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What cars are best suited for someone with fibro?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 8/18/2012 10:39 PM (GMT 0)
confused   Im trying to find a vehicle that will aid me in my efforts to stay as pain free as possible. I have a daughter in high school as well as drs appts. but the pain i get in my legs hips and shoulders and hand is unbearale at times please can someone help.
Posted 8/18/2012 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
The only way I know is to go and try out different cars and see which is less painful. A heated seat might be helpful.
Posted 8/18/2012 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
I have a four wheel drive truck. It is the perfect height for me to get in and out of. My girlfriend has an suv and it is easy to get out of. She has heated seats which is awesome. The lower cars are harder for me to get out of. So I am going to stick with trucks. lol...

Do try different cars out and heights. There is nothing harder than getting out of a lower setting car. It is really difficult. Best wishes to you on getting a new car...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 8/18/2012 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Mrs Shae,

I just realized this is your first post and wanted to welcome you to the forum. I am glad that you have joined us. You were talking about the pain in your shoulders. I find seatbelts effect this a lot. I got a piece of fabric that goes around the belt. Kind of furry. It helps, but gets in the way of the seatbelt when you go to put it up. But I thought it might help when you are driving.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 8/19/2012 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Try a few cars and see! Height has a lot to do with it.

I drive a civic, but I do notice that getting out can be hard when I am tired. But I like driving little cars. I miss my old station wagon.

Trucks and SUVs are too tall for me. I am 5'3"

My BF's saab 93 is a good height for me getting in and out. I also love (word used purposely) his heated seats!
Posted 8/19/2012 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
MS Shae, about 4 weeks ago hubby decided we needed a new car, I loved my car, although it was a "family" size sedan it was also a sports car, a big V8 with sports seating, suspension etc. I was very hesitant as I was very comfortable in my car and was worried as he wanted to buy a "truck" (a four wheel drive, 4 door ute). Well financially his arguments won out and after driving the new "truck" for four week, and doing a 3 1/2 hr drive to go on holiday all I can say is WOW, I have actually arrived at our caravan after driving 3 1/2 hrs with no pain that was the big test. I do find it a little difficult to get into with my stiffness but the long haul trip has won me over.

Good luck with you decision MS Shae
Posted 8/19/2012 10:03 AM (GMT 0)
I have cervical spine and lower back injuries along with my fibro so I am very sensitive concerning comfort in cars.

I find it very uncomfortable to be a passenger in a truck or suv. My fiance and I tried all makes of suvs, and they all had a bumpy ride.

My fiance's toyota hybrid camry is the most comfortable car I've ever been in. We went car shopping too and couldn't find a more comfortable car for me.

Good luck to you.
Posted 8/19/2012 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Ms. Shae, and welcome!  You will get many different responses with this question because we are all so different and our pain is different too.  But I'll tell you what I drive.  I have a spine disease called ankylosing spondylitis along with fibro so comfort was very important to me.  I have a Toyota Camry and absolutely love it.  It's not a hybrid but it gets 27 miles per gallon in the city.  I'm rarely on the highway.  It only has four cylinders but it is FAST.  I have a bit of a lead foot and it has all of the power of the 6 cylinder cars I've had.  The seats are wonderful.  The driver's seat has lumbar support that you can adjust.  If they made these seats for inside the home, I would buy them!

 

I always get leather seats for ease of getting in and out of the car correctly but you can work around that, too.  I wrote the following for the forum a while back and will share with you.  This really helps a lot with your back!

 

When getting in and out of a car, sit on the seat with your feet on the pavement.  Then, either using the seat or the steering wheel, swivel your feet into the car while keeping your back straight.  I buy cars with leather seats because they are slippery.  But, when I rent a car and get cloth seats I had to come up with another idea...and I did!  I get a garbage bag and a towel.  I lay the garbage bag on the seat and the towel over it.  Then I do the above.  The garbage bag and towel let  your rear end swivel like you were on a lazy susan!  LOL  Just reverse the above to get out of the car.

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good information about fibro and you will learn a lot there...even some things that might help your pain!  So, do check it out.

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

 

 

Posted 8/19/2012 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
I drove a little toyota pickup for 15 years and wanted to get a car so I could

take the grandkids once in a while. 

After looking for 3 years, what an ordeal, hubby and I decided on a a SUV.

1. I live in snow country and needed the all wheel drive.

2. It sits up higher so I can see better and is easy to get in and out of.

3. I don't have to bend down to get groceries out, just slide them out the back.

4. Love the heated leather seats, would never have another car without them.

    If your car doesn't have heated seats I have heard you can buy heated seat

    pads and plug them into phone charger outlet.

5. It is not as comfortable as a sedan, but because of 1-4 above it is the best choice for me.

Good luck.

 

Posted 8/19/2012 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
I also have back issues and have ridden in several cars, suv's and hubby had a pick up. I drive a dodge caravan, for me it's comfortable. I do admit its large and no longer economical but I hurt so bad when I ride in a car that is lower to the ground.
Posted 8/19/2012 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
I wouldn't get a Honda or a two door car. The big doors are reallllllly heavy. I always go with a Hyundai myself. I was in a bad car wreck when I was 21 or so. I went to get my stuff from the totaled Hyundai and there was another car close by with the exact same damage. The tow guy looked at me in amazement motioning to that car and said "no one in that one lived." So ever since Hyundai has had my loyalty and the seats are cumfy for me.
Posted 8/19/2012 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I just traded my truck for a ford freestar van because of knee and back issues could not get in and out any more.   I like the fact that the seats in the van sit more like the truck seats.   I have a very hard time riding in a car anymore because the seats are way too uncomfortable and the cars sit way too low and make it way too hard to get out of with having the fibro and everything else that is wrong.   Hope you find one that works great for you!

Janelle

 

Posted 8/19/2012 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I just bought a Nissan Murano. It is easy for me to get in and out of and has heated seats too! When it was 100+ degrees a month ago, I had the air conditioning blowing full blast but had my seat warmer on for my hips and back. LOL
Posted 8/19/2012 9:01 PM (GMT 0)
we rented a crown vic to go on vacation and it was like sitting in a lazy boy recliner all the way there lol...was nice for hubby as he gets blood clots in his legs. Very roomy. Seats were the blow up kind that fit to your back and hips too.
Posted 8/19/2012 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
I drive a Honda Element. I LOVE IT. Seats are at perfect height, can adjust driver seat up and down and can open back up completely. Sadly they stopped making them but I will NEVER part with this car.
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