Question:
Has anyone having trouble sleeping due to comfort and joint pain?

I am 21 months post op and have lost 162 lbs and stablized at 110 lbs. I have gone through 4 mattresses(including thae Temper Pedic) trying to find a comfortable bed due to hip joint and lower back pain. It is more a major ache. I am now looking at air beds?? Anyone have any advise or input?    — Patricia H. (posted on December 22, 2002)

December 22, 2002
When I had back problems many years ago, the only bed that helped me was a "water bed"!! Not only does it "form" to your body, but the "heater" made a world of difference also. Hope this helps. Love and Light,
   — medium

December 22, 2002
No disrespect Lisa but I would bet there isn't an orthropedic or neurologic doctor alive that would recommend a water bed anymore. If there is any inflammation involved in your joints/low back pain the warmth, while it would feel good initially, could very easily increase the inflammation. I love the feel of heat but when I hurt bad it's ice that numbs the pain and takes the internal inflammation down. I looked at an air bed about 10 months ago but because of my weight I found it difficult to move around etc. and that was the $2700 bed. YIKES! I did tons of looking and repeatedly going back to the stores to try them out and picked one. I had it a short time and it was clear it would not work. Fortunately they had a 60 day sleep guarantee so back it went.<p>My recommendation is a company like Verlo (don't know if they are national or not) that makes their own beds. They have one that my mom bought that might be great for you with the pain as it has a 5" orthopedic foam section on top. It has a 15 yr warranty non-prorated. I liked that one also but just wasn't sure about it for me. I chose the Heritage series. The advantage of a company that makes their own beds is they can fine tune it to your needs. They give you 60 days to work with it and will take it back and adjust it to whatever you need - softer, firmer etc. Their top group of mattresses all have a 15 yr guarantee to retain their original support, softness etc. They are expensive, but less than a good quality air bed, and worst case scenario you would have to pay them to toally adjust the firmness in 5-10 years because something totally changes in you. Way cheaper than a new mattress. Their beds also come standard with a split box and you can have 2 different firmnesses if you want. They really cater to customizing the bed for you. I'm sure where ever you are in the country there is a matress manufacturer similar to this company. It definitely is worth it.
   — zoedogcbr

December 22, 2002
I can no longer sleep flat in my bed without severe back and joint pain either (I am 13.5 months post-op). When I came home after WLS, I couldn't lay flat so I bought a bed wedge to elevate me and used two pillows for added height. I have twice tried to sleep flat again without the bed wedge and I can't get comfortable. I am very comfortable with the bed wedge and the extra pillows and I generally wake up, refreshed, in the same position I fell asleep in. I was always a side sleeper pre-op, but it hurts my back now. You might want to try a bed wedge to see if it helps or if you're in a position to buy another bed, maybe you could look into one of those adjustable beds. The next time I buy a new bed, that is what I am going to buy. It's a thought!
   — Susan M.

December 22, 2002
I would see a chiropractor for a few sessions, if it doesn't help I would see an ortho Dr for a work up. Always get checked out when you have pain that awakens you at night. Good Luck!
   — ZZ S.

December 22, 2002
I can appreciate your situation.I have alot of lower back pain due to a fall down a flight of stairs and a fall where I broke my tail bone.I have joint problems also. Sleeping in comfort was a must for me. I tired out many beds in the furniture stores and found one made by Beautyrest, their top of the line, that is wonderful. Between my husband and I, it supports 700 lbs and it never budges.Check it out.
   — Leslie E.

December 22, 2002
I've had nothing but water beds since the 70's. Warm, felt snuggled--nothing better. BUT last winter, my mattress died & my husband said No More Waterbed. WHAT? We actually did sleep better in hotels & motels, EXCEPT for me, the bone thing. So, reluctantly, we shipped. And then, I found it. My particulr brand is an Englander, but I'd guess anyone makes it. The mattress is latex, but it also has the thickest pillow top we saw. The mattress supports, but the pillow top allows me some soft padding for my aching bones. For knees, I have a pillow & that also positions my hips more comfortably. It only took a week on that bad to make me realize how miserable I'd been on the water bed, but didn't know it. I think it pays to let my husband make a few decisions, huh? LOL!
   — vitalady

December 22, 2002
I have had a select comfort air bed for several years now and wouldn't trade it for anything. Both my husband and I have had back problems and this bed has really made a difference in the amount of sleep we get. And now that I am post-op and losing rapidly I can adjust the pressure in the bed and still stay comfortable all the time. I have not had back pain or hip/knee pain (except for surgery) since about a month after we got the bed. It was expensive but definately worth the investment.
   — dorothy S.

December 23, 2002
My husband was in a car accident, And I have chronic back spasms when I lay down. We looked into Tempur but found it was too hard. We were lucky enough to find a mattress similar. It is a little more expensive. It is made of the same foam for softness but it has added support by the addition of a horizontal lever system. It is called supple-pedic(seen at strobel.com)we used this with the Tempur-pedic pillows and haad miraculous results. It also has a thirty year warranty. The foam also comes in 3 different thicknesses. I would strongly advise against an air mattress like select comfort. If you think about it...Their vertical air chambers feel very much like springs...We have tried that mattress as well....We will never return to air,spring, or water! I hope you find a solution to your pain.
   — hooterzgirl75