We are also looking at getting latex topper. Our mattress, which is theoretically natural latex (we have some questions about the veracity of that claim), is just not comfortable because it's too firm for us. Right now we have a 3" memory foam topper that I am done with (too hot, can't turn over without arching our backs off the bed). After speaking with a local company that manufactures natural latex mattresses and pads, I get the impression that adding a topper to an iffy mattress can actually make it worse. It sounds like your mattress is not supportive enough for you. I've heard of putting a board underneath a too soft mattress to make it firmer. Perhaps that would be worth a shot? I found a place online, Habitat Furnishings, that sells the toppers and mattresses, with a very long trial period/money back guarantee. If you're unsure, maybe that would be a good option so you're not out any more money. If it doesn't work, a new mattress might be your only option. I'm not thrilled at the idea of spending more money two years after we bought this mattress, but I have to be able to sleep. Maybe someone else can chime in with knowledge of whether the latex toppers could make it feel firmer. My gut says no, but I don't know for sure. I hope you find a solution that works for you!

I would spot clean it with lots of water and hand rinsing. Then squeeze it as dry as possible with clean towels then hang it outside to dry and air completely. It may take more than a day to complete, but bring it in each night to avoid rewetting it with dew. I wash all kinds of weird things in my washing machines, but I think I would draw the line at that, both for fear of damaging the bedding, but also for fear of overwhelming my machine when it became fully saturated. HTH, Molly

Oceanna I saw a neurosurgeon at the insistence of my general doctor - she didn't want me going to an orthopedist. Terriks that's just what I had - so sorry you didn't have the same quality of results. Mine came on very fast - I didn't live with bouts of pain or immobility for years the way many people do. I had sudden onset in May that dramatically limited my mobility. I started with chiropractic and accupuncture immediately and did get relief and improvement that continued for close to a month but I never got to 100% better. Then one month after my first 'attack' I was walking to the gym and literally dropped to my knees on the sidewalk - horrendous pain, left leg couldn't support my weight at all. My DH happened to be driving by and he picked me up - literally. That was a Monday. My doctor put me on prednisone and a muscle relaxer but by Thurs I was no better, in so much pain I had to be carried to the toilet from bed and I'd been that way for 4 days. My DH took me to my doctor and she wanted to admit me immediately but I wouldn't go becaue I was determined to beat it without surgery and knew if I was hospitalized it would mean surgery. Less than 24 hours later I gave in and was admitted Friday afternoon, had an MRI and met with the neuro on Sat. He scheduled surgery for Monday and the rest is history. I still feel at times like there is a string or piece of hair caught around my middle toes - nerve damage that may never totally go away. And that's after a very short period of damage. From what I understand, the longer between onset and surgery, the more nerve damage and the less likely complete relief will happen. I got lucky. My DH is an engineer and he understood the problem from a mechanical standpoint and really pushed me to get the surgery - I would have waited if not for him.

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions and feedback. It sounds like either the egg crate or memory foam would work, then a mattress pad goes on top of both and then the sheets. Cia1953: Good idea about the rental of the fridge+micro. As next year, most likely he’ll go in the apartment style housing I think he’ll need them only for one year. I’ve heard about the BB&B service which is really a great option for kids who fly in. As we live in Nor Cal. we plan to drive down for move-in day. Arcy: DS and I attended orientation last month and it seemed pretty much routine that everyone got the refrigerator and micro; though most likely I think he would purchase then in San Diego��"or rent like cia suggested. I’m not quite sure what you think is a luxury item, though. Certainly not the bedding? I got the impression from most kids we spoke with that the ref+micro was in lieu of a more expensive meal plan (which is how I see it for my DS too). Pudgeder: DS went to private high school so we’ve been using Amazon for years for textbooks, though the university was promoting their service where we pre-order books from them and they will deliver in a box to their dorm. I’m just wondering if his debit card works with Amazon or he should get his own credit card? Usually, he puts everything in the shopping cart, then I enter my CC and place the order, but I think he needs to have his own card to order books and stuff. Deborahnj: ha!ha! on the bed. I can totally see myself doing that too, making up his bed. We had a tour last month at orientation and DS spent a night in the dorms. The triple, like Ann mentioned, is really a double sized room, they added another bed to squeeze in more kids. So one side is bunk beds and the other a loft bed with desk below. Really no space at all. But they do have the common room that the 6 rooms in the suite all share. So, DS requested a single as he will still have lots of social opportunities since it’s a suite, but I’m not too optimistic he will get it. Betsy: Totally agree about the dark sheets and towels! Chefmom: Thanks for the list. I’ll check it out. Marie_cate: That’s exactly what the triples are like. One of the recommendations we’d heard, esp. if he is in a triple, is that they get one printer and share the cost of the ink. That is so inconsiderate, though, to use someone’s printer all year long without offering to share ink/paper costs, but I’m sure it happens all the time. Alku: I’ve seen the bed blocks at BB&B and great idea to store things below, but won’t work if he has a triple with the bunk and loft bed. I guess they have to bring a storage bin and store in the closet (which looked about 18” wide). Juliekmco: I saw the egg crate toppers at Target, good to hear your DDs liked them. I didn’t see the XL size, but I’ll check another location. Yikes, I guess I better decide soon before all the XL stuff is sold out. Lindac & Bestyears: Great list of repair/first aid. Definitely I’ll add that to the list. Divastyle: I’m sure your niece was thrilled with her dorm package. I’ve heard about the frequency of thefts so will talk with DS about some way to secure his valuables. I have some notes from orientation when campus police spoke to us….need to refer back to that. It was definitely a case of information overload. Annkathryn: Yes, that is what they have at UCSD. The triples were all originally doubles, so very tight quarters. When I was at BB&B they were also selling this room deodorizer; as my good friend whose DS goes there said the whole suite smells like a locker room! Guess most recommend a body pillow over the armchair type pillow? So far I bought him a comforter set with sheets, an extra set of sheets, 2 towels, 2 washcloths, 1 face towel. He’s telling me “Mom I won’t have a lot of space” But I figure you need one to use, one to wash.