? for those with sleep issues
ReenieHJ
Posts: 9,724 Member
Have any of you ever used a weighted blanket?
My sister hasn't been able to sleep more than 2-4 hrs. most nights, in a very long time. Lots of stress in her life. I was thinking about getting her one of these blankets until I read the warning to not use if you have sleep apnea. I know she uses a CPAP and *think* she does have sleep apnea.
But maybe they might help someone here who suffers from insomnia?
My sister hasn't been able to sleep more than 2-4 hrs. most nights, in a very long time. Lots of stress in her life. I was thinking about getting her one of these blankets until I read the warning to not use if you have sleep apnea. I know she uses a CPAP and *think* she does have sleep apnea.
But maybe they might help someone here who suffers from insomnia?
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Replies
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I use a weighted blanket and yes, it is helpful for my sleep in that it helps with my anxiety. The only thing I've heard in regards to sleep apnea and using a weighted blanket is that it might not be suitable and to consult a doctor.0
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weighted blankets make me panic more. i feel trapped.10
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I use one. I find it very helpful and often annoying. Helpful to sleep. Annoying because the weight inside the cover bunches up. It can sometimes take a lot of effort to get it smooth which is good for NEAT but bad for mornings you are running behind.1
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I've got a friend who uses one. I think it would annoy me though. However it should be noted that I sleep under two fat furry weights anyway.5
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I use one. I find it very helpful and often annoying. Helpful to sleep. Annoying because the weight inside the cover bunches up. It can sometimes take a lot of effort to get it smooth which is good for NEAT but bad for mornings you are running behind.
I'd read a bunch of reviews for weighted blankets on Amazon that complained about bunching. I don't have this issue with the one I bought from these guys: https://weightingcomforts.com/products/cool-max-weighted-blanket-white - it has 4" squares - are yours bigger?
I went with the Cool Max because I wanted to be able to use it as much of the year as possible.
I subscribed to their newsletter and waited for a good sale.0 -
Have any of you ever used a weighted blanket?
My sister hasn't been able to sleep more than 2-4 hrs. most nights, in a very long time. Lots of stress in her life. I was thinking about getting her one of these blankets until I read the warning to not use if you have sleep apnea. I know she uses a CPAP and *think* she does have sleep apnea.
But maybe they might help someone here who suffers from insomnia?
I have mild sleep apnea which is not an issue when I sleep on my side, which is all the time now, because waking up choking is scary!
I love my weighted blanket and to me it is like being hugged, like they claim. However, my brother did not care for his at all.
I'm not sure how much it helps with my sleep issues, though.
Regular exercise is crucial for me to manage my stress, and I increase exercise in times of increased stress. I make this a priority, as without my exercise "prescription" I would be a basket case and useless to everyone. Like they say on airplanes, take care of your breath mask first, and then go on to help others. I encourage you to encourage your sister to take steps to manage her stress.
One thing that has really helped my sleep lately is to stop drinking fluids earlier and to go to bed later, giving my bladder more time to get completely empty before bed.
Also, yoga before bed helps. (This is in addition to the more vigorous cardio I get at lunch time.)3 -
If she uses a CPAP 99.9% sure she has sleep apnea...if there's a warning I wouldn't get it. Although the gesture is nice. I wish I could use one, but I also have sleep apnea and can see it causing more harm.1
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Does she use an eye mask? I was having trouble sleeping deeply and sleeping through a night. Then one night I got the weird impression that I might be sleeping with my eyes open ... some people do that. So I bought a $5 eye mask and haven't looked back. I've got a collection of eye masks now. They are fantastic!
I think I have some version of sleep apnea too, caused by a badly deviated septum which has only been recently discovered. I may be going for surgery for that and will be interested to find out if surgery improves my air quality and sleep.
But I don't think I'd like a weighted blanket ... I think I'd feel trapped.0 -
She should check with the doctor who’s treating her For sleep apnea2
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My son has sleep apnea and uses CPAP machine and loves his weighted blanket. So maybe have her check with her doctor just to be sure. I tried it for a couple of nights and actually liked it, although i didn't think i would.0
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Does she use an eye mask? I was having trouble sleeping deeply and sleeping through a night. Then one night I got the weird impression that I might be sleeping with my eyes open ... some people do that. So I bought a $5 eye mask and haven't looked back. I've got a collection of eye masks now. They are fantastic!
