thermal buildup between body and mattress - Sleep Disorders Message Board

shaggy · 08-09-2002, 08:21 AM

Hello Everyone,

I'm having a very hard time falling asleep. I have always had a difficult time sleeping in the summer. I really like to be COLD while sleeping. The biggest problem I have is that my body heat builds between me and my mattress. This causes me to toss and turn all over the place. I feel like a Mexican Jumping Bean.

At times, it feels like the soles of my feet are really hot. My doctor says this is normal at my age (36).

Once I actually fall asleep, I get a pretty good night of sleep. The problem is that it often takes 2-4 hours to actually get there.

I sleep with the fan blowing right on me. I like the cool breeze and the noise it makes.

Im open to buying a new mattress or bed. I think a water bed would take care of this problem, but my wife doesn't want to go there. Has anyone heard of a liquid filled mattress pad? Does anyone know of a bed that is half waterbed, half regular bed? I have searched the net for info about this and it seems I am the only one who experiences this problem.

Please, if you have experienced this problem, please share your solution with me. I'm really open to any ideas with the exception of medications.

I thank you all in advance for reading and replying to my post. I have read many of your postings, and find many of them to be quite scary. I hope you all find peaceful sleep soon.

Sincerely,

David McDonald

drs · 08-11-2002, 11:09 PM

I get this too, and it is very uncomfortable. One time I was on a blow up mattress on a cement floor, and was that ever cold, the coolness from the cement came right through the mattress. But I'm sure you are thinking more of what you could use so both you and your wife could sleep in the same bed. Here would be something that might work.....Measure a water bed frame...lets say a king size one...then put a twin size waterbed mattress on one side and a twin size reg. mattress and your wifes side. Of course you will need measurements of everything first...What do you think of this idea? Diana

shaggy · 08-12-2002, 08:12 AM

Hello Diana,

Your idea is close to what I have been thinking. I need to investigate this further.

At least some, if not all, king size beds have a king size box sprint, but two twin size mattresses. I was thinking we could put a regular mattress on one side, and a soft sided waterbed on the other. It would be really great if we could do this with a California King. I plan on confirming this at the furnature store soon.

I have also been thinking that the adjustable air beds might work. The only problem is that the good ones have a very thick, pliable foam between the mattress and the bed pad. This probably is a really good insulator which would probably cause the same problem.

I also found a sleeping pad for dogs that is supposed to provide a cool surface for them to sleep on. I found this while surfing the net. They are inexpensive (under $100), BUT are too small. I could try using two of them. I'm still searching for one that someone has designed for homosepiens.

Thanks for your input. Hopefully I can find something soon.

Thanks again!

Dave

drs · 08-13-2002, 07:19 AM

Dave, would this cool mat for dogs be so thick that you'ld feel where it ends? Actually isn't it just needed for the upper body most anyway, from the head or shoulders to the torso?
That way you would only need one. It seems that's where my body heats up the most. It's the head that gets warm too for me. Hmmm, you might need something for cooling the pillow also... I know there's a neat way to make a hot pack, it's made with a damp towel and saran wrap. My idea is to make one of these first because the plasic shrinks and seals the towel so it doesn't drip, then put it in the fridge or freezer for a quick cooling. I don't think I'd let it get too stiff in the freezer though.

Here's how it's made.

Wet a hand towel, and wring it out.
Wrap it in saran wrap(or something similar)
Put it in the microwave till the cellophane seals to itself...
This will get pretty hot...careful!

Just let it cool off, then put it in the freezer to get cold, wrap it in a pillow case. You might want to put a towel on your pillow, just incase all the seams aren't completely sealed.

Might be worth a shot ...what do you think? Diana

MakeItStop · 08-13-2002, 12:22 PM

If it's just your pillow you want to cool. You can buy pillows that have a cold water liner you insert. Sounds much easier than saran wrap and microwave.
As for a waterbed frame with a small regular mattress and a waterbed mattress, I wouldn't recommend it. If you've ever had a waterbed, you know how easy leaks occur. Plus a water bed needs a secure liner all the way around it, it can't be done right if it doesn't fit the frame.
On the other hand, it's very easy to get to twin beds and push them together. They make a strip to lay down the middle of them to make it like one.