gpag
Petty Officer
Posts: 216
Sea Pro model and year: 2003 220WA
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Post by gpag on Feb 27, 2021 9:41:30 GMT -6
Back issues are making me look for ways to do things differently when on my boat. I’m not talking about some back aches. I mean lumbar vertebral issues, extensive stenosis, and associated nerve issues. Surgery is in my future which, being in the Northeast, I am hoping to delay until the Fall. Most of my boating is around Cape Cod which can get rough. The best thing would probably be to just stop boating but I can’t/won’t do that. I will change how I drive the boat and what conditions I’ll go out in and I am looking for other ways to reduce impact on my back.
One of the things I am starting to look at is a shock absorbing seat. I was blown away at the cost. There are some fairly cheap from around $100 - $200 and then there are those that look like they really work that go from around $500 to well over $1000.
Does anyone have experience with these seats? Do they help? For those facing similar issues, what have you done to help alleviate stress on your back?
thanks
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Post by Juan on Feb 27, 2021 16:51:16 GMT -6
I've seen some of those shock absorbing seats and the price made me wonder if it would work if someone welded a seat and pedestal onto a standard car shock absorber. I've had three back surgeries and have a few fused vertebrae to show for it so I'm always looking for anything that eases back pain / strain. I've found a few things that help. First, I've learned to slow down in rough bumpy seas, 2nd: Getting a MK Ulterra was probably my best move. (for me, the self deploy and stow have prevented a lot of back troubles) 3rd: a cushioned pad at the console under your feet helps a lot too..especially if you have a leaning post. And there's always extra strength Tylenol and Jack Daniels.  |
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fraydknot
Master Chief
Life is a collection of Memories.
Posts: 384
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Post by fraydknot on Feb 27, 2021 19:55:49 GMT -6
The foot pad is a huge help.. But I have to say I have personally been on a Scout 290 with Shockwave S5 ‘s both before and after installation and all I have to say was WOW !!!! What a difference !! I have been struggling with the prices of them and I have come to the realization. I am not getting any younger and I don’t push my boat hard offshore but still occasionally I catch that rouge wave and wow it makes it hurt.. I was going back and forth between the Shockwave and the Smooth moves seat companies... Both comparable in price..
Best of luck
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Post by freezerfiller on Feb 27, 2021 20:14:24 GMT -6
I used to have an old Yanmar tractor that had no suspension so you felt everything. I welded two chevy big block valve springs under my seat and it took so much of the beating out of my ride I could run all day. While it wouldn't work in a saltwater environment, my point is heck yeah shock absorbing seats work. As long as you are in it when you hit the bumps.
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gpag
Petty Officer
Posts: 216
Sea Pro model and year: 2003 220WA
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Post by gpag on Feb 27, 2021 21:23:36 GMT -6
I've seen some of those shock absorbing seats and the price made me wonder if it would work if someone welded a seat and pedestal onto a standard car shock absorber. I've had three back surgeries and have a few fused vertebrae to show for it so I'm always looking for anything that eases back pain / strain. I've found a few things that help. First, I've learned to slow down in rough bumpy seas, 2nd: Getting a MK Ulterra was probably my best move. (for me, the self deploy and stow have prevented a lot of back troubles) 3rd: a cushioned pad at the console under your feet helps a lot too..especially if you have a leaning post. And there's always extra strength Tylenol and Jack Daniels. I’ve had one cervical fusion, a lumbar laminectomy, and looking at a fusion of L3-L4, L5-L6. You know it’s not going to be a good visit when the APRN looks at the x-ray and says “wow, your back’s a mess huh?”. Ive been looking at the Smooth Moves and Shockmaster options. Pricey but less than an electric wheelchair. In that context they sound cheap. |
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Post by freezerfiller on Feb 27, 2021 22:02:45 GMT -6
I've seen some of those shock absorbing seats and the price made me wonder if it would work if someone welded a seat and pedestal onto a standard car shock absorber. I've had three back surgeries and have a few fused vertebrae to show for it so I'm always looking for anything that eases back pain / strain. I've found a few things that help. First, I've learned to slow down in rough bumpy seas, 2nd: Getting a MK Ulterra was probably my best move. (for me, the self deploy and stow have prevented a lot of back troubles) 3rd: a cushioned pad at the console under your feet helps a lot too..especially if you have a leaning post. And there's always extra strength Tylenol and Jack Daniels. I’ve had one cervical fusion, a lumbar laminectomy, and looking at a fusion of L3-L4, L5-L6. You know it’s not going to be a good visit when the APRN looks at the x-ray and says “wow, your back’s a mess huh?”. Ive been looking at the Smooth Moves and Shockmaster options. Pricey but less than an electric wheelchair. In that context they sound cheap. Not to mention you'd still be beaten in an electric wheelchair. |
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Post by framer9 on Feb 28, 2021 18:55:43 GMT -6
I second the Jack Daniels! I put the thick kitchen sink mat from Walmart in mine , works better than the factory sea dek mat that came with it. I just plan on being down for a few days after going to the reef.
