Bed Issues

I'm having a lot of lower back pain at night, and I think my weight loss is the culprit.  I've always been a stomach sleeper (I know, bad for your back) but I've never had any issues until after losing weight.  Our mattress is probably starting to wear (it is 7.5 years old), but I really think the problem is more related to my weight changes.  I think that when I was heavier, my "padding" was keeping my spine more aligned because I was basically sleeping on a pillow of fat.  Now that I don't have that, my hips sink way down and my lower back aches from being so arched.  We're shopping for a new mattress, but I really don't think that is going to solve the problem.  Even as we lay on firm ones in the store (and I hate firm mattresses) I can still feel my back arching.  My chiropractor tells me I should just "stop sleeping on my stomach" as if it is that easy to change 30 years of habit!

Anyone else have similar issues?  If so, what did you do to fix it?  Or, are there any stomach sleepers out there that love your mattress, if so, what kind is it?

Yes, I was a stomach sleeper before surgery as well. Now I spend most of the time on my back sometimes I'll sleep on my left side. Other than that everything else is uncomfortable.

I went the new bed route as well but still find it uncomfortable to sleep on stomach.

I have the same issue - i wish i could stop sleeping on my stomach.

I actually did pretty well after plastic surgery and was forced to sleep on my back for 3 weeks - after the first week,I got used to it and was able to sleep okay. Unfortunately, i went back to sleeping on my stomach because it's easier for me to fall asleep but its no good for my back and neck.

 I think they make those big body pillows you could try cuddling up with and seeing if it offers any support for your back.

Yes - me too. I have trouble sitting in bed, reading or watching t.v., etc. because my tailbone bothers me. And then sleeping is hard on the back and the shoulders. The padding is gone - I do think that is the culprit. I just wonder - do people that are naturally thin have these problems?

I've wondered about thin people too!  However, I'm guessing if it is uncomfortable for us to sleep in a certain way now because we're thin, they probably would just never develop the habit and therefore wouldn't have to deal with it.  Hmmmm?

Sew a cotton reel onto the front of your PJs,  Won't sleep on your stomach again!.  Best of luck!

Have you tried Sleep Number! I looooooooooove Sleep Number!!! You have to give it a full 30 days before you decided whether it's for you, though. Initially it might not be comfortable because your body is getting used to it... so you can't poo-poo it the first week. I don't see myself EVER buying a regular mattress again! I used to wake up multiple times through out the night with paid in the back, hips, knees, etc. Now I sleep all the way through the night without waking up until the alarm goes off. It's heaven!

Originally we thought this would be the way we'd go because we have such different preferences.  However, I've read so many bad things about sleep number that we ruled them out.  Mold in the air pockets, a height difference between the two sides, ridges along the outside...  What is your experience with these issues?

About 50 pounds ago, we had to buy a new mattress. We just grabbed something on sale because we were still poor from the big Disney trip, but man... there was a crater on my side of the bed from where I would lay in it. The stupid edge of the crater was digging into my side, my back, my rib cage. I was going INSANE.

Next year, I hope to get either a tempurpedic or a sleep number. I slept on a sleep number at a hotel and it was SO nice. I prefer a rock hard bed (seriously, I could sleep on concrete and be happy) but hubby likes it soft (wuss!).