I think I have some version of sleep apnea too, caused by a badly deviated septum which has only been recently discovered. I may be going for surgery for that and will be interested to find out if surgery improves my air quality and sleep.
But I don't think I'd like a weighted blanket ... I think I'd feel trapped.
I like my eyes covered during sleep, but the masks are incompatible with certain types of CPAP masks, including the type I'm currently using. (The eye mask won't sit down tightly over the eyes because the CPAP headgear is in the way.) Since I'm a pretty still sleeper, I just put a towel or scarf over my eyes, which mostly serves the same purposes, or, when it's cooler in Winter, a pulled-down knit hat.
The point is mainly that I wouldn't consider masks for the sister, nice though I agree they can be, because of possibly incompatibility with her CPAP mask, unless it can be determined that that's not an issue.0 -
Does she use an eye mask? I was having trouble sleeping deeply and sleeping through a night. Then one night I got the weird impression that I might be sleeping with my eyes open ... some people do that. So I bought a $5 eye mask and haven't looked back. I've got a collection of eye masks now. They are fantastic!
I think I have some version of sleep apnea too, caused by a badly deviated septum which has only been recently discovered. I may be going for surgery for that and will be interested to find out if surgery improves my air quality and sleep.
But I don't think I'd like a weighted blanket ... I think I'd feel trapped.
I like my eyes covered during sleep, but the masks are incompatible with certain types of CPAP masks, including the type I'm currently using. (The eye mask won't sit down tightly over the eyes because the CPAP headgear is in the way.) Since I'm a pretty still sleeper, I just put a towel or scarf over my eyes, which mostly serves the same purposes, or, when it's cooler in Winter, a pulled-down knit hat.
The point is mainly that I wouldn't consider masks for the sister, nice though I agree they can be, because of possibly incompatibility with her CPAP mask, unless it can be determined that that's not an issue.
Good point ... I would hope that this is not a random gift but is something given in discussion with her sister.
Sleep is a very personal thing. Mattresses, pillows, sleeping covers, masks, ear plugs, room temperature, noise levels and everything are so personal.
Even exercise timing is personal ... I can exercise and then go to sleep an hour later, but a lot of people need a greater wind down time than that.
I actually sleep with an eye mask and a headband which secures the eye mask in place and covers my ears. It's cozy and helps me shut out the world. But yes, that kind of setup would have to work for someone else before they could use it.
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I'd never buy her one unless she'd consent to using one with the okay from her dr. And as far as working to alleviate her stress, unfortunately, she's doing all she can at the moment, to do that. But it's nearly impossible. Her dh has Alzheimers and even though she does get occasional respite, she's his caregiver. I do as much as I can to help her out but it's not nearly enough when you live within the relationship. She used to walk all the time and still strives to as much as she can but that only happens when she has someone else with him. I wanted to get her a used treadmill(a friend had 1 for sale)but she kind of nixed that idea.
She's becoming ingenious about getting exercise in her home but it's not the same; it's like running a sprint for 3 minutes until he needs something again. And even though she's always been a walker, she's had sleep issues for many many years.
I'll bring up the idea of the blanket and mask to her so she can ask her dr.. Thank you everybody!!0 -
Right now it's up to about about 42c (107f) during the day and dropping to a chill 32c (90f) at night.
