Memory foam mattresses

[friendly ghost]

Has anyone tried memory foam mattresses. I suffer from chronic pain, the nerves in my spine are damaged, so I would love to know:
1. Do they work
2. Which one would you recommend
3. Where's the best place to buy one?
Thanks :confused:

[krishna]

My sister has suffered from chronic back pain and now uses a Tempur mattress. She finds it excellent and as far as possible avoids sleeping anywhere other than her home. They are pricey, but she certainly reckons they are worth it. As I understand it the first couple of times it feels strange but you soon adjust to the feel and get all the benefit.

Don't know where you are, but if you are anywhere near London Warren Evans (http://www.warrenevans.com/) are great. And you can try out the mattresses in the showroom.

[lolly5648]

I tried out a couple of memory foam mattress and found that Tempur was too hard and made me hot so have gone for a medium Sealy Mirrorform mattress which is slightly softer and easier to get used to.

Lots of bed showrooms, Bensons, Furniture Village, have memory foam but dont get talked into cheap ones they dont last.

See BLT Beds and Citybeds websites for good deals

[zzzLazyDaisy]

What about memory foam mattress toppers? A friend with FMS and a spinal injury got one last year and swears by it.

Has anyone else tried these?

Daisy

[payless]

I purchased ours from IKEA - layered foam mattress , with top being memory

not a bad price and looks quality

[kingshir]

I bought my (double) memory foam mattress from QVC it was about £230 and comes with a reversable (fleece one side, quilted cotton the other) cover. I've had it for a year now and it is priceless. I had an overnight stay away from home last month and after sleeping on an ordinary mattress I felt like I'd been kicked all over. They have them in single, double and kingsize and you can try it for 30 days to see if you like it!! Honest - I don't work for QVC I'm just a very happy customer :j

[Coolhandluke]

Also check out here (http://www.firma-knowhow.de/Home_/Products/products.html#waterextra)

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Single: £119.99 Double: £149.99 King-size: £179.99 (http://www.miraflex.co.uk/)
You might want to read thread CHEAPEST MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS/ADJUSTAMATIC (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=13749)
It would be helpful if anyone who has had one of these miraflex memory foam ones posted back to say how they have got used to it or not?

[malamala]

We have purchased Slumberland Memory Foam mattress (double) from Benson's at 450 pounds (we paid cash so we got 10% discount).

Have got it for nearly a week and it is superb!

Did not really like it when we tried at the shop and could not tell the difference between a traditional spring mattress but my DH really loved it and that's why I gave in.

Now we both really love the mattress and it's not too warm at all!

The mattress feels very different as it feels soft and hard in one (contradicting I know!), and we feel very refreshed in the morning too.

[Penny-Pincher!!]

Hi

I suffer with Lupus, Fybomyalgia, oestiaporosis (in hips and base of spine) and a ton of other ailments..lol. I am unable to move around alot and am in pain 24/7. Joints, bones and muscles are very bad..only 30 :eek:

We have a superking bed and about 6 months ago bought a memory foam mattress from my mums catalogue (she had a voucher code and 6 months %0-and she paid half :D )...it is great. Although i dont sleep well anyway when I do get up the stairs to bed it is worth every penny. I would recomend personally to anyone with problems like myself.

I am waiting for my stairlift to be fitted, then I will be able to sleep in my comfy bed each night :p

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

[valmiki]

www.miraflex.co.uk

Apologies already posted this on the at home board, but I may get a reply on here!

I need to buy a king-size memory foam mattress, and the miraflex one has been mentioned a few times by Ted Hutchinson on various threads, but are they any good? the one person that mentioned use of them on here said that the mattress was pretty hard; when I emailed the company they said that the mattress was a 'medium'?

also the website advertises as 10cm viscose foam, but in their email they say it's only 5cm VF with 12 cm reflex foam - is this good/bad/neither? sadly, i'm not an orthopaedic chemical engineer!

