sitting in a chair and pain

[Calinda]

Hi, I don't know why, but when I sit in this particular chair in the evening it seems like I have lots of pain. It's kind of an office chair. It's slanted a particular way. I don't know if maybe I'm in a "flare" and don't notice the pain until the evening and I sit down--or what.
Has anyone else had this problem? Does pain seem to be worse at a particular time--if you are in a "flare"?
Any thoughts would be greatfully received.

[Diamic65]

When I'm in a FLARE I can't hardly sit still. It seems like I have to walk around. Then I end up going to bed a laying down. Its seems like my bladder will relax some. I have a heating pad that I can put in the microwave and the heat helps the bladder to calm some. I hope you feel better soon:pray:

DIAMIC65

[ICNDonna]

I have some cushions I purchased from the ICN Shop. They take the pressure away from the perineal area so I can sit more comfortably. Another thing I do is to use several small pillows --- behind my back and under my knees in a recliner.

Donna

[kuntrygurl78]

I sometimes have trouble sitting. I bought the cushion from the ICN shop, and have found it helpful.

Im starting PT tomorrow, and Im hoping that it will help me with sitting.

[Calinda]

Thanks so much--I guess I'm not crazy. I wasn't sure why it hurt so much to sit in this chair. I will get some cushions. Thanks for all the replies.

[Eastshield]

Thanks for this thread. I discovered something this morning. :idea: After almost a week out of the office for the Thanksgiving holiday where most of my sitting was on my couch (usually in a side position on my hip with my knees bent), I had no bladder pain at all the whole time. Today it's my first day back in the office and after just a couple of hours, I feel like I'm in a full flare. Apparently it's either the office chair itself or the position I'm sitting in...facing front to be at the desk and computer vs. to the side on my hip/thigh. I also tend to cross one leg over which may be a contributing factor. I'm trying a different chair today to see if it makes a difference and if not, I'll try a cushion.

[nottoc4]

A donut coushion helps a lot. A really inexpensive way is to get one of those foam pads they sell to kneel on while you are gardening. Cut the middle out not quite to the back so you have no pressure on the perineal area. I used to hurt when I sat at the computer. I hurt no more and don't even need the cushion anymore.

[Eastshield]

Thanks very much for the tip. I'm definitely going to try the cushion idea and see if it helps. I really can't believe it took me so long to make the connection to the pain and sitting in the office chair. Duh!:bonk:

[Calinda]

Don't feel bad about it taking you a while to figure it out. I think sometimes we just kind of get used to pain--and enduring it we don't think that much about it. I noticed it because my pain was worse in the evening--and the only thing that I normally did was sit at my computer at that time.

I tried re-arranging some cushions I already had. I'll eventually though probably buy a better cushion that's sturdier.

Thanks again for all the tips.

[Eastshield]

For several consecutive months now - and intermittenly over the past few years - I couldn't understand why I would develop the pain during the day so by the time I got home from work at night I had to head straight for the Darvocet. I kept thinking of stress or what I had eaten, etc. and there was never any consistent marker and I was completely stumped. Over the long holiday weekend I was under extreme stress the whole time due to a personal crisis and was pain free through it all, which shocked me. Then within 2 hours of being back to work on Tuesday I was in tremendous pain. That's when I connected it to sitting. I immediately referred to this forum to seek out information. Now that I've identified the trigger, I can work on improving the situation. After reading about PFD, however, I don't think that's a factor. It's seems to be the direct pressure on the perineal area while sitting. It's not the only IC trigger of course, but resolving this problem will make a big difference on the frequency and level of my pain. Thank you all for your commitment to this support forum. :bow:

[Eastshield]

I think I'm going to have to buy one of the ICN cushions. I've been using a regular pillow at work, but it only helps some of the time. I can't figure out which angle I'm supposed to be positioned in to take the pressure off while sitting at my desk/computer. My husband and I have hit some troubling times and our finances are really stretched, so I haven't wanted to spend the money for the cushion offered here. Anything other suggestions? I really don't want to have a "donut" cushion at work! How embarrassing. :tsk:

[Zygala87]

No matter what I sit on , it could be jello, everyting down there is pushing up and all up there is pushing down. The bladder is in the middle so to speak. Pain he**. The only relief I can get is a lounge chair which I push back as far as possible. I bought what I call TV glasses as I can not see TV through my reading glasses.(reading, middle range and far away). I can understand how this would be impossible for a working person. Maybe get up and walk around to find some relief. When I sit at my computer too long and my bladder screams I run to the chair like a Chihuahua from a vacuum cleaner. 20 minutes and I'm OK. A car trip to Knoxville from Maine darn near killed me and I mean it. God help our working women especially the ones who have children to care for. Sending positive warm hugs, Ziggy

[kuntrygurl78]

The ICN cushion is basically a pillow with the middle strip cut out. Maybe the best at home idea would be to find two small pillows and put one under each cheek. Basically you want to not sit on the middle area. I hope this helps!:hi:

[Calinda]

Like some of you I also have some finance problems, plus I have MCS which means I can't be around anything new. So I'm not able to purchase the pillow.

I came up with a weird idea that has helped me. I got a super super large towel (a sauna type towel). I roll it up shorter side all the way. Then I place it in a "U" shape.

I then position it with the closed part to the back and the open "U" part at the front. Okay it's not the most comfortable way to sit. I sort of can position it under me. It's kind of worked for me.

[Talula]

When I'm in a FLARE I can't hardly sit still. It seems like I have to walk around. Then I end up going to bed a laying down. Its seems like my bladder will relax some. I have a heating pad that I can put in the microwave and the heat helps the bladder to calm some. I hope you feel better soon:pray:

DIAMIC65

You might want to take up crocheting/knitting.
It doesnt help the pain, but I like it and find it more productive than pacing.
Plus maybe you'll get something good out of a flare, like, a sweater.

[Eastshield]

:woohoo: I just wanted to update you all. I did purchase one of the ICN cushions and it's been a life saver. I use it on my chair at the office, which would create automatic pain that sustained all day leaving me no recourse but several doses of Darvocet. The ICN cushion is more than worth the money. Even on a tight budget, spend the $22-$23 and buy one for yourself. You deserve the relief from pain. I used a VISA gift card I got for Christmas to purchase mine because my finances were in crisis. I have been almost virtually pain free since I've been using the pillow. There will still be other triggers from time to time, but now sitting at my desk/computer will not be one of them.