Cars

[Guest guest]

Vonnie,

Cars were a challenge for awhile for me. I am not sure how tall you

are, but just a few weeks ago while off island we rented a Taurus from

Avis and this was the first car I have been in that did not have

enough head clearene to get in without whacking my head....very

awkward. I think the seat itself was not better or worse than most

cars I have been in.

It won't last forever, but for a good six to nine months I did not

like being in a car, however there were two things that made it more

comfortable. I kept a small pillow in the car, and traveled with it

everywhere. It could fit into the small of my back and give some

support to that new fusion/lordosis area.

The other thing that I consider a " must have " is a handle over the

door. I use it to help pivot in the seat and getting in and out. My

own car is the Honda CRV and it is fairly high off the ground with a

big door space so that works pretty well for me, and it has the

handle. For some reason my husbands Ford Ranger truck is just awful

for me to sit in. I think the seat angle is just too steep and can't

be adjusted back...anyway, I refuse to drive it except in an emergency.

When I replace the Honda I will opt for a car with leather seats...the

slide factor would be a big plus. I suspect it is too early for you to

decide to replace your car...but if my experience with the Taurus is

any guide...you may find it too low to get in and out of easily and as

I recall that it also lacked a grab handle.

I am sorry you had a bummer of a drive on this gorgous day.

Good healing, Cam

[Guest guest]

Vonnie, Cam - I had tailbone discomfort for quite awhile, so bro't u-

shaped pillow to sit on most everywhere around house and car. Unlike

Cam, I prefer car seat to be very upright, like a dining room chair.

(Feet under knees instead of forward) My Honda Element is nice and

high so no problems getting down or up from the seat, just sort of

back my butt up to it and slide legs in and around. Cam, maybe our car

seats need some " silky jammies " to make that manuever easier! Later,

Marty

[Guest guest]

Marty,

Yes, I like to be very upright...but not more than 90deg..and for some

reason the Ranger seat brings my legs up toward my chest while I am

sitting upright and it is very uncomfortable. I sat in an Element and

really liked the ease of getting in and out...I think the seat height

is about the same as the CRV.

Silky Car Seats...now we are on to something! Cam

[Guest guest]

I couldn't get in and out of our car initially, it's a Citroen Saxo, which is a very small car and the seats are low to the ground. They were also completely the wrong shape for me. In addition to that, my left leg was somewhat weak and lazy after the surgery, so swivelling to get out of the car was a considerable challenge. I looked into getting one of those turntables that you can put on your seat to help you with turning to get out, but it was going to be too hard for the amount of tailbone pain I had and wouldn't have helped with the seats being totally the wrong shape.

In the end what I did, which solved both the height and the swivel issues was to get a pair of old sofa seat cushions, and taped them up into a heavy duty rubble sack. It's not elegant, but made it so much easier to get in and out, as well as providing extra cushioning (the suspension in the Saxo is surprisingly sporty and hard). I then used a squooshy pillow behind my back to support the lumbar area and smooth out the shape of the seat.

All in all, less elegant but more comfortable and an awful lot cheaper than the stupidly expensive and hard swivelly things. As it goes, I'd say that there was really no way early on that I could have decided on what would class as a comfortable car, and in any case that has changed somewhat over time as the fusion has solidified, so perhaps just trying to find a way to make the best of it for now with pillows and cushions and whatever it takes, is a good idea. I hope you can find something that works for you!

titch-- " The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom. " - H. L. Mencken

[Guest guest]

Dear Vonnie,

We have a Ford Taurus, it just sucks for revised bodies, not only is it low

to the groud, but the shape of the seat is what gets me. It has a curve in

the back thats too extream for us, and the bottom of the seat is too scooped

out. Of all the cars I've been in post revision the Taurus and Honda Accord

were the worst. I suggest a car higher to the ground, mini van, small SUV. I

went with a Cadillac, doors open very wide, you can move the seat anyway you

want, up and down, and it has heated seats and lumbar controls, and is a

very straight up and down seat. They are pretty reasonable now since gas

prices are high for a good used one, I just love mine, it sure saves my

back. Our Taurus just kills me, I'm always sore after riding in it.

