Parkinson's weighted blanket

[Josephsimon]

Our five children gave my husband a weighted blanket for Christmas. It is so heavy that he won't use it because he says it hurts. Our daughter is in the process of trying to contact the company (Mosaics weighted blankets) out of Texas, I believe. Does anyone have info about the weighted blanket. Weight of blanket versus weight of person???

[arwenmark]

I have never heard of a weighted blanket and imagine it would be awful for someone who already has trouble turning over. We use the lightest down comforters we can get.

[vincea in reply to arwenmark]

Summer: top sheet and lightweight blanket, but no covers most of the time. Winter: top sheet and lightweight electric heating blanket on low, but still no covers most of the time. I also use a "My Pllow," which really is a God send. I also take 1 or 2 Clonaezpam 30 minute before bed. I wake up 7 to 8 hours later in almost the same position as when I went to sleep.

[Hikoi]

What a pity when it was probably a present given in the hope of helping their father. The advertising says heavy weighted blankets sooth, calm and ease people into the first good night's rest they've had in years. Not Us!!

I think nearly all people with pd cant stand heavy bedclothes. I can feel trapped and especially when my meds are low.. Also with the autonomic problems of pd some of us get hot spells. I can spend the night throwing my light covers off and on, off and on.

Sheets tucked in tightly is another thing that is awful.

[Josiedub in reply to Hikoi]

You write : nearly all people with pd cant stand heavy bedclothes. Speak for yourself. I love it. It soothes me. I sometimes put weights on my belly and that calms me down. I seriosly think about buying a heavy blanket : it seems to diminish feelings of anxiety.. Perhaps not for everybody. But still we have to find out what workes for us and stop trying to talk for a whole community

[BUZZ1397 in reply to Hikoi]

DITTO to that Hikoi!

[sherrywolz]

The ideal weight for a weighted blanket is 10% of the person's body weight, plus 2 pounds. For someone 160 lbs, the ideal would be 18 pounds. I made one for myself and it does seem to help with sleeping. If you are looking at a person that is claustrophobic, it definitely wouldn't be for them. Maybe have him try just placing it over a portion of his body and see how he does. I'm thinking something that goes from the waist down, or a lap pad possibly, would be better for some people. My biggest complaint is the poly beads used for weight stay cool. For some, that would be a plus, but not for me!

[Alistairs]

I know exactly where he is coming from. During 'Off periods' which means meds not working and No dopamine then I cannot tolerate.

Heavy blankets

Large crowds

Narrow spaces . Plane is real bad

Too much conversation

I want to left alone

It is the worst feeling !

I try to walk which really helps.

[Bazillion in reply to Alistairs]

Glad you find the walking helps. When I can't do my normal sports I do fast walking and get more puffed out than I do on the bike or tennis so I think it helps immensely!

Try reciting the alphabet backwards or counting down from 500 in 7s whilst walking its neuroplastic helps rewire the brain !

[Boyce3600 in reply to Alistairs]

Do u take flights occasionally? If so, how do u plan and prepare so the tight space does not cause anxiety?

[Alistairs in reply to Boyce3600]

I go assisted passage and use a wheelchair for fast through security etc. It is the standing which I find tricky. I try to keep moving, on board I try move around as much as feasible or just grin and bear it. NOT EASY !

[Josephsimon in reply to Alistairs]

We will fly Southwest - straight flight. I purchased a Drive with the little wheels and we will definitely use it. It enables us to board first and sit where we want. Louis cannot do too much standing. Say a prayer for us, please.

[Alistairs in reply to Josephsimon]

It's dònè

[SELFMeder]

All I know is that when I was first diagnosed, a couple of my prominent symptoms were chlostropobia and tactile defensiveness. I could not abide heavy bed linens. Could only tolerate a crisply ironed sheet in a cool room for sleeping. Also, a Melatonin tablet immediately before retiring seemed to help.

Can tolerate more now, but NOT a heavy blanket. Makes me cringe to think about it.

[swva]

Maybe just don't put the blanket on his feet.

[DianeF]

If you google "weighted blankets and Parkinsons " a number of articles come up with recommendations for this. I'm sure your children were trying to be helpful. Of course, as it goes with Parkinsons, everyone is different. I, for one, love to sleep with blankets piled on and I do find it soothing but it is a bit more difficult to turn over.

