The Mattress Expert

Debating 2 memory foam mattresses

Harry of New York, writes:
Hi,
Im debating between buying a new NovaForm Pure Comfort Deluxe Memory Foam Mattress or paying a similar amount for a tempurpedic classic queen bed floor sample. What are the pros and cons?
thanks

Hi Harry,
Check out all the complaints here and on other sites, before opting for a memory foam mattress.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Memory Foam Mattress

Tommy W. of Arlington, writes:
I recently purchased a Memory Foam Mattress from a dealer on Ebay and slept like a rock for the first couple of days. Now however, I've been waking up with a stiff neck and substantial shoulder soreness. It's been about a month. It's a 10 inch memory foam mattress which means it 7 inches of foam and 3 inches of memory foam. I think it may be getting an indentation as well(that could just be in my head though). It lays on plywood over slats. PLEASE HELP.

Hi Tom. Flip it over. The poly foam that supports the memory foam is a better product. You may need to soften the surface to make it more comfortable. You can do that with a topper, of some type. I suggest it NOT be memory foam. Latex is the best type.
You may also need a new pillow....one that will keep your head and neck aligned with your spine.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Tempurpedic Grand mattress

Andrea of Huntersville, writes:
Hi,
I have always preferred very firm mattresses to help support my back and when my husband and I decided to upgrade from a Queen to a King, we tried them all. I really liked the Tempurpedic Grand in the showroom, and we forked over the $8K to make sure we had a good quality bed that would last for years to come. Shortly after we bought the bed,I herniated a disc and all I could think of was that I was glad that I bought the bed to help get me better. Now, two years later I am still having massive back problems (I have since herniated the same disc in my low back twice more). My husband made a note about how my back issues seem to have begun within a month of buying the Tempurpedic. To test this, we set me up in our guest room on the old bed (Simmons). Last night was my first night on the old bed and I can walk again within one night (I literally had to have a person in front of me so I could hold their shoulders to get to the bathroom, etc).
Ok, so here are my questions:
Although I don't think that I herniated my disc in bed, I think it could have weakened my back. Is there any research out there that you know of that would support this evidence?
What mattresses are good and firm for someone like me? Everywhere we went there were pillowtops and softer beds. I need something that starts out like a rock and when it "breaks in" needs to end up at very firm for the support.
Now that it's been two years, what are my chances of getting some sort of a refund on this bed? It clearly can't be used and I just want it out of the house, but now can't afford a new bed. Are there any specific arguments I should use?
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi Andrea,
I've been doing this blog for the past 6 years...with more than 20,000 questions asked and answered. In that time, there have been endless complaints about the effects of memory foam.
Clearly you based your decision on what was advertised to you and what was said to you in the store...and, of course, the initial feel of the mattress. 8 Grand!!!??? Without question, you made a mistake...an expensive one. I know you want to blame the mattress and Tempurpedic for your problems, but you must bare some of the responsibility for allowing yourself to be so utterly taken in.
In the past 17 years, since that type of mattress came on the market, the entire industry went downhill. How can this be, you ask? An entire industry? Well, I'll tell you. That was the first mattress sold via mass media. They pumped a ton of money into TV and radio ads. As their share of the market grew, other companies began making similar mattresses to recapture their share of the business.
Don't feel too bad, though. Lots of people were and still are taken in by all that advertising....(a good portion of that 8K, I might add).
My chiropractor is busier than ever and says that back problems have increased dramatically over the past 15 years....nationally.
Coincidence?!
In case you're new to our shores, Welcome to America...a place where you can sell anything to anyone. Show them a hand print in a piece of foam that doesn't come back and tell them over and over again about just how great an idea that is...and you'll sell millions.
You got screwed...but you let it happen.
Turn your mattress over and sleep on the underside. You'll be able to walk tomorrow too.
You learned a lesson the hard way and if I was a little rough on you, it was to make a point to all those who are considering taking the same path you took.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Memory foam mattress and heavy people

Gloria of Pensacola, writes:
Hello, me and my partner are both on the heavy side and need to find out if the memory form mattress are going to be a good choice or not, I have a really bad back and need something to help me out. Would this be a good fit?

