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I purchased a Talalay blended mattress from SleeptEZ about one year ago, and I've never really been able to get comfortable on it. When I first lay down, I love the way it feels, soft yet supportive, and very springy, yet after a short while pressure points start to build, mostly in my lower back, and I end up tossing throughout the night trying to get comfortable. Since I have a 3 layer Soft-Medium-Firm split, I've tried swapping layers in every conceivable configuration, but I've still just never been able to avoid waking up with lower back pain in the morning. Since I've had a lot of time to try different things and think about what the problem is, I'm starting to think that the pusback/springyness of the latex is just too strong for me, even though the top layer of foam is soft. When I lay down on my couch with its cheap PU foam I feel more comfort than I do on the latex mattress. Maybe this means latex just isn't for me? I'm curious what others think about the pushback effect of latex. Is this real, and can it be too much for some people? Is there anything I can try? Thanks, Jonathan This message was modified May 11, 2010 by slantedview
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sandman wrote:
I am somewhat similiar in that I don't find a 100% latex mattress totally satisfying. I have ended up using 2" of memory foam to make my mattress a bit more plush and body conforming. I think memory foam does a better job of pressure relief, but too much will not provide enough support. I currently have 1" of memory foam on top and another 1" below 1" of latex. This is on top of 2" of latex, which is on Sealy springs. However, if you have back issues I am not sure memory foam would help you. I assume you have tried firmer configurations and they are no better? Too firm can cause back issues (for me) if it forces me to sleep in a position (kind of slumped on my stomach) which puts strain on my back. |
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twalkman wrote:
In what position do you sleep? I find our latex guest bed is fine for me when I sleep on my side, but too soft if I try to sleep on my stomach.
I thought lower back pain was usually aggravated by a bed that is too soft, not too firm. Pain in shoulders and hips is from too firm. But I'm sure that generalization doesn't apply to everyone. Not to be flip, but perhaps you need to do more than just the bed to improve your lower back? My wife can get some back pain if she stops doing her usual strength and flexibility exercises. Finally, by all means I think you may be able to put something on top of your mattress to make it a bit more soft if that's what you're looking for.
This message was modified May 12, 2010 by slantedview
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jimsocal wrote:
I felt the same way about my flobeds mattress, when I tried one.
It felt like it was pushing back too much and would not let my body relax. I sent it back, got a refund, no problem. What I finally realized for myself - some people are the same way - is that I need SPRINGS - or "coils" as the industry terms them - under my body. You might be like me in that respect. But before you decide to re- do your whole mattress which you have a lot of $ invested in, try this: Try a 1" or so layer of super soft latex. I'm going to recommend that you buy 1" of super soft Talatech latex in ILD 14 from sleeplikeabear.com. Note that it may take you a couple weeks or more to get it because they are said to be slow. Now, I have not tried the Talatech ILD 14 but I have been told by an expert that this will improve that feeling of pushing back that some feel is too strong with latex. I plan to get one as a topper when I can afford it. The other option is of course memory foam and you could try, say, 1" of Sensus memory foam on top and see if that works for you. If it feels too hot, put some wool - like an old wool blanket or specially made wool topper - on top. You can get Sensus memory foam at overstock.com. Know that memory foam tends to break down rather quickly so if it works for you, it may stop working for you after some time... You could also try just a cheap pu foam topper... Seems to me that you need to put SOMEthing in between you and the latex... but if you put too much soft foam in between you and the latex it will hurt your back. So you have to find just the right thickness and the right softness. Good luck! jonathan This message was modified May 12, 2010 by slantedview
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The Nutratemp memory foam topper being sold at Costco is rated 14 IFD/ILD. I think it would feel a little softer than a latex at the same ILD rating. Diane |
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i am sending back my costco latex, have sent back two sleep science foams and 2 tempurpedics and now realize i probably have to find a spring mattress
my reaction to this latex is almost as if i am allergic to it, i have pain all around my back that i never had before and it isnt muscle pain or it isnt related to discs I should say |
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After my car accident, my lower back was hurting as well as my neck area. I decided to go firmer in the bed and switched out two X-firm latex cores for two Super Firm Latex cores with a 1" topper and my pain went away when I am sleeping. I still have pain off and on when I am doing activities now since the car accident but sleeping is wonderful. The lower back does not like a too soft bed in my opinion. I feel you need to have all firmer layers with a very small cushion on top for your pressure points. Well, this is what I needed and it worked. |
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Thanks for the response Lynn. I ordered a 1" extra soft memory foam piece (cheap, just to see how it goes) and I'll be sure to try adjusting the layers under that, as you suggested. This message was modified May 14, 2010 by slantedview
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In a short time the memory foam will more than likely wear out (they usually do). Then perhaps you can buy a 18ILD latex topper would be like memory foam? The memory foam will probably make your shoulders happy, but it never worked for my hips. It just goes flat on me. Good luck. I just read you don't really sleep on your sides, that you are a back sleeper, so maybe a wool pad would fill in the gap the small of your back gets with latex. I don't have back pain since I got the wool on top Natura pad. But I am a side sleeper that has to sleep on her back because of hip pain. Also I have a 1" soft latex under that with other firm latex under that. A fluffly wool pad might help, but those too go flat after a while. Good luck. Post back after a while. The wool will sleep cooler than memory foam also. This message was modified May 14, 2010 by Leo3
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| While you are figuring out a solution, try placing a flattish pillow or two under your knees ( for back sleeping). this will take the stress off of the lower back. sleeping on the side, you would place a pillow between the knees |
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Sometimes I wonder if the 3" layers is too much. I have to wonder if you switched out the 3" soft latex for a 1-2" piece of perhaps a tiny bit firmer. Not sure what the soft is rated at for Sleepeze. Sleeplikeabear has 1" or 2" latex, or Rocky Mountain has 1" 2" 24ILD natural latex. But maybe like I said before 1-2" of wool would ease your back pain. Just MHO. The small of my back use to hurt before I started using the wool. |