We have Aqua traction come to laser measure and install this month , hopefully it helps also.
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gpag
Petty Officer
Posts: 216
Sea Pro model and year: 2003 220WA
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Post by gpag on Mar 17, 2021 15:19:56 GMT -6
Well, decision has been made. All my boating and fishing will be done virtually this summer. Having an L3-L4-L5-S1 fusion done in April. Hoping I can at least get out on the Merrimack River, maybe a calm Boston Harbor in August.
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Post by freezerfiller on Mar 17, 2021 15:39:55 GMT -6
Sorry the timing didn't work out for you. Best of luck and heal up fast!
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Post by Juan on Mar 17, 2021 16:10:00 GMT -6
My sympathies and Good Luck to you my friend.  I had L3, 4 & 5 fused but in two separate surgeries and not all at once so I don't know how long your recovery might take but I would bet you'll be back on the water before August. |
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Post by gnrphil on Mar 17, 2021 16:18:32 GMT -6
That doesn't sound fun, wishing you a speedy recovery mate.
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yankee
Petty Officer
Posts: 229
Sea Pro model and year: 1999 SV1900CC
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Post by yankee on Mar 18, 2021 7:43:19 GMT -6
So sorry to hear this, but you sound like one tough, salty Sailor, so I bet your back up and at it quickly. Keep us updated.
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gpag
Petty Officer
Posts: 216
Sea Pro model and year: 2003 220WA
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Post by gpag on Mar 23, 2021 20:08:01 GMT -6
Surgery won’t happen until May but turns out that it will be an L1,2,3,4,5,S1 fusion. Just fusing from L3 down will put more stress on L1 and L2 which aren’t in great shape anyway. I’d need another surgery in the future to fix those. Surgeon wants to fix the back not just the current problem. He’s a great surgeon who has operated on pro athletes and rebuilt a friend’s back and got him walking again. Looking forward to an end to all my lumbar problems.
At least I’ll still be able to do some amount of work on the boat this summer and fall. Probably spend some time sitting at the wheel making motor noises while my wife sits under the bow and uses the hose to spray water like it’s cutting through waves.
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fraydknot
Master Chief
Life is a collection of Memories.
Posts: 384
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Post by fraydknot on Mar 23, 2021 21:48:02 GMT -6
Damn that’s aggressive!! Best of luck with the surgery and hoping for a speedy recovery!!!
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Post by gnrphil on Mar 28, 2021 14:46:32 GMT -6
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fraydknot
Master Chief
Life is a collection of Memories.
Posts: 384
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Post by fraydknot on Mar 30, 2021 21:37:42 GMT -6
Hope they help!! I have never see that style before
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Post by Juan on Apr 6, 2021 4:01:57 GMT -6
Best of luck. That's a lot to have done at once. Hopefully you can still tie your shoes afterward. I may be in the same boat for a while. Got an MRI scheduled in a couple weeks and will know more after that. Pain pills until then. Getting old sucks !
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gpag
Petty Officer
Posts: 216
Sea Pro model and year: 2003 220WA
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Post by gpag on May 7, 2021 16:15:38 GMT -6
Had the back surgeries done this week. One through the abdomen, done Monday, and one side approach Tuesday to remove deteriorated disk material and install replacement cages. Then the big one on Wednesday through the back to do more. disk clean-up, install more spacers, and install all the hardware needed to hold everything together until the bone grows.
Took out all the old stenosis, realigned the spine, restored its natural curvature. Pretty much rebuilt from L2 - S1.
Lying here watching X-MEN wondering why they can’t give me those types of enhancements. Though my control of metal would probably make my motor to fly off the boat and my anchor to punch through the hull .
Have a safe, fun, fish-filled season everyone. I’ll be jealously watching from the dock when I can totter down there.
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Post by gnrphil on May 7, 2021 20:19:13 GMT -6
Had the back surgeries done this week. One through the abdomen, done Monday, and one side approach Tuesday to remove deteriorated disk material and install replacement cages. Then the big one on Wednesday through the back to do more. disk clean-up, install more spacers, and install all the hardware needed to hold everything together until the bone grows. Took out all the old stenosis, realigned the spine, restored its natural curvature. Pretty much rebuilt from L2 - S1. Lying here watching X-MEN wondering why they can’t give me those types of enhancements. Though my control of metal would probably make my motor to fly off the boat and my anchor to punch through the hull . Have a safe, fun, fish-filled season everyone. I’ll be jealously watching from the dock when I can totter down there. Wishing you a good and speedy recovery mate. |
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Post by Juan on May 8, 2021 3:54:01 GMT -6
I hope you heal quickly and get back on the water soon. I got lucky this time and my problem is just muscles. On steroids for a while and sure glad I don't need another back surgery. Best of luck to ya !
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