I need a little help understanding a troubling problem

[airboatr]

The other night I drifted off to sleep, in bed, only to be awakened by a serious pain in my arm.
After becoming cognizant of my condition, I realized my arm had fallen asleep! I tried lifting my arm but i couldn't. It almost felt like it was encased in concrete.
Throwing my left arm back across my body towards the night stand to turn on the table lamp I knocked a glass of water to the floor.
Fumbling around I managed to turn the ligjt on. I looked over at my right arm and saw my hand was contorted.
Awful.. as if I had the palsy!

So my question is:

Why is it when I go to sleep everything is resting in unison
But when my arm goes to sleep it wakes up my whole body... in asskicking fashion. And what's more, it tries to kill me with excruciating pain.

[Dev One]

Hmmm, doesn't sound healthy at all, rather reminiscent of my wifes Stroke or my brother-in-laws TIA. B-in-law had an op on his carotid(?) artery in his neck to remove a clot that had closed it by 75%.
Good luck
Keith

[Airspeed]

Was it the left arm in pain, Joe? That, and aching jaw are both indicative of heart trouble, though I would expect to hear of chest tightness with it.

Did the pins & needles last for some time, and does it happen often, especially when sleeping? That could be Carpal Tunnel problem. Not deadly, treatable by loosening the tunnel surgically.

You should see a doctor in either case.

[airboatr]

right arm, i sleep mostly on my right side.
No chest pains ... or jaw...

... but being awakened by a sleeping arm is bit of a pain is the arse.

[Airspeed]

OK, my friend, that still leaves carpal tunnel. That's tested quickly and painlessly by measuring the delay in transmission of a tiny electrical impulse from wrist to elbow.
It also leaves all the other stuff that I haven't personally experienced.
My medical training totals 0
Please see a doctor, Joe.

[airboatr]

No carpal tunnel Mike.

I simply fell asleep on my arm while reading. It happens to all of us from time to time.

The point of my post was the irony of being "awakened" by a "sleeping" arm.

That's all.

[Dev One]

No carpal tunnel Mike.

I simply fell asleep on my arm while reading. It happens to all of us from time to time.

The point of my post was the irony of being "awakened" by a "sleeping" arm.

That's all.

Yes Joe, we understood that, but there must be a reason for the pain & numbness - its not normal! Deep Vein Thrombosis in ones calves can be caused by stoppage of blood flow, so possibly could happen in ones arms?
Good luck
Keith

[chrispbits]

Most likely reduced blood flow due to pressure on the arm. Good job we don't sleep on our heads.