On suggestions of eagle2 and KimberlyH, I'm starting my own thread. I hope my experience may possibly help someone else as I continue to receive help from all the wonderful posters on this forum .Summary from two previous posts (edited): 1) Background (sorry, if you've already read it skip it): 60 yr old F, 5' 7", 128 lbs, side sleeper -- Fibromyalgia. Extreme pressure points in hips, (tingling, burning, numbness, pain). Currently sleeping on aTP Cloud Supreme... not really sure it's right for me (How can something feel so soft when you first lie down, and be so hard a few hours later?). Still have 6 weeks before deciding to either exchange it for TP Rhapsody (a special "thank you" here to budgy for all his TP information) or get refund and start over. OR new option - try FloBeds and compare! I had tried an Englander Natures Finest Latex and was in so much pain on it, I had quit the idea of latex altogether because of it (I never was able to find the exact content of that particular bed). I admit, at the time I made that decision, I was totally ignorant about different ILD's, thicknesses, customizing layers, coverings, latex actually helping with pressure points, etc. 2) Well, I did it! My new bed should be here no later than Monday. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Dewey was very nice and helpful and thanks to you all I had a list of questions, but he really answered most of them before I could ask. Which was great because I don't do phone very well, and I did do the "ah... ah... ah.."  . I went with all his recommendations except for the vZone, which we decided I could upgrade to later if needed. So my new bed is:Natural Deluxe - Natural Talalay Latex Green Mattress Organic Cotton & Wool Cover Natural Talalay Latex Convolute Comfort Pad Both sides: Natural Talalay Latex Core-Soft Natural Talalay Latex Core-Medium Natural Talalay Latex Core-Firm I told him about how informed and extremely helpful you've all been, (though I think most of you spoke with Dave who was unavailable) Dewey was glad to hear about how impressed I was about this great forum. These large purchases always scare me, but he assured me if for any reason I didn't love the bed, I would only be out the shipping cost of sending it back, which is very reasonable. Eagle, you are so right about how reassuring it is to deal with the owners! I do realize no bed is going to cure my fibromyalgia and all the issues it creates, but I am hoping this bed will provide some relief and comfort... without all the rules the TP demands you follow. -------------------- This message was modified Jul 15, 2010 by Natalia
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Natalie, are you sure you've exhausted all the combinations on the vzones? I ask because I only have one vzone and I think it took me longer than 10 days to work through it. I have kind of the opposite problem from you - I need a lot of firmness for my fused middle and lower back. A very firm mattress supports the back but makes my arms fall asleep during the night. So I need to balance support for my back with at least some softness for the aging joints. I started out with a natural F/F/XF, which didn't quite work for me (too soft) and upgraded to the extra firm vzone, which Dave customized for me. But after a couple of weeks of moving around the vzone pieces I was getting close to giving up on the latex bed - nothing seemed to help. Until I took the small piece of superfirm foam and put that under my hips. Bingo. Now my shoulder/lumbar/hip area are M/F/SF, and I've had no pain in 10 days. None. It's a miracle. That's a pretty huge difference between the shoulders and the hips and I really did not expect that to work, but that's what my back wanted after all. They generally say that back pain means too soft and shoulder pain means too hard. That was true for me. You're kind of stuck since the softness that helps your fibro hurts your back. But I wonder how much you've played around with different levels of support under the less sensitive shoulders, lumbar region, and perhaps even the legs. Maybe there is a combination of those that would let you leave the hips soft. Or maybe use just a 10 inch strip of soft foam under the hip instead of the larger piece normally placed under the hips. 10" isn't much to aim for (that's how big the SF under my hips is; Dave is sending me a larger piece), but perhaps just a small soft spot would cushion the fibro while leaving the rest of the body supported. Don't give up. Pain relief is a very good thing. I know better than to get my hopes up too far, but I hope mine lasts. Linda This message was modified Mar 18, 2010 by lnkholder
