Back

Patients Ankylosing spondylitis

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis

142 views
4 times supported
12 comments

cooperman

04/05/2019 at 18:01

Good advisor

cooperman

Last activity on 04/05/2025 at 17:36

Joined in 2015

24 comments posted | 8 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I am 75 years old and been driving since I was 17. I currently cover about 12 thousand miles a year but of late I am having increasing difficulty viewing traffic approaching from the right due to limited mobility of my neck. Traffic islands with roads joining at 45% give me real problems and I have to twist from the torso to see. I have no other problems when driving and was wondering if anyone else has similar difficulty and if so what have they done, if anything, to overcome this. Years ago a hospital Physio suggested that when the time came I would be able to fit specially adapted mirrors but I have so far not been able to source these. Look forward to any suggestions.

All comments

Go to the last comment

JosephineO

Community manager

06/05/2019 at 17:30

Good advisor

JosephineO

Community manager

Last activity on 15/07/2024 at 09:21

Joined in 2018

989 comments posted | 32 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

6 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Evaluator
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@cooperman Hello,

Thank you for starting this discussion, I am sure there are other members who are also suffering from problems driving because of their AS.

What about you, can you relate? @GloriaG‍ @vondes‍ @Omcneill13‍ @Barrynut‍ @Kevin24‍ @christabel23‍ @Juliewulie1957‍ @Scouserdog‍ @Bigpad‍ @Vanessas‍ @Sunique‍ @MartinOD‍ @Arjunsingh‍ @Paulphi‍ @twenty1guns‍ @Hamiltìon‍ @nickyg‍ @Cariad123‍ @neighbour‍ @Flower123‍ @Kathmorr‍ @Malkycohen‍ @Deeian‍ @malta03‍

Also, we have a helpful article about driving and AS, you can find that by clicking HERE.

See the signature

Josephine, Community Manager

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2019-05-06 17:30:58

nickyg

06/05/2019 at 20:37

Good advisor

nickyg

Last activity on 20/12/2023 at 17:44

Joined in 2016

26 comments posted | 4 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Committed
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I read up for me that I couldn't get a license because of ankolosing spondylitis.

See the signature

n griffiths

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2019-05-06 20:37:39

GloriaG

07/05/2019 at 05:54

Good advisor

GloriaG

Last activity on 28/02/2023 at 00:50

Joined in 2018

107 comments posted | 47 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

4 of their responses were helpful to members

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Messenger
Committed
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I have problems with my neck, spinal cord stenosis and have to be very careful moving my head. I sleep with a towel under my neck, no pillows except under my arms where pain is also...As I roll over then pain is very bad and goes into my shoulders and down my arms. Also if I yawn my jaw locks. Some say that's good coz I talk too much anyway lol.....but it's no joke really. Neck problems have to be treated with utmost care. Be careful on the roads....Hugs..G

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2019-05-07 05:54:58

Bigpad

08/05/2019 at 09:34

Bigpad

Last activity on 21/07/2019 at 09:06

Joined in 2018

4 comments posted | 4 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

i have exactly the same problem when yawning the pain is excruciating. This condition is like a silent assassin lol😂but it in no way a joke it’s painful.Hope you and all suffers are getting some relief

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2019-05-08 09:34:41

Scouserdog

13/05/2019 at 13:58

Scouserdog

Last activity on 21/04/2025 at 07:43

Joined in 2018

15 comments posted | 12 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Contributor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

My big problem is getting in and out of the car

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2019-05-13 13:58:06

Marmitesmum

08/07/2019 at 12:38

Marmitesmum

Last activity on 02/04/2021 at 12:52

Joined in 2019

1 comment posted | 1 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

My husband failed his driving test many years ago due to his inability to look over his shoulders (before his diagnosis of AS) and he has never driven because of this... does anyone know if they can give you help to pass ie aides to help?

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2019-07-08 12:38:46

april007

07/11/2019 at 11:42

Good advisor

april007

Last activity on 20/10/2020 at 10:23

Joined in 2017

25 comments posted | 13 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Good Advisor
Contributor
Explorer
Friend

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

I have a terribly time getting in and out of the vehicle and I find if I drive too long I get intense lower back pain, so I sold my car. Does anyone know if there's some aide available to pay for taxis or a driver (maybe that's too posh!)? Getting around is harder and harder.

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2019-11-07 11:42:54

CynthiaC

21/07/2020 at 15:15

CynthiaC

Last activity on 19/07/2021 at 16:06

Joined in 2020

4 comments posted | 4 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

Hi everyone, I think this is driving-adjacent, so I hope it's ok that I ask this here. Does anyone know if AS qualifies us for a blue badge? My AS isn't severe enough yet to impact my driving, but I've started having trouble walking from the car park to the building or shop so it would be nice to be able to park closer.

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2020-07-21 15:15:54

lawrenceJr

23/07/2020 at 15:39

lawrenceJr

Last activity on 23/07/2020 at 15:32

Joined in 2017

9 comments posted | 9 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Contributor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@CynthiaC I believe it should. I left the driving to my wife a few years ago but we don't go anywhere really besides the shops so I can manage. Maybe if you ask your local council they'll have more information? Or someone else on here knows?

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2020-07-23 15:39:24

Scouserdog

24/07/2020 at 11:36

Scouserdog

Last activity on 21/04/2025 at 07:43

Joined in 2018

15 comments posted | 12 in the Ankylosing spondylitis Forum

Rewards

Contributor
Explorer

View profileView Add a friendAdd Write

@CynthiaC I am in Australia but I have one based on the limited distance I can walk.

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/ankylosing-spondylitis/living-with-ankylosing-spondylitis/ankylosing-spondylitis-and-driving-2815 2020-07-24 11:36:36

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

07/02/2025 | Advice

AS and sleep: how can you sleep better despite the pain?

18/03/2024 | News

How does ankylosing spondylitis affect the bones?

11/03/2024 | Nutrition

The effects of diet on ankylosing spondylitis

12/01/2024 | Advice

Who should be on your ankylosing spondylitis (AS) healthcare team?

29/10/2018 | Testimonial

Using cannabis for ankylosing spondylitis

08/03/2018 | Testimonial

Living life to the fullest despite ankylosing spondylitis

25/04/2017 | Testimonial

Managing rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis

24/10/2019 | Advice

What is biologic therapy? A focused look at inflammatory diseases

Driving with ankylosing spondylitis

All comments

Give your opinion

Members are also commenting on...

Articles to discover...

Medication fact sheets - patient opinions...