please, if anyone out there has bought one of these then could you drop a quick message here to say whether they are any good... the prices for one of these mattresses look unbeatable, but the proof is in the use

thanks again

valmiki

the email I received

"The mattress is not too soft and not too hard it is in between both which is
medium. The mattress consists of 5cm of visco elastic memory foam and 12cm
of reflex foam altogether being 17cm deep. The warranty is 5 years. We offer
free delivery in England, Scotland and Wales"

[friendly ghost]

Thank you everyone. I have just returned to Cornwall from a trip to Berks so haven't been able to reply before. I will spend some time checking all your helpful advice and websites. It's quite important for me to get it right cos I suffer from arachnoiditis and at first I couldn't take pressure on the left side of my back, then it was both sides, so I ended up on tum, which is not comfortable but better than the back, now I'm finding I have to adjust my legs to different positions to get comfortable, so I'm really grateful to you all. I'm contemplating moving back to Berks to be closer to my surrogate family, so may end up buying new bed as well. Thanks again

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Miraflex report (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=86592)
valmiki (member.html?u=49535) has bought one of these and has posted his thoughts and the above link.

[friendly ghost]

Also check out here (http://www.firma-knowhow.de/Home_/Products/products.html#waterextra)
Hi Luke - As soon as I checked out the Waterline, I could feel this tired achey body sinking into it. (Wish I knew what I was doing on this site - I'm a newbie to chat forums - so if you got half a reply from me just now, that's why!). Not sure I quite understand how your site works - is the price fixed or is it an auction?)

[lolly5648]

Hi Friendly Ghost

I have very bad arthritis in my hips and cant lie on my sides. I bought a Sealy Mirrorform mattress and it is magic, I can now lie on my side for short periods. Would definitely recommend this make - it is softer than Tempur and has a heat reduction system (with some foam mattresses you get very hot).

[friendly ghost]

I've just successfully bid for the Firma Know-How Orthopaedic memory foam mattress on eBay will let you know how I get on with it. This site is amazing!!! and you are all so helpful

[margaretclare]

Hi all

We went to our local Dreams plc store last weekend. We looked at the memory foam type of mattress, but in the end decided against it. We're having a pocketed-spring orthopaedic mattress on a king-size divan.

Dreams' sale ended on Monday, but we reckon we saved about £600.

Aunty Margaret

[alictait]

Check out Tempur Mattress...again! ,

as posted in I want to buy it or do it, tried to link it to no avail.

HTH.

Ive posted a lenghty reply to a cheaper option

[friendly ghost]

I've tried out my new mattress now. It is very firm and there seems to be little give, so I'm not sure if I'm on the right side, although it is labelled #viscose#, so I'm a little disappointed so far. However, it is definitely more comfortable than my old mattress and at £127 for a double, I can't complain.

[devasrs]

Hi, a mattress topper seems to make much more sense. Most mattresses that I looked at only had a layer of memory foam on top, so it seems that a topper would do the same job at less than half the price. I got my Prima Comfort one online. When my mother-in-law stayed she slept on it and was free from her arthritic symptoms all the time that she was with us.

[eclipse]

I have a memory foam mattress and I love it. It's made by Myer's - it's great. (I spend a lot of time in bed so I'm speaking from experience!)

[dmg24]

I have a Slumberland Memory Foam mattress and I swear by it ... and it has also received some very positive compliments from others (only one or two, honest!) that have stayed in it recently!

There are arguments against the mattress toppers, though I don't know what the arguments are. However, my parents have one on their bed and love it (though my Dad will sleep anywhere and on anything so maybe he's not the best judge!).

[FunkyFeet]

I have a Slumberland Memory Foam mattress and I swear by it ... and it has also received some very positive compliments from others (only one or two, honest!) that have stayed in it recently!

There are arguments against the mattress toppers, though I don't know what the arguments are. However, my parents have one on their bed and love it (though my Dad will sleep anywhere and on anything so maybe he's not the best judge!).


Lol~!


also can anyone state the cheapest memory foam mattress they have managed to purchase? is 250/- good for a double-currently at argos.

