Lower back pain is long gone!
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Well, my right lower back pain is GONE! I just had my hysterectomy/oopherectomy/pelvic repair on Monday. Came home yesterday. The back pain was gone immediately. Docs said the cyst had grown to about the size of a grapefruit and were amazed it didn't hurt more. Hurray! Now I just have the post surgery pain to contend with for awhile. I can handle that as long as it finally goes away! I had ordered the 2" 4 lbs. memory foam topper from Sleepwarehouse which is due to arrive anyday. Since I can't lift anything over 10 lbs. I may have to wait before trying it out on my mattress. In the meantime, before my surgery, I tweaked my toppers around a bit. I still have the 1" 32 ILD latex. But I added the softer, Overstock 1" latex topper over that and finally the comfy Cuddle Bed fiber bed type topper. So far, so good. But I'm still curious to see how a 2" memory foam topper feels in comparison to my cheap 1" memory foam. Not sure if I'll stick that under my latex. I WILL get rid of the softer latex, though. Or if I'll put the memory foam directly under the Cuddle Bed. I heard it's nice under a firm latex topper. The sofness of the memory foam and the conforming support of the latex underneath. We'll see! |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
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I'm keepin' the plywood. :) Aside from the right-sided back pain due to the cyst, I was having other lower back issues, too. I know for a fact that the LuraFlex springs were causing that area of my mattress to "sink" in just enough to bother my back. Ever since putting the plywood on, that part of my back felt better. Once I knw the origin of my right lower back discomfort, I knew it was only a matter of time when it would be taken care of. So, no, I don't plan on removing the very thin "door skin" plywood. Both my husband and I love that it's firm and that we can add or subtract different layers of toppers to make it feel "just right". I honestly don't know if the coils are still "working" or if the 1/8" sheet of plywood is essentially acting as a platform, negating the flexibility of the springs. Either way, it feels good the way it is now. Thanks haysdb for your well wishes. I'm doing AMAZINGLY well post op! I can hardly believe that a little over a week ago I was in surgery. Must be my "dreamy bed"! :-) haysdb wrote: Me too. I have (privately until now) thought this was a little whack. ;-) Hey, I'm pragmatic. Whatever works. It just seems a bit...extreme. :-)<BR><BR>I too am pleased that you are better. I don't know you personally, but this is a "community" and I care. Cloud9 asked: I'm especially curious to see if you will even need the plywood anymore or if the Luraflex coils are fine all by themselves. |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
| great to hear that you are doing so well! ENjoy that backpain free sleeping and continue to recover well! |
Normal aches and pains...
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I think as some of us start to "mature" (I hate to say "get older":)....there are bound to be times when we'll wake up with some back pain or other area of our body hurting. I think that's particular true of someone who is out of shape and overweight. That would be me! BUT, not by a lot, mind you. However, I do know that when I'm exercising more regularly and I keep my weight down to something more ideal, I DO feel better when I'm sleeping. So, even though my bed feels close to perfect now, that's not to say that I won't wake up with aches and pains on occasion. Or maybe I'll sleep so soundly in one position, I'll notice certain body parts are a bit stiff or numb. I can consider that all a part of the aging process and not necessarily the fault of the mattress or comfort layers. I just need to remember and do MY part and try to keep as fit as I can....and cut down on the late night snacks. :-) Otherwise, I'll just figure on having stiff joints now and again. My primary concern is that the pain doesn't last ALL DAY--everyday. confusedbedbug wrote: great to hear that you are doing so well! ENjoy that backpain free sleeping and continue to recover well! |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
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BeddyBye wrote: I don't plan on removing the very thin "door skin" plywood. Both my husband and I love that it's firm and that we can add or subtract different layers of toppers to make it feel "just right". I honestly don't know if the coils are still "working" or if the 1/8" sheet of plywood is essentially acting as a platform, negating the flexibility of the springs. Either way, it feels good the way it is now. I'm really intrigued by this idea. At some point down the line when I no longer have anything to lose I plan to deconstruct my mattress and replace the PU foam. I still think there is too much of the wrong kind of foam negating the rigid support of the innerspring. The mattress is supposed to have a heavy duty coil unit with a reinforced lumbar support, but who knows what's really under the hood? If it turns out that the innerspring itself just isn't rigid enough to suit me that 1/8" plywood sounds really promising. I think that at that 1/8" it still provides a bit of flexability over the springs that a thicker board probably would not have, but enough rigidity over all to act as a nice firm base over which to layer some HR foam and my 2" 4lb visco without feeling like I'm sleeping on the floor. I amost can't wait! I came to the conclusion long ago that no mattress can cure the aches and pains that come with ageing, but the wrong mattress can certainly make them feel a whole lot worse. Nothing we can do about getting older. But we may as well be comfortable while we're getting there! Once again, glad you're feeling better. |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
