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Traced physical problems back to car

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Mr. Man, Apr 11, 2021.

  1. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    For a number of years now I have had some significant physical maladies. I have always been completely physically exhausted fatigued, very easily brought to the point of exhaustion and exasperation.

    The main element that I have been focusing on is a significant pain and long lasting soreness in my piriformis muscle, which is essentially at the top of my left leg, sort of behind it underneath the buttock. I figured this was caused by my sedentary nature or the large amount of driving I have been doing in the past few years, living in Los Angeles and driving for Uber.

    recently I had a break from my routine, a couple safe and healthy weeks filled with good nutrition, exercise, no stress. When I got back to my normal life, I was incredibly pleased to learn that the piriformis pain had gone away, I was sleeping much more soundly, etc. Then yesterday I took a car trip that had me in there for an hour or more, on the freeway, and I began to notice this extraordinary pain coming back. When I got back from the trip I was an emotional and physical wreck. The pain is still lingering with me, it’ll probably take weeks to go away just like before.

    so while this is horrible, it’s very very good that I’ve got to the bottom of this. It is unequivocally now caused by the car. I don’t know what the deal is exactly with the Prius C, but clearly it has absolutely nothing in the way of shocks. I know that it was designed for simple urban driving, but the streets in Chicago are borderline Third World in how bumpy and poorly maintained they are (worse than LA by far).

    this puts me in a tricky position of needing to rearrange my life so that I don’t need to drive. At least not in this car.

    posting this to see if anybody else is dealing with a similar problem. If anybody knows about solutions, for instance some bodywork that could potentially be done to the car. I’m not holding out a lot of hope. I don’t think this car was designed for any driving other than the most simple basic flat slow type of stuff.

    now begins the long process of recovering my body.
     
  2. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    I can’t give medical advice, but I’d urge you to discuss your symptoms and findings with a doctor.
    Toyota designed the Prius c with springs and gas-filled shock absorbers for all four wheels, but it’s possible that those parts on your car are worn out or broken. Before you give up on the car, consider having a dealer or independent shop inspect the front and rear suspension.

    Road vibrations might be a contributing factor, but I think it’s more likely that something about the seat, or the geometry of the seating position, isn’t suitable for you. Have you tried adjusting the seat position, seatback angle, or vertical height (Owner’s Manual (PDF), page 76)?
     
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You have not proven that at all.
    Even if it IS, it likely is caused only by how your butt fits the seat or your posture while in the car.

    A sheep skin seat cover might do wonders.
    Even adjusting the distance from the pedals/steering wheel might help.

    A consultation with a good Orthopedic Doctor or chiropractor might be even better.

    BUT.......now that you have your mind made up, why are you posting this here ??
    Just start shopping for a different car.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you search prius seats and etc., you will find that many people have been adversely affected physically.
    some have added padding at an upholstery shop, changed the seat out altogether, or traded the car.
    i can't say what might work for you, but it would be worth your while to explore the options. physical pain is not worth hanging on to a car.
     
  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I think you've already seen some very good advice here already. It really is worth exploring the seat adjustments and trying something different.

    In some cars, I need to alternate between multiple seating styles if I'm going to make it past 2-3 hours. A quick stop to rearrange the seat and mirrors is a small price to pay overall.

    I have to make long drives periodically and I've found that even simple clothing choices make a difference when you're going to be in that seat for a long time.
     
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  6. Thebakerman

    Thebakerman Member

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    I drive 150-350 miles a day. I can tell you alot of it has to do what th positioning of the seats and short floor well. Even my new prius prime has no lumbar support, also no leg extended action like my wife's 2020 limited. Long story short I highly recommend you invest, as I have in a therapudic seat cushion (memory foam) and maybe even a small pillow for where your left " knee/chin" area rubs and leans against the door. See I'm a bigger guy and even if your not a big guy, your left knee area sits and rubs especially in a smaller prius c against the left door panel. Well that's the way I ride most the time with the only other times fully extended below ebrake. I get these pains but since have gone after installing a simple strip of styrofoam or strip of memory foam with double sticky tape on the side of door panel, right below the window up/down switch. Maybe it's me but the I needed these addl to be completely content with commuting so much per day.
     
