Help Chronic Pain

Question:

I’m thinking about trying a piece of plywood

Hey Jerry,   I was just going to suggest that. A piece of plywood between the mattress and boxspring works like a charm on that sag. And it will allow you hold on to that bedset a little bit longer.                                             Be well,  Patty *~A friend is someone who reaches out for your hand, and touches your heart.~*

Response:

Once when we were stationed at Ft Knox and staying in this dump of an apartment, the mattress was so bad that we eventually took it off the bed and just used the box spring. I was so much firmer and felt better to sleep on. Also, have you seen that Aero bed commercial on tv [they do have a web site too] I think the double bed size is 99.00. Just some more thoughts on the problem. Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Has anyone tried putting some type of support between the mattress & boxspring? I’m thinking about trying a piece of plywood or something, as it’s much more affordable to us at this point than a new mattress. – Jerry

Response:

This has been such a change for me. I spent 6 years in the US Army infantry, and slept many a night on nothing more than a poncho spread on the ground. Even though I decided not to reenlist when Bill "I loathe the military" Clinton took office, it was not long after I got out that my back pain began to affect my sleep. I guess it saved me from the red tape of a medical discharge.

Response:

LOLOLOL,,,, If you are that sure its the mattress,  throw that sucker out the window.. Harv

I would, except for two problems: – I can’t lift it without help – It won’t fit out the window ; ) On a more serious note, I don’t think we can afford to replace it right now. My wife is in the process of expanding her gift/floral design business and we’re up to our chins in debt. Our plan is for her newly relocated business to break back into positive cashflow in 2.5 years. Until then, we’re going to have to find a no-money was for me to deal with it. Has anyone tried putting some type of support between the mattress & boxspring? I’m thinking about trying a piece of plywood or something, as it’s much more affordable to us at this point than a new mattress. – Jerry

Response:

LOLOLOL,,,, If you are that sure its the mattress,  throw that sucker out the window.. Harv – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Harv, To answer your question as to whether it’s really the mattress or a change in my condition, I would have to say that it’s much more likely to be the mattress. I was just to the rheumy a couple weeks ago, who ordered new blood tests for SED rate and the like, plus a new set of X-rays. He didn’t see anything that indicated anything has changed all that much since the last time I was to his office (I go twice annually, plus whenever I’m having a bad flareup). Another thing that points to the mattress as a major factor in my night pain is the fact that I had much less pain on the few occasions when I slept elsewhere. One overnight visit to my parents’ home for a holiday resulted in one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years, and I awakened with very little stiffness. By itself, I could write that off as an isolated incident, but when the company I worked for flew me out to Seattle for 2 weeks, the brand new hotel where I stayed had brand new beds, and for most of the 2 weeks, I got decent, restful sleep. And, like I said, there is definitely a sag in the middle of the mattress. My body definitely takes on a curved shape when I lay down. I just can’t handle it much longer…..

Response:

I love the lightness too Gwen!!!  With my hands, turning that Sterns [did I get that name right??] was impossible by myself and nearly impossible with me helping my husband turn it. And the sheets…  What torture. Caroline – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Jerry, you won’t be sorry if you get the Select Comfort.  Besides each of you having the firmness you desire, it is so light to pick up and tuck in sheets, etc.  Plus you never have to turn them over or head to foot to prevent wear. They are wonderful. I’m still going to use my kingsize even though Grayson is in the nursing home. I’ll just try to keep his side straight and only have to  make up mine!!! Gwen Happy memories never wear out…re-live them as often as you want. .

Response:

I also like the Select Comfort.  It is expensive, but worth it! Gwen Happy memories never wear out…re-live them as often as you want. .

Response:

As a relative newcomer to this NG, I’m glad to see the topic come up. About 6 years ago, my wife & I bought a new bed – frame, canopy, Sealy matress & boxspring. For the first two years, the firm mattress was a joy to sleep in. However, it started to become less and less comfortable as time went on. Lately, I cannot stand to sleep in it. It has lost all its support, and the result is not unlike sleeping in a hammock. I feel like I’m being bowed to fit the sagging shape of the mattress. The resulting ache in my SI and low spine and sharp muscle spasms wake me up several times each hour. I feel like that damned bed is ruining my life.  I dread the end of the day. It’s like I’ve been sentenced to nightly torture. And I know that my reactions to the pain are keeping my wife awake, too. Fortunately, she’s very understanding. I hate the thought of not sleeping in the same bed as my wife, so we’re thinking long and hard about the Select Comfort adjustible mattress. I just don’t know if we can afford it at this point in time. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks. – Jerry

