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Weighted blankets & bed tents for restlessness, akathisia, insomnia, and anxiety


Rhiannon

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ADMIN NOTE 

 

See this post for TIPS FOR MAKING A WEIGHTED BLANKET

 

See this post for a helpful tip:

The manufacturer of mine explained that unlike a regular blanket the size should be chosen to fit the person, not the bed, so that it doesn't slip off.

 

 


 

Just wanted to mention weighted blankets for people who may not have seen the previous conversation about it. Unfortunately I couldn't find that thread to bump it.

 

Google "weighted blankets." They're used by OTs to help calm people with various conditions, usually autism. Some of us on this board and another forum have found them helpful for restlessness, akathisia, insomnia and anxiety. It's not a huge strong effect like a drug, more subtle, but I find mine very helpful, especially for sleeping.

 

There are various ways to make your own. I made mine using bags of pinto beans in an old comforter.

 

Anyway, just wanted to bump this suggestion up for folks.

 

Edited by Altostrata
updated admin note

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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That does sound cozy and comforting. I'll look into it. I always like it better in winter, sleeping with more blankets. It makes me feel more contained and comfortable. I never thought there was something like weighted blankets.

Taper from Cymbalta, Paxil, Prozac & Antipsychotics finished June 2012.

Xanax 5% Taper - (8/12 - .5 mg) - (9/12 - .45) - (10/12 - .43) - (11/12 - .41) - (12/12 - .38)

My Paxil Website

My Intro

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Oh, and I also use Compression Socks at times for Neuropathy. This sounds wonderful to help my whole body. My nerves are so shot, that pressure on them feels good, which is why the compression socks. How do you make your own blanket?

 

Edit: I found a good easy tutorial.

 

Taper from Cymbalta, Paxil, Prozac & Antipsychotics finished June 2012.

Xanax 5% Taper - (8/12 - .5 mg) - (9/12 - .45) - (10/12 - .43) - (11/12 - .41) - (12/12 - .38)

My Paxil Website

My Intro

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When I first read about these someone was saying that when they went to the dentist and they put that heavy lead thing on them before doing an x-ray, it felt comforting. I thought "yeah it feels comforting to me too!" and not only that, it felt like something that would be especially comforting when I'm feeling anxious. That's what drew me to trying a weighted blanket, and I do find it comforting.

 

Also wanted to add that one of the things you read people using these for is restless legs.

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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This reminds me of Temple Grandin's observation that being closely held is calming to cattle, derived from her own experience of autism.

 

Many cultures swaddle infants, giving them that sensation of being closely held.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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I have always loved putting pillows all over the top of me while I'm sleeping alone . Never knew why... except that I know I sleep better that way.

 

It is CoZy and feels secure.

Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone

1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox.

b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b]

2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax

November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b

Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax

My mantra " go slow & with the flow "

3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day)

4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day.

10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro.

1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms.

1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. :) 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut.

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When I was a teenager in the winter I put 14 blankets on my bed lol. Seriously! People thought I was weird. But wow, it never occurred to me to do this now for anxiety and comfort. I had forgotten all about how I did that.

 

I saw on ebay someone is selling them for 29.99. That's not too bad. I'll see if it's cheaper than making them.

Taper from Cymbalta, Paxil, Prozac & Antipsychotics finished June 2012.

Xanax 5% Taper - (8/12 - .5 mg) - (9/12 - .45) - (10/12 - .43) - (11/12 - .41) - (12/12 - .38)

My Paxil Website

My Intro

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When I was a teenager in the winter I put 14 blankets on my bed lol. Seriously! People thought I was weird. But wow, it never occurred to me to do this now for anxiety and comfort. I had forgotten all about how I did that.

 

I saw on ebay someone is selling them for 29.99. That's not too bad. I'll see if it's cheaper than making them.

 

I did the same thing when I was a kid/teenager..and it was the WEIGHT that I loved TOTALLY.

 

So as soon as I saw this post I was interested...I will see about making one for myself too.

 

thanks all...thanks Rhi...I'd like to know more about the one you made if you have a chance to share.

