Weighted Blankets

[Bronco87]

Do weighted blankets really work for RLS?

[TeddiJ]

I tried a 20 lb queen size and I weigh around 126. (Apparently you are supposed to use your weight to guide your purchase.) It did not work for me BUT I believe it could if you are not dealing with other issues that exacerbate RLS...such as DA drug augmentation, inappropriate antihistamines/anti-depressants/sleeping pills, drug withdrawals, hormones, etc. etc. Also, your ferritin needs to be above 100 or even in the 200-300 range.

I do think a weighted blanket is worth trying as a natural physical aid; I have read mixed results on Amazon, where I purchased mine.

They can be quite heavy to move around, which I didn't expect!

For me, I believe none of the physical aids, such as blankets, massagers, etc. will really work because I have had several of the above issues contributing to my baseline RLS. I hope one day I will be in a position to try them again.

[Hidden in reply to TeddiJ]

Did absolutely nothing for me.

[TheDoDahMan]

I wasted a hundred bucks on one. Sits in a drawer in my closet now. Speaks to the length we RLS sufferers will go to in an attempt to quash our symptoms.

[Bean49 in reply to TheDoDahMan]

My daughter did a lot of research and bought me one. I can't say it worked except maybe psychologically. She also got me a mat with spikes to lie on which is supposed to aid circulation, ok if you're desperate but I'm sure there are better ways!

[wildlegs]

I’m 77 and live in Wisconsin. I got a weighted blanket about 5 years ago ( I’ve had RLS for 25+ years) and I think it helps. Drugs help more and I don’t use it in the summer.

[SueJohnson]

It helps some people.

[SueJohnson]

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so what was it?

[SueJohnson]

Above all don't let your doctor prescribe a dopamine agonist like ropinirole (requip) or pramipexole (mirapex). They used to be the first line treatment for RLS, but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation. Instead have him prescribe gabapentin. Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin. It will take 3 weeks to be fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin or pregabalin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...