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Beds and matresses

(30 Posts)
ExDancer Fri 12-Nov-21 21:16:33

I have had a chronic bad back for 50+ years, and made it worse by falling and fracturing a vertebrae 2 years ago. I wake up in agony every morning, sometimes crying with pain, and have been prescribed morphine paches by the NHS pain clinic.
I have spent a small fortune on mattresses but never found one that helped.
Has anyone tried a Tempur mattess? Every shop I go into looking for one the salesperson has talked me out of it, saying they make you sweat, they don't support you, are a waste of money - And so on.
I am under 5ft tall and weigh less than 8 stone, most mattress descriptions boast about supporting 20 stone and over. I don't think they cater for people like me.
Any comments, for and against?
Perhaps I need a child's bed?

Rosie51 Fri 12-Nov-21 21:25:55

I thought Tempur were one of the ones that do the money back if you're not satisfied? I think they give you at least a couple of months to try it out, so if you can find this offer it might be worth insisting despite the sales assistant's 'advice'. I hope you can find something to give you some relief.

BigBertha1 Sat 13-Nov-21 06:56:56

I had a memory foam topped mattress which did get very hot and became too soft for my back. Recently my unstable disc and spinal arthritis had an acute episode..total agony. My Silent night back care mattress was wonderful. I wouldn't have a Tempur but they are very popular.

JenniferEccles Sat 13-Nov-21 16:02:08

I would look at shops and manufacturers which allow you to return the bed/mattress after a few weeks if it’s not suitable.

It’s so difficult to come to a decision in shops isn’t it?

kittylester Sat 13-Nov-21 16:41:24

We had a Tempur for 19 years. I never found it too hot and found it very good for support.

We changed it about a month ago for a hybrid from John Lewis. So far so good.

SpringyChicken Sat 13-Nov-21 16:49:23

What firmness of mattresses have you had in the past? I would imagine you need a soft one. Have you asked the back specialist about mattresses?

Jillyjosie Sat 13-Nov-21 18:18:56

This may not be your sort of thing but futons are very good for back pain. We have several, they come in different levels of firmness and they take a little getting used to but we like them. I first tried a futon when I had back pain and I found it helpful.
A company called Futonsonline.uk is very good in terms of value and quality and their website has lots of advice and information.

lindy2727 Mon 15-Nov-21 12:50:26

I’ve heard that the Emma matttresses are very good I looked on line at Furniture Village and found a good range there and one of the top hotels use Emma mattresses

Gabrielle56 Mon 15-Nov-21 12:51:56

I bought a "EVE" mattress last year, it was about £350 but it's the best thing ever! I'm over15stones and suffer from arthritis all over and resulting pressure issues on joints in bed so needed to get something to help! It's light, cool and has performed perfectly up to now! No pressure aches anymore, and I can easily push my king sized bed about to clean as never before. (Other foam based mattresses are available ) !?

Gabrielle56 Mon 15-Nov-21 12:53:04

I find futons are the worst thing ever if you have arthritis! A definite no no

Tanzanite Mon 15-Nov-21 13:10:45

If you're that light then the tempur cloud Luxe would be better for you.
Buy direct from tempur and you get 100 nights trial.

At your weight you'll get enough support from it plus pressure relief.

Kamiso Mon 15-Nov-21 13:16:15

We slept one night on a futon and it was lumpy and uncomfortable but it sounds as if they’ve moved on since then.

We had a tempura mattress and I found it sweltering hot and returned it under their sales terms. They seemed quite shocked at my decision but did come and collect it.

I read somewhere that you need to lie on the mattress for 15 minutes in the shop (ignoring the odd looks) and you should be able to slide your hand under your lower back. We did this with the last mattress and have been sleeping far more comfortably for the last three years. It did cost considerably more and would be harder for those with arthritis or other severe pain.

