[Moose72]

I just ordered one - the large one as I'm almost 200 lbs. It's expensive but I figured I can use my combined studies money to pay for it. (Check arriving next week.) They are out of stock of a lot of them- must be the holidays. I'll let you know how I like it. I ordered "charcoal".

Congrats!

Where'd you get it from?

[Moose72]

Weighting comforts

[Phoenix_1]

My daughter made one for my granddaughter. She had elipepsy and cerebral palsy and it calmed her so she could sleep. I've never heard it used for BP. I've always liked heavy bed covers. I get really warm at night though, so is it very warm? Where did you get it?

[CarriB]

Awesome. Let us know how it works!

[Moose72]

I got it from weighting comforts .Com I don't know how warm they are but they look pretty thick in the pictures. It will take 2 to 3 weeks to arrive. They must make each blanket as it's ordered. They are out of stock of a lot of patterns right now, too. I've had problems sleeping lately (up all night) and I thought this would help.

[Moose72]

I'm treating myself with the money I got from the bipolar studies I was/am in that I got/will get paid for soon. Would be nice now - it's cold in here as I keep the heat at 60 and I'm on the couch in my robe.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Mine is pretty warm but I picked a fabric for it that is quite warm (Minkee dots although the dots wore off long ago). I have never been bothered by the warmth although in the summer I may not always cover up completely with it. Mine is 10 or 11 years old now. It helps immensely. I even have a lighter one for travel/hospitalizations.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

Mine is pretty warm but I picked a fabric for it that is quite warm (Minkee dots although the dots wore off long ago). I have never been bothered by the warmth although in the summer I may not always cover up completely with it. Mine is 10 or 11 years old now. It helps immensely. I even have a lighter one for travel/hospitalizations.

I'm really excited about mine. Glad I had these studies pay me at the same time. So you got yours at the same place I did then? Glad to hear how helpful yours is!

[BeyondtheRainbow]

No, mine came from a place called Dreamcatcher weighted blankets. I don't think they are open any longer. I also have one from Bean blankets.

I hope you'll like it. I love mine. I had used them with patients before and decided maybe it would help my lifelong insomnia so I got a cheap one and was amazed at the results which were even better when I got my 22 lb one that I still have now. The only problem is that it tends to pull the covers off the side of the bed so I have to fix that nearly daily. But hardly a major problem.

[Moose72]

So you put the weighted blankets on first then your comforter in bed? The one I ordered is the heaviest they make- 20 or 22 pounds

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Yes. Sheet then weighted blanket then all my other blankets (I'm FREEZING lately, I think my thyroid is rebelling so I sleep under a ton of blankets). The weighted blanket kind of settles around you and that makes you feel secure but it has to be next to you to do this properly.

[Moose72]

Good to know. Sounds so soothing.

How do you wash and dry it?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I used to go to the laundromat to use their heavy duty machines. Now I have a front loader that is able to handle it (has heavy duty capacity).

[Moose72]

I suppose that means to be careful with it because I'll be going to the laundromat. . (top loader)

How did you hear about weighted blankets? I saw an ad. On Facebook. Who know why I clicked it but then the more I learned about them the more I wanted one. They say it's similar to the lead apron they put over you during x-rays at the dentist.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm an occupational therapist and they were invented by OTs working with kids. I worked with adults so didn't have a ton of experience with them. I worked with adult psychiatric patients who were in long-term care and tried one with one of those patients and had amazing results. So I used them more and more and it worked so well I tried it on myself.

[Moose72]

That's a great story!

Can you use them too much- should I only use it when anxious or maybe hypo manic?

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I use mine all the time. When hypomanic or depressed I don't want to leave the safety. I don't think you can overdo it. I wrap up in one on the couch sometimes too.

[Moose72]

Nice. I think I'll be glad I ordered one! Had I not completed two bipolar studies this week I probably wouldn'tve spent the money. (They aren't cheap!)

[Moose72]

This would've been good to have when I lived with my mom and was anxious a lot. Not that I'm never anxious now but the volume is turned down on it. My anxiety is much reduced lately but if I feel it coming on- like with this latest episode with my dad in the hospital- I'll for sure go to my blanket.

[Moose72]

I just read that the blankets get your brain to produce serotonin and then melatonin- feel good then sleepy.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

They increase your body's awareness of where it is in space which is calming. I really hope yours works as well for you as mine does for me. It's one of my best coping things.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow

They increase your body's awareness of where it is in space which is calming. I really hope yours works as well for you as mine does for me. It's one of my best coping things.

I can't wait to try it out. I'm going to get a shower, put on PJs, and wrap up in it. Why wait for stress? I really hope mine works that well too!

[Wander]

In winter I use a goose-down weighted quilt for my bed. It is so comforting and definitely helps when depressed. I feel so safe and warm under there. It is my refuge. Now it is summer I can't use it and miss it dearly.

[usehername]

Originally Posted by Phoenix_1

My daughter made one for my granddaughter. She had elipepsy and cerebral palsy and it calmed her so she could sleep. I've never heard it used for BP. I've always liked heavy bed covers. I get really warm at night though, so is it very warm? Where did you get it?

One of the MHPs where I work suggested it for my daughter during manic periods because she lies in bed crying all night because she can't sleep... I'm not sure where she got the idea, but I thought maybe it would help. We use a heavy one, but not that heavy yet.