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A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 6:30 pm
by jul2873
I've just discovered that if I sit on a small, flat pillow (like a small throw pillow) the RLS symptoms are not nearly as likely to flare. I think it's because the pillow sits on the back of the seat, and when I sit on it, my thighs are a little lifted off of the car seat. Without a pillow--and especially as our car has seats that slant a little to the back--the seat pushes hard against my thighs.

Just a simple thing, but might be worth a try.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2015 8:05 pm
by Polar Bear
Thank you for that - something that is simple to try and I'll give anything a go that could make travelling easier.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 4:44 pm
by Haven
The best thing I've found is to move around rather than sit still. In a car, if you can't stop frequently to stretch and walk, you can just "squirm" a bit so that the pressure on your legs varies. Also, I have long legs and most car seats do not support the area just behind my knee. If I can get good support there, I am less likely to get an attack. I'm going to try your cushion, but put it toward the front of the seat where it will support my lower thighs! Thanks.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:00 pm
by badnights
I'm lucky enough to have flexible knees and leg muscles, and the only way to survive sitting, I've found, is to cross my legs, bend my legs to the side, or otherwise squash them up under me somehow.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 8:23 pm
by Polar Bear
I've found that getting my legs below me on the car seat (when a passenger) and then gently bouncing helps, it doesn't take it away but lets me tolerate it a little longer until there's time to stop and do a walkabout. It must look pretty weird to an onlooker :)

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 2:57 am
by Yankiwi
The only help I have for a drive over 45 minutes as a passenger (especially in the afternoon or night) is 60mg of codeine. I actually look forward to drives now because it also means I have a better night. When I drive my legs are okay. I guess it's the concentration.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2015 7:44 am
by badnights
Concentration and the continuous slight movements of arms and legs, plus the entire body is held in a non-relaxed state.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2017 10:41 pm
by Yankiwi
I used to be a passenger on long drives and would take a 60mg codeine tablet that prevented RLS symptoms and even helped during the following night. Now that I'm driving I am okay during the drive but almost as soon as I reach my destination I have fairly severe symptoms that I would have had as a passenger without the codeine. This has happened twice now so I think it will be a pattern. I'll take a codeine tablet as soon as I arrive at my destination in the future.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2017 2:39 pm
by Polar Bear
I do the same, take 60mg codeine before a long journey, also before going to the dentist etc.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 8:31 am
by badnights
almost as soon as I reach my destination I have fairly severe symptoms
I've noticed that too. Not just from driving, but if I manage to stay engaged in something while seated, then as soon as I dis-engage, the symptoms flare up. I've learned to stand to work on the computer or read or eat, even if I don't feel bad symptoms right then.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2017 8:12 pm
by legsbestill
Interesting ... now that I think about it, that is true for me too.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:20 am
by 2BassetMom
For drives 45 minutes or longer I find that a heating pad designed for car travel that plugs into the cell phone charger helps. Mine is not very large and just covers my lap.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 8:14 pm
by rjdishon
2BassetMom wrote:For drives 45 minutes or longer I find that a heating pad designed for car travel that plugs into the cell phone charger helps. Mine is not very large and just covers my lap.

I hadn't even considered this idea. Thank you for bringing it up. I struggle on the 30 minute drive home from work, so I will definitely give this a try. Thank you again.

Re: A trick to help with car travel

Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:30 pm
by 2BassetMom
The heating pad works so well that I am purchasing one for our other vehicle and one for my daughter's car. This way my sleep-deprived brain doesn't have to remember to grab if from another car:) It is also nice for the night drives in this cold N. Idaho winter.