|
I'm sleeping so good on my new latex mattress--it's been six days and I have no more back and hip pain. But I do wake up with neck pain. I didn't realize when I changed to a mattress with more give, the old latex pillow would feel too thick/firm for my neck and head placement. I think I will have to get a thinner or softer latex pillow so my head is not up quite so high. On my hard old spring mattress, my thick latex pillow was just right. I'm going to check out the JC Penney zoned latex pillow some of you guys have mentined in the past. I'm not sure how they zone it, but hopefully it will be what the doctor ordered. I am new in this forum and I do really appreciate the teaching and sharing of experiences that goes on here. I took a LOT of time to research and read and lay on a ton of mattresses before I bought the Springfree Latex mattress I now have. I agree with Cloud9 that those who aren't wired to be as research oriented as some of the rest of us or just don't have as much time can and should still benefit from being able to ask "beginner" questions and receive helpful answers. To get a comprehensive understanding of a subject you guys understand like Phd's doesn't happen in a day or week or even a month of reading past posts. It takes time to grasp what is going on in the mattress industry--to truly "get it" about springs, PU foam, ILD's, layering, sleeping hot, toppers and the list goes on. Now, add that to trying to understand what surfaces your body can best tolerate as it changes with age and envirornment. Both types of knowledge are accumulated over time--in my case a long time, all while living on Advil for morning pain. I feel for the uninitiated shopper of a new mattress in this day and time. Twenty three years ago we bought our first mattress and last week we bought our second. With 2 kids in college we could not afford even one mistake. I know it's not rocket science, but it is at least as bad as being a new driver and buying a used car without Consumer Reports and Carfax. Thanks again to you all for taking the time to post answers to mine and other's questions. PS to newbies: The old forum is chock full of relevant, wonderful info --check it out. This message was modified Mar 4, 2008 by Sabra
|
| What mattress did you buy? |
|
Congratulations on finding a good deal on what sounds like the Sealy Meadowcrest/Rivercrest latex mattress. I'm dealing with the same dilemma that you and others have expressed on this website regarding whether to buy a good innerspring mattress and customize the toppers or buy a 100% latex bed. Your good deal on the latex bed must have helped make up your mind. Your new issue regarding the different feel of your pillow with your new latex mattress is interesting. I hadn't thought of that before, but can see why it would become an issue. The Sealy Meadowcrest beds I've tried seem very "plushy", and I seem to sink down much more than on my current (very old) innerspring mattress. This probably puts your head closer to the mattress, so a thick pillow feels even thicker now. I've been trying to find the firmer Sealy Beachside/Garden Vine/Ivy Ridge since it has less foam in the padding layer, but haven't had any luck in my area. I've tried the Jamison latex bed and liked the fact that it has a plush side and firm side. They're all so expensive! I'm actually now leaning toward the innerspring/latex topper concept, so I may go ahead and buy a topper for the current mattress just to test out the idea. |
|
We have had the exact problem. Love the Latex Mattress... Bought New Latex Pillows, king size from a Bed and Bath type store in Georgia ($49 each) and they seem wonderful, but one of them is way too firm and the other is fairly soft. We both wake up with some neck discomfort and I think the pillows may be the culprit. These two pillows were the exact same manufacturer and they are totally different as far as Softness/ Firmness so you really need to check them out thoroughly. I have decided never to buy a Pillow without trying it in person due to inconsistent ILD's. Of course we could cut the pillows but I don't know if I want to try that and mess up the pillows. They can be used in Shams or decor. Keep us posted on the JCPENNEY Pillows. |
|
Hi Sabra! I'm glad things are going well for you with your new mattress! Don't you just love it when you wake up without the nagging back and hip pain? I think you're right about needing another type of pillow now. I tried latex, but they were just too uncomfortable for me. I'm back to down. I like being able to squish it to conform to my neck and head. I totally agree with you about doing the research here and how we should give newbies a break when they ask questions. Frankly, I've even learned things from their queries that I might not have known before. By the way, how do I access the old forum again? I used to post there a lot, but can't locate the URL in my Favorite Places. Sabra wrote: I'm sleeping so good on my new latex mattress--it's been six days and I have no more back and hip pain. But I do wake up with neck pain. I didn't realize when I changed to a mattress with more give, the old latex pillow would feel too thick/firm for my neck and head placement. I think I will have to get a thinner or softer latex pillow so my head is not up quite so high. On my hard old spring mattress, my thick latex pillow was just right. I'm going to check out the JC Penney zoned latex pillow some of you guys have mentined in the past. I'm not sure how they zone it, but hopefully it will be what the doctor ordered.