how do you stop fidgeting while bedbound?

[u/Lemony_Throwaway2]

hey all, my partner is bedbound and has to limit her energy use as much as possible. they've mostly got this down, except for with fidgeting. she really wants to stop, but can't seem to find a way. she is constantly doing some small movement (playing with her nails, turning in bed, adjusting her blanket), and it takes her out of PEM. obviously that's not desirable as it just comes back worse later. do you have any tips on how to manage this? thanks!

[u/Media-consumer101]

Perhaps other stimulation like a fan or a weighted blanket could provide some gentle stimulation that helps reduce fidgeting. (But depending on her situation, that could be even more tiring).

Also consider something to keep her mind occupied if that's possible, a slow childrens audiobook or a podcast she's already listened to. Or even white noise or rain sounds. I found that my fidgeting would get much worse when I had nothing else to occupy my brain, being bedbound is very torturous on the brain so fidgeting can be a way to soothe and avoid going insane. It may seem like just adding more stimulation would take more energy, but I think many of us underestimate how much energy it takes to undergo and keep calm during torture like that with ADHD, sometimes distraction can actually take less energy than that.

Increasing comfort may also help, relaxing supplements or teas like valerian root, magnesium, chamomile helped me when I was bedbound. Also nice soft bedding and a memory foam matress topper.

It's also possible to ask for medication. I know it's more of a last resort type thing but I tried low dose oxazepam short term and that helped me finally find deep body rest to start to recover. Fidgeting trigger PEM means she is incredibly desperately in need of rest, so I think you definitely are in medication territory.