Linda: I'm sorry to hear you're having so much trouble getting your layers right. But this is not uncommon at all for folks who do have physical problems going in.
What you're experiencing somewhat parallels my own experience. I started off fairly firm, but wanted to try softer layers so I got a soft layer and another medium layer. This didn't work at all. I have tried various combinations but have returned to what I had originally. Namely one side F/F/XF and I have recently changed the other side back to F/XF/XF and have removed the new topper and replace it with the old very thin topper. We'll see how this works.
The new hundred percent cotton topper may prove to be the ideal covering this summer when it gets warmer. But for winter time my old topper seems to feel the best, it's so thin that I will bet you it is less thick than a dime. This is primarily due to the fact that it's wearing out after 10 years of use. But another fact regarding this old topper, is what it is made of. I checked the law labeled today and it is 50% cotton and 50% Dacron. So maybe this has something to do with it. At this point in time, all I'm looking for is comfort, and I don't much care what something is made out of, as long as it works for me.
One of the reasons for going back to this firmer original configuration is the fact that I have been installing a new stereo system that includes a 5.1 speaker system, since I now have a receiver that will work with this more modern arrangement. This required getting behind my television and squatting down for a protracted number and period of times. I began having hip joint pain. It is better now but I felt like that the softer configuration I was using may have contributed something to this pain. So we'll have to wait and see how that works out. But I'm expecting good things since the pain has been working itself out anyway.
So you just have to stick with it and rely on FloBeds to give you good advice coupled with your own personal experiences. One hint I can give you that might prove beneficial. I opened a Word document on my computer and kept a running daily diary. Most of that diary wound up in my thread "Just bought a new FloBeds" you can really get confused about what layers went where and what the results were if you don't keep a diary. Pretty soon it's like a dog chasing its tail!
You have my best wishes, and good luck!
PS: I just thought of something additional I think I should add. You're putting the plywood under your mattress was a good idea. I am very much sold on the idea that we need a very solid foundation under our latex mattresses. We want the latex mattress to do all of the flexing. If you have an unstable ( read that too flexible) support system under the mattress then you can never tell what latex configuration is really best for you. Recently I changed the bottom layer of my mattress for the first time since I have owned my FloBeds. I was quite amazed at the difference the very bottom layer can make to the way the mattress feels.
There was a fellow on this forum some time ago who reported that by putting a hydraulic jack under his slat foundation and only jacking it up 1/8 inch in the very middle of his bed that it made all the difference in the world the way the mattress felt. I believe that he was onto something. I think many times our platforms are not solid enough. The mattress industry has been telling us "For ever and a Day" that a good box springs makes a lot of difference. I have always thought they just wanted to sell us something extra. But I think there is a lot of truth in the fact that you need the proper foundation for your mattress.
This message was modified Feb 20, 2010 by eagle2
