Update on weighted blanket and Trazodone

[Micafe]

Hi all!!

I still like my weighted blanket but actually it's not as good as I thought at the beginning. A few days after I began using it, my legs started to bother me again although not as bad as before.😪 I was hoping the problem would disappear as long as I used the blanket. Oh well..😯

At that time I was coming off Lexapro and the withdrawal symptoms were just terrible. My doctor had prescribed Trazodone so after I finally came off Lexapro, I started taking it.

So far, I am happy with it. My legs still bother me but not as bad as before and the best thing is, the Trazodone is helping me sleep!! 😋

Every night I'm sleeping several hours and even though I'm waking up too early, I feel more rested than before. That's big help.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this. I feel much, much better than -let's say- a month ago.

One last thing: I insist... the only thing that really works for me, is Icy-Hot. I know it's sold only in the US and I don't know if it's possible to get it online.

I really wish I could buy lots of it and send it to you guys in other countries.

[Esme2007]

Hi micafe

I’m so glad you are getting some much needed sleep . I myself am getting sleep with my Pregabalin. I was taking 150 mg at about 11.00 pm but I was still lying awake until about 3 with mild restless legs occasionally. So I recently tried taking it at about 8 pm and by 11.00 I start to feel sleepy and fall asleep within the hour . I can kick my legs a bit but it feels ‘different ‘ not as forceful as before pregabalin . I still feel really guilty taking this , I really do but I just couldn’t cope .

Thank you for sharing your experience with us all . It really helps just to know other people are experiencing the same as myself . We are all desperate for sleep and to get some relief from this awful condition. Even something tiny like if a hot milk at bedtime 🥱 helps for a while it’s something .

You take care and a merry Christmas 🎄 to you micafe and to everyone else xx xx

[Micafe in reply to Esme2007]

Thank you so much, Esme.

A silly question: why do you feel guilty for taking pregabalin? I'm not familiar with that medication. What's wrong with it?

Merry Christmas to you too and your family. No celebration here, it's just my husband and me. Everybody else is very far away.

Take care 😙 😋

[Clarina123 in reply to Micafe]

Hello, I too like my blanket, but find its not 100 per cent effective. I started using it with a sheet next to my body. But have since disgarded the sheet and find it so much nicer. Mine has a lovely furry cover which is very soothing. Sorry to hear you are not looking forward to Christmas. Don,t know if you and your husband are competitive. We are going to have a mini olympics. Giving ourselves points throughout the day for all sorts of daft games. We, ll have a prize giving ceremony in the evening. We are so lucky to still have each other. I,ve had cancer, and my husband a heart attack. So many people are on their own, we realise how lucky we are. Best wishes, and I hope you are not in too much pain. You have been through so much, you are an inspiration. Don't feel guilty for taking the drugs, it's what enables us to keep going. Have a lovely Christmas and stay safe! Let us hope we can celebrate with our families in a few months time. Xx

[Micafe in reply to Clarina123]

Hello Clarina123,

Thank you so much for the very nice words. Life is really hard but there's nothing I can do about it.

It seems you and I have several things in common. I also had cancer and my husband had open heart surgery. We were very lucky he survived. The surgeon who operated on him is one of the best heart surgeons in the U.S.!!

I'll talk to my husband about the mini Olympics. Thanks for telling me.

💖

[Clarina123 in reply to Micafe]

Good luck! Hope you win!!

[Micafe in reply to Clarina123]

☺️💞

[Esme2007]

We are keeping to just myself , my husband and son to stay safe . I don’t know really - I had bowel cancer at the age of 32 and my children were so young . They didn’t think I would make it but I’m here 21 years later . I’ve since had many bowel surgeries and had breast cancer 3 years ago . I ended up having to go on antidepressants at at 32 and increasing the dose again when I got cancer again . I had to take exemestane a drug for breast cancer which alongside my antidepressant plays havoc with my RLS.

When I say I feel guilty it’s because I hate putting these drugs into my body . Nobody but myself makes me feel this way and I get no hassle from my GP or anything . I just worry what I’m doing to my body . I don’t drink or smoke but I would really like my body to be drug free but I suffered terribly for the past 3 years I just had to get help . I don’t worry too much about it but I think having had cancer twice etc I just would like to not be putting anymore chemicals into my body xx

[Micafe in reply to Esme2007]

I'm so sorry you have gone through all that. I'm a cancer survivor also..

My problem was the chemotherapy that left terrible side effects.

I am practically incapacitated and it was all due to the chemo.

If I could go back in time and decide whether to let them put me on chemotherapy, I wouldn't allow it. No one warned me that it was so dangerous. It destroyed my life.

[Esme2007 in reply to Micafe]

Gosh I’m so sorry . I could only have half my chemo for breast cancer as I kept getting sepsis . But I’m still here like you . I struggle too and can barely leave the house . I have a hole in my bowel due to failed surgeries. I am awaiting reconstruction and a complete hysterectomy . I have had so many parts of my body taken away there will just be my head left one day ! My abdomen has had as much taken out of it as possible. But we are here . Many many people on this site are struggling with RLS due to other initial conditions and the drugs we have had to take . It mustn’t be forgotten . I’m so sorry you are having a hard time . Keep strong like it sounds you are . Love Esme xx

[Micafe in reply to Esme2007]

Dear Esme... I understand what you've gone through. Life can be so difficult.

I've had lots of surgeries also... when I tell people how many they don't believe me.

Only on my left wrist I had 5, all of them very complicated. I fell and my wrist was totally shattered. It all lasted two years ...

You too, try to be strong. Hugs. Take care.

[Esme2007 in reply to Micafe]

❤️

[Kittenlittles]

Trazodone was great for three months. Then restless legs started againWeighted blanket —I too agree that it wasn’t the great thing I hoped it would be😔

I think I will Probably try the vitamin infusion by I.V. next for iron, b vitamins ( which if you’re LOW on will cause neuropathy y’all!)

Otherwise I will continue to roll the dice nightly.

Oh! Vicks vaporub on feet with socks..... will work if your desperate and don’t have icy hot.

[Micafe]

Thank you Kittenlittles.

I take iron and B complex and a lot of other things. I think everything helps for a while and then the RLS comes back with a vengeance. It's a real nightmare.

😔😪😭

[Mum27]

Hi all. I've tried a weighted blanket i found it worked more than not work. I've stopped using it because I got one that I found to heavy so trying to decide weather to get a lighter one but will it work

[Micafe in reply to Mum27]

How heavy is your blanket? Mine is 15 pounds. Not too bad. It still works.

[Mum27]

Mine is 6kg I've googled it and it 13.228 pounds.

[Micafe in reply to Mum27]

I can't tell you if a lighter one will work. They sell light ones for children. Maybe you could try one of those. I'm sorry I couldn't help much.

[Mum27]

Never mind thank you anyway. The pain management team recommend that I should try Duloxetine I've had 3 nights now so I'll have to see how that goes, that's for my RLS, hope it works as I'm sick of walking round half the night.