11 replies to this topic

[newfs2you]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this
I have a friend who is a C5 -quad who needs a super soft mattress
to sleep on. He uses two egg crates now but can't sleep well
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

[bubbleandsqueak]

Have you tried an air mattress??

I like them. And my OT said if there inflated right they help with presser.

[Simon]

Get a memory foam mattress they are excellent. Tempur are one company but now others are out there and cheaper.

[laura]

Hi,
i have an air mattress, it works quite well. bit loud,kinda buzzing sound from it. can drive others mad-only bothers me cos it bothers them. lol plus side i've not had a pressure sore while being on it. -which is much more important to me.
if the buzz could stop might be nice ...

i've looked at various memory foam mattresses, trying to figure out which one might be ok is tricky! i've put samples and talked to Co. re me putting this foam on my wheelchair where i tend to get red marks etc.

also what does anyone use when they are away?

[Gary Anderson]

Quote

also what does anyone use when they are away

Hi Laura

When I am away from home I take an inflatable mattress with me. I find that serves the purpose.

[russ1]

laura, on Apr 4 2006, 11:24 PM, said:

also what does anyone use when they are away?

I just use whatever's available - if the mattress looks a bit dodgy I'll set my alarm to turn during the night and check my skin when I do but I really can't be bothered with carting around loads of stuff - not had a problem with any matress yet and have only ever had to do the turning / checking thing on the first night each time.

I did have some mattress issues when first injured (4 - 6 months post injury) but after a year post injury it just doesn't seem to be an issue. I've been fairly lucky with skin issues so far but I know a lot of para's who take the same approach as me.

[laura]

Thankyou guys for your posts. as always great to have help and support from you.

i shall stick with the air matress and use a foam one when away. see how it goes!

hope the sores stay away for all!

[rooster1005]

We have three large ROHO cushions on our bed. They sanp together and cover about the equivalent of a twin matress. This works out great for us. Robert gets the cool air filled side and I get two "egg crate" foam pads on my side ot match height. Together these fit our king size bed perfect. Robert will also sleep on my side from time to time. Likes the "change". He first got the ROHO's after major pressure sores started on his back side. Has used them ever since with no more problems. When we are away he sleeps on whatever mattress is there just making sure to rotate as early mentioned in the post. I like the ROHO in that you have air without the noise of the pump part. Robert used a sand bed in therapy for his pressure sores. He said that was great other than the noise of it. Not real practical for home use though.
The biggest part is finding away to keep the pressure sores away. I would say that if the noise from you air bed keeps them away then keep the noise.

[bubbleandsqueak]

When i said air mattres i ment the ones with out the pump.

I cann't stand the noise.

where did you ever find a ROHO like that ???

and how much was it???

[rooster1005]

We deal with a company named Total Medical in St. Petersburg, Florida. I have no idea what the cost was. Sorry. If you are very interested, I may be able to find out. I know that they definately came from Roho though. Robert got them after he had to have surgery to fix severe prssure wounds. None since then. He uses only Roho cushions in both his w/c's and his tuck seat has a special one made into the center of it.
Let me know if I can be of any more help.
Laura

[newfs2you]

Thank-you everyone for the great responses. This helps a lot!!

[john S.]

newfs2you, on Apr 3 2006, 09:41 PM, said:

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this
I have a friend who is a C5 -quad who needs a super soft mattress
to sleep on. He uses two egg crates now but can't sleep well
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Several university studies say low air loss mattresses are the best thing for paralyzed people to lay on. Unfortunately, in their testing they didn't establish any standards for low air loss mattresses. with that reasoning, the state of Ohio will only purchase one for you if you have two stage four sores. So much for preventative medicine.
So, I put on my dark glasses and go to town where I put a few dollars in a coffee can and beg while tossing stale bread at the nasty pigeons. I collected $700 in 3 weeks and got a mattress from Ebay. It is an alternating preasure mattress with low air loss. It only looses about 8 litres of air per minute but I keep it at a low inflation so I sink into it.
Ideally, a low air loss matress with about 50litres or more per minute would be ideal.
Never over inflate air mattresses. They can get very hard and cause more sores.
good luck

john