Mattress Forum

I'm somewhat suspicious that the introduction of memory foam to your sleep surface has resulted in your pointy-parts (hip and shoulder) sinking but your head on your arm is not, causing a kink in your neck.  Quite frankly, I don't really know what to suggest...perhaps the use of the thinnest possible down pillow between head and arm, or no pillow at all (but likely the weight of your head directly on your arm would cause it to fall asleep).  I'm still having trouble envisioning your sleep position - are your really short that you don't hit the footboard?
 

It's very releaving to hear that you guys recommend down pillows, and a wool mattress protector I can purchase from Wal-Mart.com (I definately surpassed my budget after the new mattress, memory foam, and latex!).  Currently, I am using a mattress pad/protector that came with a Denver Mattress set that I ended up returning (I couldn't return the protector).  It has a very thin layer (probably less than an inch) of quilted fabric, perhaps cotton, with a liquid/dustmite barrier underneath.  I doubt it provides any support, I'm really just using it as a protector more than anything.

Regarding foam, I seem to recall seeing 1" of Aerus on Amazon.com, but don't know right off hand if it was 4lb or 5lb.  It didn't include a cover, however, I think it was around $80 - $90 for E. King.  I feel the same way Sandman does as it relates to the feel of memory foam, and prefer a firmer feel.  Perhaps I should try the 1.5" wool topper you are using.

Does anybody recommend where to buy a good down pillow, and brand?

 You are not really looking for support from a protector, but thicker ones reduce the sinking in a bit.  Yours might be just fine.

The 1.5" from walmart is a topper and not a protector.  It is not washasble, and not inexpensive (nothing filled with wool is).   That one is organic.  It is possible they have some less expensive non-oranic ones.   It does reduce the sinking in with the Aerus noticably for me when I use it in combination with a mattress pad.

I suppose it could be used with no mattress pad and maybe 2 sheets over it.  If you want just a wool filled protector, then the one at Costco is a pretty good value for wool.  It does have a waterproof membrame which might affect the breathability a bit.  No one here has really reviewed it yet.  I am not sure this would fill that different from what you currently have, if that is the issue.  Probably a bit thicker though.

I have recently bought pillows at  United Pillow.  Pretty good prices, especially if you want high fill power.  They can be a bit slow though, so you may just want to go to Bed, Bath Beyond of something like that.  Costco has 2 packs of down pillows in their stores that are pretty cheap.  I don't know how much brand matters, but higher fill power is better and more expensive.   You want 100% cotton covered as well.  I think you want to start with a fairly thin one though.
 

I think part of the problem is that with a thinner pillow or a pillow that tends to compress or is hard, then the pressure from your head onto your arm makes the problem worse. I suspect that is why a latex pillow in the other thread helped because it "gave way" on both sides and lessened the pressure (and circulation cutoff) on the arm. I would think that a down pillow or even memory foam could do the same (pressure goes through both during the night).

I think that a latex pillow would be your best option. There are many but you could do worse than one of the rejuvenites.

Phoenix

To my disappointment, I really did not even notice or feel the Celsion.  Perhaps it's not firm or thick enough?  I will fold it in half and try again tonight, however, I think 21ILD is going to be too soft, as I woke up with aching hips and ribs! 

I am a little bit confused because I thought 21ILD was a "medium" rating, however, the Latex International website lists it as "Soft"?  With latex going for around $250 / inch, does anyone know if it's possible to increase the ILD instead of the layers?  TIA.

Latex will compress rather than flow so it will not allow you to sink in as far and provides resistance and support to a much greater degree than memory foam. Even a layer of inexpensive regular polyfoam will provide more resistance in the same ILD than memory foam and will be closer in it's qualities to latex than memory foam. A thin layer of latex (or even polyfoam) on the top would also move you further away from the memory foam and this could provide better support and alignment than sleeping right on top of a memory foam layer. Memory foam tends to "keep on sinking" as it liquefies over time while other foams have a more fixed point where the compression stops ... and you will get to that point more quickly.

Phoenix

Okay, well this explains why the MF didn't work for me.  I am actuallly planning on returning the MF, and be done with it altogether.  I'm not sure I want to put the latex on top of the MF at this point because I don't like sinking in a whole lot, which was the case with the 2.5" of MF.  Would you suggest a firmer latex for support and less sinking in instead?
 

I think the main issue may be that you have just 1".  On top of a firm surface, that is probably not enough.  If you go from the thick plush Aerus, to the 1" Celsion, it probably is a big difference.   The sore hips is probably from bottoming out on the firmer surface below.  

For most people, I don't think 21 is too soft as a comfort layer.    Folding in half will be a better test.  Then you may want to compare that 2" (1" folded in half) to using no topper, and I think you will find it is making a difference.

You might even need 3" or more.  I can't remember what exactly you are using it on.  I use 3 fairly soft layers on top of a surface that is somewhat, but not overly, firm.

Even a thinner (say 1") layer of latex on top of the Aerus would result in less sinking in for 2 reasons. First the latex itself (even an inch) would provide its own resistance (unlike a thin layer of memory foam) and secondly it would both insulate you from the Aerus and "round out" the pressure points pressing into it which would further lessen the amount you sink in to the Aerus. These two factors may be enough to "firm up" your upper layers to a degree that you do not sleep "too far" into the mattress for your preference.

If I was going to buy a 1" layer for the very top of my mattress to go over memory foam, I would probably choose something in the range 24 ILD. This is in the soft/medium range and if you do choose to add say another 2" and dump the memory foam, it would give you a good idea of the ILD you would need for the final 2". This would probably be soft enough to help with your pressure issues but also firm enough to lessen the sinking in better than a softer layer of latex.

As always, once you have a better idea of the "why" behind the "what", use your own best judgement and instincts.

Phoenix

My understanding is their Aerus is returnabable (which is what I ended up doing). I have pretty much sworn off any memory foam thicker than 2", and most likely will stick with 1" increments if possible.

If the 2" of folded Celsion seems too firm, you might want to add 1" of memory foam over it.   That should be a firmer more supportive combination than the 2.5" Aerus.