Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Oct 20, 2009 1:22 AM
Joined: Sep 8, 2009
Points: 18
I recently bought a Stearns & Foster Estate Eureka Springs luxury firm full mattress from Mattress Discounters and I think I may have made a mistake.  Even though I came across this forum about a month ago, I still took a chance with an "S" brand.  My back was in pain from the hammocking of the old mattress and I bought it due to desperation.  For the first few days my back hurt but it gradually went away.  The mattress salesman said that my back may hurt for the first week or so because my back muscles were returning back to their normal state after being stretched out due to my previous mattress.  It has been 2 weeks now and my back pain has returned!  In fact, it hurt so much this morning I had to get up early since I couldn't take it anymore.  My girlfriend, whom I share the mattress with, says her back pain has disappeared and has no complaints.  Now I am asking myself the following questions:

-Should I just wait it out for a few more weeks to see if my back pain goes away?
-Is the size of the bed contributing to my back pain? (Should I go for a larger size?)---> It is a full size mattress.  I am 5'8", 150lbs.  My girlfriend is 5'4", 100lbs. 
-Is the setup of the bed to blame?--->The mattress rests on a murphy bed platform.
-Should I replace the foam inside?
-New bed?--->Latex, maybe?
-Topper?

The comfort guarantee allows me to exchange the bed within 60 days.  I prefer not to go that route since they will charge me for delivery and 10% of total costs and I could save that money toward other bed improvements.  I am thinking about mattress surgery to replace the foam inside for more premium stuff but I'm not sure how to do that and am concerned with closing it up.  I know a lot of people on this forum recommend latex beds, but that will have to be my second to last resort since it is not in my current budget due to the money already spent on the present mattress, but I may buy one down the road so I'm open to suggestions on that as well.  That's all the gripes/concerns I can currently think of so please provide any suggestions you can.  Thanks in advance!
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #6 Nov 16, 2009 1:28 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
I didn't know  you had pocketed coil springs. That to my knowledge is a type that no one here has done surgery on, or am I mistaken?
Anyway, I have had no experience with pocketed coils, so I can't really tell you that you can do a successful surgery on that mattress!
As to latex, I don't think you can just outright buy any 1" latex and then return it if you don't like it. I don't know of any place like that.

But it stands to reason that if you replace the cheap foam with latex, it will work for you. Sometimes I do buy foam that I think will work and it doesn't. That's part of the process.

Maybe someone here can answer re doing surgery on pocket coils. I have never done that, so cannot advise you.
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #7 Nov 16, 2009 2:25 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
Sleeplikeabear.com has a 30 day return (not exchange) policy on their latex. There might be a small handling cost and shipping fee you would lose on a return.<BR><BR>1,2,3&quot; of Talatech or Celsion. Various ILDs. Not sure if they have any other types of latex, but you can check their website.<BR><BR>I talked to them and they do not resell returned items. Which is good if you are worried about buying something used, but try to figure out what you want carefully. I would feel a bit guilty returning something knowing that it cannot be resold, unless it was defective or did not perform as expected.

One another thing to try is buying 1" and folding it in half to see what 2" will feel like. That gives you a chance to test both 1 and 2 inches, and you can buy the second inch later if you like 2" is better.
This message was modified Nov 16, 2009 by sandman
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #8 Nov 16, 2009 6:04 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
I believe Foamsource has a 10 day exchange (no return?) on toppers ordered online. They have Talatech and 100% natural (dunlop??) in 2" and 3".
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #9 Nov 17, 2009 2:12 AM
Joined: Sep 8, 2009
Points: 18
Well, from looking at Sleep EZ's website I noticed they sold a bed with a combination pocketed innerspring and latex layer called the Luxianna.  From this I am assuming that it is possible to have latex layers over individually pocketed springs.  I am still wondering how much foam do I need to fill the mattress back to the original height if I do surgery on it and how would I keep it closed and not let any debris, etc from getting inside it?  This ends up with me wondering if it takes me replacing the foam in my bed with 2 layers of 2" latex wouldn't I have been better off in just buying a 2 layered latex bed?  And one more thing, does anyone know the return policy for Sleep EZ?  I am thinking about getting my latex cores from them since Flobeds doesn't seem to sell individual core layers, but I don't understand the wording of their return policy.  Is it like Flobeds with the unlimited comfort exchange during the 90 day period?  Thanks in advance for any feedback.
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #10 Nov 17, 2009 10:29 AM
Joined: Oct 25, 2009
Points: 14
I called SleepEz about the exact bed you mentioned. This was about 6 months ago. It seemed the perfect solution to our problems. I was told they they do not ship the innerspring beds outside of their location (AZ.?). If you are located close by, great. They said these types of beds would cost too much to ship. I enjoyed speaking wiht them and found them informative and professional and I wish I could have done business with them.

