Long car journey.

Jenny2

After reading many posts on here, I feel a bit of a fraud, because I don't have the level of pain that many of you are suffering.
I have recently weaned myself off Naproxen, with my doc's permission, also Omeprazole, gradually - and so far, so good. Just now & then I take a couple of Naproxen when things get bad, but my query today is this:
I want to visit family in North Wales; I live in Cornwall. The total distance is 540 miles and I'm wondering if I can manage it. I need to drive so that I have my car while I am away. One method might be to break my journey for a few days with family in Rugby, which would add to the mileage but give me a chance to relax my muscles and joints.
I get so stiff when remaining in one position for awhile; obviously a car journey is the worst thing to do, because even if regular breaks are taken, it's straight back to the same position afterwards.
Anyone have any advice, tips, please? Or should I just accept I can't do it?

barbara12

Hi Jenny
I dont drive, but when we are going any distance I t5ake a back cushion and neck cushion, not sure if the neck thing will be of any use while you are driving.
I do think the break in-between journeys will be good for you, and if I was driving I do think I would take the naproxen.
Sorry Im not being much help, but I do hope you do the journey and have a lovely time, I do love Cornwall x

dreamdaisy

If I have to do a long journey (and by long I mean more than an about 45 minutes) I break it up into chunks. This means I have to leave earlier (and probably arrive later) but at least I can stop, get out, stretch my legs and walk around before resuming the journey. It's amazing how many 'pit-stops' can be built in to one journey: refuelling the car, coffee, lunch, more fuel, a little detour to visit a town etc. You can do this journey but maybe you need to pace it as much as you can, even stopping overnight in a Travelodge or summat? Good luck with it, I know that earlier this year skezier managed to do Cornwall to Scotland and back - with breaks and a lamb on the return leg! Take care. DD

tillytop

Hello Jenny

Please don't feel a fraud - everybody is different and we all struggle with different pain/ability levels. I like to think that everyone is welcome here, whatever their arthritis situation.

Tis a difficult dilemma you have there and I just have a couple of suggestions which may or may not be practical for you. First, would you consider restarting the Naproxen and Omep a few days before you travel and for a couple of days afterwards to ease the journey for you? That would, I guess be the easiest solution. Otherwise regular short breaks during the journey to enable you to walk around and unstiffen a bit might be a possibility. Breaking your journey with a visit to your family as you suggest might help you but you may still need to make sure you stop regularly during your journey to stretch your legs. Only other suggestion I have is that you maybe consider taking the train and hiring a car when you get there. That may not be practical - and will no doubt be an expensive option - but at least on the train you could get up and walk around during the journey. Nothing else to suggest I'm afraid, but hope you manage, whatever you decide.

Tillyxxx

hileena111

Hi
If I have a long journey...its lots of stops for coffee etc.....have to get out and walk and stretch for a while.
Recently we have taken to stopping overnight somewhere as well as the stops for coffee
You could talk to your doc about re starting your naproxen for a while....if thats not possible what about an over the counter inflamm?
I think....chat to your GP
Good luck and enjoy yourself
Love
Hileena

Jenny2

Thank you very much for your replies - and so quickly!
I am loath to restart the Naproxen and Omeprazole after managing to get off them both; maybe Ibuprofen would work, but is it so different from Naproxen, I wonder, with its side effects.
I'm now having serious doubts, unfortunately, both because of the swollen and painful joints, and the added trials of driving/navigating all that way on my own. Once started, there would be no 'Plan B' to get me there - and back! Maybe I can teach my dog to drive and be my back-up!
Some serious thinking to do and maybe make my excuses to my Welsh-living family. We both live in hard-to-get-to homes!
Thank you again; your replies have given me a wider viewpoint of the situation.

elainebadknee

Jenny

This is just a thought as i was considering a journey last month, kendal where i live to inverness to see my family...Its 5 hours and i felt id seize up also, did look at rail but didnt fancy assisted travel as heard negative stories...Anyhow my sister came down to visit us and i went back with her and came back to glasgow via gold bus which was good, cos had extra legroom and was right at back near the loo...Would megabus be an option for you? If not can a member of your family come up to you and split driving back to Wales? You never know till you ask, may be a member who would enjoy the journey and company and alleviate you somewhat...
Hope you make it/get a soluti9on..

Elainex

earthspirit

hi im a regular traveller between london and aberdeen and thats about 600 miles. i used to do the trip with 2 - 3 stops and on a good day taking far less than 12 hrs.

a few times i have done an overnight stop mainly as the people travelling with me needed the break. i found this daunting as for me, the journey and driving took more than a day and i was always tired on arrival after the nights sleep.

now i do admit to red bulls coffee and cigarettes keeping me going, along with the pain killers but dont think i should advise other people to do this!!!

i cant actually do the trip now with other people as i need to stop when i need to stop and not when they want to stop. sometimes an issue

my very best advice is to leave as early as you can so that you are not going past any major cities or busy motorway junctions at the morning rush hour.

i now do my driving 70 to 100 miles or for hour and half to two hours and then taking a break where i would walk around, chill out, have a light item to eat. if you start to munch stuff then your body uses energy to process the food and you are more likely to start feeling tired.

