Hi TMU community,
I need some help figuring out next steps to alter my mattress comfort layer with DIY components to help with some persistent low back and hip pain I have on waking up.
Current setup: We have king size, latex hybrid mattress with 14.75 gauge quad coils, in a cover that has a separate zippered pillowtop compartment for the latex with wool quilting. The support layer works well, the slats underneath are solid, and I have lots of pillow options that are working well. In general in my shopping trials I found a like a firm support with some relatively plush comfort on top for pressure relief (I’m female, about 200lbs, mainly side sleeper–sharing the bed with a male about 190lbs, combination back/side/stomach sleeper, who suffers from periodic sciatica.)
Comfort layer history: I’ve tested 3" latex in Medium Dunlop (ILD not given but felt too firm, pressure points in my hip), Medium Talalay ILD 24 (close, but had low back pain, maybe like the support wasn’t enough), Soft Dunlop (ILD not given; I think this was the best option I’ve tried, but still had some hip pain), and Supersoft Talalay ILD 14 (too soft, low back pain and hip stiffness, spine alignment is poor). The Supersoft is what’s currently on my side of the bed and I’m regretting exchanging the Soft Dunlop for it. My husband uses the Medium Talalay, and generally likes it (definitely would not go softer) though he’s still struggling with his sciatica.
Other trials: I’ve tried using both a buckwheat pillow and a shredded latex pillow between my knees, with mixed results. Lately, I also tried putting a coco coir mini pad (full 38" width of my side but only a couple feet long) under the Supersoft in the section where my hips go. This is helping some with the Supersoft but still not as good as the Soft Dunlop. On my husband’s side, a bolster under his knees helps a lot on his back, but he has the need to roll to his side during the night at which point the knee pillow isn’t helping the sciatica.
What I’m considering as options going forward:
A. In place of the Supersoft, either -
- Buy a new 3" Soft Dunlop to go in its place. If I get this I probably will just stick with it.
- Buy a new 3" Soft Talalay to go in its place. (I’m not sure about this, though, as I think I tended to like the added support of Dunlop.) Returnable for a fee (30 days).
B. And also augment -
- Add a 1" Twin XL transition layer, probably Medium Dunlop, under any of these 3" latex layers (including could try with Supersoft). 1" seems like it should fit in the pillowtop. If it doesn’t work for me, I could also try it under my husband’s layer. (As a variation, I could get this in a King and give us both the option to use it, if that might help the sciatica.) Returnable (30 days).
- Try a roughly 1.5" Soft Dunlop egg crate over the 3" Soft Dunlop to see if it helps with pressure relief. Returnable (120 days).
- Try a 1" wool topper over the 3" Soft Dunlop.
- Experiment with molded memory foam knee pillows instead of latex/buckwheat.
C. Or, a total rethink -
- Throw out the idea of a 3" comfort layer and instead switch for 2 2" layers in that pillowtop, one Medium Dunlop and one maybe in Soft Talalay, to guard against sinking too much into the Talalay. Probably the riskiest option as it’s harder to send both back and keep experimenting if it doesn’t work.
I’d really appreciate some insight from experts to help think about these options and sequencing, as everything costs now and future return options are limited (only one layer per store I buy from). I don’t like a tall bed so am also trying to get this right without going full Princess and the Pea.
Thank you!