While visiting rheumie several months ago I mentioned driving and he told me I may never drive again and why would I want to considering how bad the traffic is.Now I'm wondering if being on pred is a factor.Does anyone in the forum drive? If I can't then my independance is gone.Thanks for your kind advice
Can I drive: While visiting rheumie several months... - PMRGCAuk
Can I drive
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ancientprune
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Have you got sight problems? Did your rheumy explain why he thought you would never drive again? I never thought about stopping driving except when I had a hip replacement and had to wait six weeks after the op.
I guess I was so surprised by his answer[he had told me at beginning of diagnosis he would tell me when I could drive} that I never thought to ask.I will go by how I feel from now on. My eyes are fine only readers needed and no other issues I know ofSo guess It's up to me.Thank you for your encouragement.
Just carry on driving unless someone gives a very good reason why you shouldn’t!
Eyesight is a legitimate reason. I suppose a high GCA dose of pred is also. But normal moderate to low dose pred shouldn't have any effect on your driving abilities. However I do recall using my recently started 15 mg of pred as a reason to escape jury duty back in 2015 
On what grounds? I took myself off the road until my concentration was good enough on much lower doses.
Me too!
Me too! ...although as much because pain to great to make the over-the-shoulder check essential on a motorcycle.
in reply to ignatz
I miss our motorbike days, once the RA in my hips and wrists made it too uncomfortable we swapped it for a convertible with heated seats which are great for stiff joints 🏍
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer
Many of us drive!
I did stop for a 3-4 months early days , but that was because I was on extremely high doses for GCA and had lost sight in right eye!
Once I felt confident I restarted…..okayed by son who came out with me for a test drive, following eye test (necessary for driving in UK) and relevant government authority re monocular sight.
Few months later my husband was seriously ill and then passed away…so have driven ever since, apart from , like piglette six weeks recovery time following knee , hip and shoulder replacements.
Why has Rheumy given you that information?
I don't know,perhaps because of my age but I see him next month so will ask him why then
Ok, Well you’ve had lots of advice…..so really if there is nothing untoward, then the choice is yours…..you know your health, surroundings, circumstances etc..
There's nothing about PMR/GCA, or pred to stop you from driving, unless you're having trouble with movement or sight. Personally, I don't drive in tight quarters or at high speeds anymore, but will certainly drive in places where I know the roads well. Long drives are out because I get too stiff and sore sitting in one position for too long. Long before PMR came along, I stopped driving when I didn't feel "up to snuff". I live in New York, where if you make a 6 inch mistake you can take out a bus and a couple of trucks, so I've always been cautious.
I do miss just jumping in the car and wandering out into the country for hours.
Good Grief good morning.
I imagine NY has the same problems as living in central London.
It’s easier to take a taxi.
My daughter lives in central London and often uses taxis. No parking problems.
Pre-pandemic, when we were in town most of the time, we took the subway or walked everywhere. The car lived in the garage (at rates that rival apartment rents)to be used on weekends to take us out to the beach house.
Now that we live at the beach, we walk everywhere unless we're carrying too much stuff.
Even easier by tube!
Unfortunately there's only one train in each direction from the city to the beach most of the week. There are a couple more runs on Fridays and Sundays in the summer for the weekenders, but of course they're jammed.
in reply to GOOD_GRIEF
One inch mistake is enough even on local roads I’m sorry to say.
However - it applies to probably half of drivers these days.
Thankyou for for sharing.I feelthe same way.I'll only go short distances and not at night.I feel like such a burden always having my daughters take me about.
I'm sure they didn't even think about themselves being a burden on you as you carted them hither and yon when they were kids.
Of the many things I've learned from PMR, letting the people who love you do what they can to help you is actually a kindness to them. They want to help you, and are frustrated when you won't let them. So let them. Yes, it's great for us to keep as much of our independence as we can, but let's not be foolish about it.
I agree. My ambit includes and is largely limited to, supermarkets, various medical care places and my hairdresser! Neither hubby nor I drive out of our comfort zone any more. In fact hubby was told this morning that his eyesight is such that he can't legally drive at all any more, unless some new drops sort out his most recent difficulties. We will be calling on our sons for transportation more often in the future but so far have tried to avoid imposing. On the other hand, if it is better to give than to receive, look on it this way: when we ask our children to help us out we are giving them the gift of being able to give to us. 
