Jamestown Mattress Majestic Dream quandry

[phoenix]

Hi knit1hike2,

Welcome to the Mattress Forum!

But after some shopping I gave up - too many choices, too confusing! I started again a month or so ago and decided on a Jamestown Mattress Majestic Dream. I got the 3" medium (75) Dunlop latex comfort layer. (The 55 was cozy in the store but I tend to like a mattress on the firmer side.) But right away I started waking up with an aching back, which I never had before! (Comfie on the shoulders though…)

The specifications I have for the Majestic Dream Eurotop is:
Quilted Panel:

1. 2" Plush Polyurethane Foam – 1.8 lb. density – 21 ILD
   Comfort Padding Layer:
2. Thick Polyester Fiber Pad – 1.8 oz per sq ft polyester fiber pad – 1" thick
3. 1" Plush Polyurethane Foam – 1.5 lb. density – 15 ILD
4. 2" 100% Natural Latex – Dunlop – 100% natural latex
   Foam encased pocketed spring unit

There is some information about the many different symptoms that people may experience on a mattress and some of the most common causes behind them in post #2 here that may be helpful, but the most common reason for lower back pain is a mattress that has upper layers that are too thick/soft or a support core that is too soft. In this case, it could be that the amount of plush polyfoam or the density of the latex is too soft for your preference, or the polyfoam in the quilt is fine (your shoulder are comfortable) but the latex in the deeper layers is letting you sink in too much.

I was also sleeping very very hot!

In very general terms … the materials, layers, and components of a sleeping system that are closer to your skin will have a bigger effect on airflow, moisture transport, and temperature regulation than materials, layers, and components that are further away from your skin and softer mattresses or foam toppers will tend to be more “insulating” and for some people can sleep warmer than firmer versions of the same material. There is more about the many variables that can affect the sleeping temperature of a mattress or sleeping system in post #2 here that can help you choose the types of materials and components that are most likely to keep you in a comfortable temperature range. All foams are insulators to a certain degree, and it could also be that if this mattress is more plush than what you are used to that you could be sinking in a hit more, insulating yourself more that you are used to and also exposing less of your surface area to heat exchange. This could also dovetail with your comments about low back pain if the product was too soft on top.

So I am now testing the 3" 85 layer, thinking the 75 was too soft. After a few nights on that however, my back is still achy in the morning. Now I’m not sure what to do!!! I have a 95 layer also (they are very accommodating at Jamestown!) but haven’t tried that yet. Seems on the extreme super firm side. I’m wondering if latex is just not the right fit for me. Any suggestions?!

So is Jamestown remaking your mattress each time, replacing the latex layer in the middle comfort layer? You’re not simply placing the extra latex layer on top of your existing mattress, correct? It could be that at your size that 3" of plush polyfoam in the uppermost layers is near your limit, and that you will desire a firmer latex layer (perhaps the D95) in the deeper comfort layer, but I wouldn’t have any way of knowing that for sure except for feedback based upon your own personal testing. Regarding your change to the D85, I would give it more than a few days for your body to adjust if that is possible. It is nice that Jamestown is being so accommodating. I do think highly of them and the advice they provide, and in situations like this I would tend to rely upon their expertise and suggestions, as no one will have as much experience with their products or people of different sleeping styles or somatotypes as they will. The latex in the mattress you’re choosing is located deeper within the product and all of the layers work together, so changes made in these deeper layers won’t be as readily felt as ones made in the upper quilt layers of the mattress closest to your body, so it may be that a more dramatic change from D75 to D95 in the deeper comfort layer will be beneficial.

Via an online forum, that’s about the best “theory at a distance” that I can provide. I’ll be interested in learning of your results.

Phoenix