Sitting comfortably/comfy chairs

speedalong

Hi,

I've always been a curl up on the sofa kind-of-girl ... but this is no longer comfy for me, nor really is lying out on the sofa. My armchair and sofa are very old and worse for wear - but don't want to replace them just yet - S is still rather heavy on furniture - so would rather have old stuff and not have to worry than be on his case because everything was new.

Was wondering whether I should get myself a reclining chair - I definitely like/need to have my legs up - but know after my op it will be a struggle to sit down and get footstool or whatever in postion ... and finding something just the right height to act as one is a challenge in itself.

Do any of you use a recliner? Are they more comfy?

Any tips ...I would be buying cheaper/est end of the market. I don't need a riser/recliner. I would however like to operate the back rest and leg rests independently of each other. I don't want one which takes months and months to arrive either ... just after I escape from hospital would be good.

Speedalong

polly1985

hi speedalong,

i have a recliner chair an i do love it. mine is a manual recliner which when sore is a bit o a nite mare when i have 2 put it down again as i have 2use my legs.

i would recommend an electronic recliner, my aunt has 1 and i used 2 love usin her's when i had 2 stay with her when i came out of hospital. It has the controls on it so u can just lye back and relax.

The cheap 1s are just as good as the dear 1s. i had some1 from a mobility company come 2 the house 2 show me a recliner. it was goin 2 cost me approx £4000. Then he said he had 1 reduced at £1800. However the shop 1s are lot cheaper an same functions. I went 2 my local furniture shop. they were able 2 order 1s in but i went 4 one that was in stock. i was buyin whole suite at once and couldnt get chair in automatic. but i am lookin in 2 it again, didnt realise how heavy on the legs and back (and prob hips if sore) when tryin 2 put leg rest down.


hope u get somethin 2 suit u soon. xx

lindalegs

Hi Speedalong,

With our sofa and armchairs hubby has put hardboard beneath the cushions to extend it's life and make it more easy for me to get out of. As for putting my feet up I put a cushion on a small coffee table and that's very comfortable at no extra cost.

Luv Legs 8)

jaspercat

Hi Speedalong, I have a riser/recliner, an electric one, I wouldn't be without it, I can put my feet up whenover I want, a real godsend,
and it helps me stand up love Jaspercatxx

angel1

I noticed a really nice looking leather recliner in the Argos catalogue, at only £249. Didn`t check the specifications., but maybe worth a quick peek.......Ange.

speedalong

Thanks Polly,

I will try local furniture stores. Thanks for info re electic versus manual - sat in my friends manual the other day ... nearly had a heart attack when my legs shot up faster than a rocket - would have killed me post op!! Also couldn't get back down as not strong enough to lock leg rest back down - thought it was just her chair ... clearly not. So electric it will have to be.

Speedalong

speedalong

Hi Lindalegs -

I put a piece of hardboard under the sofa cushions on the sofa ... not as big as the sofa length (I'm no good at cutting at wood - hurts my hip) but as more and more springs have broken - it is not big enough and falls down the gap - so have padded underneath with folded cushions. You have set me thinking though and my friend's partner might cut me some and she can bring it up when she comes to stay in half term.

I use the coffee table at school for my feet!! Now that is just the right height.

Post-op I don't think I will be able to pull up a footstall substitute because of breaking the 90 degree rule ... hence considering recliner.

Thanks for your suggestions.


Speedalong

speedalong

Thanks Jaspercat - perhaps I really should get one. Where was yours from?

Speedalong

speedalong

Thanks Angel - will take a peek.

Speedalong

speedalong

pixyandfaries wrote:

do be carefull , i find my recilner hurts my hips :shock: theres a slight tilt towards the rear on the seating ,obvi my hips are out of line when i sit :? now i lay up here on my own :shock:

Hi Pixyfairies, do you ache the minute you sit in your chair or is it after a bit? I.e. if I try out chairs will I instantly know if they hurt my hips?

Would you be able to fill the tilt with a foam wedge? Just a thought.

Do you mind being upstairs? Not being silly - I would sometimes love a few mins alone ... but obviously not hours and hours ...

Speedalong

speedalong

defo independent back and feet rests

Yes, I think I would need that as a feature too.

Speedalong

dorcas

Hi speedalong........we bought an electric rise and recliner for my dear dad and without a doubt it helped him....and me as I was post op and unable to physically assist him to get out of the chair.

