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October 17, 2009 - 1:26am
Does getting in & out of your car increase your pain?
IUp until April of this year, I drove a Honda CR-V. It was very easy to get in and out of, and comfortable to drive. I traded it in this spring on a new Honda CivicEX. When I first tried it out, and drove around town, it seemed comfortable to me. Now after a couple of long trips in it, getting in and out for food, breaks, gas, etc. I am having a lot of trouble getting out of it. It sits quite low to the ground. And no adjustable lumbar support. I have tried a small pillow, towel, etc. to help support my back, but doesn't help much. Any suggestions on which vehicle is the most comfortable for you? I hate to trade vehicles again so soon, but it's getting to the point where I may have to do it. I'm looking at a Ford Excape SUV, which I sat in today. Didn't have to bend down at all, just kind of slide in.
So, ideas please!!
Maggie
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I have always found it easier to ride in vehicles slightly higher, like SUVs. Low to the ground vehicles are horrible for me. When I was working, there were some mornings I would drive home and then not be able to get out of the car. I would take pain pills and just sleep for a couple of hours in my driveway until the pills kicked in so that I could get out and get in to the house.
Besides a slightly higher vehicle, I love the ones with heated seats! Nice perk, helps keep me from feeling like my back is so tight.
"If you ever need holding, call my name, I'll be there. If you ever need holding, no holding back, I'll see you through..." Jackson Browne, whose poetry in lyrics and music have seen me through so many years.
I have lumbar DDD and chronic pain despite a laminectomy. I've found getting in and out of my SUV and driving any distance almost intolerable over the past year. It seems the only time I'm fairly comfortable is when someone else drives and I use a lumbar cushion in the passenger seat.
Just resting my left leg while I drive seems to increase my lower back and left leg through toe pain.
I'm also seriously considering getting rid of the SUV as the strain to steer it is also making my cervical issues far worse.
37 yr old- problems started at 33.
DDD thoughout cervical & lumbar. Foraminal narrowing in numerous areas, some tears and bulging. All of that is post 4 surgeries....
11/2005 - 2 level cervical disc replacement with donor graft for C5-C7.
Pain continued but less severe after surgery.
8/2008 - Severe, sudden neck pain while lifting 10 lb box led to realization that C5-C7 never fused.
Posterior fusion, laminectomy and wiring done again on C5-C7. Fused this time.
11/2008 - Peristent hip, leg and foot pain led to MRI showing foraminal narrowing and some bulging. Had a 2 level lumbar laminectomy.
Felt great for about 6 months, got up to walking 5 miles per day, pain suddenly started increasing till it was the same as pre-surgery
04/2009 - Removal of wiring and re-attachment of displaced muscle to C5-C7 due to constant pain.
Present - Severe, debilitating chronic pain began again in 10/09 from head to toe, all on left side. MRIs show DDD through cervical and lumbar areas plus a handful of bulging discs.
Current meds: Flexeril, Soma, Valium, Lyrica, Celebrex, Vicodin and/or Ultram.
Update 11/02 - Saw an excellent neurologist who has tentatively suggested myofascial pain syndrome treatment and am hopeful once again.
EMG scheduled for 11/10, starting Lidocaine injections 11/11
After much trial and error playing with seat cushions, I'm finally somewhat comfy when driving.
Take care,
Judy
2010 Update: Sciatica resolved itself but still dealing with fibromyalgia symptoms that come and go. Walking 3 miles a day, fibro permitting.
2011 Update: Back to work since June.
Herniated disk (L5) no surgeries to date, super nasty nerve pain, left leg. 3 epidurals (Jan, Feb 09) (Short term relief) June 09, Second opinion from Ortho doc with new MRI -- not a surgery candidate -- referred to pain management doctor.
Hi Maggie
I find i have excrutiating pain trying to get in the car after i have worked alte shift and my hubby comes to pick me up.
I have always had more problems once i stop doing somethng and my back seems to lock up.
It has got so bad that i choose to walk home instead.
i drove a SAAB for years the a Nissan X Trail {too much like a van} but then bought a Hyundai tucson SUV fantastic .i recommend them they are fantastic go for the 2 ltr diesel .i have had smaller normal cars in between but they kill my back ..the SAAB was fine once i was in it but getting in and out ..murder on the back ..honestly go for the hyundai tucson and you get a 5 year warranty
STRAKER
2010 just had a discography and now waiting for an ALIF open fusion {360 degree}
We also have found the ease of entry benefit that a good SUV brings.
Our mid-age relatives have all changed to an SUV where they can, for the same reason.
No more standard cars for us.
Too hard on the lower back, seats too close to the floor, with knees up.
Being 6'5", I have always had troubles getting in and out of most cars. After my leg pains started, i got myself a Ford F150 4 door truck. It has running boards on it which gives me another place to step in order to provide comfort. I can actually stretch my legs out fully while driving and ease the pain some.
I have had issues with cars and traded 3 times until I found one that works for me. I had a crossover, then I couldnt get in and out of it. Too car like. Then I fought it tooth and nail and got a mini van because of the comfort of getting in and out and the ride. After my fusion, we got rid of it. It was impossible for me to get into without twisting and bending. I ended up in a Lincoln Naviagator, the ease of getting in and out and the ride is much better than most SUVs..It is not new by any means:( But it is the best I have found for lumbar, but any amount of riding very far, does tend to irritate my back. Hope this helps.
2 level PLIF Dec 2008
Hardware Removed Sept 2009
Bone tumor in Eye Socket removed 10-26-09, They confirmed I do have a brain LOL
Fentanyl Patch 100 Mico, Oxycodone 30 MG every 4 hours breakthrough
Surgery Dec 13, 2 level fusion L2-3, L-3-4, ALIF min invasive. Nuvasive procedure..quite the deal!
We have 4 vehicles. A Corvette, Monte Carlo, Silverado and Celica.
The Monte is the easiest followed by the Celica. The Silverado is the 4x4 version with offroad package. It sits high enough that getting in is harder than getting out. The Vette I just fall into but getting out requires some effort. But I don't care. Driving makes up for it.
Not sure which vehicle I will drive after surgery.
• The only valid excuse you have to give up is if you are dead.