Build-a-bed...
Nov 5, 2008 10:12 AM
Joined: Nov 5, 2008
Points: 3
After reading at length here about the various options, I think we have decided to "build-a-bed"  If only it were that easy <sigh>.  Currently on a 7 yo Bassett pillowtop (Sealy?) that is sagging and oddly leaning to the right?!  In any case, I believe it to be a major contributor to my low back pain/sciatica.  Ive had problems on and off since an injury about 9 years ago.  I wake up basically crippled and unable to walk.  After several hours of "moving" I feel just fine...  Starts over next morning.  The only time I actually have the pain at this point is when I am lying in the bed.  Once Im up, its just a matter of getting myself to walk "straight" again.  Enough of that...

Stats:  me:  5'6', 140 lbs, female, side sleeper, low back pain.   Spouse:  6'0', thin (170?), side back and stomach sleeper.  Both of us seem to prefer a bit firmer sleep surface as we both feel we sleep best in the camper (2 inches of 10yo PU over plywood ;)  )  Wouldnt want to sleep on it every night though.

My impression from reading is that latex may not be my friend.  I am planning on trying one however.

Will a store tryout really tell me if latex will be a problem for my back? or would it take longer?

At this point am assuming we will get a firm supportive quality bed and build comfort layers on top (questions on that below).  I have taken the liberty of ordering the 1 " memory foam topper from overstock for $49 already.  Good?

Should I assume I will need and go ahead and order a latex topper?  1"? 2"?  These are quite a bit more expensive, so I hesitated before ordering.  Which ILD/thickness should I start with?

Firm supportive base bed:

This is what I think I need to look for in a bed (PLEASE correct me if Im wrong, this is all new to me)...
--higher coil count (close to 800 for a queen)
--higher gauge (13-15?)
--NOT pocket coils, more of an semi-attached coil system?
--lowest amount of additional comfort pad I can get (boxtop)...how much is too much here?

Am I missing anything important here?  I have looked for a local manufacturer (we are in Salt Lake City) and have had no luck.  Most seem to just re-sell rather than manufacture other than visco beds.  So it looks like Im stuck with the "s" companies.  Seems Simmons gets best ranking, but they do pocket coils? so Im confused about that...

I have access to RC Willey, Sears, Ikea, Macys, Costco...

Thanks for any help!

Re: Build-a-bed...
Reply #3 Nov 8, 2008 7:58 PM
Location: Yosemite area
Joined: Sep 10, 2008
Points: 249
If I HAD to get one of the big three, I guess I'd go with the Sealy Signature line, as it as open end offset coils...which will support your back.  It has to be the signature line, tho, not their regular stuff.  Even the low end of the signature line has like 7 inches of foam, I think, tho. They make their own coils they say.
I'd go with the least amount of foam padding over the top of these as possible.  More foam, more give, more breakdown, more backache.  I've had the same problem as you.
However, if you look really hard at larger towns around where you live, you might find a bed maker.  It's an almost lost art these days.  Ask people, check the net, check the yellow pages, check everywhere. 
I just brought home my new bed.  Handmade, with offset coils, covered with burlap and lovely cotton batting, then just a few inches of nice foam.  Box springs have real springs.  I'm pretty darn happy now.  Oh, and it is flippable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will report back.
Kait
Re: Build-a-bed...
Reply #4 Nov 10, 2008 1:07 PM
Joined: Nov 5, 2008
Points: 3
Thanks Kait.  I actually bought a bed from a regional manufacturer with a Bonnell unit and just 1 " memory foam... It was as close as I could find to what I wanted and was a great deal too.  So far it is working out beautifully although I think the memory foam topper I have coming will help some.  Congrats on the bed.  It sounds wonderful!!

Forgot to add...  when they took the old mattress out (and before they brought in my new one, I discovered that my old box springs (which Im keeping) have SPRINGS...  well who knew, but I guess thats a good thing!

Jodie

This message was modified Nov 10, 2008 by utcarsons
Re: Build-a-bed...
Reply #5 Nov 20, 2008 8:44 PM
Location: Yosemite area
Joined: Sep 10, 2008
Points: 249
Hey, Jodie;
How are you liking your bed?  I got mine a week and a half ago....was firmer than the showroom bed, so I've been experimenting with foam toppers. My rear-end sat on the bed and didn't sink much, my shoulders were in pain when I slept on my side.   I am in agreement with Cloud9 about too much foam can cause backaches.  I started with a 2", 4 pound memory foam...too soft.   Shoulders were happy, low back ached.  Dropped to memory foam shoulders and legs, with 2" pu foam med density in the hip area.  Kind of okay, but second night not good.  Last night did memory foam shoulders and pu foam legs and hips.  Bad.  So ripped it all off and did 1" soft pu foam shoulders, and 1" slightly firmer pu foam legs and hips.  It feels better but tonight will tell.  I swear I am the Princess and the Pea!
Bed has offset coils, insulator, burlap, lots of soft cotton batting, then a little built in topper(both sides!) of 2" polyurethane soft foam.  Feels hard to my body.  I think I cannot sink deeply enough into it.  I will probably do toppers rather than bring it back to add more foam inside.  Plus I'd need to know what works before I ask them to do anything.
Any feedback from anyone?  I dislike the boingy feel of latex, and typically memory foam is too sinky.
Kait
Re: Build-a-bed...
Reply #6 Apr 21, 2010 10:48 PM
Joined: Apr 21, 2010
Points: 58
Cotton is pretty hard for sleeping I find. two things you might try are the lambswool topper from overstock, which has had very positive feedback on the site. or the 5" featherbed, which also at overstock, can be fluffed up for more height or flattened for less. both had near uniformly positive feedback. I had a great sleep on the W mattress in a westin hotel. they use a featherbed on top of a high support mattress. not sure if either of these will solve it for you but may be worth a try.

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