Mattress Recommendations for spine

onedayatatime

Any recommendations for a double bed mattress (for a standard type bed) for those with lower back problems? I'm in need of a new mattress and am due to have spine surgery in a couple of weeks. I want to do everything to aid recovery and have a budget of around £700 (max) for either a recliner chair or mattress. I think a decent mattress would be my best option as my current one is pretty terrible. Should I be looking for firm, pocket sprung? I will have to buy direct online as I am unable to get to a shop to trial unfortunately. Any recommendations or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

AndrewHall

Following. I am in same condition

Cantilip

If you live alone and are due spinal surgery, you probably don't want to be hauling mattresses around. Check out online firms also for removal of the old mattress, positioning the new one and removing packaging.

JessieJ

I would point you towards a memory foam mattress or deep topper, the topper being the cheaper option & would leave money for or towards a chair as well.

I have a 5inch topper on top of a high double bed, The bed I bought new 25yrs ago, have never actually slept on the mattress, as always had a topper on the old & this one, specifically for my back after fusions & surgeries & onward in life. I am nothing to do with Southern Foam, but I bought my 5 inch topper 3yrs ago, directly from them, but they are on Amazon & a double 4 inch is £115, as I've just looked. 😉

onedayatatime

Definitely something to consider @Cantilip . I have looked at the option of a mattress topper as suggested @JessieJ but I really think I do need a complete new mattress and ideally a topper as well. There are so many different types of mattress @AndrewHall but I have been looking at a type that is combination of sprung pockets with memory foam or gel topper. They do get a bit pricey!

poppy123456

My mattress is pocket sprung and memory foam, medium. I have fibromyalgia as well as other pain conditions and a firm mattress would be my worst nightmare so you may want to think carefully about that.

I know you said you’re unable to go and try them but is there any way at all that you could go? Asking other people for recommendations may not help you because what suits one, may not suit another.

I did that many years ago and bought one online and it was the worst decision I ever made. 6 months later I had to buy another one. Since then I always go in person.

I agree they are not cheap if you want a good one but I’m a great believer in paying for what you get. You mention also a mattress topper, you can buy mattresses with pillowtops. Mine doesnt have that but it wasn’t really needed.

onedayatatime

@poppy123456 I think your right. It's something I should have tried to plan out a while back but continually left doing. I think I'll hold off from buying until I can actually get to one of the big stores and try things out. Or perhaps purchase a thick memory foam mattress topper for now and mattress later? I wish I was better organised.

eeL

Have you thought of speaking to a company like Emma about a trial? I have chronic lower back pain due to injury and my old soggy mattress made me get up in the night it was so bad, and I don't have any money so I bought a refurbished Emma Original mattress which had been an ex trial one (returned). But that means people are trying them and sending them back if they don't suit them!! I think a few of the big companies do that now. Anyhow the firm mattress with topper has been excellent, it's supportive yet soft topped and not only do I sleep better but get up far fewer days completely unable to put on socks and make it down the stairs! Some days I only eat four ibuprofen before 2pm!!! 🤣

And I don't work for Emma - the right mattress for you is an individual thing😊

Albus_Scope

I've always been told to see a good mattress as an investment. You spend usually a third of your life (often more for us disabled folk) laying on it, so you may as well get the best you can.

I second getting a memory foam topper for whatever you buy though, it's really made a difference to my pain levels and memory foam pillows can be a total godsend.

Cantilip

Also maybe consider long term? @onedayatatime I don't know anything about your condition, what you expect from surgery etc, but maybe a mattress topper for now, then see how things turn out? They tell me a good mattress should last 8 years!

Sandy_123

I agree it's down to personal choice for instance I can't do memory foam, I find it hurts my back

onedayatatime

Well I've bought a memory foam topper!👍 £140. It's not the most ideal solution but hopefully will tie me over until I can physically try mattresses out. But yes, a mattress is definitely a long term investment, I didn't realise just how many different types are out there! I was trying to work out how old my current mattress is, definitely well over 12 years! 🤭

Jeff_dse

I bought a memory shape foam mattress and I'm very happy with it. I red that it is good to change the mattress every 10 years. But I'm wondering, because I sleep on it and I also stay almost all day long on it, if it means that I will have to change it more often? 🤔

onedayatatime

@Jeff_dse I'm completely new to the world of memory foam so have no idea how long the recommended life span of these things are. I'd imagine different types of mattresses, spring, coil, hybrid, foam, gel all have different recommendations. But I'd think that, as you pointed out, it would also depend on the length of time you spend using the mattress. What a complicated world of mattresses we live in!!😂 Actually, it was pointed out to me that my dog has the best bed in the house! His is a memory foam one for his old joints. But he never uses it!!😂

Jeff_dse

@onedayatatime

it happens often with pets. I bought two fuzzy pillows for my cat but she used them just for a few weeks when she was a kitty 😹

eeL

Lol My two cats will abandon all the expensive, padded, fluffy stuff I buy them for a rough old towel on the kitchen table😊I guess bedding really IS an individual thing! Being autistic I've spent most of my life with people telling me 'Eat it, it's nice!' or 'It's not difficult!' or 'The bright, hot sunshine is lovely!' when I feel completely the opposite. It's so hard to make good decisions on other people's recommendations when they're not you! The great thing is that people here just share ideas and hopefully something will be the solution. onedayatatime I hope you find what works for you❤ Our struggles are so much harder with broken / no sleep.

Jimm_Scope

My cat loves her fluffy cat beds, but she'll prefer to sleep on top of us if that's an option 😋 I do think bedding and mattresses are very individual. I think that's why we're seeing a rise in mattress companies actually doing split mattresses for sizes double and higher. You can have different kinds of mattress, padding, memory foam etc. on each side of the mattress tailored to the individual. Very expensive, but I wonder if it'll become cheaper if it catches on.

kc1978

So I have a gel infused orthopaedic mattress, it's amazing and thing that helps pain for me a little . It was a great buy.

older01

@onedayatatime I was considering the same thing recently, so I thought about an adjustable double bed. They have two options for a double bed, the first would be my recommendation with dual motors. This would help either with sitting up, lying less flat or raising the legs to alleviate leg/lower back pain. If this is something that you would consider, have a look for a local mobility specialist in your area. Most of the specialists will hire them out if they are only needed for a shorter period. If you are considering something to ease your lower back pain post surgery, then I would ask your physiotherapist because you are a unique person with unique needs l. I know that just raising the legs with support can help with the pain in the lower back. I have a medium mattress personally after finding the firm orthopaedic mattress uncomfortable for me l

We are all very different 🩷

onedayatatime

I've seen the adjustable beds you mentioned @older01 At the moment I use pillows wedged under my knees but they end up on the floor by the morning! I will definitely look into that option and check the mobility sites👍 All of this got me thinking, what ever happened to waterbeds?? I remember them being such a big thing in the 80s!! And for those of a certain age, I'm sure you'll remember the Steptoe and Son episode!!😂😂

older01

@onedayatatime you just made me laugh out loud 😂