Hi Gloria. A better fit for you would be latex. Memory foam is heat sensitive. It softens as it warms from your body's heat. Which means, that it doesn't feel the same to sleep on, as it did in the store. It's slow to respond property gets slower with only a few months of age. It quickly loses its resiliency. Many reports of ill heath effects have been reported, mostly to do with respiratory problems. Also, it's terrible stuff for support. Latex is the coolest of all the foams and is not temperature sensitive. It doesn't change feel because of body heat or electric blankets and mattress pads. Being much more buoyant than memory foam, it's very easy to change position. The difference in longevity, between latex and memory foam is dramatic, with latex being much more durable. The Sealy Springfree latex line. It is available in plush, firm, and ultra plush...without the pillowtop. Avoid pillowtops at all costs.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Tempurpedic Rhapsody

Laurel of Lancaster, writes:
Hi, I bought a tempurpedic rhapsody 3 weeks ago and do not find it to be comfortable, it is too dense. In the store it felt good but it is not working at home. I got it the big chain store (BIG MISTAKE) and now I am stuck with having to get a replacement bed from them. I suffer from arthritis even though I am only 28 and I have a lot of neck and back pain as well. I was looking at the Simmons Beautyrest Balthazar but then read reviews that it was not that great after a year or so. I would appreicate ANY feedback you could give me to help point me in the right direction. I have spent hours trying out new beds and am paranoid at this point that I am going to get another matress that is not comfortable. I tend to like the plush pillow top type matresses but am concerned they will become too soft and not supportive enough, however, I don't want something too hard, firm or sense either. Any help would be appreicated! I have to make a decision on the bed today.

Hi Laurel,
Buying one of those heavily advertised, expensive mattresses, is not all that different from falling for the quarterback of the football team or or one of the cheerleaders....to be thrilled at first, only to find out later that it isn't turning out as you had expected it would.
They hit you in different ways, but just as hard. It's an experience that definately instills a little fear in a person.
And to make matters worse, you're stuck dealing with one of the most self-serving stores anywhere. So, you'll want to be careful of the advice you're salesperson is giving you.
The memory foam, in that Tempurpedic you bought, is one of the worst products to come along in quite some time. In 35 years, I can't recall any single product that made as big a mess of this industry as memory foam has. Pillowtops are another one of those problem inventions.
Latex has always been the most durable material available. It's not at all like memory foam, so be sure not to confuse the two.
But even with latex, you have to be careful. There are lots of mattresses that are being sold as latex, that have very little latex in them....and you are shopping in a store that has some...one of those places where the salespeople don't bother to make the distinction.
You're in a shark tank, so be careful. And whatever you do, don't look them in the eyes.
Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Biologic memory foam mattress

of Princeton, writes:
Is the Biologic memory foam mattress good in your opinion? My husband and I just bought one since the sales lady told us that it is comparable to a Tempurpedic. Since it was half the price, we were convinced that it's worth it. However, we tried to do some research on it when we got home, but there are no websites and very little in terms of review about the product. Any help/advice on this product would be much appreciated!

I can only say to you, that at half the price, it'll only hurt half as much.
If you've done any research, you couldn't have missed the bazillion complaints about memory foam.
Seeking advice is better done before you buy. Any negative feedback you get after you buy, will only cause worry....worry that may be for nothing. There are a few satisfied memory foam customers and you may become one of them.
Maybe you can start a club....get together for Bridge...if you can find a fourth.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Want a memory foam mattress

Rinna of Douglasville, writes:
I'm trying to find a new king sized mattress for me and my boyfriend. We want a memory foam mattress such as tempurpedic but evey one I have looked at is so expensive. Is there a cheaper version of tempurpedic out there that has all the same good qualities? We need the no motion transfer memory foam mattress. Also I need something that is hypoallergenic since I have so many allergies. Can you help us find the right mattress?