[adge666]

I was unfortunate to purchase at about £1000 a Sealy Mirrorform bed to replace our much older coil spring bed. I can't begin to tell you how awful the bed is! I constantly wake-up feeling that I'm on a slope or something - just like camping on the side of a hill. It's a strange thing, l but just can't get used to it - sorry. As for being able to sleep in one position for ages and all that and waking up without painful joints - yeah right! - Sorry but I don't buy it - I know everybody raves about this memory foam but I reckon it's mostly marketing hype or perhaps I should have bought a Tempur. Maybe I'll get the camp bed out and get a decent nights sleep.

Sorry to upset the apple cart guys

[friendly ghost]

What a shame. I got mine from a German company on the German e-bay site and it cost approx £150 including delivery!!! When I am in pain, I can't wait to get on my bed. The relief is fantastic it feels like seventh heaven.

[looby75]

My parents have recently got a memory foam mattress and my mum says it's the best bed she has ever slept in. She says she feels 20 years younger, she gets up every morning without a single ache or pain and sleeps soundly all night, something she hasn't done for at least 8 years!

She says she would recommend one to anyone. I'm not sure which make hers is but I know it did cost quite a lot of money.

[Elliesmum]

We have purchased Slumberland Memory Foam mattress (double) from Benson's at 450 pounds (we paid cash so we got 10% discount).

Have got it for nearly a week and it is superb!

Did not really like it when we tried at the shop and could not tell the difference between a traditional spring mattress but my DH really loved it and that's why I gave in.

Now we both really love the mattress and it's not too warm at all!

The mattress feels very different as it feels soft and hard in one (contradicting I know!), and we feel very refreshed in the morning too.


We have one of these and find it's fantastic. Had it for a year now. My hubby is quite a big bloke (we are a bit like the hippo and the duckling!) and cheaper mattresses we find we roll togther and now struggle to have a good night sleep anywhere else but home!

EM x

[Pagan98]

We've had a 15cm combi Tempur mattress for 7 years now. My wife has a bad back (ruptured disc L4/5) and loves it. I also prefer it to most beds I've tried. Not cheap but worth it.

[LizEstelle]

Hi, a mattress topper seems to make much more sense. Most mattresses that I looked at only had a layer of memory foam on top, so it seems that a topper would do the same job at less than half the price. I got my Prima Comfort one online. When my mother-in-law stayed she slept on it and was free from her arthritic symptoms all the time that she was with us.

I have been wondering whether memory foam might be good for my arthritis-suffferer father who frequently can't get a reasonable night's sleep because of discomfort.

The necessary thickness of the foam seems to be a matter of some debate - and I wouldn't want to get this wrong.

[jayne26]

i got a topper from dunnell mill shops 130 ish , i love it , comffe , and wonderful . you seem to melt into it and it has a fleasy topping cover on it ,im sure my back pain has got better , its the best bed ever, try one it may just do the trick

[terrierlady]

another vote for the memory foam its great for aches and pains try a topper if thats ok then spend the money and get the best you can afford you only live once( I think)

[LizEstelle]

i got a topper from dunnell mill shops 130 ish , i love it , comffe , and wonderful . you seem to melt into it and it has a fleasy topping cover on it ,im sure my back pain has got better , its the best bed ever, try one it may just do the trick

So can you run past me what this 'topper' thing is?

Dad has been talking about getting a 2-inch or maybe TWO 2-inch mattresses (one on top of another) and I've no idea what to advise him. Where do you get them? Is ebay a possibility and if so who are the recommended sellers?

[Tim Deegan]

Hi, a mattress topper seems to make much more sense. Most mattresses that I looked at only had a layer of memory foam on top, so it seems that a topper would do the same job at less than half the price. I got my Prima Comfort one online. When my mother-in-law stayed she slept on it and was free from her arthritic symptoms all the time that she was with us.

Toppers are a good cheaper alternative, but they don't come anywhere near a high quality mattress with memory foam built in.

Manufacturers spend a lot of time and money developing their mattresses in order to make sure all the fillings work well together to give the best possible support.

Also never use a topper to try and revive an old worn out mattress.

[Tim Deegan]

I have been wondering whether memory foam might be good for my arthritis-suffferer father who frequently can't get a reasonable night's sleep because of discomfort.

