Too firm mattress

[maris39]

Like a lot of people, I thought a really firm mattress would help my lower back problem of many years. WRONG!!! I have severe osteoarthritis and bouts of sciatica.
The mattress is almost brand new, but I can't take the pain in my lower back and hips much longer. I'm lucky if I get 4 to 5 hours sleep a night and quite frankly, I'm exhausted.
Would it be less expensive to keep the foundation and just add a good quality medium firm mattress or ??? Should I look into foam?
Lower back pain is so common that I'm hoping a lot of you out there have had experience with the wrong mattress and can help me find the right one.

 

[GKDesigns]

The mattress should have core support and top comfort pressure relieving layers that work together to support your body height and weight evenly in the various sleep positions. Easier said than done. If you think the existing mattress provides the core support (really firm should), you might be able to add a 3" (or more) Talalay Latex layer in cover on top to 'fix' it... to distribute your body's load bearing points more evenly.
If average or above average height and weight, I would suggest the 28 ILD.
Otherwise, look for similar characteristics in a new mattress.
GK

 

[maris39]

Thanks very much for the info. I"ll look into the topper as I'm really not confident in ordering any other mattress - I think they are all tremendously overpriced and the quality just isn't there any more.

Just a note: the company suggested does not ship to my address. I'll have to keep looking.

 

[Sall]

maris39 wrote:
Thanks very much for the info. I"ll look into the topper as I'm really not confident in ordering any other mattress - I think they are all tremendously overpriced and the quality just isn't there any more.


Just a note: the company suggested does not ship to my address. I'll have to keep looking.

I would also recommend a latex topper. There are other companies that sell latex toppers. You could try Sleeps Like A Bear or Sleepez which probably have the same toppers.

Latex Toppers

I originally put this in the Plushbeds thread but I thought it was probably more appropriate that it had it's own. I'll add more for Dunlop and other thicknesses as I have the chance or find out more from some of the companies I didn't include because they don't have prices listed on their...

www.whatsthebest-mattress.com

 

[maris39]

Sall wrote:


I would also recommend a latex topper. There are other companies that sell latex toppers. You could try Sleeps Like A Bear or Sleepez which probably have the same toppers.

Latex Toppers

I originally put this in the Plushbeds thread but I thought it was probably more appropriate that it had it's own. I'll add more for Dunlop and other thicknesses as I have the chance or find out more from some of the companies I didn't include because they don't have prices listed on their...

www.whatsthebest-mattress.com

Thanks for the info - I'll look into that.

 

[tjstogner]

Make sure it is natural latex, as many companies sell "latex toppers" for much less, but they are fake latex (ie petro-chemical based). Talalay latex is basically minimal processed rubber from the rubber tree, and because it takes forever for the stuff to pour out and process, it's pricey (but well worth it). Here's a link to a good one, let us know how you like it!

 

[GKDesigns]

tjstogner wrote:
Make sure it is natural latex, as many companies sell "latex toppers" for much less, but they are fake latex (ie petro-chemical based). Talalay latex is basically minimal processed rubber from the rubber tree, and because it takes forever for the stuff to pour out and process, it's pricey (but well worth it). Here's a link to a good one, let us know how you like it!
PlushBeds Latex Topper Mattress Pad - 2" Talalay 100% Natural - Queen

Synthetic Latex is blended with natural Latex to make Blended Latex foam rubber. Although not of 100% natural Latex, Blended product is certified safe and is highly recommended as being optimum for bedding products by Latex International, the leading/only US manufacturer of Talalay process Latex foam rubber.
Talalay Latex foam rubber is so-called because it is produced by the Talalay manufacturing process, and it is more processed than Latex foam rubber made by the Dunlop process.
Both *quality* Blended and 100% Natural Latex foam rubber products are comparable in price. 100% Natural product is slightly more expensive because:

• it requires more harvested natural Latex;
• it is more difficult to process without the added traits of synthetic Latex and can have a lower production yield rate;
• it is denser, heavier, more costly to ship;
• it benefits from the current green marketing hype and misinformation.

GK

 

[Airdreams]

3" MEMORY FOAM OR LATEX TOPPER SHOULD HELP THE FIRMNESS

 

[john6185]

We have a memory foam mattress tht is too hard and they told us not to get a topper and to heat up the thing with a bed heating pad.... Well, it is supposed to be comfortable without all the additional ependiture!

 

[SJTrance]

john6185 wrote:
We have a memory foam mattress tht is too hard and they told us not to get a topper and to heat up the thing with a bed heating pad.... Well, it is supposed to be comfortable without all the additional ependiture!

That's ridiculous... well, from both parties. You shouldn't have to heat your mattress to make it more comfortable. On the other hand, you can't expect any bed to be comfortable just because it's the "best bed" out there. Not everyone requires the correct amount of stiffness so you get a firm base and get softer layers of either memory foam, latex or other materials to make it customized for YOU.