Search Results For "Simmons"

Just to clarify ... firmness/softness in the upper layers and support are two different things. Support is more about targeting "upwards pressure" and comfort is more about distributing "downwards pressure". The mattress pad may make things firmer and add to "downwards" pressure issues but this firmness wouldn't contribute to support since there would be no "targeted" upwards pressure. The main part of the support needs to come from the springs (or the core in an all latex construction). The upper layers "help" by affecting how much you sink in and to a degree where and how much along your body the springs "push back". If the upper layers are also resilient ... then they can also add to support in the lumbar or recessed areas but a passive material like a pad or memory foam couldn't help much at all as they have little to no resilience.

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I talked to Literie Laurier and had a good conversation with him. I also told him about the forum and that a lot of Canadians may be interested in his answers and he plans to come and take a look and perhaps even post.

In any case he told me that the Costco topper was 40 ILD which would probably be too firm for you. It comes from LI.

He also told me that the Quebecois also like their latex either really soft or really firm so the toppers they sell from stock are 19, 40, and 44. When I told him that the people here would likely want a greater range as there are many who build their own mattresses, he said he could get it in other ILD's as well. They do a lot of latex volume and have a good relationship with LI....

Now that you have a better "base" I would probably go with option #2 and try the "experiment" when/if you can. What you learn from that will likely help you make better choices in adding toppers. I have a feeling that if you can put together "zoned" layers similar (in principle) to the diagram that you may find your problem solved ... at least as much as it can be given the condition of your back. I would also suggest giving each change a couple of nights (again if you can) since there may be too many variables to know if what you experience in a single night is from what you are sleeping on or from other circumstances. I would tend towards more slow gradual changes as it will increase your odds of getting it right in the end.

I know the memory foam is probably tempting...

Not so much thicken it (that's just a side effect of the testing for now) but more like an even thickness with softer and firmer parts (at the end) ... like the drawing. I would try it for a whole night if you can. As far as the pillow, I would tend to thicker since you seem to prefer side sleeping. The goal of all of this including the pillow is to keep your whole spine in alignment including your neck.

Phoenix

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OK ... I don't expect this to fully solve anything but it's worth trying to see the effect and get a sense of direction before you spend a bunch on toppers.

If you have a thin firm blanket (say wool but any thin firm piece of material that is big enough... even a thick flat sheet, carpet underlay etc) ... fold it in 3 ... and then lay it sideways over the middle third of your bed and tuck it under. It should be under your hip/lumbar area but not under your ribcage. If the material is thicker (carpet underlay etc) then just double it but make sure it is laying up to but not under your ribcage.

Double up your latex and put it on your side of the bed over the material. Double up your eggcrate and put it on top of the latex....

Is the cheap 1.5 MF topper you plan to get from WM made by Simmons? If you end up getting it, let me know how it works for you.

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3 inches of 40 ILD? Wow! Who would use such a topper? Somebody who wants to firm up their bed?

That old quilt is really worn out, a bit uneven and not tight at all. I only use it because it softens up the surface a little. I tried it without and the bed is a little harder. I put it over top of the mattress pad, which is holding the egg crate and the latex together, so it doesn't move. The pad does however tightens things up and the surface is not cushy at all, just a tightly stiched cotton. I know I need support but I'm certain that some of the pain I have (lower back and hips) comes from pressure, hence my hurry to find a fix. Even ordering today would give at least a full two weeks before delivery. Today, I had to hold myself not...

You're right, the 1" Sensus is indeed very tempting since I sense that a little softness would go a long way for my sore hips and back. I would replace the quilt with it, so I shouldn't lose much support.

I'll wait to hear the details you'll get from the latex from Costco before going there. Too bad the 2' model is only available in twin and double.

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I couldn't test that setup last night since our guests arrived and my wife had to leave the sofa for her brother and come and sleep in our bed, which she found very firm and lacking some softness even though she's only 135. I had set it the opposite of the first night, putting the egg crate on the bottom, the latex in the middle and the quilt on top. I still very much sleep on top of the bed and not in it at all. Still, I managed to improve on my two past nights by sleeping almost 5.5 hours without waking up, which I see as a very good sign, although I was still stiff all over when I awoke. I could also attribute this progress to being exhausted because we went to bed very late.

 At this point, I'm considering 3 scenarios:

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I tried a whole bunch of pillows (latex, memory foam, feather, thin and thick polyester). I had to change, depending on which beds I was sleeping on and also, when playing with toppers. The softer the bed, the thinner the pillow. With my old Beautyrest, I used to sleep with two thin pillows and that was fine and great. Haven't been able to do that with any of my recent beds. 

If I understand well, you want me to slightly thicken the bottom part of the bed, under the toppers, starting from my lumbar area? I see what you have in mind, that would help my shoulders sink in a bit more while providing some relief on my rib cage. You'd like me to test it for a short while or spend a whole night that way?

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