I am seeking help configuring a new/semi-new mattress configuration. My wife and I are both predominately side sleepers with some back sleeping. I’m 6’-4" 200 lbs. and she is 5’-6" 145 lbs. We are currently sleeping on a 8" firm foam mattress (I’d guess somewhere in the medium-firm 32 to 36 ILD range) with a 3" layer of talalay 20-24 ILD comfort layer. I have a lower back (lumbar region) long term injury. I am currently waking up with worse pain than when I go to bed in the lower back region and my hips. My wife doesn’t seemed to be bothered too much with the set-up. I believe the Talalay latex (4 years old) layer needs to be replaced (it’s noticeably more resilient on the edges of the bed). The foam mattress underneath the comfort layers doesn’t have any noticeable sag in it.
When sampling beds, I have generally found a layer of foam in the comfort levels to be preferable, but my experience has been the top layers do not hold up well. I am seeking advise on whether to purchase new comfort layers, possibly with a transition layer, start from scratch with a DIY set-up, or purchase a completed mattress. I appreciate any suggestions and/or advise.
Also, I’m seeking a good latex pillow suggestion as well. I did like the Oxygen Pillow in one showroom I visited, but was pricey.