Sitting for long periods...

[Musiclover3261]

Hi everybody,

Ever since I was diagnosed with HMS, I've noticed that doing anything for long periods of time is extremely painful for me. Does anyone else have trouble sitting in a car or at a desk for long periods of time? I find it agonizing to be in the car even for just 20 minutes. Because of this, I can't really use a wheelchair because either sitting or standing for long periods is painful. Anyone else experience this? Any suggestions? I try to periodically stand up and stretch but sometimes it just isn't possible.

Ahh, the joys of being bendy

Thanks,
musiclover3261

[Finarda]

You should get up and stretch even if it just means lifting your butt off the seat a bit, and stretching your knees and ankles out (that's the ergonomist in me talking!). You don't say where the pain is - if it's your tailbone (that's what bugs me most), you can get cushions that have an area at the back cut out to take the pressure off your tailbone.

Fiona

[Musiclover3261]

My pain is mostly in my hips and knees...I try to put my feet up on a chair to stretch out my legs but that's not always possible. I don't usually have trouble with my tailbone, although it popped really loudly this morning!

[hannah]

I had real trouble sitting - 5-10 mins max, but found that physio has really helped - stronger hips mean better muscle tone at rest - means they sit better in their sockets. I also had to build up really slowly how much I sat for - complete with alarm on my phone reminding me to wiggle. Long car journeys (anything more than 45 mins) and I get out regularly and litterally have a wiggle and get back in Probably looks entertaining but it does the trick for me.

H

[paw]

Riding in the car is hard for me. I am okay on short trips such as 20 - 30 min, but longer rides hurt. My kids are at Uni an hour away. I do go there but I know I am going to be in pain for a couple of days following that visit. I also walk too much when we go there because they always want to go shopping at stores they can't get to easily since they don't have cars.

I have given up sitting in the recliner in the living room (I used to sit there a lot) because of back pain. I do best when I can curl up my legs and turn sideways. I know that is not good posture but sitting "properly" hurts. I also have to change positions very often sometimes as soon as 5 minutes after getting settled.

[leashy11]

Sitting is the absolute worst thing for me, I have a hypermobile SI joint and lots of back pain so I can't sit in a proper position comfortably at all. I have to sit sideways with my legs curled up to watch TV and find alot of cushions under my side can reduce the amount of rotation through my spine. I can make it to the nearest town in my automatic car but it's only 7 miles away and only a small town so anywhere further is off limits for me. I have to lay on the bed to use the laptop (as I am now) and if I visit anyone or have to go somewhere that involves sitting I dread it. On the same score though if I stand still for more than a few minutes I get alot of back pain and that can get out of control too. Awkwardly walking very far also sets things off so there's not much I can do wihout a flare up of pain! I'm working on the hip balance issue at the moment and tying to get the right muscles to work so I can do away with the trigger points and tight stuff. It's a long process and takes exercises every single day just to stay at the level I'm currently at. I do find using lumbar support helpful but most of my pain is in the SI area which lumbar support doesn't address. I try not to sit but life's so hard without being able to just sit down and relax!

[Musiclover3261]

Leashy- are you taking meds and it is still that bad for you? I can't imagine -shudder- thankfully mine is mostly extremities, not my back. I hope you find relief soon
Paw- I curl up that way too, but I can only stay there for a minute or two before I have to stretch out again.
Hannah- that makes sense. I'll have to try finding some strengthing exercises. And by the way, your pamphlet looks absolutely hilarious! Is there any way to get one in the US?

I hope everyone is doing well. I haven't been on the boards long, but I feel as if I know some of you already. It's good to know I'm not alone in all of this

musiclover <3

[Nickysamethy]

I hed to explain to my boss why i was sometimes slouched in my chair then other time sat up really straight. He did think it was because I couldnt be bothered in the office and thats why i slouched so i'm glad i explained myself

[hannah]

Yes Musiclover, I can post you one. I have already sent several to the USA and Canada. If you follow the standard directions on my website (i.e. email me on admin@stickmancommunications.co.uk with your order) I will send you a 'paypal' invoice for the correct amount and post them once you've paid. I can send up to 2 booklets for standard price (£4 members, £5 non-members) plus £3 postage. If you want more than that I'll have to check the cost.

Sorry mods, will stop being off topic now...

[leashy11]

No Musiclover I'm not on any meds at the moment, everything my GP gave me made no difference and I'm still waiting for an appointment with pain management so I've got no pain relief at all at the moment. I would happily put up with just the extremity pain, I lived with that without too much trouble for many years but the pelvis and back pain is out of this world so I hope it doesn't affect you.

[Musiclover3261]

Hannah: that sounds great. Do you by any chance know how much that is in American $? I'm not familiar with British money
Leashy: I'm so sorry to hear that I hope you can get to pain management and get some relief soon!

Best wishes,
musiclover

[Stone]

Here's a hint, you can do it with Google.

Stone

[Musiclover3261]

Haha, thanks Stone! $8.14 makes a lot more sense to me

[BendyBoff]

Hi!

I also have problems with sitting/standing/walking for long periods. I've found that pilates has helped but I still et very uncomfortable with sitting and need to fidget a lot! I also sit to wtach TV curved and with my legs curled to one side, but I soon have to re - adjust myself because my knees can lock! Long car journeys are the worst and seeing as its a 3 hour drive to my parents and a 3 hour drive to my sisters uni it can be a bit traumatic. My husband and I take it in turns to drive and I usually need to make a few loo stops anyway so I get a walk and a stretch fairly frequently. I have also been known to take a hot water bottle in the car with me if I'm not driving!

xxxx

[MandyJ72]

Amy has problems sitting as well - hips get too stuff and knees as well - quite a few times at the cinema she's got up afterwards and said "hold on" and wiggled her hips to get them going again - queue lots of people looking at her funny while she clunks and clicks away until she's "right" again!!

She now tries to get an aisle seat and can move a little bit! Car journeys and plane journeys are horrendous as well - 9hr flight to florida last year = wheelchair for 2 weeks and even that was just making it worse until we got a cushion for her to put at her back which helped her slough down in the chair a bit but still be supported and eased off her hips! Trip to France this year (by car) will be fun but planning LOADS of stops!!

M
xx