Hello Rinna,
As I read your question, I could scarcely believe what I read. What seems to be common knowledge, has completely escaped you. I can only think that your direction is steered solely by the Tempurpedic advertising, and nothing else.
They do spend a ton of money in advertising...which is why it's so expensive.
And in those ads, they hammer away at how great it is. There's never any mention of all the negative feedback from consumers.
The fact is, every brand has a memory foam line at half the price of a Tempurpedic. But the question remains, "Why would you want one?".
That stuff has to be the worst material ever invented for use in a mattress. I have never seen the level of complaint with any one product, as I have with memory foam.
The "good qualities", as you put it, are also available with a latex foam mattress. It does all the good stuff that Tempurpedic says their stuff will do...but actually does it, and does it on a much more long term basis.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Mattress defect

Melody of Kailua, writes:
I recently purchased a memory foam mattress at Slumberworld (here in Hawaii) on close out so, of course, I have no warranty!! Aaaaaah! Anyway, the bed is 3 weeks old and the side of the mattress is popping out. It feels like one of the foam layers is sliding out from the middle. Since I have no warranty (and I want to kick myself now), would a zippered mattress cover (allergy type) help support the side from popping out more?

Hi Melody, A totally encasing mattress pad, like a "Bed SacK", certainly couldn't hurt.
Many of those memory foam mattress have a zipper off cover. If you have one like that, you can take the foam out and possibly re-glue whatever is loose.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923

Much of what we offer is delivered FREE, nationally.
We also offer a selection of high quality accessories: Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads, sheets and comforters.

Tempurpedic mattress causing low back pain

Heidi of Nashville, writes:
Hi! We bought a Tempurpedic bed about 3 yrs. ago. At first, we liked it. Well, now my husband won't even sleep in the bed because it is so uncomfortable, and I can hardly stand up straight when I wake up from the severe low back pain. It has led to months of physical therapy & chiropractic care. Plus, I am even having numbness in legs and toes. I am 5'4 and weigh about 155 lbs. My husband is 5'10 and weighs about 135 lbs. I go back and forth sleeping on my side or back. I use to sleep exclusively on my side until the Tempurpedic. Now, I can't sleep on my side because my upper arm falls asleep. My husband sleeps back, side, and stomach. Mostly side if he can get comfortable. I would love your advice on what would be a better mattress for us. Plus, I would like to get pregnant, and will HAVE to sleep on my side then. Thanks!
 
Well Heidi, there are some things that I just can't help you with, as my marriage vows prevent. However, I can help you with the mattress part. First, go flip your mattress over and sleep on the underside. It'll be firm, but probably less painful upon waking. After you've slept on it that way for a couple of nights, you can then decide if you need a new mattress of just a topper to soften the surface of that one. If going with a new mattress, the Sealy SpringFree Beachside, a latex mattress, is very comfortable and much longer lasting. Side sleeping women seem to prefer the softer, River Crest version. As a pregnant side sleeper, this will be your most comfortable choice...or, you can get a topper for the Beachside.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923

Much of what we offer is delivered FREE, nationally.
We also offer a selection of high quality accessories: Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads, sheets and comforters.

Which mattress is most firm?

Nina of Washington, writes:
Help!  I'm trapped in mattress hell.  I bought a Temperpedic mattress 5 years ago and I've hated every minute of it -  my hips sink into it causing my lower back to arch slightly, resulting in lower back pain every single night.  Fyi I'm 5'1" and 110lbs, with moderate scoliosis.  I bought the Termperpedic because my mom has one that is rock solid, and I was looking for something extra extra firm.  Big mistake.  Don't know why mine is different - perhaps because she keeps her room temperature quite cold, and I keep mine very warm.
I need to replace this sleeping nightmare.  But I don't have a lot to spend... could you recommend a "full" sized mattress that is super firm, for a shopper on a budget?   The most comfortable (for me) bedding I ever had was my 10-inch solid cotton rag futon, hard as a rock.
If I still had it I'd be sleeping on it right now. 
Thank you in advance !!

Hi Nina,
First, try flipping your mattress over and sleeping on the underside.
You'll find it to be much firmer and thst firmness not suceptable to changed in temperature. (It's a different type of foam).
If you still need a mattress, the Sealy Posturepedic Reserve is the best for the least amount of money. There is a firm model to be had.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923

Much of what we offer is delivered FREE, nationally.
We also offer a selection of high quality accessories: Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads, sheets and comforters.