(no subject)

[the_rck]

I'm seriously considering getting an electric blanket. Basically, when I get into bed, I'm freezing, and I stay that way for at least an hour. It keeps me from falling asleep, especially when my feet are so cold they ache. Some nights, I use a hot water bottle, but getting that ready is a pain because it's hard to get the water hot enough to be useful. I'm also still having cold flashes, especially at night. They're apparently not thyroid related-- Both blood tests came back in the normal range. Maybe it's peri-menopause. It could be.

I hesitate to buy, though, because, by morning, I'm often too warm with my current blankets. I also hesitate because electric blankets are expensive. If I'm going to spend that much on a blanket, I want to be sure it will last for years. There are also logistical difficulties with the location of our outlets and me not being sure where I can reasonably put the controller.

Scott has suggested putting the blanket on a timer so that the power to it shuts off after an hour or so. I think we'd also have to tape the power cord to the floor so that Scott wouldn't trip on it in the dark. It's doable, but is it worthwhile for just a couple of months?

Comments

[havocthecat]

Mr. Havoc and I have an electric mattress pad, and it's one of those things we'd never have gotten for ourselves (it was a gift), but we don't want to live without it. It's especially nice for me, since I have arthritis from about the knees down, and when I get cold and stiff it's just extra hard to get warmed up. We have a variable heat setting. Maybe one of those would be good?

[the_rck]

Whatever I get, it will have to be for just my side of the bed. Scott doesn't want anything to do with it. I will consider a mattress pad as opposed to a blanket, though.

[laurajv]

We also have an electric mattress pad, and it has dual controls, so you can turn on each side individually. It also has a preheat mode, which turns it on full-blast for a half hour, then down to whatever your personal setting is; my husband often pre-heats his side and then turns it off; I have it turn itself to the lowest setting.

They're not cheap, though. I think ours was like $100? But we've had it several years (we got it before I was pregnant with my son, and he's almost 5). It's washable and has held up well.

[the_rck]

From the looking around I've done, getting a twin sized blanket is a lot cheaper than getting a king sized, and I'd be surprised if it's any different with mattress pads. I'll see what Scott thinks before I order anything.

[havocthecat]

The joy of our mattress pad is that you can choose a different heat setting for each side of the bed. Maybe that would work better than a blanket?

[the_rck]

It's possible. A blanket, though, only has to be big enough for me. Scott and I use separate blankets because what we're comfortable with is so different and because I like to cocoon and tuck the blankets under me.

[loligo]

We used to have one -- we would turn it on an hour before bedtime to preheat the bed, then turn it off when we got in. That worked really well for us. I think we had it for six or eight years before something went wrong in the wiring and it stopped working.

[the_rck]

That might work for me. I'd like to have the bed warm when I get into it.

I'm hearing uniformly good things about electric blankets in general.

[fjm.livejournal.com]

Yes it is. I gave one to Nalo Hopkinson once and she said it was the first time she'd seen her partner's head out from under the covers in winter. I get sick if I'm too cold (ie shivery and vomit).

I love mine.

Buy a double with twin controls so Scott's side can be turned off if he wants.

Turn yours on ten mins before bed, and if you want, unplug it when you get into bed. It will still do the trick. Or as you say, use the timer.

I adore mine. I don't need it when E is home (radiator body) but when I was living alone it was a life saver. It's way better than a hot water bottle.

I could carry on, but the short version is that it will completely change how you feel about getting into bed.

[the_rck]

Scott and I use different blankets at night. I like to cocoon, and our body temperatures run differently at night. We don't sleep snuggled up because I can't; it starts to hurt after about fifteen minutes and becomes agony.

The things everybody's saying about electric blankets and mattress pads is making me much more likely to buy.

[chorus-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

I would probably be dead or in a hypothermic coma without an electric blankiet. I have a full sized one on my bed with dual controls and I have a small throw (perhaps in your price range) that my short 5'4" self can just fit under. It gets VERY warm but it also has an automatic shut off after a certain length of time. I usually turn mine on about 20 minutes before going to bed, and then once I've climbed in dial it back to about 3.

[the_rck]

Thanks for the feedback. The more I hear about electric blankets and heated mattress pads, the more I think I could use one.

