We have so many issues with sleep, pain, stiffness etc maybe sleeping on the right matress can help?

Another way to look at this is which ones should be avoided.

I bought a very expensive matress with magnets before I knew I had lyme and was having lots of symptoms. An alternative doctor told me I would never get well if I continued to use it because they were only meant to be used for short periods not hours.

Any one try the tempurpedic or memory foam ones?

I used to wake up all night from hip and shoulder pain. The first night that I used the memory foam pad, I slept all night!

You kind of lost me. Do you mean when your firm mattress needs replacing you'll buy a memory foam mattress instead of just a memory foam pad?

Sorry I'm not familiar with all the options. But I've heard great things about the memory foam pillows so I really want to understand.

So...I will buy a "firm" mattress, and not the more expensive "pillow top" style.

I've heard other people complain that the padding compressed on the pillow top style.

Actually, I'd love to have a memory foam mattress, but when I look at the price, I change my mind, lol.

I do have a memory foam pillow, and like it very much.

Different brands of memory foam have different densities. If you do a search, you can find a wide variety.

There are natural latex mattresses available, but they are very expensive. Plus, some people will have trouble with the latex. Some can't tolerate the odor, and some are allergic to latex.

There is also a wool mattress topper, called Cuddle Ewe, which some people really like. No problems with chemicals, not AS expensive as the whole latex thing. I haven't tried it, but have thought about it as an option.

Last thing to be aware of (that I know of). There is a highly toxic chemical being used in all furniture and bedding as a fire retardant. It is being phased out, and I think will not be allowed after 2006. You can get some bedding made without it if you have a doctor's letter stating you cannot tolerate exposure.

This may not be an issue for everyone, but for some of us, every added exposure makes things harder.

I'll be interested to see what people come up with, as this is on the edge of my priorities for this year.

While the mattresses alleviated some problems, because the nature of the mattress significantly reduces the amount of naturally-occuring movement that we experience in our sleep, other issues cropped up.

I ended up going with a pillow-top medium mattress that seemed to work with the hip pain that is my primarily sleep-time issue. Because I have allergies to latex, wool, and (ahem) $1000 mattresses, my options were more limited than usual.

Currently, as I am staying with a friend and have to deal with whatever mattress is in her guest room, I have two pink foam thingees on top of the mattress that has dealt with the hip pain.

My husband is indifferent about the bed. He wishes we had a waterbed again.

Hubby had to make me a stool to step up to get into it since I'm short! I use a pillow between my legs especially since my left thigh sciatic nerve is so bad!

Cuddle ewe -- my fibro friends who bought this were very disappointed in it.

good comments too about the chemicals in how they were made, etc.

bettyg

It's filled with air. No springs. No pressure points. You can adjust it to however you want, any time you want. It's HEAVEN!! I also got their own brand pillows, which are made depending on if you sleep on your back or your side.
My LLMD recommended an air-filled bed.

It probably is very individual and may come with pros and cons like so many other things.

Unfortunately, I'm allergic to feathers and wool for example. I know how comfy these are.

I was hoping some brands would stand out as more therapeutic than others.

Regardless of my decision I will put a plan in place for off-gassing. What comes to mind is keeping the mattress in another room where sunlight and heat will hit it for a time and thus off-gas it well before use.

I will also get a note from my doctor to avoid additional fireretardant chemicals.

I'll do both of the above to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals that come with a new mattress.

Is the sleep number electrically powered? If so can you unplug it once it's set up?

Thanks for the helpful tips!

I tried about 7 diffrent kinds.
The Best one I have found is from
wal mart--Ozark Trail brand---
no.607707
Queen size83x61x20-- it is 20 high
like a regular bed.
built in air pump.Works very well.

