Mattress Forum

I can't totally picture it, but is your arm bent at the elbow as well, so pillow is on your forearm and then your head on the pillow?  I tried to replicate that, but it is hard on my shoulder.

If that is the case, then you arm would be elevating the pillow so you might actually need a thinner one. 

Did this problem occur with your old mattress?   Is the new one firmer?

Are you okay other than the neck with the Aerus?   If so, then maybe focus on the pillow to see if that can solve the neck issue.

I am testing the Aerus as well.  I find it comfortable, but possibly too soft & thick of a combination.  So, I have not totally made up my mind about it either. 

Sandman - I have been using cheap pillows (likely cotton) that are mostly medium firmness.  Since they are cheap, they're lumpy too.  I know I need to invest in a good pillow, but don't really know what kind to get.  I have dust allergies so latex is appealing.  I sleep with my arm fully extended toward my headboard - kind of pointing in the same direction of my spine.  So, my arm is basically fully stretched out like I am reaching for my headboard.  I am sure this adds loft to my pillow, so you're probably correct in suggesting a thinner one.  Do you recommend any type of thin latex pillow?

I never really noticed any neck pain with my old mattress, and I think it was slightly softer but couldn't be 100% sure.  They are both considered luxury/pillowtop firm.

Other than the neck pain and trying to get used to the sensation of sinking in, the Aerus seems to be working okay.  I agree with you in that the 5lb is almost too soft, though.  What do you think about using 1" 21ILD Celsion on top of 1" of Aerus 4lb or 5lb?  I may try the Aerus 2.5" 5lb with the Celsion since I already have the Aerus, once the Celsion arrives.  Do you recommend the Aerus on top of the Celsion, or vice versa?

 Also, if your whole body sinks in more, then you also tend to need a thinner pillow.   However, with your arm position I am not sure how much this would be a factor.   Sometimes though, if just your hips are sinking in more and your shoulder is not, then your spine can angle upwards and this might require a thicker pillow (to keep your neck aligned with your spine).

So, fairly complicated and you may have to experiment a bit.  If you have a thinner pillow, then maybe try that first.  If that does not work go thicker. 

I use down pillows.  They are nice because they are soft and you can scrunch them up (or not).  The main downside is that they do flatten out a bit over night, so they can end up too thin by morning.  I also adjust the firmness a bit more making the pillow cover I use smaller with safety pins.

I have never been able to get use to a latex or memory foam pillows.  They always seem to hard to me.  Also, they can have a bit of smell.  That bothered me with a blended latex pillow I tried.   One nice feature is that it was shreaded latex, and you could take some out to adjust the thickness.  That might be good in your situation.

As far as I know, there is no 1" 4lb or 5lb Aerus Available.  That is a shame.  The closest to 1" 4lb. might be the Mem-cool on overstock.com.   There is 1" 5lb Sensus, which is firmer, but does not breathe as well.  Choose your poison!  I have found it really hard to get the right memory foam. 

Putting the Celsion on top would make it slightly firmer than vice versa.  However, you are adding 1 more inch of total foam, so it is hard to say what the total impact will be.  I would try both ways to see which you prefer.  You can also try folding the Celsion in half to mimic having 2" (assuming you don't have a twin).  Maybe do that without the Aerus.

Did you use a topper on the old mattress?  What kind of mattress pad are you using if any?

One thing that reduces heat and makes it firmer is putting a wool topper over the Aerus in addition to the mattress pad.  I would not be able to take the sinking in feeling if I did not do it that way.   I use a 1.5" one that I bought at walmart.com.

I'm somewhat suspicious that the introduction of memory foam to your sleep surface has resulted in your pointy-parts (hip and shoulder) sinking but your head on your arm is not, causing a kink in your neck.  Quite frankly, I don't really know what to suggest...perhaps the use of the thinnest possible down pillow between head and arm, or no pillow at all (but likely the weight of your head directly on your arm would cause it to fall asleep).  I'm still having trouble envisioning your sleep position - are your really short that you don't hit the footboard?
 

