Sleep is one of my most difficult problems. Some nights I can’t get to sleep; some nights I’m up and down all night; some nights I toss and turn. The Fibromyalgia Network, www.fmnetnews.com, has addressed the issue of mattresses.
Water Bed
A “hardside” waterbed has a soft bladder supported by wooden frames that are visible on the outside. A “softside” looks just like a regular mattress covered with fabric that is supported by the frame hidden within the bedding. Choices include free flow (single bladder that can make waves), semi-motionless, and waveless. Most are heated. A motionless mattress offers minimal movement due to special baffles that absorb motion or several individual water tubes. A queen or king bed can offer two bladders with dual adjustments for softness. Many of today’s water beds are topped with a couple of inches of memory foam to promote comfort and a smooth visual appeal. Because of advances in waterbeds over the years, chances of leaking are minimal. Members who owned water beds preferred waveless (estimated cost $300 - $3,000).
“My king size softsided and heated water bed is really nice. I do use a pillow-top mattress topper ($126), and I no longer feel the pressure on my trigger points. I also love my hypoallergenic water-filled pillow ($50) with a zippered hypoallergenic case ($10).” — Member comment
Innerspring
Make sure to go to a reputable dealer and inquire about the quality of materials hidden in the bedding. The salesman will talk about coil count and gauge or thickness of the coil. Generally, more coils mean a firmer mattress. The lower the gauge, the thicker the coil, and the thicker the coil the firmer the mattress. In other words, a 12-gauge coil mattress is going to provide more support than a 14-gauge coil mattress. Then there are all the layers and materials that you cannot check underneath the fabric.
Just a few years ago the coil mattresses were only about 6 to 8 inches thick. Today’s innerspring mattresses can be 12-inches or deeper, which means that the manufacturers are trying to pad the metal coils to make these mattresses more comfortable. Manufacturers of these beds have been making great improvements in comfort and price due to the stiff competition of today’s popular memory foam-type beds. It is not wise, however, to get a mattress so tall you need a step stool to get in or out or you have a hard time finding the deep-pocket sheets to fit it (estimated cost $500 and up).
“I have tried almost every mattress including memory foam, and I finally bought a feather mattress topper on a decent innerspring mattress. This pillow top makes the bed softer, warmer, and more comfortable. I also got a contour neck support pillow that keeps my body aligned for more restful sleep and better support.” — Member comment
Air Mattress
As simple as they sound, air beds are probably the most complicated of the mattress choices. Air beds in which a person lies directly on the bladder are probably the least comfortable. Many air beds are embellished with supports on the sides and various layers on top that may include a layer of memory foam that gives it a look and feel like a “regular” innerspring bed. The higher-quality air beds have two separate bladders that are individually adjustable, such as the popular but high-end priced Sleep Number Bed. Ask about the product safety certification rating on the tag of the air pump, surge protector, and materials to avoid breakdown or find yourself sleeping on a mattress that deflated in the middle of the night (estimated cost $80 - $3,600).
One Member cautioned about a drawback on a Sleep Number Bed for couples who like to cuddle. “It takes a while to figure out how not to slip toward the less inflated side, even if you both set it to the same number. What I love is the ability to adjust the firmness of my side of the mattress depending on my level of pain without affecting my husband’s firmness preference. Still, with the drawbacks, I’m glad I have it.”
Latex
This material is highly giving and yielding. Many inner spring mattresses are topped with a layer of latex. Natural latex is made directly from rubber trees, while synthetic latex is made from petrochemicals. Natural latex mattresses work well for many who have allergies. It is naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial. It is also naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, mildew, bacteria, and fungal organisms. Synthetic latex blends may be less expensive but do not offer all the benefits of 100 percent natural latex. Softness is measured as Indentation Load Deflection (ILD). Natural latex of 18-19 feels softer and 26-30 is firmer. A reputable company that sells botanical latex will have Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) available for your review (estimated cost $900-$3,500). You may want to purchase an all natural latex pillow first to find out if you are allergic to the rubber.
“I swear by my latex mattress. This was a last resort and it has been amazing. I can’t believe I could ever sleep without it. It is costly at $3,000 but well worth it. Dust mites also cannot penetrate latex so it also helps with my allergies. The first night on it was terrible. After that, it has been amazing. I don’t feel my husband move like I did with the a traditional mattress. We bought this at our local mattress store after a lot of research, and it comes with a 20-year warranty.” — Member comment
Memory Foam
All memory foam beds are layered mattresses of various density foams. Most have a polyurethane core foam that should be about 6 inches thick or more so you don’t feel like you are hitting the bottom of the bed. The different top layers of memory foam should total around 3 to 5 inches, be around 3- to 4-pound medium density that offers a nice cradling effect without feeling like you are sinking or suffocating into the mattress. Higher densities tend to feel firmer, are harder at room temperature, and soften while absorbing body heat. Lower densities feel softer at the initial touch and contour quickly. These beds are growing fast in popularity, but vary greatly in quality and price. Ask to see and feel samples of the product and the mattress layers (estimated cost $500 - $3,000).
“Using the memory foam has helped decrease the pain level of my tender spots by relieving the pressure applied to the hips, knees, shoulders, and elbows. Originally I started with the 2-inch topper and found I needed more so I ordered the 4-inch topper. Instead of sending back the 2-inch one, I chose to add the 4-inch topper to make it 6-inches deep. It was the best thing I could have done.” — Member comment
Adjustable Bed
Members who experience acid reflux, sinus problems, or other health concerns preferred these types of beds because they allow you to modify the contour of your sleep surface according to your specific needs. The mattress and the adjustable base do not have to be purchased together. Memory foam that is not too thick or dense works well. Air, coil, or high density foam mattresses that do not fold are not good candidates. Test naps are important. Most buyers realize they only need a very slight incline for sleep, which can influence mattress selection. Also consider your bed partner, side sleepers, and dual adjustment options (estimated cost $1,000-$3,200).
“The adjustable bed with Tempur-Pedic mattress has been my best investment. The memory foam mattress holds body heat and I am extremely heat sensitive, so I added a 2-inch foam mattress topper that has a layer of wool under the cotton cover. Being able to adjust the sleeping position, e.g., into a semi sitting up position when my sinuses are stuffy, is very helpful.” — Member comment
Better Business Bureau
It costs you nothing to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before you go out shopping for a mattress. The BBB records complaints filed against the company in question. It tells you what kind of complaints have been filed and how they were resolved. It also grades each company. The BBB carries reports on local and national businesses and additional information from local, state, and federal government agencies. There are currently 128 BBB offices in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that does not recommend or endorse any business, product, or service. Consumers can only request complaint records. Complaints can be searched online at www.bbb.org or call (703) 276-0100
I hope you are encouraged to try out some of these mattress types before you go shopping for a new bed. Incidentally, if you wake up with a backache, it may be your body telling you to get a new bed.
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