back pain caused by new mattress and latex, advice needed please!
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Howdy. I just found this site and it appears as if many of you are versed in mattress comfort. I am 5'5" 128 pounds--a relatively fit and healthy person who has never had sleep problems until recently getting rid of an old mattress and boxspring (traditional boxspring, flippable--my boyfrend and I slept on this little full size thing for 10 years!--Unfortunately I don't know what kind of mattress it was--i.e. firmness, etc. although I know it was an S brand). Anyhow we purchased a 100% natural latex mattress from a local bedmaker-Mulligan's Mattresses--he claims it was Dunlop (however, I saw some packaging in his store that was Talalay and when I questioned him he was vague--. We also purchased a platform frame from West Elm. Anyhow, my spouse thought this new get-up was the most comfortable sleep he had ever had (queen sized, medium fimness with softer 2" topper). While it initially felt comfy when lying down, I woke in extreme agony by 2 am--entire back aching. Mulligan's had us flip it over to try the firmer side, try towels beneath for lumbar support, gave us a firmer mattress to try, and then a topper--all caused me extreme discomfort. He was kind enough to provide a full refund. Then we tried a Simmons BeautyRest, Plush Firm. We both started having low back aches. Now we are on a Sealy Posterpedic Cushion Firm-- with a thin layer of latex at the head and foot and memory foam in the middle. We have this on the platform. Again, it feels comfy upon lying down but I wake up in extreme agony--mid side aches, upper and lower back pain...We added a memory foam topper but it hasn't helped. I am even going to see a back specialist--however, I am certain this is due to the mattress not something else physiological (or psychological!)...I am a stomach and side sleeper and I have tried accomodating positions, pillows between legs, etc. to no avail. Reading through this forum it appears as if there is a problem that others have also experiences with latex and aching backs. Does anyone know more about this issue? Is it possible that the platform bed frame is the cause of all this discomfort? At this point I know I need another bed but since I am now going to be losing 900.00 on the mattress exchange from the S brand, I am hesitant to start throwing away more money... Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks, S in Portland! |
Re: back pain caused by new mattress and latex, advice needed please!
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You are not alone. I have had the same trouble....my husband can sleep on anything and I just can't. One time, I returned from a trip to Denver where i slept on a lovely bed that healed my chronic low back pain in two nights. Heaven! I came home and refused to sleep on our bed one more night...he asked what I wanted to do, and I told him I was going to cut it open and take out some of the crappy foam! He was stunned, but he agreed. Your old, comfy bed likely was made better...springs, an insulator layer, cotton batting, and minimal foam on top. Too much foam doesn't sleep well. I have had no luck with Latex myself...tho my hubby loved the latex topper I brought home once. Midway through the first night I was ready to heave it. I found that the minimal padding is the best. The more foam you have, the more your heavy part sinks, causing low back pain. I'm 5'6" and 125# so it isn't weight. Just distribution. The more ins and outs you have, the more difficult it is to find comfort. My daughter has a lovely bed...simple, very little foam. She's a stomach sleeper. I am intrigued by Miracoil springs by Legget and Platt. I get an online mattress magazine, read about a mattress by "Silentnight" in the UK, and they use the Miracoil springs. Legget and Platt are in the US and the coils should be available in other beds here. Always something new...good luck! Kait |