desperate for advice on bed

Do any of you diverse and knowledgeable people have any advice for me on type/brand of bed/mattress to help with my problem? I have a lot of muscle and connective tissue pain due to polymyalgia rheumatica (an inflammatory disease) and as well I have old lower back injury pain (like many other people do, I guess). I never get any sleep these days and I have tried several new mattresses and pillows, all turning out too hard or too soft or whatever.

I have found innersprings to be too bouncy, and I feel like I'm sleeping on a table-top. I have tried innersprings with memory foam topper pad and that didn't help. Sleeping on memory foam is like sleeping in molasses! And I have difficulty turning over in the bed. Basically, what I think I want is a level surface with some give, and a soft upper surface so that hips, shoulders etc form a sort of small soft hollow. I feel the need for soft rather than firm, but not saggy! What I would like to know is: Is a flexi slat bed better in any way than fixed flat slats? Is a natural latex mattress really good? Is there a really good innersprung brand out there? Best pillow to avoid headaches and sore neck? Am I going crazy?

ALL advice appreciated, I am desperate for a bit of night time comfort. If it helps, I am a smallish to average person in height and weigh just under 70kg. By the way, The only treatment for the polymyalgia is prednisone (corticosteroids) and I have chosen not to take this, after trying it for a few months last year. So I have to tough it out with panadol. I can manage pretty good most of the time, but the nights are the worst. Thanks for any help.

I found the most comfortable bed I had for years was a water bed.
It was a soft-sider-so took normal bedding and looked like a normal bed.
It had internal baffles that stopped the wave action, a wool topper and you could adjust the water temperature for personal comfort!
It did all the things you require-if you want it firmer you put in more water, it dipped where you needed eg hips and shoulders, whatever your size.
After 14 years it sprung a leak at the seams and the novelty of water beds seemed to have lost their appeal, they were hard to find -It was the most comfortable bed I've ever had.

Good luck with the bed hunt!

We still have one, we LOVE our waterbed.

Our beds are all made from "Wellington Beds" The guy who owns the shop is wonderful and very helpful. They are cheaper to as there is no middle man. They can make to special requirements to. Not sure where you live though.
Have you tried a "Bio Mag" underlay?? They are great for any injuries. We have one and I know of alot who have them and swear by them.

My sister in law loves her water bed as well, however my SOH who has had back problems for a number of years finds them uncomfortable and won't sleep in one if he can help it.

We bought a new sleepmaker mattress about 4 years ago recommended in the bedding shop by the sales lady who also said had a bad back. The SOH doesn't think its as bees knees as she sold it to us as. Prior to that we had a domino mattress (both on slats) and I always thought that was fine.

However the only other opinion (and it won't be cheap) I can think of is to get one made.

(although friends on the North Shore Auckland had one re-packed and cleaned many years ago) I know I have seen a big coloured ad' in one of the Kiwi's mags for a company there. Just cannot remember the name though....

I would also like to suggest that you look into a Biomag, I have one and I really notice it when I go away and don't have it on the bed I sleep on.

Oh and just for the record, I too loved my water bed when when I had one, the only reason I changed it was because when I did my foot in I couldn't get out of it, would have anotherone in a heartbeat if it wasn't for other things taking all the spare cash now.

Try looking at the Tempur range. www.bedpost.co.nz/PS_Tempur.htm

You can get them with electronic controls to raise and lower the bed and I loved the mattress.

www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Beds-bedro...uction-152198497.htm

shows the king single with the mechanical bed

gemini kiwi;163808 wrote: We still have one, we LOVE our waterbed.

My parents used a waterbed for over 30 years and loved it, swearing that it was better for their backs.

However, on a trip away last year, they slept on a new "California King" bed (a chiropractic one but I'm afraid I don't know what brand). For the first time in 30 years, my 6ft 4" Dad (who has a wrecked back) woke up with no back pain and warm feet (as it was the first bed he'd ever had that was long enough for him to stretch out on).

He even slept in over an hour past his normal waking time, something he'd never been able to do before, because his aching back always woke him up if he went more than a few minutes over 8 hours.

It cost some horrendous amount - almost $5000 I think. It is quite firm but has a soft cover attached, so when you sit on it, you think "hmmm, firm" but when you lie sideways on it, it has a nice amount of give in it.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Well, I remember water beds from the 70s! They were really nice to sleep on, BUT now I couldn't turn over in or get out of one. Same with the tempur (memory foam), I just flounder around, cast, unable to turn over or raise myself, as I have no arm strength and the water bed or soft foam doesn't provide any purchase. I found the tempur type bed extremely comfortable IF you just stay in one position, but impossible to turn or move in, and I think the waterbed would be the same these days. It's really annoying having no arm strength and sore arms, there's so much that is difficult to do, including even lifting the bedding when I'm in bed! The magnetic underlay I have not tried yet, but it is often recommended, so I will be soon, I think! I will look up some chiropractic beds on the web, and it's a good idea to have one custom made too. Thamks.

Hubby has spinal problems & my back is "buggered" and we sleep on a King Koil mattress with a slat base...works well for us. Google King Koil & you will find all the outlets. Go lie on them, there are different sorts for different needs.

I will second Welliongton Beds. They are made here in Porirua(near Wellington) and have a shop with the factory. They may even be ble to customise a matteress for you.

Sounds like something with a hyrolic thingy to raise the head would be the go. I believe you can get them so that the hydrolics work seperately on each side. Don't know where from though.

Restwood beds also make beds with the lifters

Anna I have RA and a few associated illnesses including Fibrositis, which is similar to polymyalgia, so know your pain well.

We bought a Sealy posturepedic which is innersprung but it suits my body well. We thought about having a bed made but I was worried that it wouldn't suit and heaps of dosh would be wasted. We had a 30 day trial period on the Sealy.

You probably already do all this, if you go off to sleep on your side, tuck a pillow up under your armpit - it helps keep the weight of your arm off your rib area. If you sleep on your back place a pillow across your chest and rest your arms on this. Also to keep the weight of the duvet off your feet, place a pillow or a big foam cube under the duvet at the bottom of the bed.

I'm trying to wean off pred. after being on it for 7 years which has lead to oestosporosis:( It's a miracle drug but also very destructive.

I take 3 panedeine each night before bed - it does help for a few hours.

Hope you find some relief very soon

Oh, and I love my foam chip pillow - molds nicely around my head.

Anna, I have a similar back problem and difficulty turning over in bed. I have found that wearing satin pyjama pants helps me slide around more easily! []