Just solved a mattress problem

[Blonde Granny]

1 year ago when we moved into the new house, I bought a new queen size mattress & box springs...when did they get so expensive?

Anyway, at my age a big fear of mine is falling, and with a knee replacement done almost 3 years ago, it really scares me even more about falling so I am extra careful. Besides, I've just had 2 women who are neighbors fall and both break an arm. Both ladies are younger than me.

Back to the mattress issue: When I bought them I didn't have any idea the height it made the bed, and it was difficult to get into the new bed. Thursday night my fear came to reality. As I was getting into bed, I lost my balance and down I went. Cracked the knee on the side rather than frontal on the tile floor. I finally told DH today what had happened and he quickly dragged me out the door to a mattress place.

The sales person recommended something called a bunky board, which is a padded and covered piece of wood that will replace the box spring yet fit snugly into the bed frame.  So, instead of spending thousands again for new lower bedding, that cost for the bunky board, delivery and disposal of the box spring? $150.  I will now be able to get in and out of bed safely.

My 14" mattress will now sit on top of the board.

[ken a.k.a OMK]

I hope you don't have back problems and the bunky board works.

Here's my story. We retired 4 years ago and got a new Queen sized bed. Got a pillow top mattress and a high box spring. My wife had trouble getting into bed so I took out the box spring and put down plywood. Months later I had morning back pain so bad I couldn't get out of bed. I researched the function of the box spring and some said it was only to raise the mattress. We went to a mattress store and the guy said if my back was ok when going to bed but hurt in the morning then it was the bed. Good logic. He got us a smaller box spring. I noticed the plywood had bowed in the middle not giving any support. I still have some back pain. My doctor took x-rays and said I have some arthritis and to take Aleve. So the contributing conditions could be age (67), retiring with less activity, and right now it's hard to get active with the pain, and weight gain.   These things all add up to trouble.

[Blonde Granny]

I'm going to be 70 in 6 weeks. Already have bone on bone in right shoulder socket and degenerative disc disease in cervical spine at C5-6-7.  C8 is what is causing the numbness in little finger and ring finger on right hand and little finger on left hand.. Ain't getting old fun? Anyway, this bunky board is about 2" thick rather than just a piece of plywood, so I'm hoping it will be OK. If not, I fear we're looking at new mattress and box spring, or perhaps a temper-pedic which would be a lot lower.

Thanks for the heads up though, I'll certainly watch for this.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

After I had my first hip surgery, my very expensive queen bed (which was only 4 years old) went from being the most comfortable bed on earth to a torture device.  I don't sleep on my back and sleeping on either side felt like I was sleeping on rocks.

I had a doctor's appointment in Nashville at 7 am.  Nashville from Lexington was a 200 mile (one way) road trip, so I drove down the night before and checked into a hotel.  For the first time in 2 months, I slept the entire night.  I tore the bed apart and discovered a 4" memory foam topper on top of the mattress.  Had I not found that, I was looking for the brand name, as I would have ordered one directly from the hotel, if it had been possible.

First stop when I got back to Lexington was Bed Bath and Beyond and I bought a memory foam topper.  It still lives on the bed today, and everyone who sleeps in it wants to take it home with them.  The topper was nearly $200, but that was still cheaper than dumping a $1200 bed.

About your mattress and box spring, I probably would have looked at purchasing a new bed frame rather than dumping your springs first.  Even though this board is padded, it is still solid and box springs have give in them, they're not solid.

Another thing to consider......it is easier to get out of bed from a higher bed than a lower one.

[mmhmm]

Nov 29, 2014 15:11:23 GMT -5 Blonde Granny said:

I'm going to be 70 in 6 weeks. Already have bone on bone in right shoulder socket and degenerative disc disease in cervical spine at C5-6-7.  C8 is what is causing the numbness in little finger and ring finger on right hand and little finger on left hand.. Ain't getting old fun? Anyway, this bunky board is about 2" thick rather than just a piece of plywood, so I'm hoping it will be OK. If not, I fear we're looking at new mattress and box spring, or perhaps a temper-pedic which would be a lot lower.

Thanks for the heads up though, I'll certainly watch for this.

There are also steps made to assist with getting into bed, some with railings. I got one for mother when she was still getting in and out of her very high, adjustable bed. It worked well for her.

[Blonde Granny]

We talked about steps, that is what one of my neighbors tripped over at night when she broke her arm. I like the idea of a thinner inner spring mattress if this doesn't work. Best of all, DH sleeps in another bedroom, so it's just me rolling from side to side in an attempt to find the coolest part of the mattress and a nice cool pillow.

I had a Temper-pedic topper at our house in Florida, it just was to squishy for me.  In the condo we rented in Orange Beach, Al a couple of years ago, they had a topper on the bed in the master bedroom, it never did stay in place.

Good grief, when did just having a simple mattress and box springs become so darn complicated?  And getting out of bed is the easy part, it's climbing in that has caused the problems as I have short legs besides just being short period.

[Deleted]

Bunky boards are what they use in bunk beds, which probably explains the name.    Bunk beds are for kiddos with good backs so I can't imagine using one.

Just buy a bed frame that is lower.  If the fact that it doesn't attach to your headboard bothers you, get a headboard that attaches to the wall or attach yours if possible. 

I am short, too (5'2").

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Nov 29, 2014 20:07:37 GMT -5 @southernsusana said:

Bunky boards are what they use in bunk beds, which probably explains the name.    Bunk beds are for kiddos with good backs so I can't imagine using one.

Just buy a bed frame that is lower.  If the fact that it doesn't attach to your headboard bothers you, get a headboard that attaches to the wall or attach yours if possible. 

I am short, too (5'2").

I slept in my niece's bunk bed when she had them.  Fortunately, it was before my hips went totally south, as there is no way I could do it now.

I know that the bed frame that came with my mattress and springs (it was a freebie) was adjustable enough that I could lower it so that there was only about 4" between the bed and the floor.  That is definitely preferable to losing a box spring.

In fact, I think that my bed frame that I'm using now can be adjusted almost as low.

[kadee79]

I too will turn 70 in about 6 wks.! I have arthritis, especially bad in my right hip! We have the sleep number bed (we sleep on air mattresses, basically)! I'll never go back to a regular box spring/mattress again!  We have had this for about 14-15 yrs. and neither of us have the back aches we used to have.

There is a flat board, much like a piece of plywood under the air chambers, but it's plastic so nothing there to snag anything. But it is also solid so there is no sagging in that board.

Years ago, when my first hubby was having back problems...we put a 3/8" piece of plywood between the mattress & box spring. That worked to help his back, but those mattresses were a LOT different than what is available today!

And my DH built our bed frame, so it is at a height that is comfortable for both of us. I'm taller, 5'8", so I like having our bed a bit higher....much easier to get out of for me!