i feel your pain
dr tom

I sleep on a futon, have done so for all of my 17 years so I have nothing else to compare to. However I will say that if you are allergic to duct mites, being closer to the floor might be just enough to make you sick.

Edit: I might have my terminology incorrect here...the "futon" i was referring to is simply a wooden frame / wooden slat bed that is close to the ground and uses a conventional mattress.