Help! I’m on the 3rd bed in the last 7 years. Kinda at my wit’s end here. I’m 5’2” 140lbs. I start out on my left side and almost always end up on my stomach. It’s possible if I had the right mattress i might stay on my side…idk. I wake up in the middle of the night multiple times b/c my arms are asleep or my neck hurts or hip hurts. I wake up daily w/neck pain, shoulder pain, hip pain and sometimes lower back pain. I sleep with a thin pillow under my hips to keep my spine from inverting when I sleep on my stomach. First I had a hybrid of some kind which started to sag so I needed a new one. I bought a Level Sleep based on my chiropractor’s recommendation. It sucked too. I ordered a Casper cuz my 17 y/o had one and it was comfy. Nope. So I went to Factory Mattress and Mattress Firm. Bought an extra firm mattress. Beauty Rest Black. Terrible. Bought a memory foam mattress topper. Still sucked. This is what I have now. Factory mattress dude recommended Stearns and Foster Lux Estate. I laid on it several times in store and I did like the pillow top.mattress. Mattress Firm dude said I need a Tempurpedic ProLuxe Adapt or something like that. I didn’t listen to him and got the extra firm mattress instead. I’m not opposed to the feel of memory foam or a nice pillow top feel. I just want a damn mattress I can sleep on w/o pain! I also don’t wanna spend $4k on one. My daughter just pointed out that the foam mattress topper I have is also hard. Maybe I could get a softer mattress topper?
Hi Mags5,
Welcome to the Mattress UnderGround!
I understand how frustrating it can be to struggle with finding the right mattress, especially after trying several in such a short period of time. It’s completely understandable that, as someone who isn’t a mattress expert, you’ve relied on the advice from various retailers.
My suggestion is to look into smaller, local mattress stores or manufacturers in your area. Or even one online who is experienced in dealing with more challenging sleepers. These businesses typically have a greater incentive to get your comfort right from the start since it’s much more costly for them if they miss the mark. While it may seem a bit pragmatic, knowing they have a personal stake in your satisfaction is motivation enough for them to work harder to meet your needs, than someone who may be working for a national or regional chain, where their experience may be limited and motivation may be their commission.
While other family members might have had success with brands like Casper or other well-known names, keep in mind that these mattresses are generally designed for mass appeal and may not offer the level of customization you need. Most large brands are focused on creating products that work for a broad audience, rather than tailoring a mattress specifically to individual preferences.
Even the Tempurpedic ProLuxe Adapt, though a popular choice, offers limited customization once you’ve purchased it. On the other hand, brands like Tempflow offer similar benefits but allow for more customization. Tempflow, made by a smaller company, uses the same high-quality viscoelastic foams that TP was originally known for, but has altered the formula several times over the years for a variety of reasons, and includes a patented airflow system to help with heat dissipation, and they work closely with customers to ensure a better fit for your specific needs. @BackScience is another mattress brand and company that specializes in folks that have had more challenging issues finding the right mattress.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s perception of firmness can vary. For example, one of our forum members recently found that a “soft” mattress she expected to feel like a 3/10 (as it was described by the manufacturer) instead felt more like a 5/10, or even closer to a medium firmness. And this person was taller and heavier than you, which can affect how the mattress feels.
When talking to an experienced mattress professional, be sure to provide as many details as possible—your past mattress experiences, sleep position, any areas of sensitivity, and so on. Also, take into account how your pillow works with the firmness of your mattress to maintain proper alignment, posture, and pressure relief.
Mattresses, as you might be aware, are typically built with three main components: the support layer, the comfort layer, and the cover/panel layer. While the concept of these layers might seem straightforward, the way they are carefully designed and positioned—along with any additional features—can actually be quite complex and intricate.
Good luck with your search, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions!
Hopefully, a couple of our Trusted Experts will take the opportunity to work with you to find you the ideal fit.
Maverick