<p>I am new in this forum and I do <strong>really</strong> appreciate the teaching and sharing of experiences that goes on here. I took a LOT of time to research and read and lay on a ton of mattresses before I bought the Springfree Latex mattress I now have. I agree with Cloud9 that those who aren't wired to be as research oriented as some of the rest of us or just don't have as much time <em>can</em> and <em>should</em> still benefit from being able to ask "beginner" questions and receive helpful answers.</p><p>To get a comprehensive understanding of a subject you guys understand like Phd's doesn't happen in a day or week or even a month of reading past posts. It takes time to grasp what is going on in the mattress industry--to truly "get it" about springs, PU foam, ILD's, layering, sleeping hot, toppers and the list goes on. Now, add that to trying to understand what surfaces your body can best tolerate as it changes with age and envirornment. Both types of knowledge are accumulated over time--in my case a long time, all while living on Advil for morning pain. </p><p>I feel for the uninitiated shopper of a new mattress in this day and time. Twenty three years ago we bought our first mattress and last week we bought our second. With 2 kids in college we could not afford even one mistake. I know it's not rocket science, but it is at least as bad as being a new driver and buying a used car without Consumer Reports and Carfax.</p><p>Thanks again to you all for taking the time to post answers to mine and other's questions.</p><p>PS to newbies: The old forum is chock full of relevant, wonderful info --check it out. |
|
I appreciate all your remarks and responses. I'll post in the next couple days how my new JC Penney latex zoned pillow feels after sleeping on it. I picked it up today and the loft is about the same as my old latex but I can tell the ILD is much softer, around 20 is my guess. I do hope it solves the neck pain problem. To answer 2 previous questions, my new bed is a Sealy Springfree latex, a model carried by Bassett (Bedford Knolls, an ultra plush, but no pillow top). This model is duplicated under several names--Meadowcrest and Rivercrest being 2 of them. For now I feel like Goldilocks...my old bed was too hard, my new bed I purchased from Costco (S & F Hainsworth, same as Sealy Spring Free with a box top) was way too soft. My one year old "used" Beford Knolls mattress from Craigs LIst seems just right, and at a great price. And yes Beech2006--that is what pushed me over the line in deciding about an inner spring with added layers versus a complete king latex model with box springs for $750. (Sorry if it sounds like I'm gloating; I'm truly just very, very grateful for the blessing of saving $2,250.) Beddybye, the link for the old forum is: http://legacy.whatsthebest-mattress.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=wtb-mattress It's a pleasure to read and keep on learning from those folks, who are actually still posting here. Sabra |
|
OK--I've had two nights on the JC Penney zoned latex pillow and.....I don't like it. It seems way too soft for the minimum amount of support to keep my neck and head aligned somewhat with my spine. I never understood what you posters meant about latex feeling 'marshmellowy" because my previous experience was with firmer latex. But this pillow does feel like a huge marshmellow that when my head is in the middle, it poofs up on both sides. It is not good for either back or side sleeping for me. Please help me by answering two questions: 1) Has anyone had any success with taking an old but good latex pillow and somehow shaving off and inch or so from the loft to make it thinner? It has a zipper cover that comes off. I love that pillow and have even taken it on vacations but I can't use it now with the latex mattress because when side sleeping my shoulder sinks a bit into the latex making it too high as well as when I sleep on my back. 2) Has anyone used a contour latex pillow that is like a wave--a higher part for the neck and a lower part for the head? It's usually made out of memory foam but I've seen some latex ones on the web. They are pricey and non-returnable. I tried a memory foam one a couple years ago, but it was way too hard. But I like the concept of the neck being supported with more loft especially in latex if it's not as soft as my Penney latex pillow or not as hard as memory foam. I'm particularly interested in the Rejuvenite Restora High Profile Firm? http://sleeplikeabear.com/pro1184999.html Thanks in advance...you guys are the best! Sabra This message was modified Mar 4, 2008 by Sabra
|
|
Have you tried any of the DOWN pillows made by Pacific Feather Co. sold at Costco stores? I LOVE mine! It was $34.99 for a standard size. It has just enough down inside not to be too firm and yet definitely supportive. I can manipulate it in any shape to conform to my neck and head. I don't care for latex pillows at all. I do have this one with shredded latex, but I still prefer down or down-around (feathers inside) pillows over that: http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/cb/cb.asp?a=277887&kwtid=223586 <----Natura Dream Mate granulated latex JCPenney Pacific Feather Down-Around pillow: http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25436&CatID=36999&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=STY&ItemID=13cf55b&ProdSeq=1&Cat=down+%26+down+alt&Dep=Bed+%2b+Bath&PCat=pillows&PCatID=36997&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=18&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=36997&RefDeptID=25436&Page=1&CmCatId=25436|28950|36997|36999 Sabra wrote: OK--I've had two nights on the JC Penney zoned latex pillow and.....I don't like it. It seems way too soft for the minimum amount of support to keep my neck and head aligned somewhat with my spine. I never understood what you posters meant about latex feeling 'marshmellowy" because my previous experience was with firmer latex. But this pillow does feel like a huge marshmellow that when my head is in the middle, it poofs up on both sides. It is not good for either back or side sleeping for me.