  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    When suffering severe back pains long ago, Before Prius, the doc sent me to PT, where I was given a number of stretches and core strengthening exercises.

    Part of the PT recommendations including ergonomic changes to my office workstation -- much of my work meant sitting down at a computer -- and carefully selected seat cushion wedges for both my cars.

    It all worked. I didn't end up needing to dispose of either car.

    But the best treatment has been retiring from that too-sedentary work and replacing much of its sitting time with outdoor exercise and recreation.
     
    #7 fuzzy1, Apr 12, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2021
  8. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Thank you. Yes, will be talking with doctor. I didn’t know I had many options when it came to adjusting the position of the seat, but I will have to give that a try. What sort of difference you talking about? All I can do is back it up or raise it.

    also concerned that my body is just weak and fatigued bowl and simply holding onto the Excelerator in the wheel he’s trying to find nerves. My hands get incredibly sore after driving as well simply because of how much the car shakes and it’s jostled by the terrible roads in Chicago.
     
  9. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    *fatiguable
     
  10. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Because I don’t have the funds to start shopping for another car.
    jesus... that’s what I get for buying cheapest option. Car seems to have been designed for very slow driving on flat urban roads only. I developed tinnitus, which helped me get into car crash, plunged me into debt while already paying to finance this piece of shit, and for some insane reason I had tried to do Uber as my job in Los Angeles. This car has destroyed me.
     
  11. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    And yes I am exploring other options. I live in Chicago, and I am on the hill right now. But holy shit does the el suck. Also massively inflamed my piriformis, I don’t know that it really is a useful option.
     
  12. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    I also do a great deal of sitting in an office set up. I know I need to change this, Covid has really screwed everything up. I know that I need a lot more variation in physical therapy, I have started down that road, and things are slowly improving. My posture has really gone to hell. But this car has just destroyed me.

    I think you were absolutely right, I think the solutions are entirely reasonable and involve simple physical activity and stretching on a more regular basis. Still doesn’t make my immediate situation with the car much easier. I need it for certain things, and I literally can’t drive it for even more than a few minutes without leaving in a lot of pain. Pain doesn’t go away for at least a day, or many days...
     
  13. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Thanks to everybody for the responses. This has been very difficult to deal with.
     
  14. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Also, based on this, do you think it would be worth my while to invest in some sort of memory foam seat protection in the vehicle? I’m sure it might help a little bit, but the problems are much deeper than that, my whole body is very weak and fatiguable.
     
  15. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Repetitive strain injuries are no joke. Gotta break the cycle somehow.

    Nothing to do with our Prius but I've recently gone through a problem with my thumb. I thought it was my back or my shoulder, anything but my thumb. Turns out I've given myself a repetitive strain injury by bottle-feeding my newborn daughter. Now I do exercises, wear a splint part time and have felt a huge improvement in just a few days.

    Get a solid diagnosis from your doctor and make some changes. The payoff will be incredible, maybe even not having to replace your car.
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there used to be a fella here who tried every trick in the book with foam. he finally gave up and bought a civic.
    i hope you have better luck!
     
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  17. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Automotive specific seat cushions. Check your local Costco for options if you’re a member. If not maybe someone on here that’s in Chicago can let you tag along one day. I sometimes sit on them in my parents’ v when I’m tinkering with it. They are so soft and plush.

    Can also try to downsize the wheels 1 inch with larger more forgiving tire sidewalls. (aka -1) This will make a significant difference in ride but at more cost than cushions. Sensors can be transferred over. I’ve seen people save money by buying used tires. If possible buy the wheels new but if not can try to find them used as well....

    The c is smaller and bumpier than the bigger Prii, unfortunately.
     
    #17 jzchen, Apr 12, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2021
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  18. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Thanks so much. I just messaged doc to take next steps, probably involving physical therapy. “Repetitive strain injury” is definitely the nature of this problem.
     
  19. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Thank you very much. Just wondering, I may personally feel that there is a problem with the suspension, but before I take it to get inspected, is there someway for me to verify this? Actually sounds like I’m asking how to inspect it myself.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?