One thing I wanted to ask after reading your thread. Are you sure the mattress is your only problem? Do you have underlying back issues? In other words, are there disc issues, injuries etc... that cause your discomfort, or does the pain go away when you are up after an hour or so and only return after sleeping on the mattress? I learned from my own struggles that a pocketed coil mattress was not a good thing for some back issues. It is great for arthritis and fibromyalgia, but not disc issues. My poor husband suffered for my sake for years on the pocketed coils. His MD  very recently suggested a continuos coil mattress with good padding. This helped considerably. He has disc issues caused by a severe car accident 20 years ago. He likes sleeping on granite, but softens it up for my sake.

I hope you can get this figured out. A good nights sleep is such a blessing and so necessary.

Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #11 Nov 17, 2009 6:19 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
fubu04 wrote:
Well, from looking at Sleep EZ's website I noticed they sold a bed with a combination pocketed innerspring and latex layer called the Luxianna.  From this I am assuming that it is possible to have latex layers over individually pocketed springs.  I am still wondering how much foam do I need to fill the mattress back to the original height if I do surgery on it and how would I keep it closed and not let any debris, etc from getting inside it?  This ends up with me wondering if it takes me replacing the foam in my bed with 2 layers of 2" latex wouldn't I have been better off in just buying a 2 layered latex bed?  And one more thing, does anyone know the return policy for Sleep EZ?  I am thinking about getting my latex cores from them since Flobeds doesn't seem to sell individual core layers, but I don't understand the wording of their return policy.  Is it like Flobeds with the unlimited comfort exchange during the 90 day period?  Thanks in advance for any feedback.

You do not need to fill the mattress back to its original height.
In my opinion doing so is often a mistake because the S companies put a bunch of layers of cheap foam on top, especially if it's anything other than an Extra Firm. For example, my Extra Firm had 3" of cheap foam on top. I know that many of the others like "Comfort Firm" or whatever they may be called, have FIVE inches of cheap foam. The thing is, if you put that much foam on top of the springs you lose the benefit of the springs, in my opinion.

What I recommend is cutting the top "tufted" or "Quilted" mattress cover completely off, then fill the mattress with only about 2½ -3½ inches of quality foam. You can use a CuddleBed (CostCo) to cover it and make it look like a normal mattress if you care, or you can just leave it open on top and cover it with your fitted bottom sheet like I do.

Later, once you get it adjusted just how you like it, as far as keeping out dirt - and especially dust mites - you can get an allergy-proof cover that zips it all up. I think the web site I have used is nationalallergysupply.com (something like that). I don't use it because I'm always tweaking my mattress, but I should, and most people could, once they get it adjusted the way they like it. It's just that it's hard enough taking off all the bed clothes and changing out layers of foam, without first having to unzip and remove an allergy-proofing type cover.
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #12 Nov 18, 2009 3:09 AM
Joined: Sep 8, 2009
Points: 18
jimsocal wrote:
You do not need to fill the mattress back to its original height. <BR>In my opinion doing so is often a mistake because the S companies put a bunch of layers of cheap foam on top, especially if it's anything other than an Extra Firm. For example, my Extra Firm had 3&quot; of cheap foam on top. I know that many of the others like &quot;Comfort Firm&quot; or whatever they may be called, have FIVE inches of cheap foam. The thing is, if you put that much foam on top of the springs you lose the benefit of the springs, in my opinion.<BR><BR>What I recommend is cutting the top &quot;tufted&quot; or &quot;Quilted&quot; mattress cover completely off, then fill the mattress with only about 2½ -3½ inches of quality foam. You can use a CuddleBed (CostCo) to cover it and make it look like a normal mattress if you care, or you can just leave it open on top and cover it with your fitted bottom sheet like I do.<BR><BR>Later, once you get it adjusted just how you like it, as far as keeping out dirt - and especially dust mites - you can get an allergy-proof cover that zips it all up. I think the web site I have used is nationalallergysupply.com (something like that). I don't use it because I'm always tweaking my mattress, but I should, and most people could, once they get it adjusted the way they like it. It's just that it's hard enough taking off all the bed clothes and changing out layers of foam, without first having to unzip and remove an allergy-proofing type cover.