It's very releaving to hear that you guys recommend down pillows, and a wool mattress protector I can purchase from Wal-Mart.com (I definately surpassed my budget after the new mattress, memory foam, and latex!).  Currently, I am using a mattress pad/protector that came with a Denver Mattress set that I ended up returning (I couldn't return the protector).  It has a very thin layer (probably less than an inch) of quilted fabric, perhaps cotton, with a liquid/dustmite barrier underneath.  I doubt it provides any support, I'm really just using it as a protector more than anything.

Regarding foam, I seem to recall seeing 1" of Aerus on Amazon.com, but don't know right off hand if it was 4lb or 5lb.  It didn't include a cover, however, I think it was around $80 - $90 for E. King.  I feel the same way Sandman does as it relates to the feel of memory foam, and prefer a firmer feel.  Perhaps I should try the 1.5" wool topper you are using.

Does anybody recommend where to buy a good down pillow, and brand?

 You are not really looking for support from a protector, but thicker ones reduce the sinking in a bit.  Yours might be just fine.

The 1.5" from walmart is a topper and not a protector.  It is not washasble, and not inexpensive (nothing filled with wool is).   That one is organic.  It is possible they have some less expensive non-oranic ones.   It does reduce the sinking in with the Aerus noticably for me when I use it in combination with a mattress pad.

I suppose it could be used with no mattress pad and maybe 2 sheets over it.  If you want just a wool filled protector, then the one at Costco is a pretty good value for wool.  It does have a waterproof membrame which might affect the breathability a bit.  No one here has really reviewed it yet.  I am not sure this would fill that different from what you currently have, if that is the issue.  Probably a bit thicker though.

I have recently bought pillows at  United Pillow.  Pretty good prices, especially if you want high fill power.  They can be a bit slow though, so you may just want to go to Bed, Bath Beyond of something like that.  Costco has 2 packs of down pillows in their stores that are pretty cheap.  I don't know how much brand matters, but higher fill power is better and more expensive.   You want 100% cotton covered as well.  I think you want to start with a fairly thin one though.
 

I think part of the problem is that with a thinner pillow or a pillow that tends to compress or is hard, then the pressure from your head onto your arm makes the problem worse. I suspect that is why a latex pillow in the other thread helped because it "gave way" on both sides and lessened the pressure (and circulation cutoff) on the arm. I would think that a down pillow or even memory foam could do the same (pressure goes through both during the night).

I think that a latex pillow would be your best option. There are many but you could do worse than one of the rejuvenites.

Phoenix

To my disappointment, I really did not even notice or feel the Celsion.  Perhaps it's not firm or thick enough?  I will fold it in half and try again tonight, however, I think 21ILD is going to be too soft, as I woke up with aching hips and ribs! 

I am a little bit confused because I thought 21ILD was a "medium" rating, however, the Latex International website lists it as "Soft"?  With latex going for around $250 / inch, does anyone know if it's possible to increase the ILD instead of the layers?  TIA.

Latex will compress rather than flow so it will not allow you to sink in as far and provides resistance and support to a much greater degree than memory foam. Even a layer of inexpensive regular polyfoam will provide more resistance in the same ILD than memory foam and will be closer in it's qualities to latex than memory foam. A thin layer of latex (or even polyfoam) on the top would also move you further away from the memory foam and this could provide better support and alignment than sleeping right on top of a memory foam layer. Memory foam tends to "keep on sinking" as it liquefies over time while other foams have a more fixed point where the compression stops ... and you will get to that point more quickly.

Phoenix

Okay, well this explains why the MF didn't work for me.  I am actuallly planning on returning the MF, and be done with it altogether.  I'm not sure I want to put the latex on top of the MF at this point because I don't like sinking in a whole lot, which was the case with the 2.5" of MF.  Would you suggest a firmer latex for support and less sinking in instead?