I have often thought about a new bed, one of those sleep number beds, but somehow I always end up thinking when I am in pain there is no getting comfortable at any cost! I do use 2 pillows to sleep, sometimes a backrest that props me up for maximum comfort. I sometimes use heat and sometimes cold. Neither allieviates the pain just sort of numbs it temporarily. I keep a spaghetti spoon the one with the fingers on it by my bedside. It works as a great scratcher for those hard to reach spots when mobility is lessened. Rather than a new bed might I suggest the possibilty of an air tub? It is not a whirlpool with harsh throbbing jets, instead it is a bath tub with tiny openings all around the base. You turn it on and can pulsate the water easy or hard. It is very easy on a painful arthritic body. I feel like I am in a boiling pot of water. The nice thing is that it comes with built in handles for ease of getting in and out of the tub. It is deeper than a regular bathtub and I have a pillow attached to the ledge. My husband got the recipe from someone and I use apple cider vinegar with epson salts in the tub. It is suppose to rid your bosy of toxins? I guess whatever can make us more comfortable the better. Just remember that commercials are just that products companies are trying to sell to make THEM money!!! Good luck.

I have thought about getting a new bed too but, theres always a but lol..we really couldnt afford to get one and maybe it not work either so what we did was buy a temperpedic mattress pad and it has done wonders. It one of those that fits to your body then when u get up it goes back to normal..when i do get a new bed which is soon we are getting the temperpedic. good luck and restful nites

I have all these squishy pillows for sleeping. One for my knees. One for each hand. Those help. Ace bandages are great for when you're really swollen and don't want things like your wrists moving. I use them for my ankles too for extra support during a flare. I also think b vitamins have really helped.

I spent 3 months at many different stores looking for a new bed. I decided on the Tempurpedic...I have to say this was my best buy in a long time! No areas poking into joints, just good support all around...I've been sleeping like a baby since I bought it.

The tempurpedic beds are wonderful, but expensive. the look alikes arent worth it, its really not the same, they wear out faster, so if you want that bed, get the tempurpedic brand. I recently got a latex mattress. its latex through and through, and then it has a a 4 inch layer of memory foam on top for added comfort. I have found that it really relieves pressure points, and i wake up more rested. they can be pricey too though, i just saw a queen for 1200 dollars though. and if you spend money anywhere, invest in your mattress. If you aren't rested, everything else is worse. I also use the latex pillow. its done wonders for my neck and shoulders. also there is a burn gel that you can buy over the counter, it has 2.5% lidocaine in it. its called BurnJel plus. i use that on my back when it gets so bad the painkillers aren't enough. steamy hot baths help some. thats about all i've figured out so far. Good luck!

I'll add that body pillows make my nights wonderful, i find them so helpful! I just hold it and wrap my arms and legs around it and sleep so much more comfortable as it rests your arms and legs. I love my body pillows :)

I love my heating pad too when i'm cold ;)

Thank you for all the wonderful tips. I will look into a tempurpedic bed and Im off to Target this week and stock up on soft pillows and maybe a body pillow.

Hi Kris, I was really interested to read your post because I had been wondering for a long time whether a different bed would make a difference. I needed a new mattress so reckoned maybe now -ten days ago - was the time to get a new bed. I research different types - like the mattress that responds to your weight and shape - but I didn't feel drawn to it. Then I came across a bed that was similar to the one I was in in hospital which has a remote control so that you can move parts of the bed to different heights. So you can raise your head, or raise your feet, to various heights, readjust when you want to. There is also a built-in massage function which cuts out after half an hour so you don't have to worry about falling asleep with it on. Apart from a property it was the most expensive thing I've bought in my life (I've never owned a car!) but well worth it. I am feeling to much more rested because I can shift parts of the bed around so that the pressure is removed from aching joints and muscles. It's called Craftmatic and I couldn't recommend it more highly. Kathy

I bought a new bed in june. Its not a sleep number or tempurpedic. I bought a sealy posturpedic with back support. It is super soft and it envelopes you. I also have pillows. One two put my head on and the other so i can wrap my arms and legs around so that my elbows and knees do not touch during the night.

I have been having trouble sleeping for years. We tried so many differenct beds - seriously just about every type there is! We've been eyeing the Select Comfort number bed for years, saying if we ever had the money we would try it.

Well we finally got one. It's a king so each side has it's own control, yeah! But we also added the massage and foot and head adjustment too - we really splurged! We also added a sunbeam mattress pad that warms the bed underneath you, rather than a blanket for on top (good for those of us who flash, lol). Well I have to say that it's great, really really great. It cost a lot, but it has a 20 year warrenty - I would say it's the last bed I'll ever buy - but I might have to get another one in 18 years...we'll see.

Oh and by the way, when ever somebody comes over to visit who hasn't seen the been - we let them go for a "ride" on the bed, LOL it's better than a merry go round!

I use things like back scratchers, long handled grippers for reaching up to things, battery powered spray bottles, and just got a jar opener from www.onetouchjar.com. Also I have a laundry sorter with wheels so I don't have to carry the basket.