I have a question... Dose anyone else have exratating pain well doing these types of things with vibrations like for example, mri's, bass on the radio, rail road tracks, bumps on the road... And of those types of things... It is getting harder and harder for me to get in a vehical or do those things as my RSD and TOS contiune... I am not sure what to do here... I was barley able to get through my mri and that was a double up on meds and the 2 dose of valuime they give you there for when you are claustrophobic.... I was just wondering... Does anyone have any tricks to make car rides a little better?

Thanks in advance for your help...

Hi Wildberry,

I also have a lot of these symptoms, especially the travelling in car causing more pain!!! I really hate travelling in the car now as all of the potholes cause me a LOT of pain and I am always moaning at my mum to try and avoid them but there is still some in the road that you just can't avoid!!

We went to a concert for my Birthday not so long ago and I really enjoyed it and it was worth going to see but the vibrations really hurt my leg and I could feel even the slightest thing!!!!

Unfortunately, these types of symptoms are very common with RSD from what I have been told. Most people suffer from them and it's really said that we can't do the simpliest of things without it causing too much pain. I just try and "get on with my life", I have a LOT of limitations but I try and do some normal things if at all possible.

I haven't really found anything that helps minimise the pain whilst travelling but everyone is different. Have you tried sitting on a pillow/cushion? If you have RSD in your lower limbs, that could help. Also, if I am going on a long distance journey, I usually take some pain medications even though i'm not on any at the moment to try and prevent any flare ups.

I'm sorry that you are going through all of this but just know that you aren't alone and that we DO understand and are here for you!!

I went through the same thing.

We had an older vehicle and it made it even worse. I couldn't stand a seat belt for the longest of time. I dreaded going anywhere. I actually just got to where I stayed home. I did that for about 6 years. Only went to Drs.

I spent almost 4 years in PT for the RSD, TOS, Fibro and other things. I also had TOS surgery. I do much better nowadays. I also used 3 heating pads to sleep on. I also had a shoulder brace that was made for me by a brace company. Another thing I wore a tens unit or a couple of years.

Bill use to do my driving and I also just told him to go whenever he wanted. I didn't want him to have to sit at home because I had to. Too many bumps in the road around here and you sure can't miss the railroad tracks.

The noises always bothered me too. I couldn't stand to listen to music or listen to a bunch of kids screaming.

I completely understand what you are going through, as Ali says, it seems to come with the RSD and the TOS. It does get better but it takes time.


I listen to music all of the time now and actually dance to it. I go to a gym. I take walks and I really enjoy my two Grandson's.

You will someday be able to look back and say look how far I have come. Hopefully that will be soon.

Ada

When my RSI/TOS was at it's worst {spasms and muscle tightness}
it was really uncomfortable to ride in the car. Still bothers me sometimes if it's been a long day or a long ride...
Potholes , railroad tracks, stopping, even rough shifting really put an extra strain on my neck.

If it's your or family car, getting touring tires and softer shocks will help some.
Some cars just have a smoother/softer ride than others too.
So if you have a choice of vehicles - pick the one with the soft ride.

Otherwise - extra pillows, a neck roll or rolled towel, maybe even a padded seat cushion to help absorb some of those bumps...

i am like everyone else too i have full body for 11 yrs and it took about 2 yrs to be able to ride in the car airplanes things like this. like ali said you just kinda have to put it out your mind it took me those two years to be able to train my mind to think of other things while in car and doing things that hurt me alot .. i know can drive my self i have two young girls. the other thing that help was in PT i had desenseitise therapy to help with the pain of touch and other things it was very hard at first but it helps alot

hope this helps and finds you with low pain levels

carrie

I have to travel one hour each way to work everyday. I am exhausted due to the pain the vibration gives me. I come in my door at home and sit down only to fall asleep right away. The heating pad trick to sleep is new for me but it is working. In the car I have tried to wrap a fleece blanket around my RSD leg...so soft but gives me some support for the movement of the vibration. Not so sure how effective that is but it seems to help. I can't stand to have much on my leg but the fleece blanket seems to work out okay for me.

