Weighted blanket

[Debbs73]

Hi I'm looking into buying a weighted blanket as I've read they are good in helping with RLS. I'm just wondering what your thoughts are please if you've used them or still do. Would you recommend. Tia

[SueJohnson]

They help some people.

[SueJohnson]

In looked over your some of your previous replies you probably do not have RLS. You were diagnosed with it during a sleep study where you legs were moving 50 times a minute. That is PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder) not RLS.

All of the following must be true for a diagnosis of RLS: 1) The urge to move the legs and sometimes the arms 2) The onset or worsening of symptoms during periods of inactivity when lying down and sometimes when sitting 3) Symptoms occur or worsen in the evening or bedtime. They are usually dormant in the morning 4) Symptoms get better when walking or stretching as long as it is continued. 5) Can't be explained by another medical or behavioral condition. Does this apply to you?

However they are both treated the same way and discussed on this forum.

Normally the 1st thing to do is check your ferritin and increase it if it is low, but since you have Hemochromatosis, that is obviously not appropriate for you.

The next line of treatment would be gabapentin which is also used for fibromyalgia which is why at least 3 years ago you were taking. Are you still taking it and if so how much are you taking and when?

You were also taking morphine. Are you still taking that and how much?

You are or were taking two medicines that make RLS (and PLMD) worse for most people .

1) Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant which also treats anxiety which I suspect is why you were taking it. A safe substitute is trazodone which treats depression, insomnia, anxiety and sleep apnea which you have.

2) Duloxetine which is a SNRI antidepressant which also treats nerve pain

You mentioned shortness of breath in one of your replies. Do you still have this?

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, estrogen including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any that I haven't mentioned and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

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... It refers to RLS but as I mentioned every thing it says about RLS applies to PLMD too.

[Debbs73 in reply to SueJohnson]

I was also diagnosed with RLS due to my involuntary leg movements and jumping legs whilst at rest and relaxation. Not only just my legs but my arms also, I've spilt numerous drinks with my hand spasms. Forgive me are you medically trained as it seems you've quoted a lot of things that seem to possibly be copied and for the average person may not have/ know all this information . My question originally was has anyone used or still using weighted blankets, if so what was there experience. I don't mean to sound rude but i do not need a run down on my medical history from yourself that I know full well as I've suffered these illnesse for long enough. As for the mayo clinic I've read this info before. Please don't tell me what medication I should or should not be taking.

[Noreo in reply to Debbs73]

I have had RLS for over 20 years and have taken a variety of medications. My wife bought a weighted blanket for me to try. At first ti felt good but they are very hot and also it seemed like a big deal every time I wanted to change my position. After about 10 days I gave up on the weighted blanket. If you get hot at night or ifm you toss and turn at all I would definitely NOT waste my money on a weighted blanket.

[Moonwalker1967 in reply to Noreo]

Same here. Another waste of money. If it was that easy

[Debbs73 in reply to Noreo]

Thankfully I sleep on my back. As find every other positions uncomfortable.

[Hidden in reply to Debbs73]

I agree, Sue clearly trying to help but it’s important and sensible to be wary of receiving advice from forums when there’s no assurance of medical credentials. Not to disagree with any suggestions, especially as GPs tend to have such limited knowledge on the subject. Support from these forums is comforting to read what works for others. As you say, you only asked if weighted blankets could help, not for a full run down of the condition or public diagnosis. It’s tempting to offer support and reflecting on our own experiences sometimes causes us to get lost in the detail with this miserable condition. We also need to be wary of AI bots which could simulate this type of response but lack the emotional connection!Take care

[SueJohnson]

I'm sorry. I was only trying to help.

[Jelbea]

Sue selflessly spends so much time helping others and her advice is priceless. She may have given you more information than you wished, but surely that is a good thing. She reaches out to very many people desperate for information and does a wonderful job.

[Hidden in reply to Jelbea]

Sue does help many people on this forum.Debbs73 is simply objecting to having been given unsolicited advice. That's within her rights.

[Jelbea in reply to Hidden]

I acknowledge your comments. However, I would say that this RLS site is such a special place with such caring and helpful people. Surely it is better to get too much information rather than too little especially when it is given generously and kindly.

[Tryffan1]

I can't stand any weight on my legs. I throw off the covers every night . But anything is worth a try!

[Debbs73 in reply to Tryffan1]

Yeah your right it's not for everyone I guess.

[Strike26]

Hi - I persevered with a weighted blanket for 3 months. For me, the result was nil, it simply didn't work, other than it became irritating as it slid off the bed quite quickly. But, your question about Sue kind of feeds into the whole treatment of RLS. Her central message (I hope Sue won't mind me saying this) is, here are a lot of the treatments or sources of information about RLS, try some or all of them out, and, hopefully, something will work for you. Her knowledge is second to none. She pointed me in the right direction, that's for certain, and gave me the "tools" to suggest certain options to my GP (my GP is now self educated about RLS, uses the Mayo Clinic algorithym and doesn't just hand out the main meds that are in the "book") which have massively improved my life - next week they might stop, who knows, but I'll then be back on here looking for the next option.

[Daal]

I purchased the Kivik 7 lb. Small weighted blanket on Amazon. I place it on my legs or the small of my back when a breakthrough occurs and it seems to calm the symptoms, Much easier to manage than a full weighted blanket.

.

[Hidden]

hi, I find the weighted blanket/throw from balooliving really nice and helps folded over my legs in the evening or placed over my duvet for sleep. It helps reduce symptoms and feels snuggly so may offer some help.

[BoldMove]

I love my weighted blanket, but it never helped my RLS.

[BeachGolfer]

I felt that I was in restraints! Couldn’t tolerate it even for a night.

[Hibbard]

Felt like i had soft cement on me. I think its good for people with periodic limb movement disorder because it keeps them from jolting but for people with just rls i think its too constraining. I have to wiggle or thrash my legs to get relief from the pain and cant even have tucked in bedding for the constrainment factor. If you have both disorders or the limb movement disorder i can see that being a comfort but its a hard no for me with just rls

[Debbs73 in reply to Hibbard]

I tried two different weights but unfortunately they both made my legs worse. The pain in the morning was immense.