How do you prevent T.B.?

[BigSkyBob]

After driving long distances, I experience some TB (tired butt) and was curious what devices or methods others used to reduce the effects. I do stop periodically to rest the "area" butt I still get some TB after a few hundred miles.

[Good man]

BigSkyBob,
"....TB after a few hundred miles..." Actually, that is your backside telling you to get up and take a stretch.
Google P.A.D. (Peripheral Artery Disease) and read about the bad things that can happen when you keep your legs in a pendulous position for long periods of time. It can also contribute to a herniated disk, cause varicose veins and other problems... (h'roids... can't spell it, but you know of that which I speak)
You need to get out and take a stretch, also, your rig needs a "visual" at intervals... so it is a good idea to pull over to a rest area and take that break.

I use a Homedics massaging vibrator that plugs into the cigarette lighter OR 110V outlet... plays a "tune" up and down my spine and has heat also... very comforting while driving... BUT, I still get out and walk around every couple of hours.
Travel safely,
Jim

[Seajay]

You have heard of a ''Lap Dance''? Me and Willa ''Seat dance''. This is a learned process where you start with your feet. You wait for a safe area on the road with light traffic and you put your rig in ''cruise control'' and you start doing a ''foot shuffle'' ,,,,,, you move up your legs to a ''leg shuffle'' including wiggles and floor stomping'' with much action in the upper legs and toward your butt.. Next is the difficult ''Cheek wiggle and pinch'' where you tighten your ''cheeks'' and relax then move from side to side on your ''cheeks'' with a forward and backward motion as necessary and possible while seated and in a safe condition. Next is the critical ''head roll'' with the alternating ''one arm shake'' (still being careful about traffic) and throwing in the ''shoulder shrug'' with the spine ''snake dance moves''. Finish off with a good old fashion ''foot stomp'' on the floor to keep everything limbered up........ or .................. simply stop and walk around the coach three times and do a couple of stretch exercises.
Remember this ...... NEVER OVER STRESS YOUR BODY. If it hurts it is trying to tell you something and you need to listen or pay for it later ........also.... You are in a motor home and you aint in a hurry. Stop and smell the roses....
All this valuable information will cost you ten cents and you must pay me the next time you see me.....................

[swamphog]

as a retired professional driver, driving hundreds of miles a day, as the only reason that we can do it, is - cause we are use to it, and thats the truth, driving is hard , looks easly but as Good Man said you can get all these types of disease, as Seajay also stated a seat (lap dance) dance to keep the blood flowing, but to be honest,,, stop at a rest area and walk, for 15 to 30 mintutes, gets your blood flowing, heart pumping, and swing them arms too, you will feel much better, but remeber, pros do this for a living they know how many SAFE miles they can drive, as most people don't even drive 6 to 700 miles a week the pros do this each day.( milage is base on speed/ state/stops, and if they follow the log book) one thing also, our seats in the cab of the semis do make a differance, and the way there set up to ones comfort.
at the trval plaza they use to sell beaded cushions to go on the seat, this woud also let your skin breath, from the back, butt, and theighs too, not only your skin breaths you won't sweat as much, and it messages all these areas too. I forgot what the name was but they helped alot, so start be bopping along with the music and do the seat dance along with after driving 2 hours or 100 miles go and walk and streach them ole muscles, take short steps and long steps and again swing them arms too, touch them toes and lean back wards, we bend forward but need to bend back and the reason for this is the sponge that is between the disk in our backs are on one side ( mostly towrds the front) I don't think I am explanning this right but you will feel it in the back when you bend your back , backwards, umm don't go to far, no need to get hurt.hope this helps

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigSkyBob I do stop periodically to rest the "area" butt I still get some TB after a few hundred miles.

So stop more often. We rarely travel more than 200 miles in any one day, and certainly not at a stretch.

[Good man]

Good suggestion about the "Beaded Seat" with all those little rollers, SwampHog... A word of caution, though...
DO NOT EVER SIT ON ONE OF THOSE BEADED SEATS WHILST YOU ARE NEKKID!!!...
...and don't ask me how I know.

[historyljc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH So stop more often. We rarely travel more than 200 miles in any one day, and certainly not at a stretch.

This is the method we use.

[bldrbob]

Since I seldom drive nekkid that probably won't be a problem.
BOB

[Vegasdan]

Driving too many hours will only lead to fatique and make a person loose concentration and possibly cause an accident. Try to limit the number of miles per day. I know when I have done a 400 mile day, I'm beat.

[rough road]

If you drive with your wallet in one of your back pockets, take it out-it made a big different with driving discomfort for me; seriously.

[Happycarz]

I know what Bob is talking about because I have the same year model coach as he does. The seats are real cushy and feel great when you first sit in them. But they are too soft, without enough support in both the lumbar and seat area for any long drives.

No problem, off I go to JoAnn’s Fabrics and buy two pieces of foam, 1” thick and 2” thick. Mine came in green 18” squares, if I remember correctly.

Next unbolt the seat from the floor, turn it upside down and dissect it by removing the hog ring staples at the bottom rear of the seat back. Cut the 2” to make a lumbar support and place (stuff) between the wavy metal springs and the seat fabric. This part isn’t to hard.

Now when you put the 1” seat bottom foam in, be patient, as you have to inch it in by alternately pushing a little and then pulling a little. Paint stir sticks and long needle nose pliers will help here. You might have to remove the motor carriage assembly to get to the bottom of the seat.

Reinstall the hog rings, bolt the seat to the floor and your done.

Both your but and back will thank you for the support.

[RoyM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rough road If you drive with your wallet in one of your back pockets, take it out-it made a big different with driving discomfort for me; seriously.

I used to have tb and my leg would ache on long drives, I could never get comfortable. One day I got tired of sitting on my wallet and threw it in the glove box. It made all the difference in the world, I was likely cutting blood flow to my leg.

[Ray,IN]

This is the main reason I never added fuel capacity. Since we stop about every 100 miles to stretch an walk, why carry more fuel than we use in a day and pay to haul the extra weight. We drive about 300 miles/day, one tankful when towing. I learned about removing my billfold many years ago from a cousin; he even wore sweat pants minus underwear to be more comfortable on their trips to Alaska.
Seejay, mind if we adopt your "dancing" methods? I would have never thought of it. BTW, I've got your dime.

[swamphog]

umm yeah, forgot to say wear sweat pants or a elastic band pants or shorts, but if you wear shorts and sitting on them beads the salt from your body will eat away at the nylon that holds all them beads together, and when the nylon gives out, as it always happens while you are driving some of them ole beads will drop on the chair or floor.
I don't drive neked either although when i did drive pro for many years did see some weird things that I refuse to go into detail, for fear of being booted of this great site.