posted
Hi, I have memory foam on my beds. I don't have the chemical sensitivity you have but the odor should dissipate in a few days. Can you put it outside for a few days while it gasses off?
I have had mine for quite a while and I can't detect any more odors from it. Again, I don't have the chemical sensitivities but I have a friend that is very sensitive and she uses the memory foam toppers. So, I think it all goes away.
-------------------- Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired Posts: 185 | From Colorado | Registered: Sep 2006
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Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
I'm so sorry to hear. The memory foam mattress saved my back. I'm sorry you can't benefit from it.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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Carol in PA
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 5338
posted
If you take the mattress pad and the sheets off of it, exposing the surface to the air, you can aim a fan at it, and that will help it to outgas more quickly.
I could smell it, but it didn't bother me. My husband slept on the couch for a while, as he didn't like it.
Carol
Posts: 6956 | From Lancaster, PA | Registered: Feb 2004
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Jill E.
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9121
posted
My parents had to take theirs back to the store, and they don't even have chemical sensitivities - I do. They could not stand the smell, even after one week.
Jill
-------------------- If laughter is the best medicine, why hasn't stand-up comedy cured me? Posts: 1773 | From San Diego | Registered: Apr 2006
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
Its just a warning. I had to take mine back.
Im thinking of a new mattress now and covering it with some type of pad.
I have a HEPA but it only removes up to .3 micron.
Not small enough to take out the chemical smell.
Believe me I never used to have this MCS. I was still sick, but I only would get bad allergies/vertigo/mcs twice a year.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
yeah, memory foam feels great, but is hecka toxic. some kinds are smellier than others.
you could put your topper outside in a garage for a few months to off gas (yes, it usually takes that long -- i've done it with memory foam pillows, and i'm only moderately chemically sensitive). problem is, you have to spread it out for air circulation, which means you need a lot of room, not to mention patience.
OR get a natural latex foam topper instead. be careful because some kinds of latex are full of chemicals too, but taladay latex is supposed to be 100% rubber. there usually isn't any worry about allergies because in the manufacturing process the proteins (the allergenic part of the latex) is removed. i've had no problems with chemical sensitivity and it feels very comfortable.
i have a latex mattress from sleepworks.com (i think they only sell in the bay area) and i love it. i've also tried out a brand called "green sleep" and it is organic and heavenly but expensive. i'm sure there are lots of other latex brands (toppers and mattresses) that are fine for MCS sufferers.
good luck!
Posts: 47 | From California | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Thanks for the warning. Sorry you are going through this. hats
Posts: 956 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2004
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
so sorry to read this, i have bad MCS which continues getting worse; not better.
have you called the 1-800 number of written this company expressing what you go thru, etc?
they can't work on changing or addressing things unless folks complain TO THE COMPANY who make the "smelly" things effecting our health. just my opinion.
who knows, they might try to compensate you somehow in "good faith"!?
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posted
I don't think I could live without my memory foam mattress topper. It is soooo soft to sleep on and nothing pokes you to make you sore. I do tink mine had an order also but after having it in the sun for only a few hours it was gone. As for the person who asked what it was: It is a super soft foam which holds it shape. It is the softest thing I have ever slept on. On a different note though I also have one in my car that is actually a pillow. Once when I was in Minnesota I left it in the car over night. I was running late in the morning as usual. I ran out to my car and jumped in. I won't repeat my words but after that I decided to put that on my list of things to never do again. Do not sit on memory foam after it is left in a cold car over night. It is hard as a rock! sick
Posts: 538 | From Iowa | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
They help me sleep despite my tender joints, but I have to let a new one air for weeks or months before I use it.
We put it out on the patio table (iron grate) in the sun every morning and bring it inside in the evening so it doesn't get wet from dew.
My MCS has gotten so much worse, and perhaps the memory foam has contributed to that.
It seemed to be more related to moving mercury around and improper detoxing.
I hope you feel better.
Susan
Posts: 233 | From United States | Registered: Oct 2006
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MariaA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9128
posted
I want to second the opinion on Talalay latex- it's very expensive but it's a FANTASTIC mattress, feels somewhat like memory foam but is natural. they come in a variety of firmnesses and last a very long time from what I've seen.
I don't have chemical sensitivities, though, so I can't speak from that perspective.
They have some reviews that theirs doesnt smell quite as bad and their qulity is nice.
Im gonna put it on the porch with a fan on it for a day to air it out. Im thinking that should do the trick.
I shouldnt get it untill they end of the week though.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
You can try latex foam. I just bought a latex foam bed and it's very comfortable, I like it even better than memory foam. It doesn't have the chemical smell at all.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
I know six, its a little late though...
I posted my dilema on mattress blog. The gentlemen there also told me to try a latex topper.
I have a feeling though that this memory foam will do the trick!
My mothers memory foam mattress feels pretty good, though she complains that it makes her hot.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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Angelica
Unregistered
posted
The two items that are returned to Costco the most are memory foam mattresses and toppers and with good reason.
It took my memory foam mattress months to out gas and when and if I find a new home it will be returned. I still can smell it when I change the sheets and strongly dislike sleeping on fire retardant.
If I had a long term rental instead of an iffy situation the mattress would be going back today but I don't feel in a good position to be buying a decent mattress now.
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
mine smelled like peanut butter, honest. it took months for it to go away. i had it in the front bedroom laying on the floor for weeks until i could put it on our bed.
i love it, but man, it smelled.....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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jamescase20
Unregistered
posted
I bought a 4 inch mem pad from overstock.com and it contained some chemical additive that "claims" to block the escape of the "gasses".
Interestingly..it did smell...but had a strange smell...not as bad as the common "gassing" you speak of.
At any rate...still use it today...in fact...I ONLY use it...I hate sagging beds.
Anyway...I personally dont think I am chemically sensitive..but who knows.
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jamescase20
Unregistered
posted
I would rather be exposed to some chemical gassing that likely dont last very long...as it ages...less gas comes out...then be exposed to the BLACK MOLD!!!!
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Dawnee
Unregistered
posted
We have memory foam on our mattress also. It has helped me get MUCH better sleep. I do wonder now about the toxin/gas thing now though....
Mine doesn't smell bad anymore..but I wonder what the stuff is made of that it has such fumes?
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
i'm mcs and have two of the memory foams-one at home one in camper. i aired them out about 24 hrs and they have never bothered me. now my laptop was different-it took about 6 months and i had to buy an aloe plant to suck up what ever it gave off...the plant grew like crazy...i had to give it away-my house is really small
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
thats a crazy story IP.
I just got some more memory foam and I whiffed it. It was a bad idea. Now my throat hurts and Im pale. Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
Well I made the mistake of getting another topper.
I aired it out for 2 days. Apparentlly this wasnt enough.
I have it under a mattress protector and it still smells a little through that.
I dont understand, my mothers memory foam mattress gives off no smell, but then again its under a mattress protector and sheets.
I have white bumps on my tonsils again and post nasal drip along with an exagerated MCS reaction and the terrible vertigo and itching in the ears.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
Does anyone other then Six know how the Latex toppers are?
My memory foam is still killing me. Its offgassing terrible, but not as bad as some I might add.
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
What are the chemical in memory foam that are so bad for me causing severe vertigo?
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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