Suggestions for sitting in a car

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jdsun

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Due to the nerve damage in my back, sitting is the WORST position for me. My nerves get all flared up and I end up in tremendous pain. As a result we are just about to buy a new car....a mini-van. We do have 2 small children, so of course the mini-van would come in handy, but we are considering it more for me. The third seat reclines back, and then we can fold the 2nd row seat down flat....and i would be able to almost lie down (more like the position of my recliner). I think this will be the answer to our problems and allow us to once again take car rides more than 20 minutes! The front seat of the mini-van also has a lot of leg room, which will allow me to switch positions to get comfortable for shorter trips.

Anyone have an thoughts on this? Do you think this is something we should really pursue? We have a loaner car in our driveway from the dealer right now. The thought of spending soooo much money on a car JUST because I cannot sit in my current car. (we currently have an SUV).

So, does this sound like it would solve our problems? Anyone have a mini-van and understand what I am trying to say?

Anyone know of anything else I can try (some gadget for my back) that I can try to get comfortable in my old car? The problem is this....my current SUV has minimal leg room. I cannot stretch my legs out very far. The seat also cannot recline back all that far because the carseats on the second row seats. (we have no 3rd row).

My pain is the BEST when I am reclined in my reclining chair at home. It tilts my pelvis back. Something about that position takes the stress off of my nerves.

Edited to add: So I searched online to find some suggestions for my problem. Many websites say the BEST position for sciatic nerve pain is this: "The best way to sit is with your back flat against a firm chair with your feet flat on the floor. Ideally, your knees should be higher than your hips". OMG...if I sit this way for even 10 seconRAB, my nerve pain flares up. Is this just me????

Thanks!
jRABun
 
Whoever wrote that that's the best way to sit definitely didn't have back problems! i find that my pain is least when I can get my knees lower than my hips.

When we were in the market for a new car, my back pain was the main consideration. I need a seat that's more like a chair, that is, I don't want my knees in my chest! I need to be able to stretch my legs as much as possible and shift around. We talked to the salesman at the dealership we were pretty sure we were going to go with and explained our situation. He was very gracious and allowed us to take a car out for several hours to be sure it was going to work for me. I also discovered that the exact same car can have slightly different seat alignments, for lack of a better way to explain it. I could tell that two different cars of the same make and model had driver's seats that went back further in one than in the other. My husband and the salesman looked at me like I was a total nut, as neither of them could tell. But they got a tape measure and measured both seats. There was a half inch difference. A half inch can make a huge difference in my back pain! We ended up getting a Honda Odyssey. So far, it's working out for me. I'm always going to have pain, but I can get around pretty well in it. For longer trips, I need to get out and move around regularly, but that's a given anyway.

Once you think you've found a car that will work, I recommend talking to the salesman and seeing if they'll let you test drive for a longer span of time. You don't want to sink a lot of money into something like that only to find out that it's not the right car for you.

I wish you the best.
Emily
 
Emily-
Did was the Odyssey the car that had the 1/2" difference? If so, I guess we should make sure we test out the one we actually purchase. It looks like we might be ordering a 2010. I just assumed it would be like the one we test-drove. Actually, the sales person let us take the car over-night! Last night was actually our wedding anniversary and we had a sitter for the kiRAB. So we got to take the car on our date. Like you, I was still in pain, but I had a lot more room to switch positions and move around. And, I love the idea of being able to almost lie down in the third row (by putting the seat down in the second row).

Thanks for the advice. You made me feel better knowing you picked the same exact car for the same reasons we did!!! Do you like everything else about the car? We are going back and forth on colors now.

Edited to add: I really laughed when you said the thing about your husband and salesperson thinking you were nuts. I cannot tell you how many cars I sat in and tried to explain how they HURT my back. My husband could not believe how I can feel such minute differences. I cannot even sit in the passenger seat in our current SUV. I have tried every trick in the book to make it more comfortable, but that seat just hurts. I have no leg room, I cannot stretch my leg and it is VERY low to the ground.
Thanks again!
JRABun
 
Yes, it was the Odyssey.

My husband hurt his back a few months ago and for the first time got a little taste of the pain I have all the time. His eyes got real big and he said he can't believe I don't even complain! He's a big baby when he gets a hangnail, but his experience with his back issue for just a week or so has stopped his complaining just like that. I didn't like him being in pain, but it was kinda nice for him to understand my pain a little better. Hee hee.

I hope the Odyssey works out for you. I love mine!

I also have a 360 swivel on the driver's seat. It's hard getting in and out and turning far enough to check traffic at odd angled intersections with a spine that doesn't bend. My 360 disk has made a big difference! Pharmacies with a durable medical supply section sell them for about $25.

:wave: Emily
 
I have had both a Town and Country and a Pacifica-for the same reasons. If I couldn't be comfortable, then we didn't look at the car for very long! The Pacifica was/is great because I can stand straight up out of it. I don't have to push myself up, it's justa a straight out and go. That's half the battle. The fact that the seat adjust and has a HEATER is another plus! The extra heat helps keep me going some days!

I've found that the mini vans have the most comfortable seats for back suffers. There is more leg room and more adjustments possible. I have even put my leg up on the dasrabroadoard at times to releave a cramp!

That and they hold our three rescue pups quite well also! There are enough windows for Everybody!:D:D
 
Ooh, a heater!!! I would love that!!!

We have a family rule that anyone else who drives my car isn't allowed to adjust the seat other than simple closer or farther from the wheel. It's so hard to get it just right to keep the pain at the lowest possible, I don't want anyone messing up the seat adjustment. They're usually pretty good about it. Anything that helps.

:) Emily
 
Both of our cars have a memory button that returns the seat to your chosen position. I get button #1 and NO ONE changes the setting. That way they can adjust the seat as they please, but when I get in to drive I just hit the button and the seat returns to my chosen position-which is a divine gift!
 
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