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lnkholder wrote: Natalie, are you sure you've exhausted all the combinations on the vzones? I ask because I only have one vzone and I think it took me longer than 10 days to work through it. I have kind of the opposite problem from you - I need a lot of firmness for my fused middle and lower back. A very firm mattress supports the back but makes my arms fall asleep during the night. So I need to balance support for my back with at least some softness for the aging joints. I started out with a natural F/F/XF, which didn't quite work for me (too soft) and upgraded to the extra firm vzone, which Dave customized for me. But after a couple of weeks of moving around the vzone pieces I was getting close to giving up on the latex bed - nothing seemed to help. Until I took the small piece of superfirm foam and put that under my hips. Bingo. Now my shoulder/lumbar/hip area are M/F/SF, and I've had no pain in 10 days. None. It's a miracle. That's a pretty huge difference between the shoulders and the hips and I really did not expect that to work, but that's what my back wanted after all. They generally say that back pain means too soft and shoulder pain means too hard. That was true for me. You're kind of stuck since the softness that helps your fibro hurts your back. But I wonder how much you've played around with different levels of support under the less sensitive shoulders, lumbar region, and perhaps even the legs. Maybe there is a combination of those that would let you leave the hips soft. Or maybe use just a 10 inch strip of soft foam under the hip instead of the larger piece normally placed under the hips. 10" isn't much to aim for (that's how big the SF under my hips is; Dave is sending me a larger piece), but perhaps just a small soft spot would cushion the fibro while leaving the rest of the body supported. Don't give up. Pain relief is a very good thing. I know better than to get my hopes up too far, but I hope mine lasts. Linda There just aren't many "less sensitive" areas. Not to sound like a big boo hoo, but every area is sensitive.. whine, whine, whine So what's next? Trying the vZone configured a little firmer down one layer This message was modified Mar 18, 2010 by Natalia
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I hope it continues for you. That is indeed amazing!
. After all, I'm just trying to find a combo that leaves my neck, shoulders, ribs, hips, knees, calfs, ankles, and heels pain free... joking, but one can dream.
, S/MvZ/F, or S/FvZ/M, or other combos. I'm on a mission and I'm not giving up before 90 days!
so sorry you havent found the answer yet. this mutliple choice deal at flobeds worried me cuz knowing me i would try everything and not long enough to know if it worked, thankfully the costco bed worked for me, so far...... This message was modified Mar 18, 2010 by randys
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Thanks for your detailed and informative review, Natalie. I have a question about the convoluted topper. Have you (or anyone else) tried flipping it over or not using it at all? I have a sample that Flobeds sent me - I'm really not all that sensitive, but I don't like it much either.
I'm also curious about the cover, do you find it soft enough? Does it get overly warm? Is it necessary to have all that wool between you and the latex? |
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cynicaljones wrote: Thanks for your detailed and informative review, Natalie. I have a question about the convoluted topper. Have you (or anyone else) tried flipping it over or not using it at all? I have a sample that Flobeds sent me - I'm really not all that sensitive, but I don't like it much either.
