Solving Sleeping Problem: Stop Myself from Sleeping on Limbs

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bubonic Plague
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies to prevent sleeping on limbs, which leads to temporary loss of circulation and discomfort. Participants explore various solutions, including adjustments to sleeping positions, bedding choices, and the use of supportive items.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest using an arm sling to restrict arm movement during sleep.
  • Others propose using large or small pillows to prevent tucking arms under the body while sleeping.
  • Questions are raised about the type of mattress being used and its potential impact on sleep posture and comfort.
  • One participant mentions that they have managed similar issues throughout their life without severe consequences, suggesting that a smaller bed or additional pillows might help limit movement.
  • Another participant shares their experience of tucking arms under their body for warmth, indicating that personal habits may contribute to the issue.
  • Some participants speculate that an uncomfortable mattress could lead to increased movement during sleep, potentially causing circulation issues.
  • Suggestions include using a full-body pillow to provide support and prevent arms from being crushed.
  • A humorous suggestion is made about finding a partner to spoon with as a potential solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on a single solution, as participants present various strategies and experiences. Multiple competing views remain regarding the best approach to prevent sleeping on limbs.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the effectiveness of different solutions, and there are unresolved questions about the impact of mattress type and sleeping positions on the problem.

Bubonic Plague
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Is there anyway to stop myself from sleeping on my limbs? Because it's really scary to wake up half way through the night and find that i can't move my arm cause i slept on it and stopped blood circulation to it, and this happens almost every night...

And no, tying my arms to the bed post isn't a viable solution...
 
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One solution would be an arm sling such as the type used for dislocated shoulders. There is usually a wrap to go around the abdomen and it's attached to another wrap that goes around the upper arm, thus keeping the arm from being raised or abducted. Getting used to sleeping with it might take a little time...
 
I don't know what position you sleep in, but perhaps a large pillow you could put your arms around or a couple of small pillows in the right places will keep you from tucking your arms under you, without restricting your movements too much.
 
What kind of mattress are you lying on?
 
Originally posted by Monique
What kind of mattress are you lying on?
Yeah, and what it your sleep number? (sorry bad joke on a stupid commercial...)
Actually, what is your sleep POSITION? (What is your position when you wake up with a dead arm?) Maybe you just need a good old fashioned straight jacket and a friend to tie you to the bed!
 
I don't know what position you sleep in
Actually, what is your sleep POSITION?

Sometimes i lie with my arms outstretched, or sometimes i'd sleep on my stomach. But it doesn't really matter, cause i move a hell lot when i sleep, so i still get into dead arm positions.

What kind of mattress are you lying on?

That matters?

What is your position when you wake up with a dead arm?

Sometimes my arm is tucked under my head, tucked under my back, or tucked
under my stomach.

Maybe you just need a good old fashioned straight jacket and a friend to tie you to the bed!

Haha. If i had a friend there to tie me to the bed everynight, i wouldn't need to ask how to solve my sleeping problem would i?
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't worry too much about it while you search for a solution...I have been doing the same thing my entire life, and I haven't lost a limb or anything. I've gotten better about it, one thing you could try is getting a smaller bed. What I ended up doing is piling a bunch of big pillows next to me in bed, so I just don't have the room to move around a lot on the bed.
 
I went through a long phase of this. The worst part is trying to turn off your alarm. My arm would swing over to the nightstand and smash into everything there.

First, can you identify why you're doing it. For years I had never needed much in the way of blankets, but when I got a little older, my arms started getting cold at night. I tucked them under me to keep them warm.

Other possibilities are for support. You could try getting another pillow, or a better mattress.

Any solution you try will probably take a while to be effective. You've developed habits, and they will not go away just because the initiator of the habit has been removed.

Njorl
 
Maybe your mattress is not comfortable so you move a lot in your sleep? Or it is too hard so that it allows circulation to be cut, or it is too soft that it allows incorrect body posture.. you could visit a mattress store and see if they ever heard the complaint..
 
  • #10
How about a full-body pillow? If you wrap yourself around it, maybe you won't crush your arms.

I do this too. Its not too bad right now, but when I was in the Navy, the bunks were so small I was always on top of my arms and I'm sure that's why my shoulders crack every time I swing a golf club (well, that and high school wrestling).
 
  • #11
Find a partner to spoon with and put your arms around her/him.

Nautica
[zz)]
 
  • #12
How about a full-body pillow? If you wrap yourself around it, maybe you won't crush your arms.

Like a bolster? Nah, i always kick or push it to the floor while i sleep.

I'm going to try changing my mattress tonight and pile in lots of pillows.
 
  • #13
Originally posted by Bubonic Plague
Like a bolster? Nah, i always kick or push it to the floor while i sleep.

I'm going to try changing my mattress tonight and pile in lots of pillows.
WHAT?! No straight jacket?
 
  • #14
WHAT?! No straight jacket?

Yeah. Too bad huh.
 

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