Rev up the motor, Pedal to the metal and get to another rheumatologist! Beep Beep!
Unless you have some pre-existing issues that would make driving hard, there is no reason from PMR/CGA or pred not to drive. I have PMR for a long time and never stopped driving, except for a short period just before being diagnosed, when I had hard time even walking. As soon as pred removed pain ( 1 week) I was able to resume driving.
Get another rheumy it seems is common on here. I'm not due to see mine till nov. 12th that's 5 months after diagnosis. Seems they are very busy. Not sure I even want to see him now I've found this forum.
That is fast. My next appointment is January 6 2022. First free slot they could manage! Booked as a 2 month follow up on June 24.
All you got to do is remember this: What is the difference between God and a rheumatologist???? God doesn't make out to be a rheumatologist! And so before you head into see the annointed one just recite that a few times and you see him/her in a totally different light as the halo over his/her head will be no longer shining!
HA HA HA Love this and will keep it in mind when I see him next month
Hi Ancientprune
I drive , I need to for work. The only time I stopped was for around 6 weeks when I couldn't turn my head enough to consider myself able to reverse and lookout at junctions.
Once on 15-20mg pred all ok and back driving and didn't have to tell DVLA any of it.
Is there something else going on that is stopping you?
Brain fog encourages me to casually drive into trees, walls, pedestrians..
I didn’t even think about stopping driving! I drove our motorhome from home in the New Forest to North Devon a few weeks ago. It’s a four hour drive, and last part through tiny winding roads. I guess it depends on your level of brain fog, & concentration etc. I don’t have GCA, obviously that could make a difference.
I couldn’t drive just before I was prescribed Pred. because I was racked with pain and too stiff to get into the car. As soon as I had taken a few days of Pred, I was able to get behind the wheel again and living where I do I couldn’t survive without a car.
If you feel OK driving, there is nothing to stop you.
I’m 78 years old and I drive. Just have to be extra careful.
PMRproAmbassador
What was his justification for saying that? PMR never stopped me driving though I had to make more effort to turn to look over my shoulder before driving off!But given most people don't ...
I did stop driving for a while before the diagnosis was made but it was nothing to do with the PMR - and it was incorrect advice on the part of the doctor to boot. It was horrendous - we had just moved to a house with only one toilet, upstairs. By the time I'd dealt with stairs multiple times a day I had no chance of getting out of the house, I couldn't walk far enough to get to a bus, couldn't have got on it if I had, and could envisage getting stuck in the town which is all hills. So I stayed at home ... Alone.
Only thing that stopped me driving was a left hip replacement following an accident. So I bought an automatic car and off I went again! Maybe your rheumy thought he was being funny ..........
..not sure they do "funny" 🤦♀️
Indeed.
They seem to do "funny peculiar" - far too often
Also true!
I was never told not to drive but my morning stiffness, grogginess when tapering and general fatigue meant that I decided not to drive. Unfortunately, my pmr diagnosis followed on a few months after I had broken my right arm and so I had already not driven for a few months all of which resulted in a crippling lack of driving confidence and I used to love to drive. If you feel ok and confident then drive - best wishes
in reply to Arflane97G
If you are in the UK you can take advanced driver courses to hone your skills and confidence
Hi, Well I drive, I’ve not been told I can’t so I carry on.
I agree with others on this forum, get another rheumatologist.
Providing you feel safe to drive, carry on. It’s bad enough having this illness without taking away our driving abilities.
Xx
I drive! I see you call yourself ancientprune... but unless you are more ancient than my mom was, drive on.....she was still driving (well, I might add) at 97!
Wow!
My grandsons named me ancient prune as a joke and I loved it so keep it as this password but I really am ancient 85 and this disease has made me look like a prune
I don’t drive as much as l used to as we tend to go out n about together. Before l was diagnosed l couldn’t turn my head to reverse so as l have a Convertible l used to drop the roof so l didn’t have to turn 😉But l had to stop driving before diagnosis as l could barely walk & my leg muscles were so tight!
Once l improved l drove more but nothing like l used to pre PMR…..