I'm also curious about the cover, do you find it soft enough? Does it get overly warm? Is it necessary to have all that wool between you and the latex? I've never tried flipping the topper. I like the cushioning of it and I don't notice any bumps or uneven feel. I think the cover is very nice (minus my stitching issue). It's not overly stuffed as store mattress covers seem to be these days and I don't notice any heat retention at all. I also don't notice it feeling cold when I first get in bed as my Temper-pedic cover felt. I wouldn't characterize it as "all that wool". It's not really that thick, and I don't feel it detracts from the feel of the bed in any way. After a month, it looks like new. I sleep alone always on the same side and you can't tell which side. I don't see or feel any compression or stretching of the cover at all. Best to you, Natalie This message was modified Mar 19, 2010 by Natalia
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Final review. Hi Everyone, I've had my FloBed for close to 5 months now, and I LOVE it!  It took a few months to get the proper configuration. For someone with no physical limitations, it would have gone much faster. With severe fibromyalgia and nerve damage in hips I need a very soft bed, yet with enough support to avoid lower back pain. This makes for a very fine line, and "Team Flobeds" (Dewey and Dave), were able to fine tune my mattress to my special needs. My final configuration from FloBeds: Inside FloBeds cotton/wool cover:
The Dormeir Wool Pad is on order but won't ship until next week. I had to order the 24" drop as my mattress is a tad over 13". (Special shout out to Diane for sharing her Dormeir experience. Fingers crossed that I don't feel the stitching, and it doesn't wrinkle. If it does, it'll be for sale. Natalie This message was modified Jul 15, 2010 by Natalia
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So good to hear a success story. I am truly envious also. Just a note: I have a 16" drop Dormeir on a 13" mattress with no problem at all (even after washing and drying it on hot -- oh,oh, is budgy listening?). Oh well, you can just tuck the extra material under the mattress. My 24" drop on my 17" mattress has loads of skirt material left over that I have to tuck under. I just hope the generous 24" skirt doesn't cause too much shifting of the surface for you... |
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Natalia wrote: Final review. Hi Everyone, I've had my FloBed for close to 5 months now, and I LOVE it! It took a few months to get the proper configuration. For someone with no physical limitations, it would have gone much faster. With severe fibromyalgia and nerve damage in hips I need a very soft bed, yet with enough support to avoid lower back pain. This makes for a very fine line, and "Team Flobeds" (Dewey and Dave), were able to fine tune my mattress to my special needs. My final configuration from FloBeds: Inside FloBeds cotton/wool cover:
The Dormeir Wool Pad is on order but won't ship until next week. I had to order the 24" drop as my mattress is a tad over 13". (Special shout out to Diane for sharing her Dormeir experience. Fingers crossed that I don't feel the stitching, and it doesn't wrinkle. If it does, it'll be for sale. Natalie Hi Natatlie- great to hear this is working for you. But I don't see any soft V zone only medium/firm /xfirm v zones. Did you get a special one made for you? From where did you get this: Thanks Natalie. This message was modified Jul 15, 2010 by roy1
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roy1 wrote: Hi Natatlie- great to hear this is working for you. But I don't see any soft V zone only medium/firm /xfirm v zones. Did you get a special one made for you? From where did you get this: Thanks Natalie. Yes, FloBeds custom made my vZone. They can make them in any configuration you need. The Sensus foam is also from FloBeds, though I can't say if either the vZone or Sensus are available without purchasing a FloBed. Give them a call, or if you're phone phobic like me Best to you, Natalie |
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Natalie, I am so happy for you in finally getting the right combination that is just right for your back and body. I was glad I had all that time also to find what worked for me since I ended up having a car accident and needed more time to make my bed firmer. I really love the set up I have now and I love my latex pillows also. My FloBed is my most comfortable bed that I ever owned due to the fact that I built it to suit me. Dave and Dewey really work hard at making sure you are happy and comfortable. They were there for me and even extended my time to exchange two more layers for two super firm latex layers for the bottom of my bed. I have the opposite since I needed my best more firm than most people like a bed. However I still needed a little bit of cushion on top for my pressure points. I tried various mattress pads but they were not comfortable and the polyester ones were hot. I also hate feeling any stiching and the way I have my bed now with the fitted sheet over the FloBed zippered up cover, I am sleeping comfortably. I now just sleep on a fitted 300 to 600 count sheet (I have several ivory sheet sets so I can mix them up and they all kind of match.) and change the sheet on top of me and my fitted sheet under me every week but sometimes I change the sheet on top of me more frequently. I like to be as close to the latex as possible but that is my needs. Thanks for appreciating my help and everyone else on this forum that helped you since we all truly care and wanted to be there for you since in the past others on this list have been there for each one of us.
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