[chorus-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

I think I've seen the throws for about 30 bucks (a friend sent me the one I have) It's been a lifesaver this winter.

[leorising1959.livejournal.com]

Have you considered a heated mattress pad? I've had an electric blanket, and I wasn't a big fan for the reasons you cited. I think a heated mattress pad with a timer might be what I'd want. Just a thought, good luck.

[the_rck]

Other people (over on DW) have suggested a heated mattress pad, too. I'm intrigued by the idea, but I'd have to consult Scott. It would be a bigger investment than a twin blanket.

[adrian-turtle.livejournal.com]

Bunny has made it possible for me to survive a winter in this apartment. One of his clone-sibs might be able to help you.
http://www.grampasgarden.com/soft-comforts/bunny-wrap.html
It's basically a bag of millet (or something like that), and it impersonates a stuffed animal to make it nicer to have in bed. Or to wrap around your neck as a heating pad. I just shove it down under the covers to keep my feet warm for hours. You heat it in the microwave, so you don't have to worry about getting the water hot enough for a hot water bottle, or tripping over the power cord for an electric blanket. I find the cinnamon-clove scent mild and pleasant (which is pretty rare with scented anything and my head) but you could get an unscented version.

It was kind of challenging to bring myself to put a stuffed animal in the microwave. But if you can get past that bit, it's great.

[the_rck]

In the interests of domestic peace, I'd better not buy one. Scott's been promising to make me a rice pack since some time in November. We have the rice. We have the cloth (assuming we can find it). We even have a sewing machine (which I don't know how to use). Scott just needs to think of it when he has time. I think the part that will take the longest is getting the sewing machine out.

[hopeofdawn.livejournal.com]

Not to derail, but if you want a rice pack, you can make one with no sewing necessary by just filling up an old (or new) knee sock with rice and tying off the end. Works just the same, and you can empty it out and wash it whenever you feel the need (tho I never have).

You already know my opinions on electric blankets, of course. :)

[the_rck]

We'd have to buy new knee socks. I don't trust any of mine to hold rice for very long-- They're really thin. Scott's are so worn that they're near to having holes (plus, he needs them to wear).

[sorcycat.livejournal.com]

You could set up a microwavable heat pad to warm while you prep for bed, and then move it to your toes area when you get in. It's not ideal, but it's a cost effective solution. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=microwave+heat+pad&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Amicrowave+heat+pad

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Damn, lost my post. In my place I have a pad and a blanket and a timer that turns the blanket on and off. All totally worth it! (Timer cost about $ 7.)

In the big bed I often share with my partner, the pad has dual controls. For blankets there we each have our separate Benne-whatsis twin size.. This is nice because I can wrap up to my ears with mine and he can throw his all the way off.

Sunbeam stuff doesn't work as well with timers, and reviews say Benne's last longer.

[the_rck]

I haven't been able to find any brand that's called Benne. Is that actually the name?

Right now, I'm likely to end up with a Sunbeam just because that's 95% of what I can find online. My husband tried to check Consumer Reports, but they didn't have anything on electric blankets.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Sorry,. It's Bennefield or Benneford or something like that. Got it at Target store.

No, it's Biddeford.

http://www.bing.com/search?setmkt=en-US&q=biddeford+blankets

Their electric wires use different materials than Sunbeam's. Can't find a web page that explailned that.

[evalerie.livejournal.com]

In the winter I sleep in my daytime clothes, which have a ton of layers. I take off the outermost layer and sleep in the rest. It's much warmer than changing into pajamas (with the blast of cold air on skin), and the clothes are already warm, so it makes getting into bed much easier. For whatever that's worth.

[the_rck]

I occasionally nap in my daytime clothes. They're no warmer than my nightgown once I'm in bed. My feet still ache from the cold even if they were warm the minute before, and socks are no help (I've tried sleeping in warm slippers. That doesn't help either). Yesterday, I napped for two hours (actually fell asleep and dreamed). When I woke up, my feet were still freezing. They hadn't warmed up at all.

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

Makes getting out of bed easier too. ;-)

Another way to get out, is to sleep WITH next day's clothes under the covers with you.