The necessary thickness of the foam seems to be a matter of some debate - and I wouldn't want to get this wrong.

Some manufacturers use very deep layers of memory foam, and tell people that the deeper the foam the better. The truth is that the optimum thickness for memory foam is 2" to 2 1/2". Less than this and it won't be enough to contour to your body. If the foam is too deep, then you will sink into it, and it will wrap around you making you too hot.

[Tim Deegan]

So can you run past me what this 'topper' thing is?

Dad has been talking about getting a 2-inch or maybe TWO 2-inch mattresses (one on top of another) and I've no idea what to advise him. Where do you get them? Is ebay a possibility and if so who are the recommended sellers?

I hope your dad isn't thinking of using 2 memory foam toppers on top of each other instead of a mattress??

Memory foam doesn't provide any spring, it just moulds to your body. The bounce comes from the layer underneath the memory foam. This can be either latex foam, open coil springs, or pocket springs. We recently sold an Eros and a Calypso mattress to an osteopath. So we asked their professional opinion on the best type of mattress for back support. They told us that most of their profession recommends a combination of pocket sprung and memory foam. They also went on to say that if you can't afford pocket sprung with memory foam, then the next best option is just pocket sprung, and that they are far superior to latex (or reflex) foam and memory foam mattresses that seem to be the most common memory foam mattresses on the market.

[Sensemaya]

I too suffer from back problems.

I have been debating about purchasing this particular memory foam topper from Dunelm.

http://www.dunelm-mill.com/range/Memory/Bedding_Mattress%20Protectors/1

Has anyone tried it?

Or shall I save up and buy a new mattress instead? I have a bedstead, so only need to replace the mattress.

Thanks.

[Tim Deegan]

I too suffer from back problems.

I have been debating about purchasing this particular memory foam topper from Dunelm.

http://www.dunelm-mill.com/range/Memory/Bedding_Mattress%20Protectors/1

Has anyone tried it?

Or shall I save up and buy a new mattress instead? I have a bedstead, so only need to replace the mattress.

Thanks.

See post 33...........however it all depends on your budget.

You need a mattress in good condition under a topper.

[defjam64]

my kid has a matress and it keep breakin he is a heavey lad but i was wonder in if meroy foam can break if not does anyone have ann aalterntaitve

[Tim Deegan]

my kid has a matress and it keep breakin he is a heavey lad but i was wonder in if meroy foam can break if not does anyone have ann aalterntaitve

The springs should be fine for any weight, however no mattresses are designed to be :j on. If he doesn't jump on it then you should take the mattress back to where you bought it from. What is the make and model of the mattress?

Memory foam mattresses aren't designed to be jumped on either, and would also be damaged by jumping on them. Also the price of memory foam mattresses means that constant replacement could be very expensive.

[defjam64]

well the thing is he was sleeping ona sigle bed matress its silnght night and it broke as in the spring were dented and bends were in the matress this could be because the side rails were broken but it might not be have any ideas or y this happend

[defjam64]

ps he is about ten stone & 1/3

[Tim Deegan]

well the thing is he was sleeping ona sigle bed matress its silnght night and it broke as in the spring were dented and bends were in the matress this could be because the side rails were broken but it might not be have any ideas or y this happend

That just sounds like normal for a Silentnight mattress.......it just shows the power of advertising when people think they are good quality:rotfl:

[savingsara]

QVC had a silentnight bed on a one day special this week that has a memory foam topping. We ordered one as our bed is totalled knacked.
Nice that you can pay in two payments and try it out for 30 days. If we don't like it, we can send it back!! Where else can you do that?

I'll report back when it arrives if I can find this thread again.....

[Tim Deegan]

QVC had a silentnight bed on a one day special this week that has a memory foam topping. We ordered one as our bed is totalled knacked.
Nice that you can pay in two payments and try it out for 30 days. If we don't like it, we can send it back!! Where else can you do that?

