So, i recently purchased an older (second hand) sealy posturepedic "firm" mattress. I intentionally bought a second hand one because I am using it on a lofted (aka really high, I can stand under it) platform bed and wanted my mattress to not be too thick, so it wouldn't create a problem with ceiling clearance when i set up. This mattress i bought is in good condition. The only problem is that when i was testing it out, it felt ok, but now that i've gotten it home it feels.. well.. too firm. It has not been used often, and I can't feel the springs, so it's still in relatively good shape (besides apparently being too firm for me.)

I'm a side sleeper, and i've been having a lot of weird symptoms lately - numbness in my hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy) that sometimes lasts a bit through the day. I used to be able to sleep pretty well on anything, but those days are evidently past and it seems now that whatever I try (with the exception of some of the super high end mattresses -- if anyone has any info on how the simmons beautyrest line they used to carry at bloomingdales was constructed, I'm all ears, as that's the only mattress in the last month that i've gotten a good sleep on) starts to feel achey after a few minutes. I'd really rather not spend a fortune on a $1500 mattress, and, most of the $1500+ mattresses are too thick to be ideal for my peculiar loft situation anyway. So.. i'm wondering.. is it worth it to bother trying to augment the too firm mattress with a topper, maybe latex? and/or memory foam? Or, will i just be spinning my wheels - ie, will the mattress underneath, which is uncomfy, outweigh the benefit of any topper i might try?

I suppose also, in general, i'm really confused by this firm, cushion firm, plush firm, etc business -- seems like "firm" has changed over the years. I've been to a lot of department stores and mattress stores lately, and all of the "firm" ones I've tried in the showrooms seem a lot less firm than "firm" mattresses used to feel (aka my new-to-me second hand posturepedic..)

Any insight much appreciated!
kind regards,
lauren