<p>Please help me by answering two questions:</p><p>1) Has anyone had any success with taking an old but good latex pillow and somehow shaving off and inch or so from the loft to make it thinner? It has a zipper cover that comes off. I love that pillow and have even taken it on vacations but I can't use it now with the latex mattress because when side sleeping my shoulder sinks a bit into the latex making it too high as well as when I sleep on my back.</p><p>2) Has anyone used a contour latex pillow that is like a wave--a higher part for the neck and a lower part for the head? It's usually made out of memory foam but I've seen some latex ones on the web. They are pricey and non-returnable. I tried a memory foam one a couple years ago, but it was way too hard. But I like the concept of the neck being supported with more loft especially in latex if it's not as soft as my Penney latex pillow or not as hard as memory foam. I'm particularly interested in the Rejuvenite Restora High Profile Firm? http://sleeplikeabear.com/pro1184999.html</p><p>Thanks in advance...you guys are the best!</p><p>Sabra |
|
SABRA.... Did the Latex pillow from JCPenney get rid of the neck discomfort? I personally like a soft pillow, and I am interested to see if it helped the neck problem any because I am having the same problem. Also, I don't see a Latex Pillow on the Jcpenney website, did you buy it online or in a store? If online please post a link so I can check it out! Thanks, ART |
|
I have a down-surround pillow made by Beautyrest which I really love for side-sleeping. Very firm and supportive but all you feel against your cheek is soft, smooth down. However, when I had my latex SleepEZ mattress it never seemed comfortable. I don't know if it was too high or too low--nothing I did, raising it, lowering it, made any difference. I even tried using other pillows to no avail. Now that I'm back on innersprings my favorite pillow is fine. The interesting thing is that when I put the Byrlane topper on the bed I noticed that once again I just couldn't get my head supported comfortably on the pillow. And that was only one inch of latex under one inch of visco. I haven't been able to figure this thing out. If anyone has some insight into this phenomenon I'd love to hear it. |
|
The JC Penney is the same as Sleeplikeabear.com zoned latex pillow plush. By the way, the customer service person at that site is very good at diagnosing pillow/neck issues and making suggestions over the phone. They have very competive pricing and ship free as well. They will also accept returns. She is the one who told me Penney's pillow is the same as hers. She also has the 'firm" version (recommended for me) and the best specialty selection on the web I could find. The Penney's pillow can be found: http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductList.aspx?DeptID=25436&CatID=37000&CatTyp=DEP&Cat=synthetic&Dep=Bed+%2b+Bath&PCat=pillows&PCatID=36997&RefPage=ProductList&Page=2&Sale=&ProdCount=15&RecPtr=&FirstCount=0&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&ViewByPages=&RefPageName=CategoryAll%252Easpx&RefCatID=36997&RefDeptID=25436&CmCatId=25436|28950|36997|37000 Beware, the Penney's pillow says Medium but it is NOT! It is soft, as confirmed by the Sleeplikeabear.com expert. They are only manufactured as soft and firm from LI, but Penney's slapped a "medium" title on it to appeal to the most consumers. They do not carry the firm. I bought mine in my store here. Art, regarding my neck, the soft pillow helped alleviate some of the pain. I didn't have nearly as much pain upon awakening as when my old firm thick latex pillow pushed my head too high. But when my head hit the center of the Penney's pillow, both sides rose up around my face! Weird experience. So, my head sunk down further than I needed. But, it was a more comfortable pillow in many respects, esp if you like very soft latex. I'm not keeping it. I went out yesterday and bought a Beautyrest latex at a department store. Even though I wanted a queen or king I settled for a standard because they make the larger ones so very high/thick compared to the standard. They are all the same latex ILD but much thicker therefore too high for me. I may have found the right pillow this time. It worked pretty well last night, no neck pain this morning, but I will have to have a few more nights to get used to it. It's hard because I'm both a back and side sleeper. I was amazed at the department store selection...pillow manufacturers have become really creative in the last 5 years since I last shopped for one! Beddybye, I'll check out the down pillows you mentioned if my Beautyrest latex doesn't work out. I never thought down could give me the side sleeper support you have found using them. They also make down alternatives which are quite interesting and have those as one side of a two sided pillow at my dept. store. So many choices... Thank goodness for liberal return policies. |