I've tried every mattress out there...help!

[Sensei]

Hey Jewels,

You have my sympathies with these complex health issues; they definitely make finding the perfect mattress for you quite challenging.

I’ve tried many traditional mattresses, along with a few bed in a box mattresses. I have eye, skin and nervous system issues on Therapedic, Tempurpedic, Sealy, and Beauty Rest. The most comfortable mattress I’ve tried was a Sealy Conform Performance mattress. Unfortunately, it smelled strongly of chemicals, the worst of everything I’ve tried. Additionally, it caused the most physical problems including, constant eye watering and burning, eye twitching, skin rashes, itching, fatigue, brain fog, and other issues. All issues resolved two weeks after the mattress was removed.

Your comments made me think of a previous Phoenix response regarding “Stumped on mattress selection” post #6, involving a discussion of “safe and natural” materials in a mattress, you may find it interesting.

I’ve been reading that it’s possible to air out a mattress to lower the VOC’s a person is exposed to. The article stated that once delivered a mattress should air out for at least 24 hours. The first two months are the most toxic regarding VOC’s and to avoid issues, you should remove all bedding, open a window and air the mattress out for one day per week (for a two month period). I’m wondering if it’s possible to clear the VOC’s that caused my symptoms?

I cannot offer specific medical advice but would recommend to anyone with allergy concerns to strongly consider mattress materials that have been tested by an organization such as CertiPur (or less commonly others such as Oeko-Tex) for VOC’s (offgassing). Some people who are much more sensitive than others or who have specific health conditions such as MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) may still be sensitive to some foam materials that are CertiPur certified, while for most people they would be “safe enough”. This would be more common with memory foam, less common with polyfoam, and least common of all with latex.

You may consider looking at natural fibers, latex, and innersprings in various combinations; have you researched/ tried a mattress with more of a natural story? Looking forward to hearing more on which way you go .

Thanks,
Sensei