Considering buying a weighted blanket

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Smpl Mnmlst
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#2556096 3-Sep-2020 06:51

@snnet That’s a very interesting story thanks. I guess it’s money well-spent on the machine and it may be a bit annoying to wear - but all to the good because my understanding is that serious sleep apnoea can be life-threatening.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

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#2556100 3-Sep-2020 06:57

eracode:

@snnet That’s a very interesting story thanks. I guess it’s money well-spent on the machine and it may be a bit annoying to wear - but all to the good because my understanding is that serious sleep apnoea can be life-threatening.

Absolutely - I was just miffed at the googling a bit haha

After follow up appointments with other sleep physiologists they've mentioned seeing previous patients in the street at shops etc, patients turn tail when they see them because they haven't kept up with their treatment, one of the doctors told me that some of the patients she had treated had died of things like brain aneurysms (though she couldn't specifically say that sleep apnea had caused this, she did reiterate the stress it puts on the body), heart attacks, strokes... not a pleasant thought!

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#2556111 3-Sep-2020 07:55

I've used a CPAP machine for the last 9 years. I went undiagnosed for the longest time but as soon as I started using the CPAP machine my sleep quality improved 1000%, now I never sleep without it.

It's worth experimenting with different types of mask as some are better than others. I use a nasal pillows mask which I find very comfortable, I barely notice I'm wearing it.

I've found buying the equipment in NZ is very expensive. I've just bought a new CPAP online from the US just this year and even taking into account the exchange rate as well as freight and GST it was still half the price of the same machine in NZ. There are several good forums you can join who will help you with setting the machine up if you need it.

Feel free to PM me if you want more details.

tripp

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#2556115 3-Sep-2020 08:21

I got one a couple of months ago.

I normally sleep hot and during winter i had 4 big blankets on the bed which would normally mean i over heated during the night, throw the extras off and then wake up cold.

I got a 9kg weighted blanket. Now i sleep with a sheet, weighted blanket and summer duvet and have a lot better sleep. I was lucky at the time as i got it for around $80 when they normal sell for $170.

This is the one i got

https://www.spotlightstores.com/nz/bed/bedding/throws-blankets/koo-elite-weighted-blanket/80477078

Lias

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#2556268 3-Sep-2020 11:39

I've been on a CPAP for about 8 years now, and know from bitter experience that I need it to have any semblance of normal sleep. Even with it my OSA is bad enough that for the last few years I've been taking Modafinil daily to combat the daytime sleepiness. My son who has ASD has a weight blanket but I'd never thought of trying one as a general sleeping aid for me.. Might have to go buy one.

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Handle9

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#2556678 4-Sep-2020 04:12

networkn:

May I ask, if it's not too personal (even PM is fine) what you did to "solve" your issue?

As others have said CPAP is the normal treatment but there are some other treatment methods that get prescribed. They aren't generally that effective. Basically CPAP pressurises your airway so it doesn't collapse. Too much pressure is very unpleasent, not enough it doesn't work.

I started my career working for F&P Healthcare developing their auto-titrating CPAP machines. When you watch with sleep apnea someone do a sleep study it's amazing and disturbing at the same time. Watching the EKG and O2 saturation of someone with sleep apnea is truly scary. Many never even get to stage 3 sleep let alone REM. If they have a properly titrated CPAP all of a sudden they sleep properly.

They can be a pain to make comfortable for people. Noise, pressure, the hoses, the interfaces, they are all very personal. There are a few different interface methods, full face mask, nasal pillow, mouth masks and nose masks. Combining that with humidification can help a lot.

One of the key ways that people get diagnosed is falling asleep at the wheel. It happens far more than you might think.

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#2556679 4-Sep-2020 04:12

Lias:

I've been on a CPAP for about 8 years now, and know from bitter experience that I need it to have any semblance of normal sleep. Even with it my OSA is bad enough that for the last few years I've been taking Modafinil daily to combat the daytime sleepiness. My son who has ASD has a weight blanket but I'd never thought of trying one as a general sleeping aid for me.. Might have to go buy one.

When was the last time you were titrated? Your pressure might need to go up.

snnet

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#2556680 4-Sep-2020 04:34

Handle9:

As others have said CPAP is the normal treatment but there are some other treatment methods that get prescribed. They aren't generally that effective. Basically CPAP pressurises your airway so it doesn't collapse. Too much pressure is very unpleasent, not enough it doesn't work.