I'll report back when it arrives if I can find this thread again.....

hmmm.......there is somewhere that lets you try it for 14 days, but hey....30 days is better

[catford]

Has anyone tried the TLC mattress which is on ebay??;)
The memory foam seems very deep!!:D

[Tim Deegan]

Has anyone tried the TLC mattress which is on ebay??;)
The memory foam seems very deep!!:D



Their mattresses contain 5" of memory foam. Some manufacturers use very deep layers of memory foam, and tell people that the deeper the foam the better. The truth is that the optimum thickness for memory foam is 2" to 2 1/2". Less than this and it won't be enough to contour to your body. If the foam is too deep, then you will sink into it, and it will wrap around you making you too hot.

[Sensemaya]

Well after scouring the net for ages, I've gone for this on recommendation of the helpful gentleman I spoke with on the phone. I can't find it cheaper anywhere else and should be with me within the week. The guy also said the delivery men will take it upstairs unlike some firms that just deliver to the door.

http://bestpricebeds.co.uk/product_display.asp?id=935

They do this too:

http://bestpricebeds.co.uk/product_display.asp?id=934

Hopefully my back should be a little better in the mornings now!

Found this interesting article:

http://www.myfoammattress.net/guide/sex.html

:rotfl: :T

I will let you know how I get on!:j

[Tim Deegan]

Well after scouring the net for ages, I've gone for this on recommendation of the helpful gentleman I spoke with on the phone. I can't find it cheaper anywhere else and should be with me within the week. The guy also said the delivery men will take it upstairs unlike some firms that just deliver to the door.

http://bestpricebeds.co.uk/product_display.asp?id=935

They do this too:

http://bestpricebeds.co.uk/product_display.asp?id=934

Hopefully my back should be a little better in the mornings now!

Found this interesting article:

http://www.myfoammattress.net/guide/sex.html

:rotfl: :T

I will let you know how I get on!:j

That's a good price. However it is Slumberland who's mattresses don't have the longest life, so remember you will need to turn it around on a regular basis (you can't turn it over because it is a one sided mattress) in order to prolong the life of the springs.

[Sensemaya]

Tim

I was originally looking at Silentnight and then saw a Jaritex one. The guy said Slumberland were better because of the density of the coils.

Do you think it will last 10 years? Why do they have the shortest life?

In your opinion, what is the best mattress in this price range?

Thanks.

[Tim Deegan]

Tim

I was originally looking at Silentnight and then saw a Jaritex one. The guy said Slumberland were better because of the density of the coils.

Do you think it will last 10 years? Why do they have the shortest life?

In your opinion, what is the best mattress in this price range?

Thanks.

Slumberland don't have the shortest life.......from listening to my customers it appears that Silentnight do.

As long as you turn it around on a regular basis, then you should get quite a good life out of it (not sure about 10 years though).

To be honest you will never get as long a life out of a non turn mattress.

The only pocket sprung/memory foam mattresses that I know about are the Calypso and the Eros. You can get them for a very low price on special offer, but they do cost a bit more than the Slumberland (the Calypso king size is £399), but you would pay nearer £2000 in the shops.

[Sensemaya]

http://www.bedlum-beds.co.uk/product/Calypso-Memory-Foam-and-Pocket-Sprung-Beds/

£375. How long does this last for? ( I like the Kaiser bedstead btw )

Thanks.

[Tim Deegan]

http://www.bedlum-beds.co.uk/product/Calypso-Memory-Foam-and-Pocket-Sprung-Beds/

£375. How long does this last for? ( I like the Kaiser bedstead btw )

Thanks.

You should get between 50% and 100% more life just by the fact that you can turn it over.

[saso2299]

Try the mattress from the RelaxWay !!

I have one 2 months at home and i love it!!

[Jojo the Tightfisted]

Got a cheap n' cheerful memory foam topper from the Littlewoods catalogue. It's about an inch and a half thick and cost about £100 (if that). Once I took the rubbish terry cover off - it was far too small for the topper, so it twisted and buckled all the time - it was perfect. I sleep with one leg up (because of the hip), mostly belly down/slightly sideways (allowing for breathing machine mask) on a funny shaped pillow from IKEA (cause of neck problems) and so I can stick my legs out the side when the inflammation gets me too hot. Yes, I would have been shot by now if I had been a horse.

