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Ok, I'm 60 years old now. I've had this queen sized Posturepedic for over 15 years now. Back then, I think the conventional wisdom was that people were supposed to sleep flat on their backs on a hard stiff mattress, not even using a pillow unless they had to, supposedly to keep the spine straight that way. The problem is that I have allergies and maybe sleep apnea and if I try to fall asleep on my back, I can wake up gasping for breath. I also greatly prefer sleeping on my side, possible because of that. But I sleep better. The problem is, that for the last several years, if I sleep on my left side, my right arm gets numb, then I roll over to my right side and the left arm gets numb. It's always the arm on top. The doctor couldnt figure it out, but I think I finally have. My shoulders must be pressing into my spine because of the hard mattress and making whichever arm is on top numb. Ick. So I've been seeing these Tempurpedic ads for years, but they're awfully expensive. But my question is, would they keep my spine straight, without the pressure that is apparently pressing my spine and making my arm numb, when I sleep on my sides? Are they also ok for sitting up in bed and watching TV? Not too soft? Can they be used with regular old bottom spring sets? Can you get them to fit regular queen sheets, without needing expensive deep pocket sheet sets? Also, my little sister ( 48 ) lives with me ( has her own room ) and is disabled and could also use something better than the one she has. She has a motorized bed. Do the Tempurpedic ones work ok with that too, for sitting or sleeping? Also, is Tempurpedic really necessary or do other companies make mattresses with the EXACT same materials and warranties for less money? I didn't want to ask sales people all this, because I'm afraid they'd just tell me whatever I wanted to hear, to make a sale. |
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Kait wrote: I know that Tempurpedic or Memory foam mattresses have been touted as the best thing since sliced bread...but in reality they can cause their own set of problems. I believe that you have discovered the cause of your problem, but be cautious to not throw the baby out with the bathwater when you go to fix it. THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY WRONG WITH INNERSPRING MATTRESSES. As a matter of fact, I am having an offset coil mattress made for us this week and am thrilled. My issues are mostly low back pain that comes from not enough support for my pelvic region. I have slept on many many many mattresses, and from each I've learned what will and won't work for me. The air mattresses don't work...I have to have the air really pumped in to make it quite hard in order to get any support...and then my shoulders hurt when I lay on my sides. Memory foam doesn't cause pressure points because you sink into it...but it does not support either. Latex does not offer me enough correct support. Marshall units, or individual wrapped coils, don't support any better. Bonnell units are pretty good, but the offset coil is just a bit better for someone like me whose weight is concentrated in the rear region(no, not a big gal, only 123#). I'd go to a mattress store and really get a feel for what is good for you. Don't buy...just take good notes. Ask about each mattress, what springs inside, what foam on top, how much, etc. What about the box spring? Is it foam covered or is it actual springs? Keep a tablet, write everything down. By doing that you will find out what really feels good to you, then you can come back here and find out how to get the best for your money. Find the key elements and figure out what you do and don't need. Take your sister with you and you can both figure out your own best feel. One thing to remember, with a bed, the most expensive is NOT the best. You have to get quality innards, but the most soft, luxurious beds tend to break down prematurely. I know. I had a Stearns and Foster bed that cost me nearly $2K and it lasted less than 4months before the foam broke down. Really made me mad, too. Kait What's offset, why are they better, and why would you need to have one custom made? |
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Open end offset coils have more turns than a standard Bonnell unit. They support an adult weight better. Many people with lower back pain find the rigid support of offset coils to be the most comfortable support system. As to why you would want to have one made for you-- why not? If you can find a local mattress maker you will get better value for your money and you often have the option of customizing your materials--something you can't do when you buy an S-brand from a retailer. Kait had some very good suggestions for mattress shopping. But you might not even need a new mattress. Your current mattress sounds like it's too hard and causing pressure points that cut off your circulation and make your arm go numb. A latex or memory foam topper might be all you need if your mattress isn't sagging. And to tell you the truth, a lot of people who haven't bought a new mattress in 15 years or so end up being really disappointed by the one they buy to replace it. They just don't make them like they used to. Foam usually feels great in the store, but after a few months it starts to compress and soften and your back starts to hammock into it. The less foam the better, but it's hard to find a high quality old fashioned flippable mattress these days. Most of them are intended for guest rooms or kids rooms. Another excellent reason to have a mattress made for you. As for that Tempurpedic. Don't believe all the hype. That's what marketing is all about. But by all means go and lie down on one. I did and I knew immediately it wasn't for me. If you do like the feel of a memory foam mattress you should also check out the Sensus. It's a high quality American-made slow recovery visco foam without the cold slab of clay feeling unique to Tempurpedic. But not all memory foam is created equal. In fact a lot of it is really cheap crap made in China that goes soft and saggy all too soon. To answer a few more of your questions: Memory foam mattresses have to be placed on a solid foundation. Putting them on a box spring might even void your warranty. And it certainly wouldn't support the mattress properly. I think they are too soft for sitting up in bed reading. They are intended for lying on. The best type of mattress for reading is an innerspring with limited foam layers or firm latex. Regular sheets will fit unless you get the unnecessary super deluxe models which have way too much memory foam over a really thick slab of base foam. Be careful of getting memory foam too thick. It's soft and you will sink down deep into it. Which makes for hot sleeping engulfed in foam. 3" of memory foam is sufficient for most people unless they are very heavy. With a topper I think 2" is more than enough. The best mattresses for motorized beds are latex. Latex is also the most durable bedding material out there. It will far outlast memory foam, but not everyone can sleep on it and Talalay can be tricky to comfortably configure. So, there you have it. Go forth and shop. Don't let anyone talk you into anything. Give yourself at least 24 hours to think it over once you find something you like. Then go back and try it out again before you decide. Ask if that's their best price. You'd be surprised how often merchants will come down on the price to make a sale. Find out what the return or exchange policy is. Sometimes the bed that feels great in the store ends up not feeling quite as good when you lie on it for eight hours. You don't want to be stuck with something you can't sleep on. Comfort is much harder to find in a mattress than it used to be. |
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I agree with Cloud 9...hits the nail on the head. Specifically why have a bed made for you? Several reasons: 1. You will get exactly what you pay for. 2. Usually less expensive because you are dealing directly with the factory...not middle people all getting a cut. 3. Made better than the big companies...and NOT made in China! 4. You have actual people to go to if there is ever an issue. The big 3 S's will turn their backs on you...I know this. 5. Pride of craftsmanship...small companies want you to be happy and tell other people about their product. 6. Generally, small bedmakers use more quality components in their product which last longer. Large companies always try to cut costs. That's all I have off the top of my head... Kait |