FLU VACCINE AND METHOTREXATE
It's that time of year again when GP'S are starting to do their Seasonal Flu Vaccine clinics and it is important for anyone with Inflammatory Arthritis to have their vaccine, especially if you are taking any of the immune supressing medications.
The Islands Rheumatology Team are also advising patients that are on Methotrexate to stop it for two weeks after their flu vaccine as research has shown that by doing this the effect of the flu vaccine is improved. Stopping Methotrexate for only two weeks also won't increase your disease activity. Folic Acid that is usually taken along side Methotrexate can be continued as usual.
Fliers advising patients on this are available in the Rheumatology Department.
It's that time of year again when GP'S are starting to do their Seasonal Flu Vaccine clinics and it is important for anyone with Inflammatory Arthritis to have their vaccine, especially if you are taking any of the immune supressing medications.
The Islands Rheumatology Team are also advising patients that are on Methotrexate to stop it for two weeks after their flu vaccine as research has shown that by doing this the effect of the flu vaccine is improved. Stopping Methotrexate for only two weeks also won't increase your disease activity. Folic Acid that is usually taken along side Methotrexate can be continued as usual.
Fliers advising patients on this are available in the Rheumatology Department.
PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENT
From the 8th April 2013 a new benefit called Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was introduced. This is to replace Disability Living Allowance for disabled people aged 16yrs to 64yrs.
WHAT IS PIP?
PIP is designed to help disabled people to live more independently and support those with the greatest need. It is to help people meet the extra costs that come from having a long-term health condition or disability i.e ill health or disability that is expected to last 12 months or longer.
PIP will be made up of 2 components:
1st - Daily Living Component
2nd - Mobility Component
Each component will have two rates - Standard and Enhanced.
ASSESSMENT
PIP is awarded based on the effect a long-term health condition or disability has on a persons daily life. To help gain a clear understanding of this claimants are asked to complete a form describing how their condition or disability affects them. Supporting evidence and details of anyone that might be able to advise on their situation can also be included. Most people are asked to attend a face-to-face consultation with a health professional as part of their claim.
Atos IT Services UK Ltd is carrying out the face-to-face consultations in Scotland, North East and North West England and Southern England.
All of this information is then used to decide if PIP can be awarded. If successful then the claimants award is reviewed over time to make sure it is still correct and continues to meet their needs.
EXISTING DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE CLAIMANTS
If you report a change in your health condition or disability, or you are reaching the end of an existing Disability Living Allowance award and you have not received a Disability Living Allowance renewal letter then you will be asked to make a claim for PIP.
People with a lifetime or indefinite disability living allowance award have begun to be invited to claim PIP. You do not need to do anything now until the DWP write to you inviting you to claim PIP. When you receive this letter do not ignore it because if you don't respond to it then your disability living allowance will stop.
For further information check out the Department for Work and Pensions Website: www.dwp.gov.uk/policy/disability/personal-independence-payment/
NEW JIA WEBSITE
The National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society has launched a new website for children and families that are affected by Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. It provides information on the condition, how it is managed and living with it. Click on the link to check it out www.jia.org.uk
MEDICATION AND DRIVING
In March 2015 new laws on driving whilst taking medication came into practice. It is now illegal in England and Wales to dive with legal drugs in your body if they impair your driving. If you are taking any of the following medication;
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Lorazepam
- Methadone
- Morphine or Opiate and Opiod-based drugs, e.g. Codeine, Tramadol or Fentanyl
- Oxazepam
- Temazepam
then you should speak to your doctor about driving if you feel that the medication is impairing your ability to drive. (Always read the advice leaflet with your medication before you drive as this will provide information on what symptoms to look out for).
You should be able to drive after taking these drugs if you have been prescribed them by a healthcare professional and you are taking them as directed and they aren't causing you to be unfit to drive. The goverments department of transport suggest that you carry proof of your prescribed medication with you in the car, for example a repeat prescription, in case you are ever stopped.
In March 2015 new laws on driving whilst taking medication came into practice. It is now illegal in England and Wales to dive with legal drugs in your body if they impair your driving. If you are taking any of the following medication;
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Flunitrazepam
- Lorazepam
- Methadone
- Morphine or Opiate and Opiod-based drugs, e.g. Codeine, Tramadol or Fentanyl
- Oxazepam
- Temazepam
then you should speak to your doctor about driving if you feel that the medication is impairing your ability to drive. (Always read the advice leaflet with your medication before you drive as this will provide information on what symptoms to look out for).
You should be able to drive after taking these drugs if you have been prescribed them by a healthcare professional and you are taking them as directed and they aren't causing you to be unfit to drive. The goverments department of transport suggest that you carry proof of your prescribed medication with you in the car, for example a repeat prescription, in case you are ever stopped.