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I think the keyword here is: Flexibility. I think you're right that the 1/8" flexible door skin plywood is just enough to make it firmer, and yet not so rigid to make it feel like a rock. When I thought I would try it with the 1/4 and 1/2" sheets of plywood, as soon as I layed each piece down, I knew immediately that it was going to be way too rigid. I didn't even replace the foam over it and zip up the mattress. I just knew it wouldn't work. So now I have a nice, rigid board under the garbage cans outside! :) The other piece is sitting in the garage. So, yes, for now, I think the 1/8 thinner, more pliable plywood seems to have captured the sweet spot. What's nice is how we can build a softer bed from there...or subtract layers if we really like the firmer feel. Right now I'm preferring softer. But the beauty is knowing that no matter how soft we make it on top, the base is still firm...not threatening to "sink in" like the more conforming coils were doing (in the are where my heavier rear end lay). You might give it a try! It's certainly an inexpensive solution! cloud9 wrote: I'm really intrigued by this idea. At some point down the line when I no longer have anything to lose I plan to deconstruct my mattress and replace the PU foam. I still think there is too much of the wrong kind of foam negating the rigid support of the innerspring. The mattress is supposed to have a heavy duty coil unit with a reinforced lumbar support, but who knows what's really under the hood? If it turns out that the innerspring itself just isn't rigid enough to suit me that 1/8" plywood sounds really promising. I think that at that 1/8" it still provides a bit of flexability over the springs that a thicker board probably would not have, but enough rigidity over all to act as a nice firm base over which to layer some HR foam and my 2" 4lb visco without feeling like I'm sleeping on the floor. I amost can't wait!</p><p>I came to the conclusion long ago that no mattress can cure the aches and pains that come with ageing, but the wrong mattress can certainly make them feel a whole lot worse. Nothing we can do about getting older. But we may as well be comfortable while we're getting there!</p><p>Once again, glad you're feeling better. |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
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In a conventional mattress there is a layer of fiber mat laid on top of the coils. This keeps the softer materials above, which was typically cotton in the old days, from pushing down between the springs. But it also makes the bed feel more firm than if it was just a sheet of something very thin. One trick the custom mattress makers do is add a second layer of this fiber mat. It makes the mattress feel much more firm, but still allows the individual coils to work. It saves them from having to stock a firmer coil unit and gives them flexibility to fine-tune the firmness. Of course, you would have to get this from a custom mattress shop, but they have this stuff in huge rolls and I'm sure it can't be that expensive. And of course, not every community has a custom mattress shop. I just question how "flexible" door skin is. I took two closet doors apart one time and reskinned them, so I know what's inside a hollow core door, and how rigid such a thin sheet of wood can be. The doors I opened up had nothing more than a lattice or honeycomb arrangement composed of cardboard keeping the two skins apart. The first wood slat foundation I bought had slats spaced 5" apart with nothing but a layer of cardboard on the top, but this made it supportive enough for my heavy latex mattress. When you lay that door skin, which isn't going to stretch, on top of an innerspring, all you are left with is a "foundation". A big shock absorber. It's comfortable for you and that's all that matters, but unless you need a VERY firm mattress, the use of something more "accommodating" would be a preferred solution. IMO! |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
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There is a fiber mat on top of the coils already. It came that way from my mattress-builder. As for the 1/8" door skin, it's fairly "bendable". Not as rigid as the next thicknesses up. I know because I bought those, too, as I mentioned. In fact, the reason I bought those later was because I was concerned the door skin might be TOO flexible and sink in. But, so far, so good. I'll see how it goes with this configuration! haysdb wrote: In a conventional mattress there is a layer of fiber mat laid on top of the coils. This keeps the softer materials above, which was typically cotton in the old days, from pushing down between the springs. But it also makes the bed feel more firm than if it was just a sheet of something very thin. One trick the custom mattress makers do is add a second layer of this fiber mat. It makes the mattress feel much more firm, but still allows the individual coils to work. It saves them from having to stock a firmer coil unit and gives them flexibility to fine-tune the firmness. Of course, you would have to get this from a custom mattress shop, but they have this stuff in huge rolls and I'm sure it can't be that expensive. And of course, not every community has a custom mattress shop.<BR><BR>I just question how "flexible" door skin is. I took two closet doors apart one time and reskinned them, so I know what's inside a hollow core door, and how rigid such a thin sheet of wood can be. The doors I opened up had nothing more than a lattice or honeycomb arrangement composed of cardboard keeping the two skins apart. The first wood slat foundation I bought had slats spaced 5" apart with nothing but a layer of cardboard on the top, but this made it supportive enough for my heavy latex mattress. When you lay that door skin, which isn't going to stretch, on top of an innerspring, all you are left with is a "foundation". A big shock absorber.<BR><BR>It's comfortable for you and that's all that matters, but unless you need a VERY firm mattress, the use of something more "accommodating" would be a preferred solution. IMO! |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
