Chest pain after sleeping on a new memory foam mattress?

Hello

I purchased a gel memory foam mattress set and have slept on it for three nights now. I have to say its the most comfortable mattress I've ever slept on. All three nights have been wonderful.

However since the first night I've had chest pain around my heart and also some pain in my left shoulder. I believe it's respiratory, and that it's coming from the chemicals in the mattress off gassing. When I go run, the pain around my heart becomes really severe.

My question: is is this normal? Has anyone else experienced anything similar? I'm going to sleep on the couch for a few nights and try to let this mattress air out (something I neglected to do when I received it). Do you think this will help? I really like this mattress and don't want to get rid of it.

Any advice is appreciated.

Seen 437,596 times Last updated Jul 2015

Jake H.

May 2013

4 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

Ernest Shaver from Waynesboro, VA

answered May 2013

I agree with Debi. I've sold beds for 30+ years and have never had this complaint. Please see your Doctor.

Debi Chewerda from Newmarket, ON

answered May 2013

Hello Jake,

I have been selling mattresses for over 8 years and have never heard of this reaction. The 2 biggest complaints against memory foam have always been, in my experience, heat and smell. Many, many memory foam beds have been returned under our comfort exchange due to the smell. Only a few of the new gel memory foam beds have been returned, though. We always tell our customers that these beds do need to be aired out. We even recommend putting clean socks on and walking on your bed. Sounds crazy, I know, but it helps push the air out and speeds up the process. I would try airing it out but I would suggest you see a doctor as well. It may just be a coincidence that this issue started when you received your new bed. I would hate for you to misdiagnose yourself, especially when it comes to the heart.

Hope this helps! -Debi

241

Jake H. from Soddy Daisy, TN

answered May 2013

Ok, i set up an appointment for the doctor today and ill see what he says

Joyce Walker Robertson from Fayetteville, AR

answered May 2013

I would see a doctor also. Your health is something you don't want to mess around with. Other people have complained of illnesses mostly auto immune, breathing difficulty and nervous system disorders they feel was caused by off-gassing of their mattresses.

Jake H. from Soddy Daisy, TN

answered May 2013

Well, i went to the doctor and it turns out I have a deflated lung. Not sure what caused it but doctors say the mattress is fine, just a crazy coincidence. Thanks to all for your help.

214

Joyce Walker Robertson from Fayetteville, AR

answered May 2013

Jake,

I am sorry to hear you have a deflated lung. Sounds awful. Please tell your doctor there are a lot chemicals in mattresses that can make people sick. Formaldehyde, chemical flame retardants, pesticides, petroleum oils. These chemicals can aggravate breathing and many of these things I mentioned are also known to cause cancer. Just because you can't see it or no longer smell chemicals it doesn't mean it's not there. Exposing a weak immune system to more chemicals is probably the last thing a person needs to do.

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/formaldehyde http://petroleum-products-cause-cancer.weebly.com/index.html

Formaldehyde, which is used to make one of the adhesives that hold mattresses together, has been linked to asthma, allergies, and lung, nose, and throat cancers. And then there are cotton pesticides and flame-retardant chemicals, which can cause cancer and nervous-system disorders. In 2005, Walter Bader, author of the book Toxic Bedrooms, sent several mattresses to an Atlanta-based lab. A memory-foam model was found to emit 61 chemicals, including the carcinogens benzene and naphthalene.

http://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Bedrooms-Guide-Nights-Sleep/dp/1893910431

Thanks for the update on your health. I hope you get well soon. - Joyce