Anyways, the pain I got in my hip which made it impossible to lay comfortably at all, disappeared within about a week. I go to sleep within minutes of my head hitting the pillow (apparently almost seconds sometimes) and, whilst nowt is going to cure everything, I don't actually wake up in the morning feeling like I've gone ten rounds with King Kong anymore.

Bloke thought it was horrible when he stayed over. Then he stayed at his Mum's for a fortnight housesitting, sleeping on a pretty expensive, 3 year old mattress and bed. He practically crawled back onto my memory foam topper and refused to come out for 12 hours.

[Craftyscholar]

Does anyone know if you can use an electric blanket with a memory foam topper?
I am addicted to my blanket in winter.

[Tim Deegan]

Does anyone know if you can use an electric blanket with a memory foam topper?
I am addicted to my blanket in winter.

No you can't.

The way memory foam works is that it needs your body heat to react with it and soften the memory foam closest to your body. Then the memory foam further away will remain firmer, and support your body. If you use an electric blanket then it will soften all the memory foam preventing it working properly, and giving you support.

The heat can also damage the memory foam.

Memory foam has a warmer touch than most mattresses, so you shouldn't need an electric blanket anyway.

[Jojo the Tightfisted]

I agree with Tim.

It is much warmer on a memory foam topper/mattress - we're down to a 4.5 tog quilt and still haven't felt the need to close the window or add blankets yet, even when Bloke is not around. At the same time, I'm wearing jumpers and woolly socks during the day and looking for nice gloves, so it's not exactly tropical here.

[Craftyscholar]

No you can't.

The way memory foam works is that it needs your body heat to react with it and soften the memory foam closest to your body. Then the memory foam further away will remain firmer, and support your body. If you use an electric blanket then it will soften all the memory foam preventing it working properly, and giving you support.

Thanks. That makes sense.
So if you change position during the night the memory foam has to readjust.

[Jojo the Tightfisted]

It adjusts very quickly. If the cat walks across the bare topper, she leaves a fading trail of perfect paw prints, By the time you turn and sigh, the foam has already adjusted.

[Craftyscholar]

It adjusts very quickly. If the cat walks across the bare topper, she leaves a fading trail of perfect paw prints, By the time you turn and sigh, the foam has already adjusted.
Thanks, Jojo.

[belfastgirl23]

The trouble with memory foam in terms of warmth though is that if you get into bed cold it reflects the cold back at you and it's very hard to actually get warm. But once you're warm it's really toasty.

Very comfy apart from this though!

[Tim Deegan]

Thanks. That makes sense.
So if you change position during the night the memory foam has to readjust.

That's why you don't want the memory foam too deep, or too high density. The optimum is 2" deep, and 60 to 70kg per m3.

[Tim Deegan]

The trouble with memory foam in terms of warmth though is that if you get into bed cold it reflects the cold back at you and it's very hard to actually get warm. But once you're warm it's really toasty.

Very comfy apart from this though!

I've never found that myself. Try using flanlette sheets in winter.

[Craftyscholar]

The trouble with memory foam in terms of warmth though is that if you get into bed cold it reflects the cold back at you and it's very hard to actually get warm. But once you're warm it's really toasty.

Very comfy apart from this though!
I did wonder about that.
I find it so comforting to relax stretched out in a warm bed. Have memories of getting into a cold bed pre electric blankets and lying curled up on the one bit the hottie had warmed.

[lolly5648]

I have never found memory foam cold - you get into bed and it is always soft and warm, ie warmer than an ordinary mattress. Go into a bed shop and feel an ordinary mattress and then a foam one, the foam will feel much warmer.

[Tim Deegan]

I have never found memory foam cold - you get into bed and it is always soft and warm, ie warmer than an ordinary mattress. Go into a bed shop and feel an ordinary mattress and then a foam one, the foam will feel much warmer.

I couldn't agree more.

[brighthair]

I have a Sleepright memory 500 mattress (can't find a link) and find it so comfortable. I struggle to sleep on a normal mattress now