once you had the coffee break, off you go again until you had maybe 3 pitstops. thats then more than half your journey done and you now need to stay alert and focussed so you can continue safely. at this point you should recline your seat fully and taking just sips of water, lie back and let yourself totally relax, 40 winks or just a drift still awake.

then get back out and go to loo splash your face (not in the loo water of course lol) and set off again and what i find is that i am rejuvenated by this point and find the nex chunk of the road passing quite quickly.

this may have taken you to about 4 - 6 pm and again watch out for holdups with going home from work traffic. if you do a drive of this length it is unlikely that it will be totally without delays, etc etc. i promise you i dont think i have ever done the journey north to south without delay ever. ive done it hundreds of times over the last 25 years.

when it gets to having your last break, leaving a journey of less than hour to finish is what i find best. you will be in early evening and roads possibly less busy but the light starts to change at dusk and tired eyes are often kicking in by that point. at the last stop, make it a strong coffee and good old face wash and maybe some eye drops. dont be tempted to get all warm and cosy for the last stages and 5 mins out in the fresh air before you go to car and then keep windows open while you are driving. if are feeling in any way tired even if you only got 10 miles to go you must STOP and take another break.

i swear the secret is not to eat very much as you are driving or when you stop and obviously you probably do need to eat but steer clear of sandwiches burgers cakes or sweet. peaches oranges pineapples ready prepared give you a giant boost of energy and you can have a giant munch when you get to your destination.

make sure you take pain meds regularly and dont take the stuff like codeine type products too often as they could alter your perception and alertness. (gov and police saying recently that people on meds might find themselves "done" if they have accident while on them )

ive done this journey with every variation you can think of from small babies and cats and full luggage and torrential rain and storms and flooding 12hr delays nutters, ive done it all lol

i bet you didnt expect a reply like this haha

take what you feel is useful but the most important thing is seriously not to get the muchie head on thinking food is going to keep you awake and alert - my passengers would agree with me too

brushing your hair during stops too as well as having layers of clothes to take on and off (depending on weather and whether your have windows open or not) also play a part.

stay wafe have a good journey and enjoy the break.

Heather65

Hi jenny,
like you im due a long car trip too ,we are all off to cornwall in august my oh drives the motorhome and i will drive the car ,ive got cervical spondylosis in my neck and its very stiff and aching at times and driving makes it worse ,we are setting of early drive for two hours then have a break so i can have a rest ,it may take longer but will be easier for me ,im reluctant to take too many meds as they can make me tired so a good nights rest before is a must ,
i see the traveling as part of the holiday so will just take my time ,you have to do whats best for you and what you can manage and enjoy yourself,
Heather65

frogmorton

Hi Jenny

I am often doing long journeys too...my Sis lives in Scotland and I ahve a very good friend in Cornwall!

I take regular breaks too. I also take my medication like a good girl (I didn't think nsaids were addictive so safe enough) and I take heat packs with me (or cold ones) depending on the issue.

Visiting people en route might be quite nice actually especially if they are the kind of people who will look after you and provide a good comfy bed to rest!

Have you thought about taking the train?? Just an idea. You acn move about on those a bit and shift about too :?

Love

Toni xxx

PS. I am pretty sure doggies could drive, but who would insure them??? Ch*rchill?

Colin1

I think if you just had plenty of stops along the way you would be fine.
Cornwall to Rhyl north wales is about 350 miles i think if you stop every 100 miles for 15 mins or so you would be fine
Colin

kellerman

I considerd driving to my brothers in Eastbourne a jouney I have done many times before. However I dismissed the idea as I knew there was no way I could manage it.
Taking my meds beforehand would undoubtably knock me out.....well make me sleepy and therefore not safe to drive.
I am in the lucky position of being able to borrow a car while I am there so I am going in a couple of weeks on the train. Even this is freaking me out although I've done this before.
Its just the idea of crossing London that is worrying. I will have my daughter with me and as long as she doesn't treat me like one of the 7 year old she teaches I should be fine.
Would borrowing or even hiring a car not be a solution? With the price of petrol it might even work out cheaper.
I'm sorry I can't help you more.....Personally I can't sit for more than 10 minutes and about the same time standing. May

Jenny2

Colin1 wrote:

I think if you just had plenty of stops along the way you would be fine.
Cornwall to Rhyl north wales is about 350 miles i think if you stop every 100 miles for 15 mins or so you would be fine
Colin

I checked the route on RAC online and it's 540 miles, Colin. Thank you for all the advice and tips, everyone, but I think I am going to give it a miss. A return trip of over 1000 miles is going to cause me a lot of discomfort, even pain and probably put me out of action for the whole visit. All that, plus having to go back on to medication which I've successfully given up, is just too much to cope with.
The fact that I would be completely on my own (apart from my dog) means that there would be no-one to take over if I were to be unable to continue, through pain or tiredness.
Thank you all again x

bubbadog

Hi Jenny, I don't drive but when my OH takes me out I have to have a nice comfy cushion for my back and to sit on so I will make it on the journey. Also it would be a good idea to break up the journey so have a few loo breaks.
So as long as you make sure your 100% comfy and that everyone is agreeable on the set loo breaks you will be fine. Have a great trip Jenny