Help finding a mattress for a lightweight side sleeper with chronic pain

Mattress Talk Needs & Personal Preferences
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Hello, I’ve been browsing the forum for a while now and finally decided to try and get some help in finding a mattress.

I have MS which causes diffused nerve and muscle pain. That being said, the other challenge I’m having is finding a mattress that’s plush enough while having adequate support for my 120 lbs. Is it me or does the mattress industry not focus much on lightweight sleepers? All of the plush mattresses that I’ve tried still feel too firm. I’ve wasted over $2000 on various toppers to help the situation but then sink through the toppers and end up with back pain.

My main issues are hip and shoulder pain. I don’t have hip problems, generally. I slept at a hotel a few months ago and the bed was fine for my hip, no pain at all, but it bummed my shoulder. I asked the hotel for the name of the mattress but it was an old Sealy that’s been discontinued.

Before I started reading the forum I unfortunately, spent the last 3 years buying varied online mattresses based on their description and reviews. I feel more informed now but I still can’t find the right fit.

I live in South Ga, which is a mattress desert but I’ve been to Savannah, Ga and no success thus far. I read the thorough response that Phoenix gave to someone in Ga a few years ago. Unfortunately, many of those places are out of business. I am planning on going to the Charleston, SC places that were recommended but I thought that I’d post here first.

I know that you can’t recommend specific beds but are there any suggestions to lead me in the right direction? Looking for a thinner comfort layer is hard being that the beds are now 15-17" thick. I’ve been leery of latex but only because all of the ones that I’ve tried give me a “pushback” feeling. If I could find one that feels good, I’m not opposed.

I’m dealing with a ton of pain because my sleep surface is just not right. If I could just find something it would be life altering. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks in Advance!

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Hey,

I would try Aireloom preferred Luxetop M2 Plush and Plush Plus. The Plus model has a latex topper which is luxurious. The mattresses feel like you are sleeping on a cloud. The Aireloom is often rebadged. With M2 plush look in the specs for 2 rows of microcoils which is where they got M2. Dont buy the Aireloom from Macys because they are of lesser quality.

Another option is Back Science 3. Very luxurious and soft with great support too. I have the BS2 which is a bit more firm.

John

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BS3 is meant primarily for side sleeping. BS2 is meant for side and back sleeping.

John

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Hi John,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I’ve checked the retailers available for Aireloom and will make some calls tomorrow to see who has the M2 in store, as they’re not open on Sundays. I’ll check back science as well. Thank you

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Hello MU, I realize that my post came off a bit sharp before, that wasn’t my intention. I am so sleep deprived and wrote in the midst of another bad night. I do appreciate the information on this forum. I checked the retailers suggested on the Aireloom site and none within a 250 mile radius has the M2 plush on the site or even carry the brand. I am still reading on the forum and came across advice that Phoenix gave to someone who is close in weight and had similar issues. The Flobed was suggested and I’m going to contact them as well. I hope this journey will end soon with a new mattress that works for me. If you’ve been there you know how that losing sleep and having pain from a mattress is not easy. Best to you all!

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I am a 115 lb, mostly side sleeper, with back pain. I have a 9" latex mattress (s/m/f). I tried many different combinations and permutations and this ended up being the best for me. The soft top layer cushions my hips and shoulders, but the medium and then firm bottom layers give my back enough support. Two things to keep in mind with a latex mattress: removing the top cover (typically cotton or some blend) will make a latex mattress feel completely different and may eliminate the feeling you dislike. I have a cover with a zipper so I can remove the top cover if I like. Second, latex mattresses are very heavy and I needed to firm up my bed slats so that the mattress didn’t sag.

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Thank you, Amma. I really appreciate you taking the time to send this and for the tip about the cover. This is very timely after another tough night. Again, thank you!

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It’s cushier without the cover. I also switched from flannel to 100% cotton jersey sheets with some stretch and also helped

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Thanks, Amma. I use cotton jersey sheets as well. I’ve already started checking companies that have that type of configuration. 😊

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Hello Amma,
Are your layers Talalay or Dunlop Latex? Thanks

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I’m assuming that the top is Talalay but I’m not sure if you used Dunlop for the firmer layers.

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I am petite and “lightweight” and also struggle with back and neck pain. Mattresses really are not made for us.

I had a generic wrapped coil pillow top mattress with a box spring that was good until it wasn’t. Perhaps I expected it to last longer than was reasonable. I assumed I needed a different type of mattress but maybe I just needed a new one?

I’ve also been lurking on some of the threads here that talk about a 3” topper feeling SIGNIFICANTLY different than a 3” layer embedded in the mattress. Perhaps those giant box springs were the secret sauce after all? I haven’t had a box spring since that wrapped coil pillow top.

I really went hog wild on the next mattress with a top of the line Stearns & Foster Lux Estate Plush hybrid. It had a dizzying amount of layers of different types of foam and micro coils on top of pocket coils. It felt AMAZING in the store. I even bought the store model. However, after actually sleeping on it, I would toss and turn through the night. I love the sink in feeling but my back doesn’t. I think I need a mattress that pushes back.

I really held onto that mattress because I paid so much for it…but finally let it go.

I almost went for a Purple, but Mattress Firm only had 3 of the models to try out. I also wanted a firm but high mattress, and they only have two that are firm. The original Purple which is short, or a taller but very expensive hybrid model.

I’m currently on the Nest Finch in Firm. It’s an ALL latex mattress with 6” firm Talalay, 3” firm Talalay, and a 1” wool and cotton cover. No one was carrying it near me so I bought it blind. The first night I cried it was so painful to sleep on. I gave it a month and I could tolerate it but it wasn’t comfortable. So I bought the 3” Nest soft Talalay topper. The jury is still out but it is better.

This mattress sags in the middle. Even the stock photos show it bowing. I thought it was just the photos but it definitely has a curve in person. Edge support is awful compared to the Stearns & Foster.

I’m really trying to give latex a chance because it’s the only material that, on paper, promises to provide both pushback support AND pressure relief.

I also specifically went with an all Talalay mattress because I wanted that extra bounciness, airflow, and lighter weight.

I keep wondering though if no mattress is as good as a mattress + a whole box spring between you and the floor. Nest says this mattress can’t be used with a box spring so I’ll never know.

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Hello Ticktickatick,
I can say that I understand your pain and struggle. I often feel the same. After a lot of reading, advise, and a lot of second guessing, I decided to give the Flobed Vzone a try. I assessed that one of the issues I’m having is that there hasn’t been a mattress that helps my shoulder and back/ hips feel ok at the same time. If my hips don’t hurt then my shoulder does and visa versa. Toppers have only made things worse, in my case.

From what I’ve read us lighter-weight folks need a soft comfort layer. Your setup does seem pretty firm. Maybe someone else who knows more that I do can offer you some advise in that department.

I wish you the best and hope that you find what works best for your body. Take care!

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