stopped, it's been 2-3 weeks now, and some of my other joint pain has come back a bit, it's still nothing like it was. My. Dr said it's possible that the shots calmed things down.