[Josephsimon]

Thank you so much for your comments about weighted blankets. Our daughter is sending the heavy one to exchange for a much lighter one! Your replies made me realize why Louis is claustrophobic. We are going to San Fran soon and I made sure to book non-stop flights. Any suggestions about his flying? Also. Louis will go from hot to cold to hot to cold...in one night! Sometimes, he tells me that his feet are ice cold but they feel warm. And they have been checked for circulation and they're fine! Our temps in Louisiana fluctuate so much that it's hard to know how to dress for sleep!

[Hikoi in reply to Josephsimon]

Josephsimon

I hope you and your husband enjoy the trip. Parkinson people specialise in anxiety and it is a common wearing off symptom too.. I dont have it about flying but in the car i can find it stressful being a passenger. If your husband fears flying you will need to be prepared with meds etc.

I have cold feet and hands especially in the winter. Im sure the sensation Louis has is from Parkinsons as will be the temperature problems. Our temperature control centre in the brain can be affected by pd and feeling hot can also be connected to wearing off of drugs.

I was interested in the responses of people especially those that liked heavy blankets. I think they were from people who had not been diagnosed as long as most of the others. It isnt a static condition so the length of time living with pd is significant in all our discussions to give an overall picture. The saying every pd is different could include stages in pd are different too.

[cabbagecottage in reply to Hikoi]

I have been putting two pairs of warm loose socks on John ,, use a duvet cover in place of a sheet it's a bit more weighted withour being heavy

[Josephsimon in reply to cabbagecottage]

I need to get the loose socks you recommended. I tried two pairs before but they were his regular socks and he said they were too tight. Definitely going to try the duvet. Thank you so much!

[CplParkinson in reply to Hikoi]

Parkinson's is definitely different for everyone. And the effects that happen may be similar like the temps of cold feet or hands are common. Everything is affected by our brains and emotions. Stress has major change, how you deal with it. Was finishing my book I was reading, very emotional book. Enough emotion to knock my meds off for the evening. Everyone has different changes if stress, emotion, bodies. I think a weighted blanket after 10 years would help especially for me.

[Hikoi in reply to CplParkinson]

You have had dbs, cpl that may change things. Do you find it easy to turn over in bed?

I cant tolerate the weight of heavy blankets and I feel hot when meds wear off and throw off any coverings.

[CplParkinson in reply to Hikoi]

I do find it easy or easier to roll over in bed. I know when my programming was changed to adjust for different shoes and impaired gait. It messed more up then fixing, memory foam shoes not for me. Lol

I didn't feel the ground the same so I was scuffing my feet more to hear the ground.

I've changed shoes and gotten fix back to original and all good.

[Lionore]

When flying, be religious about his water intake since the humidity on the plane is extremely low and dehydration can result in dizziness or falling. Nonstop flight sounds good from Louisiana to CA. From the East Coast I prefer one stop with at least an hour layover since it gives me time to use a real bathroom, eat and walk and stretch.

[Josephsimon in reply to Lionore]

I'm worried about bathroom on plane! And thank you for advice about water!

[Josephsimon in reply to Josephsimon]

We made the trip to San Fran just fine! I took your advice and gave him water several times. Going into that tiny restroom was difficult but still pretty doable! Thank you for your advice!!!

[HealthSeeker7]

My husband can't have any weight on his feet during the night because it makes them cramp, and it also makes it harder for him to move. We helped the problem by using a bed cradle that holds the bedding off his feet and lower legs. Perhaps that would make a difference for someone who otherwise wanted to use a weighted blanket.

Here's a link to a number of bed cradles available online here in the UK - ebay.co.uk/bhp/bed-cradle

[Beemacs]

I wondered what the weighted blanket was for since many PWP as well as I can't move in bed anyway!

[Joynb]

I have restless leg syndrome, along with PD. My feet and sometimes my legs become icy cold and fidgety, with a creepy crawly sensation under the skin. This is incredibly unpleasant and makes sleep difficult. A heavy blanket really helps by reducing symptoms.

[Josephsimon]

Thank you so much for your reply!