All of us here are suffering from at least one disease that can leave us distracted, cause pain, limit mobility, etc. and most of us are on medications that can affect our reflexes and cognitive abilities as well. Given all these limitations, is it safe for us to drive a car? (And could we all fit in that car?
For me, whether I am safe to drive is a very individual question, and even depends on the day. I evaluate the pain and numbness in my hands and feet which might make it more difficult for me to steer and press the gas & brake pedals. I evaluate whether my pain meds (and other meds) have made me particularly drowsy or out-of it. Most days I am alright to drive, but there are some that I have not been. Initially I worried most about driving while on the pain meds, but the reality is that I find I'm a much worse driver when I'm in pain because I'm distracted by it.
When I was working, there were many days that my husband had to pick me up or take me because I knew it wasn't safe for me to drive. Now that I am home, there is less strain on me and most of my driving is to medical appointments, which I have been able to do.
What about you...are you able to drive? Are you safe to drive? How do you know?
For those of you who are no longer driving (or never drove) but would like to, there are some resources out there to help. There are low-tech solutions, like added mirrors, a soft steering wheel cover, a key turner for the ignition. There are also high-tech computerized solutions, although they may not be financially accessible without help from government programs.
In addition, there are programs that help to train disabled drivers, especially those with limited mobility, so they can drive again. From abledata.com:
"Rehabilitation Center Mobility Assessment & Training Clinics in some parts of the country routinely assess and evaluate disabled individuals for driving qualifications and potentials, and then offer those who qualify the needed on-the-road training. After road-testing and licensing, using the facility's vehicles, the patient or client is able to order his own adapted vehicle, to the clinic's tried and proven specifications. Typically, these clinics are operated for partially paralyzed people who have had strokes or spinal cord injuries. These type resources are very professional, quite economical and are highly recommended. Often, they can even qualify a client for the state-federal vocational rehabilitation programs, to pay part of all of the costs for evaluation, training and adaptive equipment. "
As an example, here's a link to a program in California:
HI Suzanne, its a tricky dilemma, should I or shouldn't I? I decided to stop driving when I almost had an accident and it was purely that my reflexes weren't quick enough and I had the kids in the car. On another trip I had sudden awful pain in my upper arm and could not even lean my arm on the window to hold the steering wheel, so I pulled over and waited for half an hour for my pain meds to kick in and went straight home. I daren't drive anymore as I really think with all the meds I am on and the fact that on any given day I can be totally disabled or partially disabled and have lots of brain fog, any accident I might get into even if its not my fault, would be hard to prove it wasn't partly my fault due to my multiple problems. It is now law in Australia to let the Dept of Motor Registry know about any physical/mental problems that could interfere with your ability to drive. So its a no for me and I know that I can't hurt anyone that way or myself. Regards Janie. Hope this helps.
My days of "I really shouldn't drive" are usually due to more of a brain fog thing, than physical limitations. And it's gotten a little worse lately. I almost got us t-boned the other day when I stopped at a stop sign, and I didn't see the truck coming. *sigh* I thought Justin was going to have a heart attack. (and rightfully so!)
The bad thing about this, is that I don't realize it's a bad day for me, until something like that happens. What happens when he's not with me?!!
I really do think if I was medicated, I'd be better. I blame a lot of my "fog" on the fatigue. I can sleep and sleep and feel like I never even touched the bed. That just can't be healthy, ya know??
Arri. Brain fog here....... Do they not have you on med's of any kind. And if not why not! I am sure you have said before ,but for the life of me I can't rememberI am on paxil and other stuff that says not to operate heavy machines, does that count? lol.
I can't drive. I wish wish wish wish I could, but even when i come into the forum and say I am doing great, it is still so bad that driving is not possible. My ankle and my knee on the right are far worse than the left, wish we drove with the left leg, then it might work.
My husband does all the driving. Before I got sick though, I drove almost all the time. It's been so long since the last time I drove. I hope I don't forget how :)
i do try though. I get in the truck and play with the peddles while the car is off. To see how going back and forth etc. does.
There are days I choose not to drive. Usually when I haven't slept well or have had to take pain meds at other than bedtime or even the middle of the night. It is usally due to being afraid that I'm not aware enough. The police here also are talking of bringing in more random drug test buses. I'm afraid I would fail a drug test. I know when I have to drive somewhere in the morning (usually to a dr appt) I know I should not be driving. The fatigue is unbelievable, I can feel my eyes closing. I try not to make any appointments before about 11 am. I know I'm not awake enough to drive before that.
