My patients are the best! Sometimes they tell me about a product that they love, and I want to share it with others. Have you heard about the weighted blankets? I know they are often used on pets and on babies, but hey, adults are using them too. Why would you want to use one? Here are some of the symptoms that the blankets claim to help: anxiety, panic attacks, stress and tension, insomnia, hot flashes, PTSD, restless leg syndrome, symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, ADD, ADHD, autism, any sensory disorder.
I don’t know how much they would help. I know my patient said it has helped her hot flashes. And if you have ever had a hot flash, you would grab that weighted blanket in a hot minute. It seems so counter-intuitive that you would use a blanket when you have a hot flash, but she says it works. Don’t try to take away her blanket!
I have a gold standard way of assessing whether I think something is worth trying. If you don’t have to swallow it (you know I’m very particular in that regard), and it won’t hurt you, why not try it. A blanket won’t hurt you. And if it has the possibility of helping, that is fabulous. I’ll let you in on a secret: my patient ordered her blanket from weightingcomforts.com. I have no connection with the company, but if you have any of the symptoms above, and try it, please let me know how you like it!
My daughter – in her 3rd year at Purdue vet school – LOVES hers. She says her quality of sleep has improved dramatically.