I started my career working for F&P Healthcare developing their auto-titrating CPAP machines. When you watch with sleep apnea someone do a sleep study it's amazing and disturbing at the same time. Watching the EKG and O2 saturation of someone with sleep apnea is truly scary. Many never even get to stage 3 sleep let alone REM. If they have a properly titrated CPAP all of a sudden they sleep properly.

They can be a pain to make comfortable for people. Noise, pressure, the hoses, the interfaces, they are all very personal. There are a few different interface methods, full face mask, nasal pillow, mouth masks and nose masks. Combining that with humidification can help a lot.

One of the key ways that people get diagnosed is falling asleep at the wheel. It happens far more than you might think.

Yes- I can relate to being extremely tired at the wheel. What made me force the issue with my doctor was when I actually did doze on my way home, thankfully on a (at the time) deserted section of straight road - I came to driving along some very rough gravel on the left side - big wake up call. Definitely didn't want to be responsible for hurting anyone else.

Just prior to this time, I had previously been so exhausted that on my way home from work I stopped at my local shops about two minutes drive from my house and slept for hours. I intended to go INTO the shops but I just couldn't. I remember hearing people comment in the car park at certain points of time about me being asleep in my car

Close to this time I had come home and woke to my neighbour shaking me because I had been sitting in my car for over 2 hours with my foot on the brake (so the brake lights were on), his wife had noticed I was still in there - he asked if I was drunk lol (I rarely drink, never really have)

I had gone to my doctor probably 5-6 months prior to get him to refer me but apparently the referral didn't make it to the sleep clinic and I just sort of gave up and carried on.

When going over my initial results, the sleep physiologist was surprised I was conscious with the level of CO2 buildup in my body (which using the CPAP machine over time helped to decrease to normal levels). I remember constant headaches beforehand.

The humidification definitely helps get a more comfortable sleep. I tried a nasal pillow mask initially but it just wasn't for me, but I see they have been making improvements to masks to make it easier to read etc just before bed with the mask on - this is my only real flaw with using the CPAP, it's too easy to fall asleep without the mask on.

Just remembering dreams again after about 5 years was surreal

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#2556681 4-Sep-2020 04:41

Lias:

I've been on a CPAP for about 8 years now, and know from bitter experience that I need it to have any semblance of normal sleep. Even with it my OSA is bad enough that for the last few years I've been taking Modafinil daily to combat the daytime sleepiness. My son who has ASD has a weight blanket but I'd never thought of trying one as a general sleeping aid for me.. Might have to go buy one.

I still get quite tired during the day, in fact when I was told that I wouldn't know myself once my treatment started I was sort of disappointed because I didn't feel as great as they were saying I would. Maybe I expected too much. But I don't fall asleep uncontrollably anymore. My last appointment the physiologist adjusted my machine to ramp up to a higher level if needed but when I've read the machine reports it never seems to need to go that high

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#2556710 4-Sep-2020 08:40

I didn't even know 'weighted blankets' were a thing until reading this thread.

I'm a very light sleeper and sleep 2-3 hours at a stretch at any time. I always wake between 2-4 am, sometimes I fall asleep again quite quickly, other times I remain awake until getting up. On these days, even though I feel cr*p in the morning, I've learned that I can function ok, so I don't tend to stress so about not sleeping nowadays whereas in the early days I did. Actually, by not stressing about lack of sleep, my incidences of early morning insomnia have reduced dramatically.

I've always preferred lighter feather duvets over heavy blankets, but am thinking about giving a weighted blanket whirl since reading this thread. I've tried to find information on the web on the effectiveness of these (gimmick or not) but hard to find genuine comment outside of the endless disguised infomercials.

So will keep following this thread with interest - interested to hear people's experiences, plus recommendations for good quality blankets.

jonathan18

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#2556732 4-Sep-2020 09:17

I've been keen for a while on getting one for my son, who seems to like heavy bedding and isn't a great sleeper; the problem has been finding local stock to at least trial the overall weight of them before buying.

Thanks for the post earlier pointing out that Spotlight sells them (but annoyingly none available at my local store...).

I also note B,B & B sell them, but again not in stock at my local store. Also seems to have a fairly high polyester count (https://www.bedbathandbeyond.co.nz/bedroom/blankets/BL0161/Ardor-Weighted-Blanket.html).

Are there any other main street retailers that stock them? I've tried the obvious ones like Briscoes and Farmers.

