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Surviving a long car ride?

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Posted 2/27/2007 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
For most of us long car rides can become uncomfortabe and even painful sad

In a couple of weeks, we are taking a trip and I will be riding for a total of 12 hours and I'm wondering how others cope with long car rides? After about an hour or so of sitting my hips and knees really start to hurt and I'm wondering if anyone else has this same problem and how you handle it?

Thanks in advance! :-)

Posted 2/27/2007 9:00 PM (GMT 0)
hey momzy, drugs! lol i know i try and extend my seat and move around like a wiggle worm, take pain meds stretch at pee stops and just accept that hte next few days are gonna **** because u will probably also run yourself down with non normal activities. maybe bring a few of those heat patches and wear them?! u know the kind u stick on to heat and relax muscle areas? i wear them never did for a trip but i like them once in a while for joint pain. good luck i hope it will be a fun trip and u can say hi to mickey for me? lol i think i would worry more about the 3 kids driving u nuts lol for 12 hours! lol keep us posted and have fun... i hope?
Posted 2/27/2007 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Ughhhhh, sorry you have such a long car ride! I feel for you. The longest ride I ever did was about 2 hours and I don't think there is anything that could totally prevent the pain and stiffness that'll happen when you finally get out of the car. But for sitting on, you might try one of those heated car seat covers or massage mats, moist heating pad (though that won't last too long), the heat patches are another option - you just stick them to your skin or your clothes around whatever joint; take some antiinflammatories or tylenol right before you leave; Maybe fill some zip loc bag with some crushed ice if ice helps you at all, and if you stop at any eateries or convenience stores along the way, just refill with new ice; you might try Biofreeze, which is an OTC type of sports creme/arthritis rub (many PT's actually use this brand); other than that, just stop as much as you can to stretch out at least.

Posted 2/28/2007 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
I've got myself a cool little set up for long trips. We have an SUV and we put down the rear bench and the second row seat. I've got a small air mattress and get to lay around in the back. Hubby also installed a DVD player, soI can watch whatever movie I want too.

If we have to take my car, I often recline my seat as far as I can or get intot he back seat, so I can move around more freely. I also have one of those vibrator/massage mats with heat. It plugs into the lighter and I'm good for a ride!

Of course, getting out of the car and stretching at every opportunity helps too and so do the pain meds and muscle relaxers. I hope your trip isn't too painful.
Posted 2/28/2007 2:59 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you, thank you, thank  you ladies :-)   I knew I could on you for great ideas!!

I will tell my hubby about the massage/heating pad that plugs into the car, he will get anything that will help me along the way. Bless his heart he hates to see me wiggleing in my seat!  I would never have thought about this..great idea!!!

Yalinda tongue   lol at the drugs! yeah, maybe for the drive with three kids, since there will be no mickey mouse at the end! only a long stretch of road on I-70 smurf   and we are taking my car since it does the best on gas mileage (a two door coupe, can you even imagine?) eyes  I am thinking about calling my doctor and just telling him I am going on this trip and it is just too painful and can he please help.

I have used the heat patches for my back but have never thought to put them on my hips :-)

Thanks again ladies, I really appreciate your help.

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