Jacquelina- Hi such a good question thanks- I can not even walk into the laundry room when the washer is in the spin cycle it causes a flare up. and yes I love trains but its out of the question, the vibration makes it impossible. Many of us do not realize why we are becoming agitated - it is often the vibration of car rides etc. it is a huge problem with RSD. Thanks again for this. CZ

Well went to edit my post & the whole darn thing disappeared on me *LOL* geesh...........

Anyway I just wanted to say that this is one problem I don't have. I have never had any problem with vibrations like what happens when riding in a car. It doesn't make my pain worse in any way. In that respect I guess I am one of the luckier ones with RSD. And that is a good thing since my PM Doc is on the other side of the state of California from where I live. We drive about 2 1/2 hours to get to my doctor, one way. It isn't the distance that is so bad it is the traffic, especially between Sacramento to San Francico on I 80. And it is worse when it rains. Thankfully CA passed the law back to where the docs here can write out two seperate scripts for two different months so I only have to go every other month now to see him unless he is changin my meds or I am having a problem with them of any kind.

I just wanted to share that not all RSD patients have a problem riding or driving in the car like all of you have. For once I got on the lucky end of the stick in this regard. I wish I had any different suggestions or ideas that would help people who have the problem with vibrations. Now the boom boom booming in music the young people of today enjoy gets on my nerves, but I think it would no matter anyway. Boy are the younger generations going to have hearing problems when they reach middle age or what??? But we can't tell them anything, just like our parents couldn't tell us either huh?

Well my edit ended up being a whole new post but this one has said what I wanted to say better.

DebbyV

I do!

I flat refuse to have MRIs anymore. My doc has found a way to do everything with CAT scan or another way for me. She's a keeper!

I went to one movie since getting RSD - had to leave. I have sold my stereo system - I used to love listening to music! I play an instrument called a Hammered Dulcimer. I used to go to music festivals too... can't do that anymore. I thought I had to give up listening to music all together. But, then I got an iPhone. It has an iPod in it. I "ripped" my CDs and put them on the iPod part of the phone, and listen to them with the earplugs. Works great! The music doesn't vibrate my RSD areas that way! I also download "podcasts" of radio shows to listen to in the car. I only use one earplug so it is safer when driving - that way I can still hear what's going on around me. But, much less vibration than the car stereo. Also, when in the car, I listen to books on tape (well, on CD) - which is just a person speaking, and they don't vibrate. It also helps me keep my mind off the car vibrations.

I still work so I have to drive. When I was at my worst, I used fluffy down pillows under and around my arm/shoulder to protect against vibration. It's a little better now, or I am a little more used to it.... I still use one pillow, between my arm and the car door.

I find I am better if I am the driver rather than the passenger. Don't know why.

I also use anti-vibration gloves on my hands when I drive. I got them through U.S. Safety company - if I remember right. They have many different kinds and styles. You can buy single gloves, so if only one hand is affected. I think they were $7 per glove - I have had them a long time... so don't remember exactly.

When I have to ride any distance in someone else's car - I bring out all the down pillows again! Make a little nest for myself, and that is one of the times I will take "real" pain meds.

I used to mow my own lawn -- but can't stand sitting on the mower now. Have to hire the neighbor to do it now. Can't run the weed eater for the same reason. Don't miss that job though, always hated it!

count me in......i hate any kind of travel because it HURTS.....car, plane, train, anything - they all have engines that vibrate.....i wonder if we'd be okay in the goodyear blimp?

noise is a problem for me too - not surprising since sound waves r a type of vibration.......thank heaven rental movies exist becuase i can't, just can't be in a theater now.

like daylily, i'm better off driving than riding, but not by much.....i think we r better braced when driving and don't vibrate quite as much.....i haven't been more than 15 miles from home in years and i hate it......i'll be going to baltimore in may for my daughter's graduation and i'm dreading the trip (about 120 miles one way) tho i'm very proud of her and looking forward to the graduation itself.

lots of folks have mentioned different types of padding to dampen the vibrations and i agree with that, but nobody seems to have said this....can't use it if you're driving, but when u r the passenger, put a big fat cushion under your feet, even if your feet aren't the rsd problem.....lots of vibes comes up thru the floor and they go thru your whole body, so try to dampen the ones from underneath.

hope this helps.