Response:

Have you called the place you got the mattress from. We were buying top of the line Sterns and Foster [not cheap] and it came with warranty. The y send someone out and measure the dip and then give you a new mattress [pro-rated] to replace the sagging one. This went on through 8 mattresses until they said they had changed their warranty to cover a 2" dip instead of a 1" dip. We bought the Select Comfort after that. That was over 10 years ago and love it.  You still should check your warranty on the mattress you have now. Now when I travel — I put a pillow under my knees when I sleep to force my spine against the mattress sag. It keeps the pain down until I can get back to my — ahhhhhh — own bed. Caroline – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a relative newcomer to this NG, I’m glad to see the topic come up. About 6 years ago, my wife & I bought a new bed – frame, canopy, Sealy matress & boxspring. For the first two years, the firm mattress was a joy to sleep in. However, it started to become less and less comfortable as time went on. Lately, I cannot stand to sleep in it. It has lost all its support, and the result is not unlike sleeping in a hammock. I feel like I’m being bowed to fit the sagging shape of the mattress. The resulting ache in my SI and low spine and sharp muscle spasms wake me up several times each hour. I feel like that damned bed is ruining my life.  I dread the end of the day. It’s like I’ve been sentenced to nightly torture. And I know that my reactions to the pain are keeping my wife awake, too. Fortunately, she’s very understanding. I hate the thought of not sleeping in the same bed as my wife, so we’re thinking long and hard about the Select Comfort adjustible mattress. I just don’t know if we can afford it at this point in time. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks. – Jerry

Response:

Hi, Lisa. I am quite new to this group as well, and I am not sure what AS stands for, but I do know what it means to have lower back pain. I had an operation on my spine more than 20 years ago due to spondylolisthesis, and now I sleep on a custom made bed which I bought about 10 years ago. The mattress as well as the frame is handmade, and I wouldn’t trade it for any other bed! The mattress is a (thick) Japanese Futon made of cotton – it is quite firm, yet flexible, the frame is sturdy, but flexible ’cause it’s and made of wood. I paid 1600 guilders for the frame and mattress (10 years ago) which translates to about 800 dollars according to the exchange rates today. Maybe there’s a company inthe US that can build one for you too?? All the best, Torgunn

Hi, I’m new to this thread. I am looking for opinions on mattresses for folks

suffering from AS and rheumatoid. I am looking into getting a mega expensive foam bed, which feels really comfortable, but I

worry that it won’t provide enough support for folks like me (intense lower back and sacroiliac joint pain). I have also looked

at an Obusforme mattress, but it seems too firm. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any thoughts? Thanks tons, Lisa

Response:

Thanks all for the comprehensive and quick responses! I really, really appreciate all of your help. Cheers, Lisa – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Lisa. I am quite new to this group as well, and I am not sure what AS stands for, but I do know what it means to have lower back pain. I had an operation on my spine more than 20 years ago due to spondylolisthesis, and now I sleep on a custom made bed which I bought about 10 years ago. The mattress as well as the frame is handmade, and I wouldn’t trade it for any other bed! The mattress is a (thick) Japanese Futon made of cotton – it is quite firm, yet flexible, the frame is sturdy, but flexible ’cause it’s and made of wood. I paid 1600 guilders for the frame and mattress (10 years ago) which translates to about 800 dollars according to the exchange rates today. Maybe there’s a company inthe US that can build one for you too?? All the best, Torgunn Hi, I’m new to this thread. I am looking for opinions on mattresses for folks suffering from AS and rheumatoid. I am looking into getting a mega expensive foam bed, which feels really comfortable, but I worry that it won’t provide enough support for folks like me (intense lower back and sacroiliac joint pain). I have also looked at an Obusforme mattress, but it seems too firm. Any thoughts? Thanks tons, Lisa

  lisa.sauer.vcf

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Response:

Hi Lisa: We have this discussion several times and you may find the different threads in Dejanews.com. We haven’t covered the subject in quite awhile so here is my favorite: Select Comfort air mattress. With the dual controls, my husband and I can have different firmnesses and still sleep in the same room. A lot to be said for that. Duckie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, I’m new to this thread. I am looking for opinions on mattresses for folks suffering from AS and rheumatoid. I am looking into getting a mega expensive foam bed, which feels really comfortable, but I worry that it won’t provide enough support for folks like me (intense lower back and sacroiliac joint pain). I have also looked at an Obusforme mattress, but it seems too firm. Any thoughts? Thanks tons, Lisa