[ ] CARS

HELLO GROUP,WELL I WENT OUT FOR A RIDE TODAY WITH HUBBY AND WAS SO

UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE CAR..I HAVE A FORD TAURUS AND I DON'T THINK I WILL

BE ABLE TO SIT IN IT FOR RIDES..I AM HURTING STILL 2 HOURS AFTER THE

RIDE..I WONDER IF IT'S JUST THE SEATS IN THE CAR OF TOO LOW OR WHAT?

BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO FOR ANOTHER RIDE RIGHT NOW..ANYBODY EVER HAVE

THIS PROBLEM SITTING IN CARS AFTER THEIR SURGERY..DO I NEED TO BUT

ANOTHER MAKE OF CAR MAYBE HIGHER AND MORE SUPPORT IN THE BACK? I WILL

TAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS...VONNIE

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE ON THE CARS WE WILL BE GOING TO START LOOKING NEXT WEEK AND WANTED TO GET SOME FEEDBACK. THANKS AGAIN VONNIEMarty T4 to S1 <mstar2@...> wrote: Vonnie, Cam - I had tailbone discomfort for quite awhile, so bro't u-shaped pillow to sit on most everywhere around house and car. Unlike Cam, I prefer car seat to be very upright, like a dining room chair. (Feet under knees instead of forward) My Honda Element is nice and high so no problems getting down or up from the seat, just sort of back my butt up to it and slide legs in and around. Cam, maybe our car seats need some "silky jammies" to make that manuever easier! Later, Marty

New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.

[Guest guest]

CAM,SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR YOU HAVE THE HONDA CRV IS A GOOD ONE FOR THE BACK..I HAD PILLOWS IN THERE YESTERDAY BUT IT STILL HURT AND THE SEATS ARE TOO LOW TO THE GROUND..WHO KNOWS I'LL LOOK AND SEE BEFORE I JUMP INTO ANYTHING..THANKS VONNIEcammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: Vonnie,Cars were a challenge for awhile for me. I am not sure how tall you are, but just a few weeks ago while off island we rented a Taurus from Avis and this was the first car I have been in that did not have enough head clearene to get in without whacking my head....very awkward. I think the seat itself was not better or worse than most cars I have been in.It won't last forever, but for a good six to nine months I did not like being in a car, however there were two things that made it more comfortable. I kept a small

pillow in the car, and traveled with it everywhere. It could fit into the small of my back and give some support to that new fusion/lordosis area.The other thing that I consider a "must have" is a handle over the door. I use it to help pivot in the seat and getting in and out. My own car is the Honda CRV and it is fairly high off the ground with a big door space so that works pretty well for me, and it has the handle. For some reason my husbands Ford Ranger truck is just awful for me to sit in. I think the seat angle is just too steep and can't be adjusted back...anyway, I refuse to drive it except in an emergency.When I replace the Honda I will opt for a car with leather seats...the slide factor would be a big plus. I suspect it is too early for you to decide to replace your car...but if my experience with the Taurus is any guide...you may find it too low to get in and out of easily and as I recall that it

also lacked a grab handle.I am sorry you had a bummer of a drive on this gorgous day.Good healing, Cam

Sneak preview the all-new .com. It's not radically different. Just radically better.

[Guest guest]

THANKS SUSAN,YEAH I FOUND IT VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND HURT ALL NIGHT..I AM BETTER THIS MORNING BUT DON'T WANT TO GO FOR A RIDE TODAY..LOL I WILL BE LOOKING AROUND NEXT WEEK AND SEE WHAT I CAN FIND OUT THERE...VONNIE Kirkaldie <.Kirkaldie@...> wrote: Dear Vonnie,We have a Ford Taurus, it just sucks for revised bodies, not only is it low to the groud, but the shape of the seat is what gets me. It has a curve in the back thats too extream for us, and the bottom of the seat is too scooped out. Of all the cars I've been in post revision the Taurus and Honda Accord were the worst. I suggest a car higher to the ground, mini van, small SUV. I went with a Cadillac, doors open very wide, you can move the seat anyway you want, up and down, and it has heated seats and lumbar controls, and is a very

straight up and down seat. They are pretty reasonable now since gas prices are high for a good used one, I just love mine, it sure saves my back. Our Taurus just kills me, I'm always sore after riding in it. [ ] CARSHELLO GROUP,WELL I WENT OUT FOR A RIDE TODAY WITH HUBBY AND WAS SOUNCOMFORTABLE IN THE CAR..I HAVE A FORD TAURUS AND I DON'T THINK I WILLBE ABLE TO SIT IN IT FOR RIDES..I AM HURTING STILL 2 HOURS AFTER THERIDE..I WONDER IF IT'S JUST THE SEATS IN THE CAR OF TOO LOW OR WHAT?BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO FOR ANOTHER RIDE RIGHT NOW..ANYBODY EVER HAVETHIS PROBLEM SITTING IN CARS AFTER THEIR SURGERY..DO I NEED TO BUTANOTHER MAKE OF CAR MAYBE HIGHER AND MORE SUPPORT IN THE BACK? I WILLTAKE ANY

SUGGESTIONS...VONNIEscoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

I can sympathize with all of you who are newly revised.

Different vehicles can make quite a difference in those early post-

op months. I definitely found that higher rise vehicles (vans or

SUVs)were significantly easier and more comfortable to get in/out of

than any car, and recommend using a large, black trash bag on the

seat to aid in the " slippery " factor, for getting in/out, for the

first few months. It's no longer an issue for me, as the leather

seats in our van are now enough, but in those early months the

slippery, plastic bag really helped! Cam's right, too, that the

handle above really comes in handy, and if there isn't one there,

I've used the anchor of the visor (part that goes into the ceiling),

for help in pivoting.

Martha

Dear Vonnie,

>

> We have a Ford Taurus, it just sucks for revised bodies, not only

is it low

> to the groud, but the shape of the seat is what gets me. It has a

curve in

> the back thats too extream for us, and the bottom of the seat is

too scooped

> out. Of all the cars I've been in post revision the Taurus and

Honda Accord

> were the worst. I suggest a car higher to the ground, mini van,

small SUV. I

> went with a Cadillac, doors open very wide, you can move the seat

anyway you

> want, up and down, and it has heated seats and lumbar controls,

and is a

> very straight up and down seat. They are pretty reasonable now

since gas

> prices are high for a good used one, I just love mine, it sure

saves my

> back. Our Taurus just kills me, I'm always sore after riding in it.

>

>

> [ ] CARS

>

>

> HELLO GROUP,WELL I WENT OUT FOR A RIDE TODAY WITH HUBBY AND WAS SO

> UNCOMFORTABLE IN THE CAR..I HAVE A FORD TAURUS AND I DON'T THINK I

WILL

> BE ABLE TO SIT IN IT FOR RIDES..I AM HURTING STILL 2 HOURS AFTER

THE

> RIDE..I WONDER IF IT'S JUST THE SEATS IN THE CAR OF TOO LOW OR

WHAT?

> BUT I DON'T WANT TO GO FOR ANOTHER RIDE RIGHT NOW..ANYBODY EVER

HAVE

> THIS PROBLEM SITTING IN CARS AFTER THEIR SURGERY..DO I NEED TO BUT

> ANOTHER MAKE OF CAR MAYBE HIGHER AND MORE SUPPORT IN THE BACK? I

WILL

> TAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS...VONNIE

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

[Guest guest]

Vonnie,

Your reply was a little unclear...you say you did sit in a CRV and it

didn't work? I think you will have to sit in a lot of vehicles before

yu find one(s) that you like. If you have to trade for another Ford

vehicle, last fall I sat in their high end sedan, I think it was called

the 500...and it had very big doors and was very comfortable seat

positioning wise...it was still a little low for my tastes, but you

might want to sit in one. Ironically, the same weekend we looked at a

used Toyota Ticoma double Cab for my husband, and I thought that was

very comfortable....which just shows that you will have to try lots. I

doubt that something that you find comfortable now will be

uncomfortable later...so it seems reasonable to test out now...but you

will find in another 6 months to a year that a wider variety of cars

are " acceptable " . I think Kam has really still liked her Subaru

Forester even after revision.

Speaking of Kam....anyone heard from her?

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

CAM,NO I HAVENT TRIED ANY YET, NEXT WEEK WE ARE GOING TO START LOOKING. I KNOW I HAVE A LOT OF SHOPPING TO DO CAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO RUSH INTO ANYTHING. SOMEONE ELSE TOLD ME THEY HAD A BAD BACK AND THE CRV WAS GREAT FOR THEIR'S..WHO KNOWS,I'LL FIND OUT SOON I GUESS. VONNIEcammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: Vonnie,Your reply was a little unclear...you say you did sit in a CRV and it didn't work? I think you will have to sit in a lot of vehicles before yu find one(s) that you like. If you have to trade for another Ford vehicle, last fall I sat in their high end sedan, I think it was called the 500...and it had very big doors and was very comfortable seat positioning wise...it was still a little low for my tastes, but you might want to sit in one. Ironically, the same weekend we looked at a used Toyota

Ticoma double Cab for my husband, and I thought that was very comfortable....which just shows that you will have to try lots. I doubt that something that you find comfortable now will be uncomfortable later...so it seems reasonable to test out now...but you will find in another 6 months to a year that a wider variety of cars are "acceptable". I think Kam has really still liked her Subaru Forester even after revision.Speaking of Kam....anyone heard from her?Take Care, Cam

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

Vonnie, I also have a CRV. I've had it about a year and find the seats much more comfortable than the sedans I've always driven. We also have an Accord, which is less comfortable seat-wise, but the ride is smoother, so I may have my husband drive me home from the hospital in it. The suspension in the CRV is pretty stiff, which may be good for control, but may be too bumpy for early on post-surgery.

Sharon

Re: [ ] Re: CARS

CAM,NO I HAVENT TRIED ANY YET, NEXT WEEK WE ARE GOING TO START LOOKING. I KNOW I HAVE A LOT OF SHOPPING TO DO CAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO RUSH INTO ANYTHING. SOMEONE ELSE TOLD ME THEY HAD A BAD BACK AND THE CRV WAS GREAT FOR THEIR'S..WHO KNOWS,I'LL FIND OUT SOON I GUESS. VONNIEcammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: Vonnie,Your reply was a little unclear...you say you did sit in a CRV and it didn't work? I think you will have to sit in a lot of vehicles before yu find one(s) that you like. If you have to trade for another Ford vehicle, last fall I sat in their high end sedan, I think it was called the 500...and it had very big doors and was very comfortable seat positioning wise...it was still a little low for my tastes, but you might want to sit in one. Ironically, the same weekend we looked at a used Toyota Ticoma double Cab for my husband, and I thought that was very comfortable....which just shows that you will have to try lots. I doubt that something that you find comfortable now will be uncomfortable later...so it seems reasonable to test out now...but you will find in another 6 months to a year that a wider variety of cars are "acceptable". I think Kam has really still liked her Subaru Forester even after revision.Speaking of Kam....anyone heard from her?Take Care, Cam

Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

[Guest guest]

Sharon,that's for your input. VonnieSharon Green <sharon.green18@...> wrote: Vonnie, I also have a CRV. I've had it about a year and find the seats much more comfortable than the sedans I've always driven. We also have an Accord, which is less comfortable seat-wise, but the ride is smoother, so I may have my husband drive me home from the hospital in it. The suspension in the CRV is pretty stiff, which may be good for control, but may be too bumpy for early on post-surgery. Sharon Re: [ ] Re: CARS CAM,NO I HAVENT TRIED ANY YET, NEXT WEEK WE ARE GOING TO START LOOKING. I KNOW I HAVE A LOT OF SHOPPING TO DO CAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO RUSH INTO ANYTHING. SOMEONE ELSE TOLD ME THEY HAD A BAD BACK AND THE CRV WAS GREAT FOR THEIR'S..WHO KNOWS,I'LL FIND OUT SOON I GUESS. VONNIEcammaltby <cammaltby@...> wrote: Vonnie,Your reply was a little unclear...you say you did sit in a CRV and it didn't work? I think you will have to sit in a lot of vehicles before yu find one(s) that you like. If you have to trade for another Ford vehicle, last fall I sat in their high end sedan, I think it was called the 500...and it had very big doors and was very comfortable seat positioning wise...it was still a little low for my tastes, but you might want to sit in one. Ironically, the same weekend we looked at a used Toyota Ticoma double Cab for my husband, and I thought that was very comfortable....which just shows that you will have to try lots. I doubt that something that you find comfortable now will be uncomfortable later...so it seems reasonable to test out

now...but you will find in another 6 months to a year that a wider variety of cars are "acceptable". I think Kam has really still liked her Subaru Forester even after revision.Speaking of Kam....anyone heard from her?Take Care, Cam Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates.

How low will we go? Check out Messenger’s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

This reminded me...Sitting in the limo on the way to the grave site was

AWFUL. I had to sit on the edge of the seat as I couldn't stand the

discomfort when I sat back. I guess limos won't seem so special

anymore...

kam

[Guest guest]

I, too, had to trade in my Cadillac and get something where I would

sit up with my legs down (kinda like when I sit in a chair). I got a

Hyundia Veracruz which is front wheel drive. It has a power

adjustable seat with lumbar support and the gas and brake pedals are

adjustable so that I could bring them closer to me in order to be able

to see and reach the pedals. It's not front wheel drive, but it might

be something to consider.

Dawn in Georgia

On Mar 27, 2009, at 3:15 PM, Devora Gronauer wrote:

> OK- So here's the story. I had a microdiscectomy in Dec. for a

> herniated disc L4-L5. It was not as successful as I had hoped, so

> now I still have terrible sciatica down my right leg.-my driving

> leg. I am dealing as well as I can with the pain for now with

> Gabapentin (Neurontin),and Flexorol and the occasional Advil.,

> however, driving is really rough.

>

> I presently have a Subaru Outback wagon with almost 100,000 miles on

> it and am looking for a new car. The seats on most cars exacerbate

> the pain horribly, even with additional cushions and lumbar

> supports. Any ideas about cars with good seat support? Keep in mind

> I am only 4'10'' so I need to be able to adjust the seat and the

> steering wheel so I can see also (might be a good idea, huh?). I am

> loathe to try every car on the market until I find one that's just

> right (I am not Goldilocks after all). I would like 4 wheel drive as

> well since I live in NH, but front wheel drive is ok...Does anyone

> out there have any ideas?

>

> Thanks-

> Devora in NH

>

>

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Any opinions on vehicles that offer the least amount of porous surfaces? I

continue to cross-contaminate my car and it seems that it gets into the overhead

roof cloth, cloth flooring, and some of the other non-porous surfaces.

I know the Honda Element offers hard flooring that allows you to rinse it out

with a hose. Any other thoughts on vehicles?

Thanks,

Tom

[Guest guest]

I can't help with the cross contamination issue but I was given a good tip

months ago. When you leave you car parked, especially overnight, leave the

control button in the recirculate mode NOT fresh air, This closes the vent so

that the damp humid outside air doesn't enter. I alternate my recirculate and

fresh air while driving. I usually use frest but when in heavey traffic or an

outside odor bothers me I switch immediately to recirculate. I also to to the

dollar storen to buy the light weight kitchen towels that are perfect to place

under your feet when you get in, I use them like a door mat for my car. I shake

them out when I get out and they are great when your shoes are wet. Then I just

bring then inside to wash them. Since they are so cheap you can have a few sets

on hand and you don't feel bad just tossing them in the trash.

May be you could run a air purifier in the car for a few hours with the ionizer

on but I'm not sure about that., I have been told not to use the ionizer in the

house but have heard about using it in a car for a short time.Perhaps someone

else can help with that. I am not an expert but have found ways to help myself

through trial & error and finding others with good suggestios.

Hope that helps some.

Sue

<<

Hello,

Any opinions on vehicles that offer the least amount of porous surfaces?