Everything Matters: Beyond Meds 

https://beyondmeds.com/

withdrawn from a cocktail of 6 psychiatric drugs that included every class of psych drug.
 

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Great suggestion. I have always felt better with heavy covers, and especially now. I was going to post some time ago that one thing that helps calm my AM anxiety is having my boyfriend lie on top of me. I know that sounds weird, but it helps calm the extreme panic/fire waves, and it also made me think of swaddling infants. Another thing that he does that helps me is spooning me and rocking me back and forth. For those of you who have a significant other willing to help out, try it!

'94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.
6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.
11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.
9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.
10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?
11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever.

1/13 Best I've ever felt.

3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows.

4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time.

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  • 1 year later...
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Weighted blankets, rocking, or as I have done – bouncing on an exercise ball are components of sensory motor arousal regulation treatment, or also referred to as sensorimotor psychotherapy.  Sensory motor arousal regulation is typically discussed in the treatment of PTSD/PTSI/PTSR, and also autism (Temple Grandin!).   Also, consider how people rock or lightly bounce a baby to sooth him/her… hence the rocking chair often associated with a baby’s nursery.  I know when my withdrawal was at it’s worst during my last attempt to discontinue Prozac, bouncing on an exercise ball or rocking myself were the only ways I could seem to calm myself and relieve the horrible anxiety, and internal restlessness and vibration, which I now know is called akathisia (Thank you SA forum!)  It was then that I first thought about the connection between my symptoms and what I knew about sensory motor arousal.  However, other things took my attention (including my withdrawal) and I hadn’t really thought about it again until I read this thread.

 

My understanding is that sensorimotor psychotherapy is meant to integrate sensorimotor processing with cognitive and emotional processing in the treatment of trauma related responses.  It is reported to be beneficial for people struggling with emotional reactivity, flat affect, frozen states and hyperarousal…

 

Why do I think this might be relevant here? Why am I bringing it up? Those symptoms remind me of those that I encountered during withdrawal and what I’ve read other’s describe experiencing.  For me, the emotional reactivity and hyperarousal  are particularly familiar.  Then there is the anxiety that many (if not most) of us experience as a part of withdrawal, which I’m assuming coincides with an increase in cortisol in our systems: This phenomenon is also associated with a posttraumatic stress response.  I’m not saying I, nor everyone with these symptoms should be considered for a diagnosis of PTSD, but the physical and sensory patterns (the ones involving out autonomic nervous system arousal) of PTSD seem to share some similarities with withdrawal symptoms… at least it seems that way for me.   I see part of it as our bodies have become dysregulated as a result of removing the drug and withdrawal is our bodies (and brains) adapting to re-regulate (not sure that’s even a word). 

 

So with ALL that written, I suppose what I’m getting at is, the concept of sensory motor arousal regulation seems like it would be applicable to psych med withdrawal and might just be another tool for some of us to use in surviving and concurring this beast we call withdrawal.

There is actually a treatment called Sensory Motor Arousal Regulation Training (SMART).   SMART is geared toward children with a history of trauma, but the concept has also been applied to kids with autism, ADHD and adults… and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be applicable to adults struggling with withdrawal from psych meds.   How I understand it is the training includes self-regulation through vestibular input (your sense of movement) like swinging, spinning or lying upside down on a couch; Proprioceptive input (sense of your body’s orientation), like jumping, bouncing, rocking); and tactile input (physical touch), like using weighted blankets, swaddling a baby (or rolling yourself up in a blanket).

 

So I think rocking, bouncing, swinging, jumping, weighted blankets, having our dog or cat lay on us, or making our-self into a blanket could be very helpful in our recovering.