He was able to use it and it did 'everything it says on the tin' from dad being able to lie almost flat through an extensive range of sitting positions up to 'placing' him on his feet.....they really are that good.

We were very lucky and bought it through a private ad....complete with it's guarantee.

The only suggestion I would make is for you to ask either physio or OT for an opinion on whether an electric rise and recline would be good post op...they may recommend a particular chair and you could then google search for one.....maybe save a bit money? (that's the thrifty scot peeping out again :oops: )

hope you can get a chair that's best for you,

Iris x

speedalong

Thanks Iris, don't think I will need riser aspect - just want to sit comfy ... if that is possible?? Hoping OT will visit and drop off equipment soon... could ask her then. Have been discharged from physio - as have been shown all exercises suitable for pre-op. Will need to do groundwork on chair before op.

Speedalong

skezier

Hi Speedalong,

I got one..... not electric though. I thought it would be good but sadly the back huts in it either sat up or reclined..... the hips do too but that's as like as not radiating from the back. See if you can try it before you buy even in the shop as well for me it was fairly instant. I was lucky as we did a bit of exchange and barter for this one...... I 'paid' in eggs and cat food

I am doomed now to the big queen Anne cus that's all I find comfy and well that one I got with dog food..... I love Cornwall (((( )))) Cris x

lindalegs

I agree with Iris, Speedalong, and you should talk to an Occupational Therapist, especially before you shell out lots of money. One of the downsides of having a rise and fall chair is that you're not using your muscles to help you get up and down and we all know if you don't 'use it you lose it' (I do realise that some peeps can't manage without these chairs ....sorry this isn't aimed at you :oops: )

.....and always try before you buy.... better still get one where if you're not satisfied you can return it within 30 days and that'll means you'll know if it's right for you.

Luv Legs

speedalong

Hi Cris,

I like the sound of the Cornish currency too!!

If the big queen Anne is comfy - then that is definitely the seat for you. That's all I want somewhere to sit and be comfy. I will definitely only buy a chair I can sit in and try before I buy.

Speedalong

speedalong

Hi, well armed with the info of all your replies plus research from the web - went to look at and try out chairs today with a patient friend!! Turns out I need a petite chair!!! (not as flattering as sounds - means a chair for short person with short legs!!) We went to 3 seperate shops - were very thorough and I have bought one!! It will arrive just after/around the same time I come out of hospital -as long as I don't come out early. I'd better like it now - as they don't come cheap. Still in between doing my physio and practising my walking - I'm going to be doing a lot of sitting for awhile ..

Speedalong

sharmaine

Hi Speedalong

I had this problem and recently raised our settees (we have 2 and a 3 seater) with new sofa legs which makes it easier for me to sit and to get up (that 4 inches has made all the differnce ). I would love a recliner but our furniture is relatively new and I simply haven't the space in the lounge to fit anything else.

I hope you find something soon. If you're lucky you might be able to pick one up on ebay.

Sharmaine

speedalong wrote:

Hi,

I've always been a curl up on the sofa kind-of-girl ... but this is no longer comfy for me, nor really is lying out on the sofa. My armchair and sofa are very old and worse for wear - but don't want to replace them just yet - S is still rather heavy on furniture - so would rather have old stuff and not have to worry than be on his case because everything was new.

Was wondering whether I should get myself a reclining chair - I definitely like/need to have my legs up - but know after my op it will be a struggle to sit down and get footstool or whatever in postion ... and finding something just the right height to act as one is a challenge in itself.

Do any of you use a recliner? Are they more comfy?

Any tips ...I would be buying cheaper/est end of the market. I don't need a riser/recliner. I would however like to operate the back rest and leg rests independently of each other. I don't want one which takes months and months to arrive either ... just after I escape from hospital would be good.

Speedalong

speedalong

Hi Sharmaine, glad you are still pleased with your chair raisers that must make such a difference. I have chosen a chair and it should arrive around/just after I come home from hospital. I didn't get one from ebay as I needed to try it out first - otherwise that would have been a great idea and probably cheaper. Our suite is very worn out and on it's last legs (hee hee) so I think it's time for something comfy.

Speedalong

speedalong

Hi - my chair arrived today - and thanks to all advice it IS comfy and now I can elevate my leg downstairs as well as upstairs!!! YIPPEE! Worth every penny.

Speedalong

hileena111

Hi Speedalong
Thats great......let us know a few days on if its really comfortable. I would love one but our furniture is new and we havent got much room for anything else.
Love
Hileena