Top tips for driving with rheumatoid arthritis - NRAS

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Top tips for driving with rheumatoid arthritis

Aribah-NRAS profile image
Aribah-NRASPartnerNRAS
10 Replies

Driving is something many of us take for granted, but imagine driving with swollen joints and pains in your hands. 😣

Read about some of our top tips to manage driving for someoone living with rheumatoid arthritis. Read the full article here 👉 nras.org.uk/resource/tips-f...

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Aribah-NRAS profile image
Aribah-NRAS
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10 Replies
helixhelix profile image
helixhelix

buy an electric car! I can drive mine with a finger-tip!

bpeal1 profile image
bpeal1

i don’t have to imagine - I do! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Runrig01 profile image
Runrig01

I don’t think anyone on this forum needs to imagine, we all live with the challenges daily. I was surprised to see the recommendation for doughnut cushions, the nhs stopped using these years ago, as they were actually found to increase pressure in the circumference area. I’ve been nursing trauma patients for over 30yrs, and we probably stopped using them 15yr ago. There are much better memory foam or igel options, such as coccyx cushions for improving comfort. It would also have been good to offer advice re people with stiff necks, and the use of extra mirrors, and when we have a duty to inform the dvla of our illness. I have compression gloves I also use when driving and my hands are uncomfortable.

Gnarli profile image
Gnarli

Invest in an egg-sitter cushion. Take the cover off, and it doesn't slip. Leave the cover on and it will go everywhere with you to make life that little bit easier

sunnyweek profile image
sunnyweek in reply to Gnarli

Not heard of this. I have to take a cushion when I go out as seats are mostly too low. Not sure what you mean about the cover. I'll have to do some researching. Thanks for the tip.

Gnarli profile image
Gnarli in reply to sunnyweek

It's basically a silicone honeycombed cushion. It's quite thin but heavy and can come with a washable cushion cover. I got mine from Amazon but similar are available from many other retailers.

in reply to sunnyweek

I have a blow up one I take out with me. Useful for soggy benches also. No idea where I got it. It’s flock so maybe an ‘outdoors’ shop.

Stills profile image
Stills in reply to

for outdoors I carry a sheet of very ‘ big air bubble’ plastic that’s used for packing, it’s waterproof, weightless, easily disposed off, cheap and folds into my handbag. It’s perfect for supporting my hips when forced to sit on hard surfaces.

Thank you 💐

Mmrr profile image
Mmrr

I have a memory foam car seat cushion that is very comfortable, it has a cut out to relieve pressure on the cocyx. Bought from Halfords.

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