Living with arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition (e.g. back pain, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia) can sometimes affect your ability to drive comfortably. Joint stiffness, fatigue and muscular aches and pains can make driving difficult and painful.
Summary. A person living with RA does not have to stop driving altogether as long as they feel that they can safely and comfortably operate their vehicle. Various approaches can make driving easier, including the use of assistive devices in the vehicle.
Yes, most people can drive safely with arthritis. It depends on which joints are affected, and how well you and your doctor are able to manage your condition. Your doctor cares about your health and safety, and will work with you and your loved ones to manage your care.
Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease, which means that your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation (painful swelling) in the affected parts of the body.
If you suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, it is covered under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and you may be eligible for their funding to utilise our support services. The eligibility and level of funding will depend on the severity of your functional disability and needs.
Money and benefits
if you have a job but cannot work because of your condition, you're entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer for up to 28 weeks. if you do not have a job and cannot work because of your condition, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint. Other triggers can include bone spurs, stress, repetitive motions, cold weather, a change in barometric pressure, an infection or weight gain. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the skin and joints.
Research shows that foods high in saturated fat, omega-6 fats, sugar, and salt could intensify arthritis symptoms. Instead, aim for a diet full of vegetables, fruit, omega-3s, and whole grains to help reduce inflammation in your joints. Harvard Health Publishing.
But exercise is one of the key treatments to help reduce the disability often associated with rheumatoid arthritis. Regular exercise can boost strength and flexibility in people who have rheumatoid arthritis. Stronger muscles can better support your joints, while improved flexibility can aid joint function.
Overexertion, poor sleep, stress or an infection like the flu can all set off RA symptoms. With a predictable flare you'll temporarily feel worse, but your symptoms will resolve in time. Unpredictable flares have more uncertainty associated with them.
The typical case of rheumatoid arthritis begins insidiously, with the slow development of signs and symptoms over weeks to months. Often the patient first notices stiffness in one or more joints, usually accompanied by pain on movement and by tenderness in the joint.
People describe it as being overwhelming and uncontrollable. They feel worn out and drained of energy, and sometimes even lose all interest in anything. It can increase the need for sleep and make it hard to concentrate or do anything.
Fortunately, RA is a treatable and manageable condition. It might pose some limitations, but it does not have to take over every aspect of your life. Even with disease progression, it surprisingly gets easier to recognize changes, work with limitations, and enjoy life with and despite RA.
How long do RA flares last? The length of time an RA flare lasts can vary widely, from a few hours to several days or weeks. If a flare does not improve after 7 days, it may be a good idea to contact a physician. The doctor may suggest adjusting the person's medication.
Many people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can silence their symptoms and halt progression of the disease thanks to biologics, targeted DMARDs and more aggressive treatment approaches. Yet some patients who achieve remission struggle to sustain it.
Give it a rest.
However, when you are experiencing a flare, sometimes the best thing you can do for your arthritis is rest and allow your body to recharge. Finding balance between activity and rest is especially important during a flare.
A person with RA may feel intense pain in their joints during flares. This can feel like sustained pressure, a burning sensation, or a sharp pain. However, people with RA may also experience periods of remission when they feel few to no symptoms. In addition to causing joint pain, RA can affect the whole body.
“If you notice that you cannot move your joints as much or as easily as before, even if you don't have swelling or pain, your RA may be getting worse,” says Dr. Ghosh. Changes in the way joints look or function, which do not improve with changes in RA treatment, can be a sign of disease progression, says Dr. Wallace.
No blood test can definitively prove or rule out a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, but several tests can show indications of the condition. Some of the main blood tests used include: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) – which can help assess levels of inflammation in the body.
Is Arthritis a Disability? Simply being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis does not qualify you for disability. However, if your ability to work is greatly affected or impaired by your condition, then with the proper documentation, you may be entitled to SSA disability benefits.