Yes I drive. Never been told not to for any reason. I only have PMR and in Pred
I stopped driving when my Pred-induced cataract took out the sight on my right eye, but was back behind the wheel again once I’d had surgery.
I’m 72, have six cars to include two Corvettes and a Porsche. I’ll stop driving when the hearse drives me to the cemetery!
Hi ancientprune, yes i still drive. only stopped for a short while until pain was under control with the pred. The only thing i had to tell DVLA was about having monocular vision which is a long standing thing with me.
I carry on driving, but have parked (!) driving at night. It doesn’t help that in my village there are no street lights. Makes walking as dangerous as driving!,
I am still driving, been on Pred for 6 yrs now. Where I live the nearest bus stop is half a mile away down a steep hill, where the shops are. During the pandemic I have had my shopping delivered in order to avoid mixing with people, but I still need to drive to get me and my hubby to medical appointments, also to meet up with my sisters (in my bubble).
Hubby has just ordered a mobility scooter to use on the pavements, his sight is too bad to drive a car, and he gets dizzy walking too far. He's the first in the family to get an electric vehicle!
From one ancient prune to another - if you feel confident keep going! I stopped for a while before diagnosis because I was so stiff and aching I worried that having got behind the wheel I would never get out again. Also as others have said, felt stiff neck was a potential danger for reversing, craning round at road junctions to see what was coming, etc. But once pred kicked in and agility sort of returned, I was off again, including in central London. Hate the implication we are too old for some activity when we really are not, and I bet you do too! Just go carefully!
in reply to bussell
I’m afraid careful is not enough, absolute safety is the minimum. I’m 59 and was a late starter at 29. The current online hazard perception tests learners must pass defeat me. Regardless of health or meds we should all consider how safe others are when we are driving. One tiny slip up could ruin lives forever. Road safety should not be offset against independence and convenience. Sorry if this is a harsh truth.
From Ancient Prune---Thank everyonefor the encouragement.When fitst diagnosed there was so much pain,stiffness and dizziness I couldn't then the Covid struck and no one went any where.I live between Philadelphia and Wash.DC so there was a a lot of rioting and looting going on around us so we stayed close to home.Haven't driven for almost 2 yrs. but don't want to be a hermit anymore so I'm ready to bite the bullet.Need to stop shopping on line and get back to a real store.You all are so appreciated and I'm grateful for all your help.
Maybe a short refresher course with a driving instructor? Can only help with your confidence.
I think borednow has a point - I have driven all through, no choice. But if I hadn't for a couple of years I htink I might have a couple of sessions with a driving instructor for an assessment,
So sorry to hear you have been told this. I was diagnosed wGCA in April 2020 (life changing in negative way)- but have always driven and never advised otherwise. Hope this helps
I continued to drive and ride when on a high enough dose of Prednisolone; gave up voluntarily due to stiffness and brain fog on low dose; never advised by any medic to stop driving because of PMR.
Currently on 30mg pred (was on 60) and drive, the only time I would not drive is when I take cocodomol very occasionally
I think the question is not CAN I but SHOULD I drive, Driving is not about independence or convenience it’s about safety - yours, other drivers and pedestrians. More accidents happen on local roads than others so if you feel comfortable it does not mean you should feel safe. One tiny little mistake can result in tragedy for yourself and others with life’s ruined for the sake of a taxi or bus ride. If I’m harsh it’s because I’m right snd it’s a difficult thing to accept, My husband is a retired fatal collision police inspector and just one day in his boots would make any hesitant driver take the bus.
ancientprune in reply to
thank you and I so agree with you.If I don't feel safe for the sake of others I'll stay home
HeronNS in reply to
Exactly why I've limited my places to drive - only well-known routes because although I know I still have lightning-fast reflexes I'm always afraid there will be one distraction too many on our cluttered streets and I'll run into a pedestrian or cyclist. I started driving hubby and myself home from our son's home after dinner when one time he stopped dead in the middle of an intersection because he couldn't see which side of the road to go along. He denies this, but it happened. I'm relieved the eye specialist has told hem not to drive for now. I'm sure he's depressed about it, though, and I do hope the problem turns out to be temporary, but he still should never drive after dark any more, nor on fast highways.
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