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kiwifidget

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#2556733 4-Sep-2020 09:18

How do you get diagnosed with sleep apnea?

Do you have to start with your GP for a referral or can you just book directly with the sleep people (whoever they are)?

I think Himself has it. He snores loudly, often stops breathing during the night, and every time he sits down he falls asleep (though never in the car or at the dinner table!). I go to the movies by myself, its a waste of money taking him too. When we have people round or are at friend's places, he will fall asleep.

I read with interest snnet's comment about headaches, as Himself gets these a lot too.

Of course, he says I'm being dramatic.

Should I be more persistent?

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mdf

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#2556740 4-Sep-2020 09:40

I have obstructive sleep apnoea too and have been on a CPAP machine for a few years. I was partially asymptomatic - I didn't actually feel at all tired during the day, but did snore. I did some testing more to make Mrs MDF happy, but the OSA was revealed as part of that.

GP is your first stop for a referral. There are several sleep clinics around, though perhaps of variable quality. I certainly did not like my initial consultant who seemed only too happy to tell me all about the negative health implications that were imminent if I didn't buy a CPAP machine. Others I know have seen the same guy though and have a bit more of a positive impression so that might be just me. The sleep clinic will likely send you a portable monitor as a first step. This clips on to your finger while you sleep and measures blood oxygen saturation by counting red blood cells (I think). If that reveals concerns, they may get you to try a CPAP machine or else send you to a super specialist place for a diagnostic polysomnography - you go to sleep with lots of wires attached to you.

I don't like wearing the CPAP machine but do so and have now gotten used to it. It is actually a bit of a sleep cue and I can usually fall asleep wearing it pretty quickly. You do need to find a mask that suits you though. I have a full face mask, I couldn't stand the nasal pillow. Humidity is a bit of a constant battle.

My 2cents, it is worth getting the bluetooth enabled models. These give you some basic statistics (fitness tracker style) about how you're doing. Getting the stats "right" (some up, some down) does seem to be a motivator for me.

Finally, this is absolutely the sort of thing your insurance providers will want to know about.

On to the actual topic, I've looked in to weighted blankets too. As I understand it, they were initially developed for kids that benefited from the extra closeness of a weighted blanket (like swaddling a baby). I have one child that loves having the sheets tucked in as tight as possible and have been meaning to get one for her to try for ages.

Unlike duvet's, they're weighted with (usually) glass beads which don't actually add to the insulation of the blanket. You use them for comfort, not for warmth. You'd probably get a similar effect from a dozen blankets, but might not to manage a full night sleep without melting.

kiwifidget

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#2556790 4-Sep-2020 09:53

thx @mdf

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snnet

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#2556881 4-Sep-2020 11:28

kiwifidget:

How do you get diagnosed with sleep apnea?

Do you have to start with your GP for a referral or can you just book directly with the sleep people (whoever they are)?

I think Himself has it. He snores loudly, often stops breathing during the night, and every time he sits down he falls asleep (though never in the car or at the dinner table!). I go to the movies by myself, its a waste of money taking him too. When we have people round or are at friend's places, he will fall asleep.

I read with interest snnet's comment about headaches, as Himself gets these a lot too.

Of course, he says I'm being dramatic.

Should I be more persistent?

I was told I had to get a referral from my doctor for it, but you might have better luck? I went to the NZ Respiratory and Sleep Institute (www.nzrsi.co.nz)

The doctor's appointment for it was just general quizzing and a quick verbal test ("from 1-10 how likely are you to fall asleep just by sitting down") - you could probably google this test like my doctor and sleep physiologist did and quiz him yourself with it. At the end the scores are added up and there's a guide to how likely it is to be the case.

I don't know if they were using scare tactics with me but it can lead to serious proven medical problems including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, heart attack etc, along with other ones as a result of fatigue like car accidents, falling, etc- and some unproven (though the cause is difficult to prove anyway in any circumstance) such as a brain aneurysm. Stopping breathing like that puts incredible stress on your body, I couldn't cough during the day without my abdominal area hurting all the time. They have a motto "never ignore a snore". I'm not a doctor but from what you've said it sounds like a case of OSA.

Re the stats, I have a ResMed machine which has a built in modem and uses Vodafone's 4G network to transmit results (there is no extra charge for this) an hour after being finished used with. I then view these results on an app on my phone, or on their web site. You can get more complex information from the machine's SD card when loaded into the software too.

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