 

So that was long and wordy, and if you've gotten to this point in my rambling I hope you got something out of it.  I just hadn’t thought about this in so long and the discussion stuck a bee in my bonnet :)

1988-2012: Prozac @ 60mg (with a few stops and starts)

Fall 2012: Returned to 40mg after discontinuing and horrid withdrawal 

Fall 2013: 40mg Fluoxetine, added 150mg Wellbutrin to treat fatigue 

Winter 2014: Attempting to taper both (too fast)

April 2014: 9mg Fluoxetine + 37.5 Wellbutrin 

Summer 2014: 8 mg Fluoxetine + 0 Wellbutrin (way too fast a drop)

Late summer/Early Fall 2014: Debilitating Withdrawal symptoms 

Fall 2014 - Wellbutrin successfully kicked to the curb but…

Oct- Dec 2014: Panicked reinstatement of Fluoxetine ->30mg - held for 5yrs

Jan 2021: taper to 20mg Fluoxetine  then tapering by 1mg every 2-3 months

Fall 2022 - held at 10mg->December 2022: 9mg->Feb 2023: 8mg ->March 2023: brassmonkey slide begins: 7.8mg -> 7.6 -> 7.4->2 week hold (April)->7.2->7mg->6.8->2 week hold->6.6-> 1-month hold ->(June)-6.5->4-week hold-> (July)-6.4 (discontinued brassmonkey slide and slowed taper)-> (Aug)-6.2->(Sept)-6.0->(Oct)-5.9->(Nov)-5.8->(Dec)-5.7->wave!->(Jan)-5.8->(Feb)-6mg and holding.

 

My 2014 withdrawal experience: https://rxisk.org/antidepressant-withdrawal-a-prozac-story/

 

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I worked with a small girl who had experienced trauma and was non verbal... she had one thing she liked... the tire swing outside.  

I did not have much time on my schedule for her as she was on  her way out and it had already been decided she was unreachable... she never did speak while she was with us.. at nap time she never slept but wrapped herself tightly in her blanket.  

 

Odd how trauma and withdrawal often over lap in symptoms and maybe treatment.  Perhaps what is soothing is just soothing... I for one always hated blankets on my feet... unless I was camping and freezing but pain in my feet has changed that some....mostly one foot. Odd life we live...us folks.

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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I love the heavy heated pad the massage therapist puts on my back during my monthly massage. I guess it really is a comfort thing.

Been on many and various AD's since 92. Began Lexapro, a life saver, in 08. Began taper Aug 13 - Oct 13. Terrible time with the withdrawal.

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I just found this article that has lots of good links for weighted blankets and other similar type stuff (weighted compression vests for example).

 

http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2012/02/13/weighted-blankets-13-stores-to-choose-from/

Started on Prozac and Xanax in 1992 for PTSD after an assault. One drug led to more, the usual story. Got sicker and sicker, but believed I needed the drugs for my "underlying disease". Long story...lost everything. Life savings, home, physical and mental health, relationships, friendships, ability to work, everything. Amitryptiline, Prozac, bupropion, buspirone, flurazepam, diazepam, alprazolam, Paxil, citalopram, lamotrigine, gabapentin...probably more I've forgotten. 

Started multidrug taper in Feb 2010.  Doing a very slow microtaper, down to low doses now and feeling SO much better, getting my old personality and my brain back! Able to work full time, have a full social life, and cope with stress better than ever. Not perfect, but much better. After 23 lost years. Big Pharma has a lot to answer for. And "medicine for profit" is just not a great idea.

 

Feb 15 2010:  300 mg Neurontin  200 Lamictal   10 Celexa      0.65 Xanax   and 5 mg Ambien 

Feb 10 2014:   62 Lamictal    1.1 Celexa         0.135 Xanax    1.8 Valium

Feb 10 2015:   50 Lamictal      0.875 Celexa    0.11 Xanax      1.5 Valium

Feb 15 2016:   47.5 Lamictal   0.75 Celexa      0.0875 Xanax    1.42 Valium    

2/12/20             12                       0.045               0.007                   1 

May 2021            7                       0.01                  0.0037                1

Feb 2022            6                      0!!!                     0.00167               0.98                2.5 mg Ambien

Oct 2022       4.5 mg Lamictal    (off Celexa, off Xanax)   0.95 Valium    Ambien, 1/4 to 1/2 of a 5 mg tablet 

 

I'm not a doctor. Any advice I give is just my civilian opinion.

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Thank you for bumping this up, it has been helpful to me.

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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  • 1 year later...

I'm thinking of getting one of these, I actually put it on my Christmas list if you can believe it. 

 

My favourite part of going to the dentist is when they put that heavy blanket on me. Everything else about the dentist sucks.