I reckon a weighted blanket might be more suitable as a murder device than anything else right now
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Even on nights I don’t sleep with my weighted blanket (particularly when it’s hot) I find it comforting as part of my wind down routine. I’ll brew some herbal tea, curl up under the blanket with a book and it calms me and makes me drowsy. I just push it off the side of the bed when I’m ready to fall asleep. So, it’s possible that it could be useful despite the sleep apnea (as long as she doesn’t sleep under it)
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I'd never buy her one unless she'd consent to using one with the okay from her dr. And as far as working to alleviate her stress, unfortunately, she's doing all she can at the moment, to do that. But it's nearly impossible. Her dh has Alzheimers and even though she does get occasional respite, she's his caregiver. I do as much as I can to help her out but it's not nearly enough when you live within the relationship. She used to walk all the time and still strives to as much as she can but that only happens when she has someone else with him. I wanted to get her a used treadmill(a friend had 1 for sale)but she kind of nixed that idea. She's becoming ingenious about getting exercise in her home but it's not the same; it's like running a sprint for 3 minutes until he needs something again. And even though she's always been a walker, she's had sleep issues for many many years.
I'll bring up the idea of the blanket and mask to her so she can ask her dr.. Thank you everybody!!
I spent some time taking care of my grandfather, who had Alzheimer's, and more time taking care of an elderly man with brain damage, which presented like Alzheimer's, so I can relate
If your sister is in the US, what state? I'm in Massachusetts and my OH's parents got lots of services for super cheap via MassHealth/Medicare. A local elder care agency coordinated it. There was help with showering, meals, etc.
I suggested to my OH that he get massage regularly to help with the stress of being a caretaker, and he really appreciated that.0 -
Weighted blankets are great, but mine recently broke. I have sleep insomnia, and they do help but if she's claustrophobic then she might feel trapped.0
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kshama2001 wrote: »I'd never buy her one unless she'd consent to using one with the okay from her dr. And as far as working to alleviate her stress, unfortunately, she's doing all she can at the moment, to do that. But it's nearly impossible. Her dh has Alzheimers and even though she does get occasional respite, she's his caregiver. I do as much as I can to help her out but it's not nearly enough when you live within the relationship. She used to walk all the time and still strives to as much as she can but that only happens when she has someone else with him. I wanted to get her a used treadmill(a friend had 1 for sale)but she kind of nixed that idea. She's becoming ingenious about getting exercise in her home but it's not the same; it's like running a sprint for 3 minutes until he needs something again. And even though she's always been a walker, she's had sleep issues for many many years.
I'll bring up the idea of the blanket and mask to her so she can ask her dr.. Thank you everybody!!
I spent some time taking care of my grandfather, who had Alzheimer's, and more time taking care of an elderly man with brain damage, which presented like Alzheimer's, so I can relate
If your sister is in the US, what state? I'm in Massachusetts and my OH's parents got lots of services for super cheap via MassHealth/Medicare. A local elder care agency coordinated it. There was help with showering, meals, etc.
I suggested to my OH that he get massage regularly to help with the stress of being a caretaker, and he really appreciated that.
She's in Vt. It took her a very long time to gather what limited help she has now. And even that's no guarantee; she was getting 2 Friday 6-hr. stretches a month which she appreciated so very much! We'd spend the day together and it was something she highly needed. But due to lack of staffing, that hasn't come through since Christmas. Then she occasionally gets help for 2 hrs. on Wednesdays. Again, it's all dependent on staffing.
What is scary is that she hasn't even entered any of the final stages. He's still mobile, needs help in a lot of ways and constant watchful eyes on him, but is reasonably coherent. He wanders at night, thoughts are becoming more jumbled, leaves the water running, stuff like that. Thank God her dd only lives 3 hrs. away so comes home a couple times a month for long weekends to help her. And I'm just a 5 minute drive away. But, unless I push myself on her, she doesn't like to accept help.
Anyways, getting off the topic. But thank you for all the suggestions and thoughts!! People don't really understand how Alzheimer's affects families unless they're living it. I truly never had a clue how the slow progression and thievery of the brain that this disease displays. I was stunned back when my sister told me his dr. did a cognitive test and he had no clue what elephants, tigers, etc., were. Yet, he does 500 pc. jigsaw puzzles as well as we do. Our brains can be amazingly deceitful. 3 -
My son and I made 25lb weighted blankets for ourselves. The way we sewed it, there is no issue with bunching. He has sleep apnea and doesn't have a problem using it with his CPAP. The standard is supposed to be 10% of your body weight, but that's way too light for me so I went with 25%. You might try to find someone you know that has one your sister can try before making the investment.0
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