The Mattress Expert

Simmons Black Ava & Latex foam topper for a large woman with back pain.

Angie writes:

I need your help and advice on a mattress. I'm in need of a Queen size mattress set for myself I'm overweight at 230 lbs, 5' 9'' and mid 40's. I currently wake up, with aches and pains on my whole body, from my neck to my toes(neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees and ankles)! My medical issues include "hold on tight": Shoulder blade pain, very tight shoulders and neck (probably stress), arthritis pain & problems in my knee from prior basketball injuries, and back issues (slip disc issues) and sleep apnea. I currently sleep with a pillow between my legs for my and one either behind my back or under my stomach. 
I have been to so many mattress stores, and I'm just tired of going in and laying on mattresses for 15min. and really can't get comfortable on them. With all my issues, it has been suggested to me to get a foam mattress or a firm pillow top. I don't like the foam mattresses or soft mattresses I feel as if I'm going to sink and makes my back disc slip. I like firm, but the "mattress shops" say not to get a firm. What should I do? If you could help suggest the best mattress for me I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Angie

 

Hi Angie,

A firm mattress is exactly what is required to support an overweight individual, especially one with back problems. The closest you came to good advice was the firm pillowtop....close, but no cigar. Pillowtops lose their shape quickly, making any pillowtop a poor choice for value and long term comfort.

Best solution for support and comfort is the Simmons Beautyrest Black Ava in luxury firm, topped with 2" of soft latex foam for long lasting comfort.

An adjustable bed base used to elevate the top half of your body will help with the sleep apnea...or, you could use the c-pap machine...or, a slight foam wedge between the mattress and boxspring is a whole lot cheaper than an adjustable bed base. If it's stress, massage for your neck and shoulders. The right pillow is helpful too.

Here are links to the mattress and latex topper...2" of Soft Talalay Latex is the most popular, and all you are likely to need.

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-black/

 

Simmons Beautyrest Black Ava Luxury Firm

 

http://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

 

Latex Foam Mattress Topper

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

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A new mattress for a large person, back & leg pain‏

M. writes:

Greetings Pete;
I really need your help to find a new mattress to purchase.
Last year I had back surgery in which all five of my lumbar vertebrae had the back portion of the bone cut out and removed. As a result I can only sleep on my side with a posture cushion (pillow) between my lower legs to help keep my spine in alignment.
I only sleep for about two and a half hours at a time when cramping in my thighs causes me to get up and walk around before I can go back to bed. My pain medication causes dizziness so I have to sit on the edge of the bed for a while before I can stand up.
I'm 5'7" and weigh 240 lbs. Could you please advise me on the best mattress that would help me. I appreciate your expertise and any advise that you can offer me.
Thank you, M.

Hi M.

Before we get into the mattress part, I'd like to share something with you concerning your medication.

While it's nothing as dramatic as your surgery, I had fallen off a ladder, at about 10' and landed on my back...tearing many of the muscles. The pain was unlike anything I could have imagined.

At first, the pain meds were narcotics and made it difficult to function. During this time, I awoke one morning with a bad headache. I decided to take 3 extra strength Excedrin for the headache and planned to wait a little while before taking the meds for my back pain. Unexpectedly, 20 minutes later, the headache was gone and so was the pain in my back.

In another episode, when I had pulled my back out, I refused the narcotic meds and was given a dose of 1600 mgs of Motrin. That too, killed the pain.

I mention it, only because I know how difficult is is to live with some of the stronger pain meds that are commonly prescribed.

 If we can align your spine without having to use a pillow to do it, you should be able to sleep longer without interruption. This will certainly make life a better, which in turn would speed up your healing process. 

A mattress that provides firm contouring support will help with your alignment. It will have to be firm enough to support your weight. And while it will contour to you some, the firmness needed for support won't be comfortable enough for the deep and length night's sleep I know you're looking for.

To make you comfortable at the surface, relieve your pressure points and relax your muscle...all of which aid to promote a deeper night's sleep...you will need to add a layer of latex to the mattress.

 

The strongest mattress on the market, that provides contouring support, is the Simmons Beautyrest Black. The firmest of them is the Bray model.

With the degree of spinal damage, softness is not your friend. My normal latex topper recommendation is for soft Talalay latex. But, given your condition and size, you'll do better with a 2" layer of Dunlop latex. It'll give you a decent amount of surface comfort without being too soft.

 

(Due to a line change and an increase in business, Simmons is currently running 4 weeks or so for delivery, rather than the normal 2 weeks. They say this is a temporary situation and should be back to normal delivery times soon).

 

Here are links to both products. Delivery is free and there's no sales tax. 

 

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-brands/simmons/beautyrest-black/

 

http://themattressexpert.com/latex-toppers/

 

 

 

Thanks, Pete

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 (PST Hours 9am to 5pm, Daily)
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

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Featuring: Simmons Beautyrest, Pure Bliss & EverEden Latex Mattresses, All-Natural Latex Toppers

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