 

I'm big on doing the stuff that made me feel better as a kid, no matter how silly it might seem for a "man" of 25.

 

Any good sources of weighted blankets you guys can suggest?

-Started on Citalopram 20mg & Zopiclone 7.5mg in August 2010 after stressful life events induced anxiety attacks

-Given olanzapine 2.5mg due to not sleeping through the night with zopiclone (I have never had any symptoms of psychosis)

-Went up to 40mg Citalopram sometime in 2011 after disastrous flirtation with Wellbutrin

-Tapered off zopiclone by January 2013 (take as PRN sometimes)

-Jan 10/2016: Back up to full dose of citalopram after attempted taper from late November 2015

-Jan 2018: Cut to 1.8mg of olanzapine from 1.825

-Mid-August 2018: Cut from 1.8mg olanzapine to 1.76mg. Probable withdrawal symptoms emerged about ten days later. Went back up to 1.8mg

-July 2021: Currently experiencing a strange "episode", withdrawal but no dose changes???

Current meds and doses: 1.8mg Olanzapine (compounded capsules), 40mg Citalopram, 1.25mg zopiclone (as PRN, taken once every few weeks during good periods and once or twice a week during bad ones)

 

 

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  • 3 months later...

I'm thinking of getting one of these, I actually put it on my Christmas list if you can believe it. 

 

My favourite part of going to the dentist is when they put that heavy blanket on me. Everything else about the dentist sucks.

 

I'm big on doing the stuff that made me feel better as a kid, no matter how silly it might seem for a "man" of 25.

 

Any good sources of weighted blankets you guys can suggest?

 

Hi, did the blanket work to help you sleep longer?

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Thank you for bumping this up, it has been helpful to me.

Hi, did the blanket help you increase the amount of time you are asleep for?

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Thank you for bumping this up, it has been helpful to me.

Hi, did the blanket help you increase the amount of time you are asleep for?

 

 

Yes, it's been really helpful for restless legs, without it I toss and turn a lot when it comes on so I'm partly awake when that happens.  I thankfully only get it occasionally though. 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Thank you for bumping this up, it has been helpful to me.

Hi, did the blanket help you increase the amount of time you are asleep for?

 

 

Yes, it's been really helpful for restless legs, without it I toss and turn a lot when it comes on so I'm partly awake when that happens.  I thankfully only get it occasionally though. 

 

 

awesome, thanks! That's great

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Thank you for bumping this up, it has been helpful to me.

Hi, did the blanket help you increase the amount of time you are asleep for?

 

 

Yes, it's been really helpful for restless legs, without it I toss and turn a lot when it comes on so I'm partly awake when that happens.  I thankfully only get it occasionally though. 

 

 

awesome, thanks! That's great

 

 

No problem!  What are you thinking of using one for?  If you don't mind me asking...

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Thank you for bumping this up, it has been helpful to me.

Hi, did the blanket help you increase the amount of time you are asleep for?

 

 

Yes, it's been really helpful for restless legs, without it I toss and turn a lot when it comes on so I'm partly awake when that happens.  I thankfully only get it occasionally though. 

 

 

awesome, thanks! That's great

 

 

No problem!  What are you thinking of using one for?  If you don't mind me asking...

 

 

I have sleep maintenance insomnia. I'm hoping it helps me sleep for a longer period of time

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I hadn't ever heard that term before.  Are you agitated at night? I don't know if it will help if you aren't, mine helps because my legs get restless sometimes.

 

Then again it's worth a try. 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Okay so I obviously didn't re-read this thread as in the OP it says it's for regular insomnia too...Oops.

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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I hadn't ever heard that term before.  Are you agitated at night? I don't know if it will help if you aren't, mine helps because my legs get restless sometimes.

 

Then again it's worth a try. 

 

Sleep maintenance insomnia is when you wake up in the middle of the night and can't fall back asleep. I basically sleep 4 or 5 hours a night. I've been severely sleep deprived for years so I'm always agitated to be honest. I ordered it last night. It was like $200...yikes! We will see what happens.

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Eek, that is pretty steep!  Definitely hope it works for that price!  Let us know how it turns out, quite a few people here have the same problem, I'm sure they'd love to hear it helps.  I hadn't heard that name for it before though, but, that seems a common problem in withdrawal.

