Back before I bought my current bed, we had a "nice" mattress set.
After about a year, my DH bought a mattress topper of memory foam (I
think it's 2").  It worked rather well.  It does make the bed "softer"
(I get hip bruises easily).

In fact we still have it, topping our new bed (okay the bed is 1.5 yrs
old now).  I've noticed that it seems to hold up better with me
rotating it every time I change the sheets (every two weeks).  However,
since I have always rotated it, I don't know for certain if that is
necessary.

Smokie Darling (Annie)

JA,  I got a king size novaform topper from linen "n things in Oct. It was
$200.00. I price temperpedic(spelling) & the best price I could get for a
king was $1500.00. My mattress is 15 years old & needs to be relaceed but w/
a total knee & other big medical bills I just got the topper until I could
get a new mattres. I got the recomendaction fron  someone in my fibro
support group. It really helped alot. I think with a new mattres it would be
great.

I am thinking about this very same thing.  So, I first tried the memory
pillow, which I've had for just a week.  The first night took some getting
use too but after that I've left pretty well.

For years I've used the foam egg crate topper which has worked really well,
but I've had my eye on the queen 3" memory foam for $130.00 from Overstock.
It's time to replace the old egg crate since I've been waking up with RA
pain, which is really an indicator that I need a new topper.  Once I have a
new topper I'm rarely bothered by pain at all.

Phyllis

JA, I have the memory foam bought it from Costco's It's 21/2 inch thick and
I love it
I have alot of hip pain and it seems to do the trick for me!!!!!!

Chris

One of my functions as ET and wound care nurse was helping the kids (a Paeds
hospital) avoid pressure ulcers. To reduce pressure one needs 4-6 inches of
foam. I chose a couple of mattresses that were different densities of foam for
the kids who were in bed a lot. One of them had a form of arthritis and needed a
comfortable bed, especially when she returned from physio.

My biggest fight was trying to get rid of 'egg crate' mattresses. They were a
waste of money, could only be used by one patient then were thrown away. some
parents wanted them for their kids for comfort but they are not recommended and
for someone who is in danger of pressure ulcers not a good move at all.

I have no experience with memory foam but a 2 inch topper sounds better than
nothing at all.
---
Joan

I sleep with a memory foam pillow. I am now on my third
in seven years as they do break down over time so
expect to have to spend the money again. Actually tried
to make do for over 8 months this last time and wish I
hadn't as my neck has been killing me. Replaced it just
last week and ahhhhhhh. Oh, tried the Bed, Bath and
Beyond instead of the Brookstone cause it was $20
cheaper and had to give that one away so just saying
don't be too frugle on where you buy it.
Duckie

I've had one for almost 5 yrs (the same one) and LOVE it.  I put it on top
of a featherbed (I tried a featherbed first).  It's wonderful.  If I have to
sleep on a bed w/o it, I really suffer.
Costco has 'em right now... at a good price too.  Get at least 2" of a good
quality one.  Well worth the money.
Costco has a great return policy too.
QVC has them also... they also have a good return policy.

Memory foam - I can't believe I haven't thought of this!  I bet it would be
good for my knees .  I'll have to try some.  Like I needed an excuse o go
shopping : )

Skip

I bought a tempurpedic mattress a few years ago and like it.  The bottom
5 inches is regular foam rubber and the top three inches is the "memory
foam".  I've been thinking of getting one of the thinner memory foam
pads to add to it.

One important thing with them is the temperature of your bed(room).  If
it's cold, it will feel like lying on a moss covered rock!  Then slowly
as your body warms the foam it will soften and you will sink down into
place.  They really are great if your partner wakes you up by getting in
and out of bed shaking the whole thing.  This of course only applies to
the full foam mattress on top of a solid base (no box spring either).
My sister bought one recently and they did like on the TV comercial,
setting a glass of water on one side and jumping on the other side.
Nothing spilled.

Like someone else mentioned, they can be difficult to get out of!  But
eventually you will learn to roll out of bed, like you are supposed to
anyway.

All in all, I think it would be impossible to get close to the full
effect of the tempurpedic by putting an inch or two of memory foam on
top of a standard box spring and mattress.  It may help a lot?  I don't
know?  But it certainly won't be the same as the full foam mattress on
top of a solid platform.

BTW, I didn't like the modern look of the bases they sold, so I bought
only the mattress, gave it the trial test period with it lying on the
floor,(really difficult to get out of bed then!) then built my own base
to put it on and attached the headboard that matches the rest of the
bedroom set.

Tony

The folks on my Fibro support group loves them...And Wal Mart/ Sams do carry
them...I had a waterbed until 2 weeks ago. and on top of it was a foam
topper from simmons that I got from wal mart...I loved it...But the Scaredy
Cat DOG (german shepherd) jumped in bed with us when a thunderstorm hit and
sliced a huge hole in the waterbed...Had to replace the carpet and
stuff...We put a queen size mattress in our waterbed frame. Then I put the
simmons topper on it...Is not great...I wish I had the money for a  Memory
foam...But since we replaced the flooring right in the middle of the huge
remodeling of the kitchen/diningroom/laundry room...I have to wait for more
money....
I also know that some of the People on Clouds found a great deal online with
free shipping...So I hope that you can find the answers you are looking
for...
Hugs Cindy