Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Something Clap said in the other thread about driving strikes a chord with me because driving is one of my biggest concerns.

Who is still driving and who isn't?

If you are, how do you make it more comfortable? Safer?

If you aren't, when and why did you stop?

Still driving. No choice.

My biggest comfort is my heated seat, but I know others who put that swivel thing on the seat to get in and out of the vehicle. Seatbelt cushions and extender pullers, cushioned grips for steering wheels, and I believe they even have key extenders.

Here are some ideas:

http://www.mobilitycorner.com/adaptive-devices-to-make- driving-easier.html

I drive about 50% less then I used to. Mine is not all due to RA though. When in a RA flare, I don't drive when I feel it is unsafe for me and others. Fatigue, pain, depression, lack of concentration...all can lead to disaster. Sure there are times the flares aren't so bad and driving is okay but in heavy flares it is just not safe.

What has affected my driving the most is Cervical Dystonia. This is completely unsafe and I have gone weeks not being able to drive and during good weeks I can drive 3 or 4 days. Of course, I never know what days those will be so my plans change constantly. Can't drive far anymore either..ever. 15 minute trips at the most. Anymore then that and muscles and nerves flare for atleast 36 hours and I am crippled with nerve pain in the eyes. It is never safe to drive when you can't move or turn your head.

Bottom line...if you feel unsafe driving, you shouldn't be. You are putting youself and others at risk. I know it's hard not to do especially if you work or have kids but that one accident that someone gets hurt in because you didn't call in to work or tell your kid he's not playing ball today, will be nothing but regret that you knew better.

I could not drive from 2005 until 2010 due to my spinal injury and a knee replacement. Only six months after I was doing some limited driving maybe two or three time a week, I had to have the other knee done - it was my "driving" knee! I drive a lot more since we moved from my parents' house just over a year ago.

But I cannot always do so safely. I live in the extreme outer rural suburbs, and to get anywhere is at least a 30 minute drive. In order to make medical appointments, I have to not take my regular pain meds (narcotics) and try to get by on tramadol. It's sometimes just not doable at all.

I do have a bar to help me in/out of the car, and I steer with a hand device for unrelated nerve damage suffered decades ago. But yes, I don't drive more that once or twice a week now.

RAD hit me fast and hard. Especially my hands.

I stopped driving in 2007 (Iwas 49) because it hurt too badly to grip steering wheel.

I still can't hold a magazine or book without excruitating pain.

Pain meds have helped alot as long as I don't try to make a fist.

Just a year before we had bought my dream car. A beautiful brand new silver sebrig convertabile. I adored it and loved driving with the top down.

That lasted one year. Sigh.

To keep my independence I made a deal with Cassie (DIL and caregiver) she could keep my car with the understanding she was to be my driver when needed.

It has worked out well.

Of course, Chuck will take me anywhere I want to go, but that feels like a dependence to me...which it is. but, having Cassie as my driver in my car feels like independence.

She lives down my driveway so is always close.

I grieved for a long time and riding by her home seeing my car cut me deeply.

But I still felt blessed having the arrangement we have.

It is still my car. She is my driver. Thus, I have maintained independence.

Hugs

I did need new car, Had the last one 7 years. I could see the rpm's going up on some of the commuting. And on rainy days it would not hold an idle.

The new car a 2012, has a rear back up camera, heated steering wheel and heated seat up to my mid back. I can plug in a heating pad to. All these help as I have to drive most days M-F.

It's my right ankle that bothers me the most. I have a large cyst over both my ankles and they are getting bigger. I have shown all the Dr's They say it is nothing to worry about. I can't help wanting them drained at least once. To make driving more comfy I wrap my ankle and wear slippers.

I was scared to drive when I had the side effects for Enbrel. Told my son where the emergency light button was and to put it in neutral, also to steer the road. We took back streets so I wasn't going to fast. Prayed nothing happened.PTL

I have 2.5 or 3 years left that I have to drive. Then I'm turning in my car, and my license. So my husband will know I'm serious about not driving.I figured out that we have many services that will bring food to our home. Jenny Craig or Pea Pod delivery from a grocery store. If I really need it, our area has taxi service.

Counting down

I recently had my truck for sale. Thought I would get a smaller car good on gas. Easier to get in and out of. It would still have cost me thousands extra to do the switch. After thinking about it, I decided to just keep the truck. I very seldom drive now. Spend only around $80 a month in gas. There's a good chance that my neck will end driving completely. It would hurt to spend so much only to not be able to drive the car at all eventually.

I am still driving, I really have no choice.

Getting to work can be a struggle as my ankles hurt and my hands hurt, so I usually have to keep switching hands on the steering wheel.

My hubby has driven me to work when I just could not touch the steering wheel, but that is not possible all the time...he works also...

I struggle driving home from work, the fatigue and the pain can just be too tough to make it home and if this happens I have to pull over and rest for a while and try again..if this does not work, I have to call my hubby or my daughter and they will come to pick me up...I really do not like leaving my car in a shopping center parking lot...

So, I try to endure the drive home by turning up the radio, chewing gum, and hope my yawning stops....