Neck pain from old pillow after sleeping on new latex mattress; TWO NEW QUESTIONS...HELP!
Mar 2, 2008 8:00 AM
Location: NC
Joined: Feb 21, 2008
Points: 72
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
Re: Neck pain from old pillow after sleeping on new latex mattress; TWO NEW QUESTIONS...HELP!
Reply #13 Jun 10, 2008 9:16 PM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 793
I have slept on a latex pillow my whole life since the doctor told my mother when I was a baby that it was good for my allergies since I have had allergies all of my life.  Two years ago when my latex pillow had to be replaced, I tried so many other pillows and could not sleep well on them. Finally I ordered natural latex pillows and they are what I sleep on. I have several in my home and I am also using them for my bed shams.  I guess that is why there are so many types of pillows out there since we are all so different in our needs for comfort.
Re: Neck pain from old pillow after sleeping on new latex mattress; TWO NEW QUESTIONS...HELP!
Reply #14 Jun 11, 2008 7:49 PM
Joined: May 3, 2008
Points: 827
Lynn, I removed the cover from my queen size latex pillow that was too firm, and it did make it softer and flatter for me.  I read (I think it was you) that you had to cut some of the latex off to lower the height.  If you ever have to get a new latex pillow try removing the cover like someone posted about.  They make the cover too tight, and it really makes the pillow firmer and higher.

I learn so much here :-)
Re: Neck pain from old pillow after sleeping on new latex mattress; TWO NEW QUESTIONS...HELP!
Reply #15 Jun 13, 2008 1:10 AM
Joined: Aug 31, 2007
Points: 793
Leo3, Thanks for letting me know that removing the cover helps.  I also learn so much from this site.
Re: Neck pain from old pillow after sleeping on new latex mattress; TWO NEW QUESTIONS...HELP!
Reply #16 Oct 17, 2008 1:11 PM
Joined: Oct 16, 2008
Points: 6
Well, I  bought a Latex bed in Fort Bragg Ca. Then a Latex pillow with it for me only! It had a tag on it the was red in color with the name of the Company. Went to a Home JC Penny store and WOW. Someone cut off that tag off! The red was still there from sewing it on! Nothing saying it was a JC P. pillow! I bought a king and Queen pillow, the Queen was a dollar more. Well, I took the King back because it was to firm! When I took it back they got another load in. Most of them were just like the same firmess that I had bought! I did find a softer one though. I took that one home. Even the casher said it was softer.  As stated on here before they just lable everything Medium! In fact there are only 3 firmness in latex! You need to know what you are buying! Now,  my wife has a latex pillow she thinks is over fifty years old! Man do we have a collection of pillows! Lost mine in a hotel 15 years ago. Looking for its replacement. I found it's replacement two weeks ago! Neck and should pain is gone! Between the bed and pillow! Pure latex here now! My wife thinks the bed to fancy. If it last another 20 years the kids can get it!

Cheap, at JC Pennys or go to a real bed store and pay the dollars! The better pillow was vavuumed to removed the air from the latex and in a small box. They would have the 3 firmnesses. Not Pennys. Being cheap for eight hours a day is not a reward.  Life is to short. My King did not have that red tag on it! Plus a different address on the manufacture! Thing is they are working togeher as one! Looked it up on the internet.

Good shopping.
 I had started taking Advill again before the bed pillow! No more. There is no real fix with the neck pain. If I had surgery they would have to go from the backside on me! Not from the front.
Re: Neck pain from old pillow after sleeping on new latex mattress; TWO NEW QUESTIONS...HELP!
Reply #17 Oct 21, 2008 9:14 PM
Location: Yosemite area
Joined: Sep 10, 2008
Points: 249
The new mattress will affect how the pillow works!  I too like down pillows.  As a matter of fact, recently I stayed in a La Quinta hotel and they had the most amazing down pillows...I loved them!  So I wrote down the info on the tag(Soft and Downy) and researched it...had to order a DOZEN but hey, they'll make great gifts, LOL!   Just got them today and can't wait to cuddle into my pillows tonight. 
Kait