advice for travel aides, pillows
 

Hi Folk, I'm 11 months post fusion, and have butt pain on one side due to degeneration of the facet below the fusion, L5. Having been told I'd be painfree one year after surgery, I planned a wonderful vacation to take with my two kids. But...

I will be on plane, van, car, and maybe jeep. Sitting is still painful to my left buttock. There are things to do on the trip which I can only do if I can make it through a car trip of about 2 hours on unpaved road. So, reluctantly, I'm passing on these activities. But I'd really like to have the adventures I'd imagined and be comfortable.

I'm soliciting your ideas.

Today I ordered a donut pillow. I don't know if it will work, but my physical therapist thought it was worth buying. I've been unable to find suggestions on the internet for pillows for butt pain when sitting, although pillows seem to exist for jsut about every other specific problem you could imagine!

http://medicalproductsdirect.stores....pospilpos.html

Any other ideas? Remember, the big problem is absorbing shock when I'm vertical or sitting. Walking is usually okay; lying down is fine.

The seat
 

I find the seat itself with like a pilot seat in a van best, and when it reclines. I slaso ahve tempurpedic type foam I latch to the seat. i do not get the counter pressure like an air pillow pushing back in on me. Also, some muscle relaxants before the trip, A pillow for my lap to rest the arms, and something under my feet. Also stops at 45 minutes or stand to potty in the plane. Ask for a bulkhead seating. I have a walker rollator I use, I get seated first on the plane, i have great seat to sit on if I am waiting, place to keep stroller type items in it.

I used it for my trip to Disney Fl. the flights, and outings.
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/...CLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I never could have made it through the airport without it, or parks. My daughter asked for courtsy transport, her back is much worse them mine.
Make sure to stretch...
Dianne

<<I find the seat itself with like a pilot seat in a van best, and when it reclines. I slaso ahve tempurpedic type foam I latch to the seat. i do not get the counter pressure like an air pillow pushing back in on me>>

Dianne--I do not know what you mean by this, a seat with a pilot seat in a van. Could you explain? Thanks.

found a good site for pillows
 

This site sells gel pillows, which a doctor recommended today:

http://softbottom.net/

dimarie might have meant the captains seats- the front ones in newer vans and I suppose many cars too - that can recline.
The reclining position might help take some pressure off the fanny ?

you might have looked thru these already- it's hard to find the right search terms- I mostly got wheelchair cushions - but one of those might work for how you would use it also.
Cushion relieves back, buttock pain and sitting fatigue

http://www.wheelchairparts.com/pad.html
http://www.rehabmart.com/category/Wh...r_Cushions.htm

seats
 

Yes the captain chairs in vans, as opposed to the straight seat. They have nice arm rest, recline good lumbar, body hugging feel. My Dodge Caravan had four of them.

What I do is cut a foam shape of the seat and big elestic to go over the back of the seat. Another good by is the therma pads. They are self heating. The brand is costly but Eckerd-Or now bought out by CVS, have a generic for about $2.00 on sale. They are great heat source for all day.

Di

Thanks, Jo for the link and explanation. I think I won't need the thermapads, DiMarie, because I'm heading south, but I think what you are describing is the type of pad I put in my shoes for warmth.

This is what I bought: http://www.autobarn.net/gel-seat-cushion.html

A friend on the PN board with butt pain said she uses a molded gel seat, and while this isn't it, it seemed to offer the support she thought was helpful.

I don't know if we have a sticky in this forum with links to aids like this, but it would be helpful.

I can't believe I've had pain with sitting for 8 months now and nobody, not the pain doc, not the surgeon, not the physiatrists, physical therapists, neurologists. NOBODY has suggested these seats. Well, okay, I'm having a rather down day and feeling whiney, but I must say, overall, I don't feel I've had coordinated care since the surgery. The most valuable help has been from a former spine patient who used to post here, and who will answer emails with helpful thoughts. She gives me better explanations than any of my professional medical providers.

Any other aids that people find helpful in the long term management of spinal instability and buttock pain?

Have a good trip Lizajane!
The only thing I would think of , can this seat come with a lumbar option. That is a big thing with me, mmaking sure the small of my back is cared for.

Here are the brand name of heat patches, they retain heat all day when you can't use a heating pad.
http://www.thermacare.com/img/products/ou2-neck.jpg
http://www.thermacare.com/neckarmwraps.jsp
http://www.thermacare.com/img/products/ou1-back.jpg
Di

thanks, diMarie--the patches look useful, I think I'll get some.