Jimsocal: So pretty much all I could need is a single layer of 3" latex over the protective spring layer and it may be sufficient? Also, would I have to worry about the foam encasing the perimeter of the springs? Does it jet above the springs or is it level with it?

Happywife: Thanks for your concern. I still want to make an appointment for my back, but I'm not sure if I have any structural issues. My pain does go away after being up for an hour and does return after returning to the mattress. Is this what you and your husband experienced? What was your solution?

Thanks everyone for all this feedback. I REALLY appreciate it!
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #13 Nov 18, 2009 11:20 AM
Joined: Oct 25, 2009
Points: 14
See my thread about "another defective Simmons" and it will give the drama of our mattress affairs. we refused to buy another Simmons from the store so ended up on a firm Serta with added latex we already owned. We did not realize the coil system was what my husband needed until a very recent trip to the dr. We had already received the Serta and noticed he was helped right away. My husband has structural issues and is in pain all the time. He is also a UPS driver, so his back and neck take a beating. The pain you seem to have appears to stem from your bed, due to the fact that it goes away and returns dependent on the mattress. Of course, I am not an MD, so that is only a guess.  I hope you find what you need. This forum is the place to be and there is much help.

Pleasant Dreams

Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #14 Nov 18, 2009 9:30 PM
Location: Yosemite area
Joined: Sep 10, 2008
Points: 249
Hey, Jim;
My mattress surgery was on a pocketed coil mattress.  That mattress was opened so many times I'm surprised it didn't learn how to say "aahhh"!  Originally that bed had two about 3" chunks of very very soft cheap foam, which hurt my back from day 1.  Had it remade, and due to faulty communications, bed was made HARD.  Then remade, with layers of different softer foam and it was much improved.  Took it back to have it just tweaked a liiiitttttllllleeee....but overkill once again and it hurt.  I was wanting them to zone it so my heavy spot got a slightly more dense piece of foam, shoulders softer, etc.  It's hard to be ahead of your time, LOL.  Anyway, I took it apart next time and did replace some foam, messed with it for awhile, but never did like the feel of the pocket coils.  Mine were not coil in coil, just plain ol' pocket coils, FWIW.  I like offset coils, and am happy with my one year old bed, even tho I am not partial to the p/u foam in it and will have it replaced.  It took almost a year, but now there is a bit of a butt-dent.  I use a nice polyfill topper on it and it is pretty close to heaven.
Kait
Re: Buyer's remorse from an "S" brand! I need a replacement! Suggestions?!?!
Reply #15 Nov 18, 2009 9:40 PM
Location: Yosemite area
Joined: Sep 10, 2008
Points: 249
Dear fubu;
If your back hurts when you go to bed and it eases out of pain after you've been up an hour or so, your bed is too soft.  Your low back is not in alignment when you are sleeping(in my case my heavy part was sinking too much) and it strains the low back muscles.  In my case it felt like they were trying to pull my butt back up where it belonged all night, and were of course unsuccessful.  It took ONE night on a good bed with good foam and no dent to start me back to the road to recovery.  After night two I was healed.  This after YEARS of beds hurting my back.  So, there is a way to fix this.
Chances are, the foam is just too soft for you in the lower body area.  You have to figure out how to cushion your body so you sleep comfortably and in alignment.
Some stretches aren't a bad idea.  One is to stand, feet sligthly apart, and twist your body from side to side, arms up and bent.  That loosens your back a bit.  Another to stretch your low back is to sit cross legged on the floor, then take one foot and cross it over the opposite thigh.  Then wrap your arm that is on the same side as the foot that crossed over and pull the knee area gently toward you so that you feel a stretch in the buttock area and possibly low back.  Nice stretch.
Kait