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Eek, that is pretty steep!  Definitely hope it works for that price!  Let us know how it turns out, quite a few people here have the same problem, I'm sure they'd love to hear it helps.  I hadn't heard that name for it before though, but, that seems a common problem in withdrawal.

 

 

I used the blanket last night and got the worst night of sleep I've gotten in weeks :(

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Oh no!  Are you going to try it again?  Was it too uncomfortable or heavy?

 

I tend to put mine on just my legs, you could maybe try that and see how it goes.  Was it too restrictive? 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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Oh no!  Are you going to try it again?  Was it too uncomfortable or heavy?

 

I tend to put mine on just my legs, you could maybe try that and see how it goes.  Was it too restrictive? 

 

 

Hi, I might try it again tonight. I can't really attribute my poor sleep to the blanket being too uncomfortable or heavy. I just feel much more sleep deprived today than I normally do. I could definitely just put it on my legs. Why did you decide to only put it on your legs?

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It was because I get restless legs, the rest of me is thankfully calm now for the most part. :)  (So now I guess according to Psychiatry it's just my legs that need to get some therapy. )  

 

I thought if it was too heavy you could try that but if that's not the problem then not sure what to tell you. Could it have been just an off night for some other reason? 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Ha! Rhiannon, I love it at the dentist when they put that weighted vest on you!. :lol: I'm looking into getting, or more likely making, 

or most likely getting my mom's help with making one :) 

 

The video Shanti posted near the beginning of this thread looks really good. 

 

I'm hoping this will help with akathisia etc.! 

 

2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, 

I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever.

 

2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds.

2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better

 

Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.)

"You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa

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So... I saw this ad for a bed tent, and immediately thought how great it would have been to have during withdrawal! I am not advocating in any way for its purchase since I have never used it and don't know the cost, but I thought it was a brilliant idea! And maybe somehow worth copying?? I had a hard time with blackout curtains because I never seemed to be able to get all the little light leaks to go away.

 

Also, there is something calming to me about smaller spaces, and I still feel immediate relief when I'm anxious about something when I'm "swaddled" (hugged tightly). It's actually impressive how immediately it helps.

 

https://www.privacypop.com/shop/tent/privacy-pop-bed-tent/

 

Nadia

'94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.
6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.
11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.
9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.
10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?
11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever.

1/13 Best I've ever felt.

3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows.

4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time.

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I love the look of it Nadia!

 

Reminds me of the Scandinavian beds - so cosy.  Might have to get my hands on one now, lol

 

JC x

Dose History: 19 Feb 2014 - Escitalopram 10mg daily June 2015 - Started taper, 5mg every other day July 2015 - 5mg every 2 days August 2015 - 5mg every 3 days September 2015 - 5mg every 4 days Sept 14th - Completed tapering, but at 7 weeks "drug free" I suffered serious WD symptoms as a consequence of "incorrect" tapering. Nov 25 2015 - Re-instated Cipralex @ 2.5mg daily. WD symptoms faded. Held at this dose and experienced "windows and waves". 12 Oct 2017 Reduced dose to 1.25mg. 13 Mar 2018 Reduced dose to 0.625mg (approx.). 16 April 2018 0mg. Windows and waves triggered by stress (IBS/reflux, headaches, sinus issues) Aug 2019 Mirena coil fitted 6 Jan 2020 MAJOR Wave hit 19 months following last dose (protracted WD).  Symptoms listed below Mar 2020 Mirena coil removal.

Therapy: Nov 15th 2016 Re-started therapy Jan 19th 2017 Started CBT Dec 2017 Started listening to Hypnotherapy CD (self-esteem). Nov 2019 Started couples therapy.

Supplements: "Bioglan" Biotic Balance Ultimate Flora 10 billion CFU, live Bacteria, Probiotic, suitable for Vegetarians, with Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Longum"Pukka" Vitalise a unique blend of 30 energising botanicals.

Diet: 16 April 2018 Detox cleanse / anti-candida for 90 days. Jan 2020 Started "small plate" diet (i.e child size portions).