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haysdb wrote: In a conventional mattress there is a layer of fiber mat laid on top of the coils. This keeps the softer materials above, which was typically cotton in the old days, from pushing down between the springs. But it also makes the bed feel more firm than if it was just a sheet of something very thin. One trick the custom mattress makers do is add a second layer of this fiber mat. It makes the mattress feel much more firm, but still allows the individual coils to work. What intrigues me about what BeddyBye has done with the thin plywood is that she's not just achieving firmness but rigidity. For some of us that's the key factor. For instance my mattress as it stands is very firm. I just don't think it's quite rigid enough. It may be the convoluted PU foam layers. I was told this particular mattress had more precompressed material in it than a plush, so it may very well have 2 layers of fiber mat in there already. I won't really know until I take the thing apart and look inside and that won't be for some time to come because the mattress is only five months old and hasn't started sagging yet. When I do disassemble it and replace it with my own foam layers I'll know at once whether it was the PU foam or the spring unit itself which wasn't rigid enough for me. If the PU foam is to blame then my problem will be solved. On the other hand if it's the coil unit, then I have a feeling the 1/8" plywood between the springs and the new foam layers may do the trick. For awhile I was sleeping on about 3" of 35 IL:D HR foam under 1" of eggcrate foam and 2" of 4lb memory foam placed directly on a foundation that must be very much like the one Hays had--just slats covered with cardboard and some padded material. Now that was rigid! It just didn't have enough give to it without a spring unit. |
Re: Lower back pain is long gone!
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The flexible slat foundation definitely gives some of that box spring feel back, and it allows the use of a thinner mattress, potentially helping to defray some of the added cost of the foundation. The clincher for me was the ability to make some areas more firm. It has allowed me to get the support I need with a softer latex. I would still like to know what a super-firm bottom layer would feel like, but I'm not bottoming out or sinking in too far, and feel well supported. I am really happy with mine. Sorry, kind of wondered a bit off topic. This message was modified Oct 20, 2007 by haysdb
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Re: 1/8" plywood over springs--Cloud9
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You're right. Without any comfort layers that sucker is MORE than firm! No sinking or swaying goin' on, that's for sure. And, that's exactly the feel I was striving for. HOWEVER, if I hadn't been able to soften it up with the various foams and fiber/featherbeds, it would be a no-go. It's not my goal to bottom out on this rigid bed. But, I DO want the reassurance that my springs aren't so comforming that I can feel my hips sinking in, hence hurting my lower back. I'm counting the days when I can (gently) tear open that box with the Sleepwarehouse 2" 4 lbs. memory foam topper and be able to LIFT it. I'm going to try a few configurations with it. I also found an excellent clearance price on a King featherbed from Mervyn's dept. store. I figure for the price, even if I don't like it, I can always use it somewhere else. I also have the luxurious down alternative fiberbed which I want to try at some point. Too many toppers, not enough time! Or I could stack them all at once and use a ladder to get into bed like the Princess and the Pea. :) Lindsay cloud9 wrote: What intrigues me about what BeddyBye has done with the thin plywood is that she's not just achieving firmness but <em>rigidity</em>. For some of us that's the key factor. For instance my mattress as it stands is very firm. I just don't think it's quite rigid enough. It may be the convoluted PU foam layers. I was told this particular mattress had more precompressed material in it than a plush, so it may very well have 2 layers of fiber mat in there already. I won't really know until I take the thing apart and look inside and that won't be for some time to come because the mattress is only five months old and hasn't started sagging yet. When I do disassemble it and replace it with my own foam layers I'll know at once whether it was the PU foam or the spring unit itself which wasn't rigid enough for me. If the PU foam is to blame then my problem will be solved. On the other hand if it's the coil unit, then I have a feeling the 1/8" plywood between the springs and the new foam layers may do the trick. For awhile I was sleeping on about 3" of 35 IL:D HR foam under 1" of eggcrate foam and 2" of 4lb memory foam placed directly on a foundation that must be very much like the one Hays had--just slats covered with cardboard and some padded material. Now that was rigid! It just didn't have enough give to it without a spring unit. |