Has anyone with spinal problems managed to get VAT relief for a memory foam mattress?

Zingara

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

At no point have I said that you aren't exempt, or that you are breaking the law, so don't get so paranoid.

I have researched this issue to avoid being prosecuted for making false claims. When I contacted customs and excise they told me that VAT exemption can only be used if like you say you have a long term physical or mental disability, and the product is specifically designed to help that problem.

Many retailers are all to ready to hand out the forms to anyone who just has a slight twinge.

I have issued VAT exemption forms to some customers, but only if they are genuinely entitled.

So please don't think that my comments are in any way aimed at anyone who is entitled to VAT exemption. They are aimed at the stores who use it to get sales.

Sorry Tim, obviously interpreted what you were saying wrongly.

Zingara

myaccount08 wrote: »

Interesting thread. We are in desperate need of a new bed but they are so expensive. I just dont know where to start. I had a spinal fusion gone wrong and am housebound and often bed bed now. We need a king size+ and it would be great if i could save some ££.

Are the memory foam mattresses alot better for chronic and severe backpain? What bases are best? what would people recommend and where did you buy? Sorry if i'm high-jacking the thread..

Try as many as you can and even then you may end up with something you don't like. It's a minefield! Some places may offer a trial to make sure you are comfortable (subject to conditions).

From my side, I had a Tempur mattress before surgery and it was fantastic. After surgery, spinal fusion again, it was great for a few months and then as my back got worse it became more and more uncomfortable and I bought a soft mattress with a pillow layer on top which has been great (after going in the shop every day for a week for an hour at a time and lying on it! They were very patient with me!!!!). I'm going to try the memory foam again soon to see whether things have changed after my most recent surgery. The most comfortable bed I've slept on was a Myers Legend (spring unit with memory foam on top).

Ultimately what suits one person wouldn't suit another so it's all about trying things out.

The Tempur was bought online as it was cheaper - again tried it out locally. They are aiming now for the luxury bed market apparently so I'm not sure what they are like any more. I used Backinaction.co.uk for this and they couldn't be more helpful. They also have showrooms (Bristol and London) to go and try things out. The other was bought locally.

Karen
x

Tim_Deegan

Zingara wrote: »

Try as many as you can and even then you may end up with something you don't like. It's a minefield! Some places may offer a trial to make sure you are comfortable (subject to conditions).

From my side, I had a Tempur mattress before surgery and it was fantastic. After surgery, spinal fusion again, it was great for a few months and then as my back got worse it became more and more uncomfortable and I bought a soft mattress with a pillow layer on top which has been great (after going in the shop every day for a week for an hour at a time and lying on it! They were very patient with me!!!!). I'm going to try the memory foam again soon to see whether things have changed after my most recent surgery. The most comfortable bed I've slept on was a Myers Legend (spring unit with memory foam on top).

Ultimately what suits one person wouldn't suit another so it's all about trying things out.

The Tempur was bought online as it was cheaper - again tried it out locally. They are aiming now for the luxury bed market apparently so I'm not sure what they are like any more. I used Backinaction.co.uk for this and they couldn't be more helpful. They also have showrooms (Bristol and London) to go and try things out. The other was bought locally.

Karen
x

You can actually get far better than Tempur at a much lower price. Pocket sprung/memory foam is the best for back support, although try to get a two sided one so that it will last longer.

Pillow top mattresses feel really comfortable when they are new. However you can often end up sleeping in a hollow when all the pillow top fillings start moving about.

You will get more for your money if you go for smaller independent manufacturers.

myaccount08

Thanks for the advice It's so hard to choose, so many options out there. I live off DLA and it's a big spend so don't want to buy the wrong thing.

Zingara can i ask how you're recovering from the fusion? Mine is middle-lower and it's been a nightmare ever since (years now), i'm in constant pain and can't even sit up properly, i'm at a loss of what to do as are the Drs! Although it's done it's job now they refuse to take it out claiming the risk of paralysis is just too high. I've never come across anyone who's had any long term problems with it so it's been really tough understanding what's gone wrong with mine.

Back to beds ...I thought i should leave the pillow tops and buy a bed topper down the line if we ever need it, help make it last longer ya know? I was looking at Rest Assured, the pocket sprung ones with a latex layer. Being 5'11 and 6'4 i think we should go for the superking since i'm confined to bed alot too. They cost £950-£1200 though :eek: I see Argos have one in the sale for £650 but they provide little info on which model it actually is. Is it just the Tempur ones you get VAT relief, or all memory foam ones? Would that apply to latex ones too?

Sorry for being OT again, but is there any other (VAT relief) products ppl have found useful when struggling with a spinal problem?

Tim_Deegan

myaccount08 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice It's so hard to choose, so many options out there. I live off DLA and it's a big spend so don't want to buy the wrong thing.

Zingara can i ask how you're recovering from the fusion? Mine is middle-lower and it's been a nightmare ever since (years now), i'm in constant pain and can't even sit up properly, i'm at a loss of what to do as are the Drs! Although it's done it's job now they refuse to take it out claiming the risk of paralysis is just too high. I've never come across anyone who's had any long term problems with it so it's been really tough understanding what's gone wrong with mine.

Back to beds ...I thought i should leave the pillow tops and buy a bed topper down the line if we ever need it, help make it last longer ya know? I was looking at Rest Assured, the pocket sprung ones with a latex layer. Being 5'11 and 6'4 i think we should go for the superking since i'm confined to bed alot too. They cost £950-£1200 though :eek: I see Argos have one in the sale for £650 but they provide little info on which model it actually is. Is it just the Tempur ones you get VAT relief, or all memory foam ones? Would that apply to latex ones too?

Sorry for being OT again, but is there any other (VAT relief) products ppl have found useful when struggling with a spinal problem?

I would do a search in the forums for Rest Assured before you buy if I were you.

myaccount08

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

I would do a search in the forums for Rest Assured before you buy if I were you.

Oh dear.. doesn't sound good Will check now!

Zingara

myaccount08 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice It's so hard to choose, so many options out there. I live off DLA and it's a big spend so don't want to buy the wrong thing.

Zingara can i ask how you're recovering from the fusion? Mine is middle-lower and it's been a nightmare ever since (years now), i'm in constant pain and can't even sit up properly, i'm at a loss of what to do as are the Drs! Although it's done it's job now they refuse to take it out claiming the risk of paralysis is just too high. I've never come across anyone who's had any long term problems with it so it's been really tough understanding what's gone wrong with mine.

Back to beds ...I thought i should leave the pillow tops and buy a bed topper down the line if we ever need it, help make it last longer ya know? I was looking at Rest Assured, the pocket sprung ones with a latex layer. Being 5'11 and 6'4 i think we should go for the superking since i'm confined to bed alot too. They cost £950-£1200 though :eek: I see Argos have one in the sale for £650 but they provide little info on which model it actually is. Is it just the Tempur ones you get VAT relief, or all memory foam ones? Would that apply to latex ones too?

Sorry for being OT again, but is there any other (VAT relief) products ppl have found useful when struggling with a spinal problem?

I don't know what your fusion was for but mine was for scoliosis and have been fused T2-L1. Recovery has been very hard - 6 months off work, 12 months before I felt even halfway normal before going downhill again. Prior to my second surgery I was spending most days in bed, using lots of leave from work rather than taking sick leave and literally only working or resting. The second surgery took place two years after the first and it was a battle to get them to accept I needed it - some of the metalwork had moved and was sticking out of my back causing me problems in the upper spine area and shoulders. I had some of the metalwork removed and have felt so much better and can actually do things now.

I still live in pain but then I think I always will. I just have to learn to manage and live with it. I'm still comfier most times when I'm led in bed but have to make myself get on with things. Have you tried physio or pain clinics? I'm quite liking my electric underblanket at the moment as heat seems to loosen me up! There are also lots of excercises you can do strengthen your core muscles, or ask for a referral to another doctor for a second opinion. If you have metalwork in you then I don't think they like removing it, as the bones graft to it, but another specialist may give you some different advice or hope for the future.

Pop along to http://www.scoliosis-support.org if you haven't already found it. Obviously there is a strong emphasis on scoliosis but the people are friendly and supportive there and may be able to give you some better advice than I can with regards to your particular fusion. I don't think you will be the first or the last to have fusion problems but it can feel like you are the only one going through it at times. As many on that forum have found, there is a huge difference between what some doctors say - you may be able to get a referral to someone who would be much more proactive in helping you or who can spot something your regular ones don't. Also found that in general you have to be very pushy to get to see someone and get the answers you want!!!!!

As for the bed I wouldn't buy one from Argos if you haven't tried it before. You really just need to get out and try as many as possible then research them online. Like I said earlier, the most comfortable one I ever have led in was a Myers - slept in it for several days and it was the best night's sleep I have had for a long time.

Karen
x

paulmx3

my mum got a tempur mattress with the VAT reduction it was deducted at point of sale,she just had to fill in a form saying she has medical problems that require it,she has.

she also got a second one with the VAT reduction which she had sent to my house for if she ever stays here......;)

with regards the tempur mattress themselves,i love it,although as with every mattress each to there own.