Exercise: Stretching, Yoga, Pilates, Spinning, Elliptical/upper body workout, walking.

Medical Test Results: 4 Jan 2017 Homeopathic Treatment starts 24 Feb 2017 Started weight loss program 24 Mar 2017 Naturopathic Treatment + anti-Candida diet started due to suspected Candida Related Complex (CRC). DETOXED for 7 weeks to "re-set" gut. April 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Comprehensive Stool Analysis NEGATIVE; Full Blood Count (Normal) / Blood Cholesterol: 5.6 (Borderline) / Blood Sugar (Normal) / 28 Jun 2017 FSH 8.2 / 14 Nov 2017 FSH 17.7 Dec 2017 Blood Cholesterol: 3.9 (Normal) / Kidney Function (Normal) / Blood Sugar (Normal). December 2017 "Genova Diagnostics" Food panel allergy (bloodwork) analysis - a few "VERY LOW/VL" allergens; Mar 2018 "Genova Diagnostics" SIBO urine analysis: High Level of Yeast/fungal markers found in small intestine but NO SIBO.  April 2018 Thyroid (Normal) / Full Blood Count (Normal) / FSH (Normal). 16 April 2018 Started anti-Candida diet - 3 month protocol.   25 March 2020 All test results "Normal". CRP" 5 mg/L (normal range to 0-5 mg/L).

Symptoms:  Flu-like symptoms, anxiety, anhedonia, sinus headaches right-side (severe), IBS issues/reflux (severe)**, tinnitus, fatigue, inner tremor, nausea, chills/hot flushes, pounding heart, muscular issues including stiff left hip flexor, intense anger, PSSD (ongoing).  **Histhamine intolerance (suspected).

Major Life Events: 

Re-located to UK from Canada: Jan 2016

My father died: 5:05pm, Monday 5 Feb 2018 Last Lexapro dose: 16 April 2018 (its now been over a year since I quit ADs)  Moved house: Friday 23rd February 2018  "Divorced" toxic Mother: Monday 26 March 2018 Starting working again: 19 November 2018  Diagnosed with: 5th August 2021 PTSD/C-PTSD Diagnosed with: March 2022 Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Painful bladder syndrome

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That looks so cozy! 

 

I want to get a weighted blanket too. 

 

2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, 

I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever.

 

2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds.

2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better

 

Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.)

"You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa

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I just came across this thread today and I can relate to this or I at least understand my "new behavior"

In the last 2 mos on many mornings upon wakening, I throw my covers over my head snugly and stay beneath for a bit. I sometimes go back to sleep that way.

I find this extremely comforting.

I was on Lexapro 10mg, once a day for about 8 yrs combined with Abilify 2mg, once per day and Klonopin ,25-.50mg up to 4 times a day. Prior to that multiple trials of various SSRIs and low doses of unsuccessful various mood stabilizers in anticonvulsant category with the same dose of Klonopin for a total of over 16 yrs.[/font][/size]Withdrawal from Abilify around Aug. 2015 and slow taper of Lexapro began late Jan. 2016. As of January 2017 I am 11 months full withdrawal from Lexapro and was .25mg of Klonopin at night.(went to .25 klonopin at night only somewhere in October)<p>**Update with my Klonopin taper. I was on .25mg at night and .25mg in AM with varying doses of .125mg during day, maybe once or twice on as needed basis. Starting in early September 2016 reduction of .125mg day dose was decreased to only .25mg AM. Over 2-3 weeks was down to .125mg AM for about 3-4 weeks. As of sometime in October down to only .25mg at night. As of 1/7/17 I am updosed to an additional .25mg at night, for a total of .5mg. As of June 23, 2017 I am on a liquid tapered dose of klonopin. Current dose 4.1ml as of February 21, 2018**

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  • 4 months later...

I just wanted to post a new suggestion related to weighted blankets, they make weighted heating pads in different varieties, including weighted booties to warm up your feet..Just thinking they may be of help for those with restless legs or to help people feel more grounded who are badly dissociated. 

I am not a medical professional and nothing I say is a medical opinion or meant to be medical advice, please seek a competent and trusted medical professional to consult for all medical decisions.

 

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