Another EMF Question in Gen 3 - Please Help!!!

There seems to be way too many people in these forums that post the oddest things. Many try to make the Prius out as a horrible car full of issues.

This person drove 4 miles and had an issue with their leg. I have a 2010 Prius with close to 40,000 miles and zero issues with my leg. There are many Prius owners with out any issues. I predict you have a medical issues outside of the Prius. I suggest you see a doctor before blaming all your issues on the Prius.

 

Good Grief!

 

Many years ago I injured my lower back lifting a heavy object. With a compressed disk in my lower back, I sometimes have a difficult time sitting for long periods of time with dull pain in my rear end sometimes radiating down to my left foot. Consequently, I am fully aware that small changes in seating position can radically affect comfort, especially in an automobile.

Try moving your seat forward or back and/or change the seat back angle. Small changes in seating position will affect the blood circulation in your lower body.

I seriously doubt that there is an EMF issue.

Good luck,

Keith

 

Sciatica. Try wearing your wallet in a front pocket.

 

You're exposed to far greater EM fields from many other sources. This is a case of the great unknown causing fear, simply because it's different. Others have made great suggestions; a wallet, the way you're sitting, the adjustment of your seat... Keep in mind that you are not perfectly symmetrical, nor is your manner of sitting, especially while operating the pedals, so there's no reason that ergonomics must (or is even necessarily likely) to cause pain on both sides.

One of the interesting things that has happened in many cases of supposed EHS is that the individual is often proven to not be sensitive to the fields themselves, but rather the idea of the fields; such as the lady who claimed to have been unable to sleep for weeks after a new cell tower was installed - only to have it revealed that the cell tower had actually been powered down for the whole time since her initial complaint.

That said, it's not much help to tell somebody in that position that it's all in their head; it doesn't matter to her whether she can't fall asleep due to the EM fields, or due to the idea that the EM fields might affect her.

In any case, try a few things like a cushion, or different pants, or different posture while driving, or lining the passenger cabin with tinfoil. If nothing else works, it doesn't really matter whether it's EM or ergonomics, does it? If you're uncomfortable beyond your tolerance when you drive, then your best option might be to sell the car.

 

Sorry to hear this:

There are multiple sources of such symptoms. For example, blood constriction needing a seat adjustment or even a seat change or using cruise control and shifting your weight in the seat from time-to-time. But this assumes a physiological cause which has been reported in the past.

By all means, get tested. I suspect there many fine folks who for a modest fee will calibrate your EHS scale. But this will be done in a lab within a Faraday cage. EMF/EMI sensitivity won't be limited to just one car and more than a few gas-only cars have higher levels.

Sell the car.

We've seen reports of folks who tried seat cushions and after market seats to solve a fit problem with the car. But they often spent a lot of money for marginal results. If you want a hybrid car, look at the Ford Fusion or Camry hybrid that both have excellent reputations. Although too small for us, the Honda Insight is a another option.

Don't rule out 'handling' as some folks prefer an 'impulse' ride . . . a car with strong responses to steering, accelerator and brake inputs. I can't explain it but they really prefer a different suspension tuning, steering ratio and layout . . . and noise.

One suggestion, rent the potential replacement cars and repeat the 4 hour trip. I know Camry can be rented and suspect the Ford Fusion may also be available as a gas rental, not hybrid. Use rental to find a car that fits and then do the best deal you can with the Prius.

Understand your problem with the Prius is not a problem I nor many folks in a Prius community share. We tend to 'self-select' and those who choose a different ride wander off to other places. We are social to the extent we share a fondness for our Prius ride.

I've found the Prius low vibration and quiet comfortable. Using cruise control, I can drive 14-24 hours, 750-1,000 miles, and arrive not feeling 'beat up.' But then I tend to drive the speed limit and use trucks as pacing vehicles. After the first three to four hour segments, I tend to drive in two to three hour legs and get out for a bathroom, walk around, and beverage break. But I've also ridden with folks who prefer a different style.