It is very comfortable and By Far
the Best air bed I have had,
others not even close.
$50--in walmart camping section.
I dont know why it is in camping
section tho--its way to nice for a
camping bed

Most air beds leak or seams tear
in a short period --this model has
been perty good--

When I first started trying diffrent
air beds--I was very sick and spent
most of my time in bed--so the
seams sprang leaks fast.

This model of Ozake Trail has held
up perty well--but has sprung a leak
where I get in and out--I fix
with eletric glue gun--works well--
Fill up till very ferm--

This bed is made for wal mart only--

This is the only thing I buy at
walmart--I do not like what they
have done to america--but it is
the only place I can find this type
of bed--

The bed is Very well designed--
very comfortable and has held up
well-- Its not like any other
air bed you have seen .$50

Air Number bed is Nicer but not
alot---
Bed comes in a green and white box.
Make sure you get correct model--
others not near as nice .

Speaking of bed --
thats where I am now headed--Jay--

A lot of my pain was muscular. My personal reasoning on the reason tempurpedic works for me is that it provides enough support that my muscles can relax rather than holding me up when I sleep. I have a fake tempurpedic pillow that has also helped with neck pain.

If you don't go for the tempurpedic, I was told that you need to find a happy medium between too firm and not firm enough. A lot of people like mattresses to be soft, but that can actually be bad for joints and muscles. You want the support while you sleep. But the really firm ones have no give, so that's bad too.

I have a lot of problem with my hips and they would keep me awake. Since I've been sleeping on the sleep number bed I haven't had that problem.

I didn't like the tempurpedic because it still made my hips hurt. Hope you find something you like.

I really need to replace my daughter's mattress and was thinking of that brand for her.

Yes, the SleepNumber is electric. You can unplug it if you're not planning on changing the 'number' - which indicates the level of firmness that you want. Goes from 0 - 90( I think??)

I sleep at 30, because I love a soft bed - hubby at 45. I bought the model that has 2 individual 'adjusters', so we can each sleep at a different number. Each adjuster controls half the bed.

I tried out all the models, and ended up with the top-of-the-line king size. I'm not sure of the model number - it was a year and a half ago. It has an extra thick covering (because I have dogs and worried they would manage to tear the liner), dual wired controls. Even the box-spring doesn't have springs. It's basically a plastic shell frame. But they all were very comfortable - sooooooooo much better than a spring mattress.

And if you're going to get one, go for the pillows!! Pricey, but SOOO worth it. I sleep on my side (and sometimes on my back), and got the side sleeper, which is a
softer pillow. I bought a back sleeper pillow for hubby, but took it back because it was too firm.

I worry about the therapedic mattress - it's foam, and at some point, just like a spring mattress, that foam has to start sagging. An air bed, you just put more air in.

Many years ago, I had a flotation mattress, which was like a waterbed/matress combo. Water bladders underneath a mattress shell. That was awesome - until it leaked of course.

After spending $1500 on a king-size premium spring mattress set, I was seriously pissed to have to throw it in the garbage after 3 1/2 years. But I had no choice, since it was sagging, and I could no longer take the pressure point pain any more. The premium Sleep Number may be double that, but I know I won't have to pitch it any time soon. The bed has a 20 year warranty.

Sorry for the infomercial, but you asked. Hope it helps!!

quote:

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Originally posted by lymeinhell:
I worry about the therapedic mattress - it's foam, and at some point, just like a spring mattress, that foam has to start sagging. An air bed, you just put more air in.

---

The tempurpedic is not a regular foam and it lasts significantly longer than most spring mattresses. The actual material is strong enough that it does not sag. I know of people who have had them for years and years with no problems. I sleep in the about the same spot every night, and you wouldn't know to look at the bed.

The select comfort adjusts to your comfort level. My number while it might be the same as my husbands feels totally different because of our weight and size. I like the fact I can adjust the firmness as I need it. Some nights it feels better to sleep firm; other nights a less firm.

Prior to getting this mattress I had a lot of numbness in my legs and hands - all gone now - and very good night's sleep.