Recurring nocturnal paresthesia

July 14, 2009 1:52 AM

My SO has a problem where her leg falls asleep completely in the middle of the night once or twice a week. Always the same leg (left) from the hip down. She's 40, healthy and doesn't have any other health problems. We've tried switching sides - and even got a new mattress. Any ideas?
posted by Dag Maggot to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

Best answer: Sounds like a sciatic nerve issue, perhaps? If the nerve gets pinched (or similar) it can sometimes cause "leg asleep" symptoms...I would, of course, suggest visiting a physician if it persists.

(I am as far from a doctor as someone can be, but I had a similar experience after a rectal exam, the nerve runs right through that exciting area of the body.)
posted by maxwelton at 2:20 AM on July 14, 2009

Has she tried sleeping with a pillow between her knees (if she sleeps on her side)?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 5:41 AM on July 14, 2009

Best answer: Seconding the pinched nerve hypothesis- she may have a bulging or slightly herniated disc in her lower back. She could talk to an orthopedist about her symptoms and perhaps get advice on stretches and exercises to open up the spaces in her lumbar region. For the time being she should be very careful about lifting heavy objects until she is able to determine whether or not a disc is involved in her diagnosis.
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 6:29 AM on July 14, 2009 [1 favorite]

While it's probably a pinched nerve, my sister had this happen to her before she had an brain aneurysm.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 10:30 AM on July 14, 2009

Response by poster: ^Yikes. Did the doctors indicate if the aneurysm was related to the pinched nerve problem?
posted by Dag Maggot at 3:48 AM on July 15, 2009

She didn't really have a pinched nerve, just weird side effects from the aneurysm pushing on bits of her brain.
posted by bottlebrushtree at 1:53 PM on July 15, 2009