For those of you with chronic back problems

[Denine]

How do you manage the beds on vacation? The beds are so soft that I am in horrible pain and have horrible back spasms. I have been close to tears a number of times.

I have been looking at LL Bean and they have camping mattresses. I wonder if they would work to offer more support on the bed? I need something that can be easily packed. I can't sleep on the floor. It is too hard.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[mamajoan]

There are foldable support boards that can be purchased as a cushion support for sagging couch cushions. They will provide a bit more support.

Try taking an airmattress.. one that you can inflate to the support that you need. The twin size will fit in a suitcase. I recommend also taking your own lumbar/cervical pillows too.

We stayed in a dozen different hotels this past summer. There are some NASTY mattresses to be found in even the nicest hotels.
Some will give you a mattress support board at your request... but those places are far and few between.

Best wishes for restful nights.'

 

[Pooh67_68]

Have you spoken to an orthopedic doctor as to what he would recommend? My husband has a couple of herniated disks, and some degenerative disks and although the beds bother his back he has never gotten spasms. Good luck with whatever you decide to try. Sorry I could not be of more help.

 

[msmere]

I have sciatica which makes sleeping on my back impossible. Whether at home or on vacation I use a body pillow (or two) for extra support. If we're flying I've been known to pick up a $12 body pillow at wal-mart once we get there and just leave it at the hotel when we go.

msmere

 

[Denine]

Thanks for your answers. Anyone else?

 

[CindyBeth]

I need firm support on a mattress also. My dh has made several runs to a home depot for a piece of plywood to put under the mattress and that helps a whole lot! It is usually about $12 for the wood, well worth it for getting sleep!

 

[floridaminnie]

I usually have the opposite problem that the beds are way way way too hard! I haven't thought about bringing my body pillow with!

 

[natty41]

This probably wont' help with the mattress thing, but for the pain, try sleeping with a pillow or two under your knees. I had back surgery 3 years ago to correct scoliosis and the doctors told me to try this to relieve any back pain. I've never slept w/out 2 pillows under my knees since I had the surgery and I've been pain free.

hope everything works out for you

 

[Poohbear123]

IS KILLING ME!! I need a new Mattress really bad, and called 1-800-mattress and asked which brand that WDW uses in thier Hotels. It costs about 700.00! I have NO problem sleeping at WDW Hotels, as they have GREAT Mattresses! Its my lower back, and I guess I need to see my chiropractor again.

 

[Virgo10]

I have degenerative disk disease and I'm pretty much OK with the mattresses at WDW. What I do ask for is lots and lots of pillows. I put them under the fitted sheet so that the bed looks like a hammock. Sort of the same effect you get with body pillows but they are less likely to shift around during the night.

In general my back is much better in Florida. I think it's the combination of the heat, using a scooter and NO housework

However WDW isn't totally magical. My back went out once when I was sitting on the balcony of our room at the YC. I had to crawl back to the bed and stay there until it improved.

Roberta

 

[Denine]

Thanks for your replies.

I had a spinal fusion in my low back when I was 17. I cannot sleep on my back, with or without pillows under my knees. I need to sleep on my side, but the mattresses offer no support. My bed at home is 12 years old and it still offers more support.

DH usually ends up rubbing my back a lot to get rid of the spasms.

I thought about something to put under the mattress, but I need the support at mattress level. I can't even sleep on the pillow-top matresses, they are too soft.

Since I won't stop vacationing, I guess I will figure something out.