I found something that helps my sleep. According to my sleep tracker, I am setting new records in the quality of my sleep! What changed?
I bought a sleep mask. It was less than $20... Amazon. I became addicted on day 1. It is amazing how something so simple could help so much.
I know we all struggle sleep sometimes. I have spent a lot more monies on less results.
Your millage may very.
What does this do other than cut out light, and was that previously a problem? Sleep disruption is of course a significant problem with or without RLS issues: I sometimes find earplugs help me to sleep since RLS no longer (at least currently!) keeps me awake.
RLS doesn't keep me awake anymore. But I still struggle to get 6 hours of sleep. The sleep mask cuts out all light. Even a flashlight can't get through. I know it sounds simple, but it really seems to help. Naps are fantastic.
Good news! Generally nowadays it's my bladder that shortens my sleep: unfortunately I don't think that either your sleep mask or my ear plugs will help with that! 😉
Flowmax helps me. (62M)
Thanks: I was put on tamsulosin for a while but didn't find that it helped. Still, going to the doctor about this meant that my prostate cancer was caught fairly early, so that was fortunate. I'd hoped that the cancer treatment would end bladder problems, but not so lucky there!
That's great that you found something that helps. Will be interested in what your sleep tracker says after using it for a few days.
I have used it two weeks now. Did I mention, my naps have been outstanding. Something so simple.
Great !
Great news but I'm not overly surprised....complete darkness is recommended for quality sleep. Even the small light emitted from a clock radio or similar has been shown to reduce sleep quality.
Which sleep mask did you get. Please share. Anything special about it? This does make sense.
I hate posting links. But this really helped me. I read a recommendation in Consumer Reports. They said this one was one of the better ones for comfort.
amazon.com/Contoured-Sleepi...
It's crazy how even when it is dark in the room the sleep mask seems to help. It may be the pressure on my eyes. I can comfortably open my eyes. I can't see any difference with my eyes open or closed with the sleep mask on.
It definitely helps when I am trying to sleep and my wife is reading.
I find that my sleep mask helps somewhat. It’s made of silk. I can’t really explain it either and hope it’s not just psychological. I guess when I’m agitated due to RLS, the reduced light input and pressure over the eyes may be helping a bit. If I’m genuinely tired in the conventional way without the RLS bugging me then I can drop off under a lamp, but it’s very rare. So I think it’s got something to do with the lessening of irritating sensory input.
I think you are absolutely correct. When RLS hits, I am hypersensitive. Hyper-arousal is one of the symptoms of RLS. " The reduced light input and the pressure over the eyes", really nails it for me.
BTW, I tried ear plugs last night. It does not have the same affect. While ear plugs might help during the day, night time around here is quite. With ear plugs at night, I can hear myself breathe.
The sleep mask, I will probably be wearing the rest of my life.
Glad to hear you can relate! I myself wear ear plugs because of sound sensitivity. But I noticed the eye mask helps even when my room is dark, which is a bit bizarre! There’s deffo agitation going on that has a weird effect on us at night especially. Maybe the mask also keeps the eyelids from opening or moving, to some extent.
WTH - I tried it last night - I had a mask for years, but never really used it! My sleep tracker gave me a 96 (out of 100) with a gaggle of deep and REM sleep that I have been lacking in recent months. Easily the best night I've had in some time! Here's a cute website on DIY masks...
RLS = Sleep Deprivation
Buprenorphine and sleep
Sleep apnoea and RLS
Auditory stimulation and sleep
Bizarre aid in relieving my RLS symptoms
