About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a new mattress from an independent retailer - Pure Talalay Bliss, core of 6" of 40 ILD with 3" of 14 ILD topper. It’s awesome with pressure relief and no gaps are detected, but I’ve had some pain in the hip area that runs towards the leg after a few weeks on it, which seems to be getting worse. I feel it acutely when laying on the bed (especially on my side). I have had some pain in the past but there is a trend of worsening.
Given this, what would be suggested adjustments? For example, try a firmer topper, and if so at what ILD? I took pictures of my spinal alignment and frankly things looked pretty straight and good, but I still seem to feel it when I am on the bed … I kind of feel the hips sink in deeper than shoulders on the bed, but honestly it’s really hard to tell just by feel, and I don’t see it on the photos.
I am 5’10", 160 lbs, pretty slender and not broad shouldered … I wouldn’t think that 3" of very soft topper latex is deep enough to cause problems with hips sinking in too deeply, especially with 40 ILD core below, but I might be mistaken? All input is welcome.
One thing that occurred to me when using the mattress tonight - when side sleeping my hips sink in a fair bit, making for a natural tendency to roll my torso towards my chest side. Not sure if this might be a factor, I believe I saw something along these lines when looking at another post.
I am not an expert, but just reading this it struck me that 40 ILD is a VERY firm core for someone your size. Even at 100 lbs. heavier I believe it would still be on the firmer side.
I think you may have raised a good point, and that with such a soft 14 ILD topper you may be experiencing pain from the pressure of your hip hitting the hard 40 ILD core through the soft topper. Phoenix may be able to confirm whether that’s a valid possibility, and if so how to best address it. My thought would be either a slightly firmer topper, a slightly softer core, or the addition of a medium transition layer might be the best solution.
These are good points - for what it’s worth, I cannot feel the hip hitting a hard pressure point when I am awake, but perhaps things are different when asleep?
I tried a 2" topper in store and had a pressure point that way (even using a ~27 ILD core), but with 3" did not detect a pressure point in store and have not detected at home. I will keep these suggested layer adjustments in mind if problems continue - I appreciate this line of thinking, especially as it gives good concrete ideas to try.
Last night I tried sleeping while not rotating forward as much (rotated a little bit backwards in a sort of lean while sinking in) and felt better, will try again tonight.
It sounds as if you purchased their Custom Choice base mattress with one of their ultra plush toppers.
I can’t provide exact advice via an online forum, but with the combination you’re describing, it could be that you’re experiencing a bit of the firmness of the deeper support core (The Custom Choice mattress). Have a very plush upper layer on top of a firmer latex support core, you may be “feeling through” the upper topper layer to the support core and it may be a bit too firm deep down, creating some pressure issues for you as the night goes on. The transition wouldn’t be as abrupt as if the support core was a very firm innerspring unit or very hard polyfoam, but it would be something that you certainly could experience as you’re in the same position as the night goes on. The Comfort Choice mattress uses the same support core as in the Pamper, the firmer offering in the Pure Talalay Bliss line.
You could attempt a slightly firmer topper, perhaps something in the mid-20 range. The firmer topper from Pure Talalay Bliss is a 32 ILD the last time I had information on that, so it may be a bit too firm for you. Another option would be to add a second transition layer, perhaps 2" of a more “medium” ILD Talalay, and use that in combination with your current ultra plush topper, if you thought that you needed a deeper “comfort cradle” overall.
I would place more trust in you opinion of your comfort when lying upon the mattress as opposed to attempting to divine the alignment of landmarks from photos.
What you’re describing (along with your opinion of trying the 2" topper) doesn’t “seem” to be an alignment issue, but more of a comfort/transition to the support core issue. But that’s about as good as I can come up with via an online forum.
Rolling forward slightly places more pressure on the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine part of your hip and this can be more sensitive. It can also cause the pelvis to tilt forward a bit more. Placing a pillow behind you and leaning against it while sleeping on your side, along with placing a pillow in front of you to rest your free arm, can assist with minimizing forward rotation.
Thank you Phoenix! The information on both layers and biomechanics is very helpful, and the area you mentioned is indeed the one that is hurting. I will take this info and see what can be done re:adjustments - much appreciated!!
Following up, was thinking some more and wanted to ask - which of the general Pure Talalay Bliss mattress options might work well for many people in our height/weight range? 2 people, both 5’10" and both have been in range of 160-200 lbs.
I was considering the Nature (2" 21ILD, 2" 28 ILD, 6" 36 ILD)? I know you had mentioned some of the TLB offerings (WBB, Beautiful) risk being a bit too soft for good alignment, and when testing them before I felt a bit like I was swimming in them (which was fun, but probably a bit risky for alignment :). Does even the Nature risk being too soft to maintain alignment (I would prefer to err on the side of having an overly firm mattress as it is easier to soften it than than vice versa)?
I recognize people will vary a lot in their PPP ratings based on a much wider range of factors (we are going to try some more options in store), but was just trying to get a general idea compared to others who might be similar to get a basis for comparison … I’m particularly concerned about posture. Thanks again!!
I can’t predict via the forum which PTB items might “work best” for you, but if the WBB and Beautiful felt too soft to you, then the next logical items “beneath” those beds would be the Nutrition and then the Nature. The Pamper would be their “firmer” offering. There’s no reason that any of these would be contraindicated for you as far as quality of componentry, but the overall comfort and how it matches your sleeping style and preferences when testing in person would be the most reliable indicator of what might work best to you. The Nature would still have a supportive core, and it would be a bit firmer on top than your current configuration, but provide more layers for a “transition” and conformation for your hips.
You may wish to go back to your retailer and try a combination of the Custom Choice base with their “firmer” PTB topper and then the ultra plush topper you currently have, and see if that assists more with your comfort. I’m a PTB dealer, and that combination of that plush topper on the very firm core would be a pretty abrupt transition from “comfort to support”, and you may benefit form a more “progressive” transition. The only model in the PTB line that uses that 40 ILD core is the Pamper, and even that model uses a 2" 21 ILD layer on top (firmer than the 14 ILD you have right now). Just a thought instead of starting all over again.
Thank you Phoenix and Jeff! We appreciate this input and used it to inform a change to a more progressive construction (ended up with TLB Nutrition after trying a number of options). Much appreciated!
I’m glad that you were able to find something from your retailer that suited you better. I hope you’ll follow up with comments on your new mattress once you’ve had a chance to sleep upon it for a while.
Thank you for taking the time to post back, and I’m happy that your PTB Nutrition is working out well for you! I hope you’ll be able to post back again with future updates.