GrammaH Mon 15-Nov-21 13:24:35

We had a Tempur mattress for about 15 years & both absolutely loved it. It does take a bit of getting used to as they feel quite different to a normal mattress - it always reminded me of wet florist's oasis! We were never too hot and it suited my various aches & pains. Unfortunately, for no reason, it started to give my husband backache & I was mortified that we had to change it. We now have a sprung one from a company in Yorkshire, neither of us like it as much & although we thought we'd chosen carefully, we both found it too hard so bought a lovely topper from JL & it's quite comfy now. I'd love another Tempur though & really recommend them - ours went down the road to DS & DIL & their 2 young boys ! It's 6' wide & great for morning family cuddles!!

katy1950 Mon 15-Nov-21 14:18:50

I spend months debating about which mattress too buy in the end I bought a tempura mattress I'm so pleased with it we've had it for 9 months now no issues at all

DutchDoll Mon 15-Nov-21 14:34:40

We've had Tempur adjustable bed bases and a Tempur mattress each on them. Put together they make a 5' bed.
We've had them since 2013.
I immediately loved mine (I've used a Tempur ergonomic pillow since 1999).
My husband found it too hot at first but we use 1 tog single duvets each and in cooler weather in addition we have a 1 tog kingsize duvet over both of us. We don't normally need anything else. Only in 'Beast from the East' type weather would we put a thickish fleece over us.
My husband was acclimatised to the Tempur mattress within about 10 weeks and is totally fine with it now.
1 tog duvets are sold by M&S but mainly from springtime onwards. They are super.

My mobility is further compromised and we are going to make 1 of our downstairs rooms into a bedroom for me so that if going up and downstairs is a problem, then I can use the downstairs bedroom. We have a downstairs shower room which will make this a viable solution.
I will get a single Tempur adjustable bed base and mattress for that room. I really need to be able to raise the bottom of the bed a reasonable amount and my head just a little bit. It makes all the difference to my sleeping.
Good luck with whatever you decide to go with. I sincerely hope that it's successful for you.

Ladyleftfieldlover Mon 15-Nov-21 15:42:39

I am having all sorts of trouble with mattresses! (OH isn’t involved as he sleeps in a separate room due to his assorted sleep problems.( I bought a memory mattress years ago and it took me several months to get used to it. I would wake up with painful hips. Then in May this year I had a partial knee replacement of my left knee. I always sleep on my right hand side but after this operation I ended up sort of on my back and twisted over to my left. Not ideal and I was left with an aching back and shoulder every morning. In the meantime I have slept in my son and his partner’s bed at their place and a bed in a holiday cottage recently. Both times I slept painlessly and beautifully. I thought about buying a new mattress but thought I would try a mattress topper first. I bought one and put it on my bed last night. I am not expecting miracles as I imagine my back has to get used to being in a different position. Had anyone else tried one of these toppers?

Rumpunch Mon 15-Nov-21 16:28:41

We are now sleeping on our second Tempur mattress. The first one was direct from them as that was the only way to buy them. We took it on trial and loved it. My husband had a bad back and had to exercise every morning to ease it. He has had no problems at all since we've used Tempur. Maybe the first week it was still tight but then that was it.
Whilst looking to replace the first one we had two salesmen trying to convince us that tempur were no good and too warm but we haven't found that. Definitely take the trial if they still do one.

lippyqueen Mon 15-Nov-21 17:07:48

We have a Tempur bed and I suffer with osteoarthritis and get very achy. I have never slept better or been more comfortable. I did find it a little hot to begin with and was advised to get a wool mattress topper as wool apparently helps to regulate temperature, and it does! It solved the problem and I have not overheated since. The salesperson when we went to look at beds advised that a Tempur bed was very helpful for people with aches and pains and he was right.

Soozikinzi Mon 15-Nov-21 17:28:51

DH s physio recommended Hypnos and I do strongly recommend them now too!

Forsythia Mon 15-Nov-21 19:54:02

I found sleeping difficult and bought a a silent night mattress topper. It really helped me. I may try a Tempur bed next time round.

Forsythia Mon 15-Nov-21 19:55:45

Mine was the memory foam topper.

JaneJudge Mon 15-Nov-21 20:03:51

we have a Sealy orthopaedic which I find fine

Hetty58 Mon 15-Nov-21 20:13:42

I have disk problems in my lower and upper back. I weigh 9 stone, 5' 6". I bought an Emma mattress as I knew I could have a good long trial before deciding to keep it - and I have. It's the most comfortable one I've had.

I couldn't get on with my Tempur one, as I turn over (to my other side) frequently and found it a great effort. Another back care 3000 spring one is just a little too soft for me.

mokryna Mon 15-Nov-21 20:20:43

When I am away I long for my tempur mattress. There are different types firm to very soft.

ExDancer Mon 15-Nov-21 20:22:48

Thanks everyone, I wasn't expecting such enthusiastic replies after the many off-putting remarks from shop salesmen. I'm going to bite the bullet and risk it but will have to use a local shop because of getting rid of my present mattress. There's no way I can take it to the tip myself.