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Post by Marcia on Jan 18, 2009 17:23:29 GMT -5
The mattress we have now feels like a slab of concrete, so we've been looking for a replacement. I found a pillow top that feels really comfortable, but the product reviews I've read range from wonderful to don't ever buy one. The problem seems to be that the pillow top develops low spots and ends up hurting your back even more. Does anyone here have a pillow top? We're trying not to spend more than $600 for just the mattress, so that may make a difference, as well. Thanks.
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cat
Junior Member
Posts: 22
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Post by cat on Jan 18, 2009 18:14:38 GMT -5
Marcia, if you are having back problems, you have my sympathy. As someone who had back surgery 9 years ago because of degeneration, I know how uncomfortable it feels. At that time we bought an inexpensive mattress that was supposed to last 15 years. We bought that one instead of the pillow top because it was supposed to last longer. We bought the foam eggcrate style pad and put that on top to give it more of a pillow top effect. We then put two of the quilted fabric mattress covers on top of it to smooth the effect of the eggcrate and add a little more padding. It is definately less expensive to replace padding than an entire mattress. One thing that I have been considering is getting a type of tempurpedic foam pad or memory foam pad to put on top instead of the egg crate. Unless your mattress is actually sagging, you might consider just adding padding to the top instead of getting a pillow top mattress. The memory foam pads run anywhere from $70 to $250 for a queen depending on how thick it is. You can find them online at Amazon.com. You might want to go to a mattress store and try a foam style mattress to see how it feels to you first though.
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Post by Marcia on Jan 18, 2009 19:18:19 GMT -5
I have a foam rubber thing on it now. It's not the egg crate type but it looks like a bunch of squares have been sliced about halfway through the foam pad. I tried a memory foam mattress pad, but it felt harder than my mattress. It didn't do what I expected it to do.
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cat
Junior Member
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Post by cat on Jan 18, 2009 23:40:53 GMT -5
I don't believe that you get as much support from pillow top but I don't know your exact situation. While a pillow top is definately more comfortable, you might need more support to prevent more damage to your back in the future. Also, regular foam pads do wear out/lose their elasticity over time. And memory foam pads come in anywhere from 1" to 4" thick. From what I've read, it seems that the thicker they are the better the reviews. I would hate to see you spend a lot of money to find out that it's not what you need. The best thing I can suggest is to ask your doctor if a pillow top mattress is a good idea.
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Post by Dabbit on Jan 19, 2009 13:30:58 GMT -5
Our mattress is like a slab of concrete too Marcia
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Post by Marcia on Jan 20, 2009 20:54:59 GMT -5
My biggest problem at the moment is that if I spend a lot of time in bed, my hip bones get really sore. I guess that's why I liked the softness of the pillowtop when I tried it at the store. I also don't think the memory foam works with a mattress pad and fitted sheet. It just felt hard and didn't mold to my body as I expected it to. I'm paying more attention to my current bed now, and I realize I wake up in pain and have to turn over every 2 hours or so...my back, my leg, my arm, you name it. From other replies I've gotten, I've decided to stay away from the pillowtop. Thanks for all the replies.
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cat
Junior Member
Posts: 22
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Post by cat on Jan 21, 2009 18:26:08 GMT -5
I don't know if this will help you or not. When I get to much inflamation in my lower back it pinches that nerve that runs down the right leg. Then I get pain from my lower back all the way down into my right foot. What helps me is simply laying on my back with several pillows under my knees to keep my legs bent. This seems to stretch out my lower back and hip joints and relax the muscles. I don't use a pillow under my head when I lay on my back. Also, they make fitted sheets that are deep on the sides so that will fit mattresses with pads on top. It's just that they can be hard to find.
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Post by Dabbit on Jan 22, 2009 3:29:49 GMT -5
I recall having sciatica several times and being unable to move for the pain. IN fact once I had three months or more off work with it! On that occasion I had to the works (NHS) occupational Health department who gave me exercises which involved laying flat on the floor and 'gently' pushing up on your hands (not press ups as your bottom half doesn't leave the floor). Hold it for a count of ten and as it gets better increase the count.
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Post by Mark on Jan 22, 2009 15:25:13 GMT -5
One that works for me is to lie flat on the floor - hardwood, better than carpet, and press the small of the back against the floor as hard as you can (without straining, of course) against the floor for a count of ten. Relax, and do it about 9 times more. This tightens and then loosens important muscles in the back which helps relieve pressure for a bit.
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Post by Marcia on Jan 22, 2009 18:14:11 GMT -5
Where to begin. LOL. When I lay on my back, I always have a pillow under my knees. I do back exercises and go to the chiropractor. Sadly, the guy who took over the practice charges 4 times as much as I was paying the original doc, so I go a lot less. I do have the bigger sheets, but I don't like the way they look on my bed...too rumpled. We will hopefully continue our search if my fiance ever gets back to town. Thanks for all your replies.
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Post by Mark on Jan 26, 2009 11:13:50 GMT -5
Well, best of luck then, Marcia. It's a long-term investment. so shop wisely. I would suggest looking for reviews online - try Goggling 'mattress reviews' or something along those lines.
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Post by Marcia on Jan 28, 2009 1:20:19 GMT -5
I found a lot of bad reviews about pillow tops, which scared me away. I bought a euro-top today...I can't find any reviews...but the sales person said it's different from a pillow top and he's never heard of any problems. I'm getting it delivered a week from Friday (don't ask!) and I can exchange it after 30 days if I hate it. It feels wonderful. RC Willey said if there's a problem down the line, they take care of it so I don't have to deal with the mattress company. We got it at a really good price, so I'm not that concerned about having to keep it forever.
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Post by Mark on Jan 28, 2009 16:34:43 GMT -5
Good, Marcia. Let us know how it works for you, ok?
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Post by Marcia on Jan 28, 2009 17:31:17 GMT -5
I will.
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Post by Marcia on Feb 7, 2009 17:56:39 GMT -5
The mattress was delivered yesterday. When I first sat on it, it felt so different from the one in the store, I doublechecked the receipt to make sure they gave me the right one. It felt way too hard, but the guys said it was because it was new and hadn't been sat on as many times as the one in the store, which make some sense. When we finally actually slept on it last night, it felt more like the one in the store, so I'll see how it feels after I get used to it.
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Post by Mark on Feb 13, 2009 11:28:27 GMT -5
Hopefully, it will 'break in' shortly, Marcia, and feel more normal to you. Hope so anyway....
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Post by Dabbit on Feb 16, 2009 10:34:57 GMT -5
I so need to start saving for a new mattress, but have just odered a new laptop instead....oh well you cant have it all.
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Post by Mark on Feb 16, 2009 16:14:40 GMT -5
Dave, you can cover the laptop and at least use it as a new pillow.... ;D
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Post by Dabbit on Feb 18, 2009 13:58:01 GMT -5
Dave, you can cover the laptop and at least use it as a new pillow.... ;D I'm having some teething problems with getting online Mark with the new laptop. It says I am connected to my ISP but have limited access, which ultimately means i can't get online to visit web sites, check email etc (so am using my old one)
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Post by Mark on Feb 18, 2009 21:08:02 GMT -5
Sorry to hear that, Dave. Aren't new PC's fun? Hope it doesn't get colic in addition to 'teething problems'.... ;D
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