Many years ago, I used to commute to Huntsville with a co-worker:

• 12 hour and 30 minute trip
• 1 break for 30 minutes in middle
• speed +85 mph on 75 mph posted Interstate
• only he would drive his 'pony' car

I typically did the same 750 mile trip in 14 hours with at least three breaks and well identified refueling stops to get the cheapest gas. Depending upon weather, I would switch from the interstate to state road to avoid rain or snow.

Seriously, do some 'due diligence' and find a car that meets your expectations and fit and sell the Prius. It is a lot easier than trying to keep a vehicle that for whatever reason doesn't make you happy.

Bob Wilson

 

My guess would be, in this order, a low-back issue (such as sciatica) compressing a nerve, or, less likely but potentially more serious, the beginnings of a deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). You have a II - I specifically upgraded to the IV for the seats for my back issues, and honestly I find the seats in a II or III like sitting in a wheelbarrow (sorry, II and III owners, just my opinion) and it is bad for the back.

Regarding the DVT issues, do you have any history of this in your family? Did you make the whole trip without any stops, and if so, did it get worse? Did it feel like your leg 'went asleep' from lack of blood flow? How, if I may ask, old are you?

My Dad had a DVT and it damn near killed him. Basically, it is a long blood clot that forms in the deep vein in the calf of the leg, can grow up above the knee, and if so can break off and cause a pulmonary embolism, which can kill you faster than you can say 'EMF'. I'd advise getting it checked out w/ a doc asap. It is far more likely to take you out than EMF, if the latter even is an issue.

Good luck, and keep us posted. Also, get out of the car every half hour or hour or so and walk around, even for just a few minutes.

~T

 

How many pins do you have in your right leg? Do you attract small metal objects like paper clips as you walk through office buildings?

On a more serious note...

I get a pain in my knee when I drive my Fit for long distances, but it's because the seat does not go back far enough and my leg sits cocked to the right when my foot is on the accelerator. The Prius has considerably more leg room and my leg sits straighter while driving. I find it much more comfortable while driving long distances.

As others have pointed out, have you tried taking your wallet out of your back pocket while driving? I do, and it make the seat much more comfortable. You don't mention what you previously drove, but maybe the seats had softer cushioning (or were just wider) and did not apply pressure to the bulk of the wallet. The specific, focused pressure applied by your weight on the wallet as you sit my be restricting blood flow to your leg, or may be applying pressure to a nerve that runs to your lower leg. Either could result in symptoms similar to what you are describing... I would explore these possibilities before self-diagnosing yourself with some rare exotic syndrome...

 

:tinfoil3:= the safe way to drive a Prius.

 

Boston to New York? Curse of the Bambino?

 

What does EMF stand for? Is it Extreme Methanol Farts?

 

Electromagnetic field.

As for the OP: It may be the car, but it's not EMF.

Tom

 

princetonprius1 your agenda is clear. Bash the Prius. Your first post on Prius Chat is how your leg hurt after a short trip in the Prius. Now you are lecturing on why EMF is bad with your 3rd post.

Take your “I hate the Prius views elsewhereâ€

 

The double thickness foil hat, in conjunction with a heavy duty paper clip grounding device will work every time! I guarantee it! When it works, you can send the money to me in Nigeria. Thanks.

 

Uh, to the OP.

You are driving a new car, less than a week old.

You are experiencing a sensation in your leg after sitting in a new vehicle seat for X period of time.

Why are you seemingly defaulting to the idea that this has anything to do with EMF? It seems much more likely that it simply a LCI...or a Leg Circulation Issue.

Try adjusting your seat, or a cushion or simply getting out and stretching before worrying about EMF or shielding your vehicle.

 

exactly!!!

 

a small percent of people will be overly sensitive to many things in this world. i read that flourescent lighting can give some people ms like symptoms. i would sell the car. if you want to drive it back to boston, i would be interested.