Hello I'm new and wonder if anyone can advise me

dorcas12
dorcas12 Member Posts: 7
edited 9. Mar 2010, 13:56 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,I'm Dorcas and have been told I need a new hip and have arthritis of the lower back, my problem is driving, it's causing me to have numbness in my accelerator and brake foot so I'm losing confidence driving, can't judge where my foot is on the pedal or how hard I'm braking.
Has anyone else had this problem and how did you get over it, would any particular exercise help?
I'd appreciate comments from anyone please.

Comments

  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dorcas12 wrote:
    Hi,I'm Dorcas and have been told I need a new hip and have arthritis of the lower back, my problem is driving, it's causing me to have numbness in my accelerator and brake foot so I'm losing confidence driving, can't judge where my foot is on the pedal or how hard I'm braking.
    Has anyone else had this problem and how did you get over it, would any particular exercise help?
    I'd appreciate comments from anyone please.
    Hello Dorcas, I have OA in my back and hips, but I don't drive, so I cant help .
    I just wanted to say a very warm welcome to this really friendly forum.
    You will get all the support you need, and come on the chit chat zone and have a laugh with us all.
    Hope to see you posting more very soon.
    Barbara x
    Love
    Barbara
  • snowball
    snowball Member Posts: 3,465
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dorcas12 wrote:
    Hi,I'm Dorcas and have been told I need a new hip and have arthritis of the lower back, my problem is driving, it's causing me to have numbness in my accelerator and brake foot so I'm losing confidence driving, can't judge where my foot is on the pedal or how hard I'm braking.
    Has anyone else had this problem and how did you get over it, would any particular exercise help?
    I'd appreciate comments from anyone please.
    Hi Dorcas and welcome to the forum, do you get motability as they can do adaptions on your car :?:
    Julie
    ((((hugs)))) n xxxxx to ya all
  • chile168
    chile168 Member Posts: 384
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dorcas,

    Firstly I want to express a warm WELCOME to this site.

    I have RA and loads of problems with feet, lower back and hands etc. I find it extremely difficult driving manual car and understand some of the problems you are having particularly in losing confidence when out on the roads. I haven't felt numbness but I get feet and hand spasm without any warning and at times need to stop the car.

    Have you applied for DLA? If not then I hope you do because if you were awarded High Rate Mobility you would be entitled to Motability which will enable you to have an automatic car. I was told that a manual could be made automatic but it's not advisable.

    I hope you get some answers and things improve. Take care x

    Eve
  • dorcas12
    dorcas12 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barabara many thanks for your welcome note, I shall look forward to joining in. Luv D x
    barbara12 wrote:
    dorcas12 wrote:
    Hi,I'm Dorcas and have been told I need a new hip and have arthritis of the lower back, my problem is driving, it's causing me to have numbness in my accelerator and brake foot so I'm losing confidence driving, can't judge where my foot is on the pedal or how hard I'm braking.
    Has anyone else had this problem and how did you get over it, would any particular exercise help?
    I'd appreciate comments from anyone please.
    Hello Dorcas, I have OA in my back and hips, but I don't drive, so I cant help .
    I just wanted to say a very warm welcome to this really friendly forum.
    You will get all the support you need, and come on the chit chat zone and have a laugh with us all.
    Hope to see you posting more very soon.
    Barbara x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Dorcas and a big welcome to the forum!

    As Julie suggested, if you have a motability car you can be assessed for various adaptations, including hand only controls, that would allow you to continue to drive.
    The assessments are done by the Driver Assessment Centre (depends where you live) and you can be referred by your GP or rheumatologist.

    good luck! Irisx
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dorcas!

    Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear about your problems but have no suggestions because I do not drive, only ride my bicycle. Is your gp or whoever you see, aware of the numbness you suffer when driving?

    I hope you will join us more on the forum,

    Look after yourself,

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • sharmaine
    sharmaine Member Posts: 1,638
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dorcas

    Sorry for the late response to your post. Is your car a stick shift/manual or automatic? I had to sell my car a couple of years ago because I found it increasingly difficult to change gears. I now drive an automatic (not driving at the moment due to my recent TKR operation).

    Get your foot checked out by your GP.

    Take care.
    sharmaine
    dorcas12 wrote:
    Hi,I'm Dorcas and have been told I need a new hip and have arthritis of the lower back, my problem is driving, it's causing me to have numbness in my accelerator and brake foot so I'm losing confidence driving, can't judge where my foot is on the pedal or how hard I'm braking.
    Has anyone else had this problem and how did you get over it, would any particular exercise help?
    I'd appreciate comments from anyone please.
  • dorcas12
    dorcas12 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sharmaine,
    It's a manual stick shift. I'm going to look at maotability see if they can help. Unfortunately my husband is disabled and doesn't drive, my Mum is 89 and disabled and buses are non existent where I live so I'll have to sort something. Doctor just says nothing can be done about the numbness, I'll see if there are exercises I can do to help.
    Sorry to hear you're not driving at present.
    Luv d x
    sharmaine wrote:
    Hi Dorcas

    Sorry for the late response to your post. Is your car a stick shift/manual or automatic? I had to sell my car a couple of years ago because I found it increasingly difficult to change gears. I now drive an automatic (not driving at the moment due to my recent TKR operation).

    Get your foot checked out by your GP.

    Take care.
    sharmaine
    dorcas12 wrote:
    Hi,I'm Dorcas and have been told I need a new hip and have arthritis of the lower back, my problem is driving, it's causing me to have numbness in my accelerator and brake foot so I'm losing confidence driving, can't judge where my foot is on the pedal or how hard I'm braking.
    Has anyone else had this problem and how did you get over it, would any particular exercise help?
    I'd appreciate comments from anyone please.
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,884
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dorcas

    First of all a big welcome to the forums from me :)

    I lost the feeling in the whole of my rt leg before my back op so I know what you mean, but no-one relied on me to drive. I got offered lifts to fetch the kids from school (they were 5 and 8).

    I endorse the idea about mobility. There are centres you can go to where they will assess your abilty to drive and try out the different controls available. I reckon hand controls might be a good idea for you.

    Lets us know how you get on.

    Love

    Toni x
  • dorcas12
    dorcas12 Member Posts: 7
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Toni.
    Just about to look into the Motability, will let you know how it goes. Is your leg better after the op?
    Luv D x
    frogmorton wrote:
    Hi Dorcas

    First of all a big welcome to the forums from me :)

    I lost the feeling in the whole of my rt leg before my back op so I know what you mean, but no-one relied on me to drive. I got offered lifts to fetch the kids from school (they were 5 and 8).

    I endorse the idea about mobility. There are centres you can go to where they will assess your abilty to drive and try out the different controls available. I reckon hand controls might be a good idea for you.

    Lets us know how you get on.

    Love

    Toni x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,884
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Yes much better thanks I still am a bit numb on the outside of rt foot and back of knee and bit of my bum cheek :oops: but other than that - looking good :)

    Good luck with sorting out your car

    Love

    Toni xx
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, just to say welcome, I have oa in my hip and back, but haven't had your problems. Mine are weak wrists!
    Hope you will find this site helpful for you. :D
    Love Sue