Response:

Hi Jerry,   You KNowwww,,, its probably not the bed but a changing condition of your back.  It may be time for a return to your doctor for X rays or MRIs to get the best information about your pain and condition.  Myself, I love my waterbed and am resting again in my heated waterbed after 7-8 weeks in a hotel bed while my house was worked on. Even though I do not have lower back problems anymore, I still do my stretches for the lower back before I get up each morning to keep from having that pain again(I hope). Harv – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – As a relative newcomer to this NG, I’m glad to see the topic come up. About 6 years ago, my wife & I bought a new bed – frame, canopy, Sealy matress & boxspring. For the first two years, the firm mattress was a joy to sleep in. However, it started to become less and less comfortable as time went on. Lately, I cannot stand to sleep in it. It has lost all its support, and the result is not unlike sleeping in a hammock. I feel like I’m being bowed to fit the sagging shape of the mattress. The resulting ache in my SI and low spine and sharp muscle spasms wake me up several times each hour. I feel like that damned bed is ruining my life.  I dread the end of the day. It’s like I’ve been sentenced to nightly torture. And I know that my reactions to the pain are keeping my wife awake, too. Fortunately, she’s very understanding. I hate the thought of not sleeping in the same bed as my wife, so we’re thinking long and hard about the Select Comfort adjustible mattress. I just don’t know if we can afford it at this point in time. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks. – Jerry

Response:

Harv, To answer your question as to whether it’s really the mattress or a change in my condition, I would have to say that it’s much more likely to be the mattress. I was just to the rheumy a couple weeks ago, who ordered new blood tests for SED rate and the like, plus a new set of X-rays. He didn’t see anything that indicated anything has changed all that much since the last time I was to his office (I go twice annually, plus whenever I’m having a bad flareup). Another thing that points to the mattress as a major factor in my night pain is the fact that I had much less pain on the few occasions when I slept elsewhere. One overnight visit to my parents’ home for a holiday resulted in one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years, and I awakened with very little stiffness. By itself, I could write that off as an isolated incident, but when the company I worked for flew me out to Seattle for 2 weeks, the brand new hotel where I stayed had brand new beds, and for most of the 2 weeks, I got decent, restful sleep. And, like I said, there is definitely a sag in the middle of the mattress. My body definitely takes on a curved shape when I lay down. I just can’t handle it much longer…..

Response:

I believe I would be complaining to the Sealy people.  Doesnt your mattress have a warranty? Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

Jerry, you won’t be sorry if you get the Select Comfort.  Besides each of you having the firmness you desire, it is so light to pick up and tuck in sheets, etc.  Plus you never have to turn them over or head to foot to prevent wear. They are wonderful. I’m still going to use my kingsize even though Grayson is in the nursing home. I’ll just try to keep his side straight and only have to  make up mine!!! Gwen Happy memories never wear out…re-live them as often as you want. .

Response:

I have a viscoelastic topper for my mattress and on top of that, a featherbed….. we bought our mattress 3 yrs ago that’s the reason for the topper…. our next bed will be completely visco elastic foam.

Hi, I’m new to this thread. I am looking for opinions on mattresses for folks

suffering from AS and rheumatoid. I am looking into getting a mega expensive foam bed, which feels really comfortable, but I

worry that it won’t provide enough support for folks like me (intense lower back and sacroiliac joint pain). I have also looked

at an Obusforme mattress, but it seems too firm. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Any thoughts? Thanks tons, Lisa

Response:

That’s a good question. I’ll have to find out. I just figured that after 6 years, they’re going to say it’s to be expected, and I should buy a new one…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I believe I would be complaining to the Sealy people.  Doesnt your mattress have a warranty? Char "Remember, I’m pulling for ya’.  We’re all in this together."  Red Green

Response:

Hi, I’m new to this thread. I am looking for opinions on mattresses for folks suffering from AS and rheumatoid. I am looking into getting a mega expensive foam bed, which feels really comfortable, but I worry that it won’t provide enough support for folks like me (intense lower back and sacroiliac joint pain). I have also looked at an Obusforme mattress, but it seems too firm. Any thoughts? Thanks tons, Lisa

  lisa.sauer.vcf

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Response: