Fibromyalgis sufferers or others with chronic pain - has a mattress reduced your pain?
Oct 19, 2009 2:30 PM
Joined: Oct 19, 2009
Points: 7
Hi - I have fibromyalgia and am strongly considering purchasing a latex mattress in the hopes that I will get more comfortable rest. But before proceeding with what is, for me, an expensive purchase, I was curious to hear from others who have chronic pain. Did your new mattress help you? Did it make things worse? Stay the same? I'd love to know what mattresses chronic pain sufferers think help the most (And if you wouldn't mind sharing, height, weight, and sleep position, that would be amazing).

I haven't found a thread about this on the board - but if I'm missing something, I'd appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction.

Much thanks!

Maria

Re: Fibromyalgis sufferers or others with chronic pain - has a mattress reduced your pain?
Reply #5 Oct 31, 2009 10:28 AM
Joined: Oct 19, 2009
Points: 7
mattressnewbie, thanks for asking. i've tried lots of things (biofeedback, network therapy, etc), but i haven't done acupuncture. i'm thinking of trying it though, so thanks for the extra push!!!
Re: Fibromyalgis sufferers or others with chronic pain - has a mattress reduced your pain?
Reply #6 Oct 31, 2009 10:58 AM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
Hi Maria,

Well, I'm sorry I didn't see this post before, as I see you've already purchased your bed from FBM.  I don't know what their return policy is, but I would have suggested, along with others, that you absolutely purchase your bed from a company that offers a long trial period (e.g., 90 days) AND a 100% return policy.

Latex mattresses aren't prevalent enough yet that most of us can just drive to a showroom and try one out.  So we have to make a leap of faith and order one from the internet.  That's where the lenthy trial period and 100% return policy works in our favor.

This is precisely why I ordered my bed from Flobeds.  90 day trial period, and a 100% return guarantee.  Furthermore, during the 90 day trial period, you can exchange layers on your bed to achieve a comfort level that's right for you.

Now that I've read your two posts and see that you have fibro, I can see why you ordered a medium layer with a soft topper.  To be honest, I think you need more than a 6" layer and a 3" topper.  You may need to keep your medium and soft layers due to your pain sensitivity, but maybe you need a firm layer underneath those to give your bed more support.

I would call Flobeds and ask for their advice.  I know, you did not purchase your bed from them, but they have been selling latex beds and working with every type of customer, many of whom come to them with pain issues.  The two owners of Flobeds have more collective experience with pain sufferers and what latex works for them than the rest of us put together.

However, after reading your two posts, I think you need a firm layer under the medium and soft to give your latex a good foundation.  Plus a mattress cover.

In answer to your direct question, I was in terrible pain when I bought my Flobed.  My old Simmons mattress was 15 years old, and though it didn't have any concave spots, it was just worn out.  I was not sleeping at all through the night, and just suffering in pain all night long.

With my latex bed, I have been getting good sleep.  I won't go so far as to say all my pain has disappeared, it has not.  But I am able to sleep through the night, get restful sleep, and some nights are completely pain free.
Re: Fibromyalgis sufferers or others with chronic pain - has a mattress reduced your pain?
Reply #7 Oct 31, 2009 3:01 PM
Joined: Aug 28, 2009
Points: 53
Cardamons,

Good luck with finding the right combo for you. I deal with sever pain/health issues, so I know the challenge, and can relate to what you said re: the relationship between sleep and pain (which seems to go both ways, at least for me, and the worst is terrible pain and no sleep at all!)

I've mentioned in other threads what I seem to need--soft on top but very supportive underneath (current set-up is soft, medium X-firm natural talalay). Not that it's a "magic bullet"; I still have lots of pain, however, I"m not waking up every 5 minutes from it. And I'm sleeping better.
Re: Fibromyalgis sufferers or others with chronic pain - has a mattress reduced your pain?
Reply #8 Oct 31, 2009 11:23 PM
Joined: Sep 7, 2009
Points: 22
cardamoms wrote:
mattressnewbie, thanks for asking. i've tried lots of things (biofeedback, network therapy, etc), but i haven't done acupuncture. i'm thinking of trying it though, so thanks for the extra push!!!

Hi Maria!

You're very welcome! I hope you're able to find something that works for you! Keep us posted!

Mary

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