Lately my neck has been bothering me more and more and I am afraid I might not turn my head enough to see what is coming in my blind spot. I know that from a couple of weeks from now I will NOT be driving for at least a month after my spinal surgery. Whether or not I will feel comfortable enough to drive again after that is anyones guess. The disc replacement makes driving a much better probablility than a fusion, so I'm hoping I will be able to get back in the car. It is one of my big fears at the moment...if I lose my mobility I will really be stuffed. The only good thing is that 2 of the jobs that I have applied for are on the train line so I could easily take public transport. I can't do that at the moment because I finish work AFTER the last bus of the evening.
This is a great topic, Innerglow. I'm surprised already at the number of people who have stopped driving, but I guess I shouldn't be. The meds don't seem to bother me too much and the leucovorin has helped with the brain fog, but I have very limited mobility in my neck and like Pammy, I worry sometimes that I can't turn my head enough to see the blind spot, and I always try to turn my head. I won't depend solely on rear view mirrors. Some days it's really tough. What really has me worried is the increasing numbness in my left leg and foot. It's not a problem for driving, but since it's moving to the right side I'm afraid driving will have to stop if I can't feel the brake pedal or have enough strength to press it down hard. The way things are going, I can see that as a definite possibility, especially having read that you, Inner, have that same problem. My meds don't affect my ability to drive. In the past when I was taking percocet I didn't drive if I took it. If I am having a flare in my wrist , elbow, shoulder I don't drive. An ankel flare doesn't interfere. So far anyway. I haven't had one in my "drivin foot" since last spring and at that time everything was flaring so I didn't drive.
I am fortunate in that I never really "have" to drive, I work for my brother and if I can't come in, he understands that. I have great neighbors who insist I call them if my daughter ever needs a ride or I need someting from the store and I can't get there. So far I haven't had to take them up on it , but it's good to know they're available if I ever do need them.
I kinda just go by this guideline....if I'm out driving the way I feel right now, will I be able to react quickly if I have to? If I get in an accident and hurt/kill someone, will I have to know for the rest of my life that I should not have been driving in the first place?" That idea of harming someone just so I can get somewhere makes me take driving very seriously. I don't think I could stand the guilt.
I don't drive anywhere near as much as I used to. Before RA one of my favorite things to do was just drive. Now I analyze every time I drive.. How do I feel, how are my toes on my rt foot.. (they affect the brake) same with that knee. for a while I couldnt reliably get that knee bent fast enough to brake safely.
The remicade has made a huge difference in my ability to drive, but I'm still making driving decisions every day.
I LOVE LOVE driving, it really relaxes me.. I don't have a car, sniff... and it drives me crazy!!
Even tho i'm close to the bus line, it doesn't really help, if I can't walk enough or carry stuff, ya know.
I did rent this fab car, in Dec and have to tell you all about it.. they just gave it to me ..
and FANTASTIC if you have wrist, shoulder problems, ..
its the TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID, very very cool and easy to drive.
Keycard slot for the ignition, nothing to turn and on the dashboard, is just a knob
to put it in drive or reverse.. very simple!!
and it looks small, yes, but thats deceptive, inside its really roomy, and w/ the hatch
automatically opening, managed to find a white wicker chest, out by the trash, great condition and it fit in easily.
I love driving sticks, but.. that is in the past.. so i really have to suggest looking into a
Toyota Prius.. and it got 50 MPG!!! weeeeeeeeeeee~~ not to mention fun to drive and sooo easy to fit into parking spaces!!
I love driving too, Whispered!! If I have an open road. I woudn't be sad if I never had to sit in traffic on Ford road again.Right now my driving is control by my pain level. The doctor isn't happy that I'm driving and wants me to stop. If I stop, then I can't get my pre-op stuff done. Alot of the time, it hurts to step on the brake as the pain shoots down from the hip. Then I get the terrible groin pain too. I don't drive if my vicodin is making me spacy or light headed. Plus, if I'm pulled over by the police, I could be sited for DUI.
When I do drive, I stay off of the interstates and do just a short trip. Took my car in for a oil change and was told that I needed to drive the car more as it's a 2002 model with only 28,000 mils on it.
So, if you're driving, please be careful as we can't always tell when we're DUI.
marisa
DUI is always a scary possibility, but the possibility of getting into an accident is scarier. I'm always extra careful when I drive, but when I'm on new meds, and I'm not sure how they'll affect me, I don't drive until I've gotten used to them.
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