9 replies to this topic

[Irenec]

Does anyone use an electric blanket, or electric heat pad? What type do you use? My husband C5/6 and his thermostat is getting worse. He wakes up during the night feeling cold. We have a really warm duvet but he is still cold.
Are under blankets ok to use?
When hes up if he gets cold he starts to sweat, then gets colder as his clothes are wet through.
Does thisget worse as you get older?

Edited by Irenec, 06 January 2012 - 04:45 PM.

[greybeard]

I sympathise with your husband but if he is getting as wet as that, using any type of electric pad or blanket would be a very bad idea. Water, especially with added salt such as perspiration, and electricity, do not go well together! Any slight break in the electrical insulation could prove as fatal as this .

Hot water bottles or those microwavable pads would seem to be the only safe alternative.

[kim wright]

i bought a heated quilt from argos.
you put it in a quilt cover just like a normal quilt.
for a double it costs about £100 and worth every penny .
it has duel control so the temp can be different on each side.
you can either have it on all night or set it to go off in 90mins.
best money i spent it is great .
you just need to be aware of the parts of your body that can not feel heat .
i have had mine 18 months with no problem.
also it is fully washable which is a bonus.
the temp of the quilt can be adjusted according to how cold it is .

Edited by kim wright, 06 January 2012 - 04:44 PM.

[Apparelyzed]

Quote

When hes up if he gets cold he starts to sweat, then gets colder as his clothes are wet trough.

This sounds more like autonomic dysreflexia, as a C5/6, it's very unusual for a quadriplegic to sweat due to an increase or decrease in body temperature.

It's more likely that he's getting cold because he's sweating, and the sweating is being caused by some other stimulus below his injury.

When was he last checked for bladder stones etc?

Is his wheelchair cushion ok, is the upholstery on his wheelchair causing postural issues?

It may be worth checking that line of enquiry out.

Simon

[Irenec]

Apparelyzed, on 06 January 2012 - 04:50 PM, said:

Quote

When hes up if he gets cold he starts to sweat, then gets colder as his clothes are wet trough.

This sounds more like autonomic dysreflexia, as a C5/6, it's very unusual for a quadriplegic to sweat due to an increase or decrease in body temperature.

It's more likely that he's getting cold because he's sweating, and the sweating is being caused by some other stimulus below his injury.

When was he last checked for bladder stones etc?

Is his wheelchair cushion ok, is the upholstery on his wheelchair causing postural issues?

It may be worth checking that line of enquiry out.

Simon

He is having ultra sound on Monday. Will that show up stones?

[Apparelyzed]

Ask if he can be checked specifically for kidney and bladder stones.

Usually a simple abdominal X-Ray called a KUB (Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder) is done in a full check up to check for kidney, gall and bladder stones. A KUB can also check for constipation.

If any of these conditions are found, it could be the cause of the sweating.

Simon.

[kathy.k]

I agree with Simon also check to see if he has any spots on his feet. My husband (C4-5) was having some sweating and we found a small spot on the bottom of his foot where his shoe had rubbed a little blister. He went without his shoe for a few days and the sweating was gone. Also he gets cold when he first gets into bed at night but is comfortable in the chair during the day. We purchased a matress warmer and I turn it on before we get ready for bed so far that has helped. Good luck at the Dr.

Kathy

[Ches]

I use an electric blanket, constantly.. it goes from couch to bed and back with me. I use it on top of my covers in bed..its got a 2 hour timer on it so by the time I'm cozy and Zzzz its turning itself off. I wake up burning up hours later and have to throw the blanket off, sometimes some clothes come off with it..and I shift positions to ensure I wont stay clammy from pressure. Worst part is that damp spot that's left from being so hot.. I have another throw on the bed (not electric) that I end up laying on at times.

[The Black Sheep]

I use an electric blanket every night, but I don't know if I can really offer any advice, as I can tell when something below my injury is bothering me. It does help warm my feet and legs, but I always use it on a low setting or inbetween blankets so it's not directly on the skin. Some blankets have timers, too, so it could be used to heat him up before bed, but shut down before it causes too much sweating. (If that's indeed what's causing the sweating)

About 9 years ago I started using a small heating pad that got really hot. I woke up to sweating and twitching because the pad had was on my bare skin and caused a third degree burn. Since then I always have any kind of heating pad or blanket inbetween blankets so nothing is right on the skin.

[goose]

The sweating sounds like AD to me too.

I have sweated from having too many layers around my neck. I have a quartz heater that's wonderful and helps dry up the sweats. It makes me hot at times which is a good problem in the winter time.


I also have an electric blanket that I sandwich between my other cover. I sleep in the nude to prevent having to worry about PJs bunching up or getting damp from the sweats.

I use a sheet, thin blanket, electric blanket then another sheet (this sheet is to protect electric blanket from my dogs) I keep it on low which doesn't overheat you but helps you build up body heat for the remainder of the day. Mine is programmable but any setting over low and I get too hot. My blanket is made by Sunbeam and is light weight, VERY soft and cozy.