Lower back problems and beds...

[Nick Chapman]

I think sleep number maybe your answer and I think your mind is already made up on it.

To be honest, I'd probably do it too if I were in your shoes. Hell, ya know somedays you want a different feel when you sleep too. With that you can just willy nilly change it as you want.

My mind isn't made up, just seems that an adjustable bed is better than having the same thing day after day. haven't really ever heard anything negative about them, well besides the cost. But they are coming down in price. very affordable now a days.

[LS1Goat]

Nick - I have a L5/S1 herniation. I have a King Sealy Posturepedic Firm and then I use a King bed egg crate cushion underneath the bottom sheet. It's still retains firmness, which you want with back problems, but it adds a degree of comfort.

Despite the discomfort. Do not go soft on the mattress. It will only cause you more pain down the road. You want the spine supported, not sagging into the mattress. Also, find a good pillow. And when I say good, I'm talking one for between the knees when you are on your side and a good neck pillow. My old PT recommended using the special knee pillow for between the knees and it made all the difference in the world. It helps maintains alignment when sleeping on your side.

My 2 cents...

- Tim

[Nick Chapman]

Nick - I have a L5/S1 herniation. I have a King Sealy Posturepedic Firm and then I use a King bed egg crate cushion underneath the bottom sheet. It's still retains firmness, which you want with back problems, but it adds a degree of comfort.

Despite the discomfort. Do not go soft on the mattress. It will only cause you more pain down the road. You want the spine supported, not sagging into the mattress. Also, find a good pillow. And when I say good, I'm talking one for between the knees when you are on your side and a good neck pillow. My old PT recommended using the special knee pillow for between the knees and it made all the difference in the world. It helps maintains alignment when sleeping on your side.

My 2 cents...

- Tim

I've purchased all the special pillows and different crap, and none of it has worked for me. Right now, I've got some of those memory foam pillows, and I'm not 100% positive they're working for me. I have the same bed that you have, and have also bought several different types of mattress toppers for it, including the egg crate style. None of it has helped. Seems like the longer I sleep, the worse I feel in the morning. Right now I'm getting 6-7 hours a night, and that seems to be the best.

[Purpillhaze]

I've purchased all the special pillows and different crap, and none of it has worked for me. Right now, I've got some of those memory foam pillows, and I'm not 100% positive they're working for me. I have the same bed that you have, and have also bought several different types of mattress toppers for it, including the egg crate style. None of it has helped. Seems like the longer I sleep, the worse I feel in the morning. Right now I'm getting 6-7 hours a night, and that seems to be the best.

I had back surgery 3 months ago, my wife and I have gone to so many stores trying to find the "right one". It is not easy when you have back pain. We have looked at the all beds, but don't want to drop 2-3k on a bed. Mattress Giant has a good selection and you can get a King for about 1200.00. We are still looking, but I think for us we are looking for the next best deal.....The sleep number beds were great, but again we are being cheap skates....

[fordracing19]

I will have my wife post up her thoughts. She has had 3 back surgeries. We had a Sleep number for 7 years and I think thats what mess my back up. I never slept well and had to roll onto the floor then stand up in the mornings. We now have a Tempurpedic and my back always feels better in the mornings.

[MutherjuggZ]

Mainly sleep on my side and stomach. I've also added one of those mattress topper things, and it didn't help AT ALL!

My main issue is it doesn't matter how many beds you lay on and try out, you'll never really know until you sleep on it for a couple of nights. Can you return a mattress after you've slept on it a few times?

Go for the gusto and spend the extra money on a sleep number bed. They even have a money back gaurantee

Also matress firm has a "one year love your mattress" gaurantee or they'll buy it back as well.

[95DRGT]

Temperpedic is the way to go IMO-I'm lights out 10 min in,sleep well,wake well rested, with no back pain.

They are pricey but the saying "you get what you pay for" applies here

[yellowstang]

Temperpedic is the way to go IMO-I'm lights out 10 min in,sleep well,wake well rested, with no back pain.

They are pricey but the saying "you get what you pay for" applies here

Does it get warm in the summer? I've heard they hold/retain heat in the spot you sleep in, but then again, could be an "internet rumor".

[Chili]

Good to know! I think my biggest issue is I don't know if I should go more firm or more soft, and the only way to tell is to sleep on it a few nights. I hate wasting money, and buying a bed that they won't let you return after sleeping on it, is just wasting money.

I'm tempted to try one of those sleep number beds, because they are adjustable softer to firmer. That may be my best bet.

Costco has the memory foam mattresses (like Tempurpedic) but much cheaper. We bought the King for $699 and love it. I have never slept better. And they have a very liberal return policy. It's worth a shot!

[Chili]

Does it get warm in the summer? I've heard they hold/retain heat in the spot you sleep in, but then again, could be an "internet rumor".

I will say i do get warmer in this bed than any other, but as long as the room temp isn't too high it's still okay.

[95DRGT]

Does it get warm in the summer? I've heard they hold/retain heat in the spot you sleep in, but then again, could be an "internet rumor".

I would say a little more but not bad.

Another added benefit is getting in or out without waking your partner.

[lowthreeohz]

I know it's silly, but do you sleep with more than 1 pillow? I notice when I sleep with 2 pillows under my head I also have a lot of lower back pain. We put one of those egg crate style toppers on ours and tossed the featherbed, and it made a pretty substantial difference.

[bard]

While my back is nowhere near as bad as yours, I did find major relief by changing my sleeping position. I used to sleep on my side/stomach with the bottom leg straight and the top leg bent. I've now changed to keeping both legs bent with my knees on top of each other as much as possible. This is probably what the knee pillows achieve, but without the pillow. It took a while to condition myself to this position, but my days are much brighter now.

[STRONGNUFF]

Sleep number bed is the way to go. If your interested in getting one we can write you a script for one which will save you some money, just let me know. Also sleeping on your stomach can cause back pain in some cases.

[Treadhead]

I have had the basic Tempurpedic for several years now and love it. It is a little warmer but, it's easy to offset that (fan, thermostat or lighter blanket). My next one will be either a sleep number (I've always wanted to try one) or the thicker Tempurpedic.