Driving??

Hi I am also new to this site..after reading messages I have noticed no mention of when anybody has been able to start driving!

Has anybody resumed???

Thanks..B

[jeanjeannie50]

Welcome to the forum.

Do you mean when can you resume driving after an ablation?

Jean

[Hidden]

Hello betthedresser and welcome.

The first thing to know about AF (apart from the fact that it can be very much less fatal / life changing / catastrophic than it might seem at first) is that it is not one size fits all. AF affects us in different ways and some of us drive, some of are unwilling to do so and some have been told not to. It all depends on the severity of the AF we get. Some of us have it mildly all the time, others have AF every now and then and for some it can be debilitating. Many people have AF and are so asymptomatic that they are not aware that they have it.

The second thing is that medical opinion can differ and indeed there's often a wide range of views expressed on the forum.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Am asking if anybody has started driving ..after a period of time only??

Thank you..

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I think the forum has some professional drivers who have been permitted to carry on driving after temporary licence suspension on account of AF.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for info..but still would like to know if anybody had a short or long time to get reinstated to drive??

[Janith in reply to Hidden]

I have had two episodes in almost one year ... the first one happened when l was alone ... at four in the morning ... l drove myself to the emergency and drove myself back and haven’t stopped driving ... hadn’t occurred to me that l should not drive!!

[doodle68 in reply to Janith]

Hi Janith I think you are in the USA, here you are supposed to notify the DVLA if you have a specific medical condition and can incur a fine of £1,000 if you don't.

For many conditions you can resume driving quite quickly if you have to stop at all but it is wise to notify the agency .

[Janith in reply to doodle68]

Yes, l am in US! This forum has taught me so much about afib ... l wish you well ... l feel as though l have never had it ... we will see!

[BobD Volunteer]

You need to view the Notice to Drivers with medical conditions on DVLA site. Provided that AF DOES NOT incapacitate you driving is permitted. Why did you stop? Were you having black outs? Usually even after ablation driving may resume after a set period which may be either 48 hours or a week depending on what your doctor advises.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Bobs have done all that.. thanks for info..

[Hidden]

Hi Beth and welcome to the forum. A bit more information about what prompted your question would be really helpful. Thanks, John

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Have a loop inserted after a faint at work..the bash on the head was why I went to A&E as it was like Tom & Jerry moment.. had CT scans.. clear but was taken over by heart dept..after bloods showed some ??

Just want to know if anybody has returned to driving after 6 months..?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I don't think it works like that Beth. It sounds as if you have been told by the hospital not to drive for whatever reason. I suspect you will now have to be told by the hospital the circumstances that will enable you to be able to drive again. As frustrating as this may be, I'm sure you understand the reasons and you wouldn't want to be responsible for an accident and all that that could mean, only to find your insurance is void. As we are all different, I really don't think you should assume that what has happened to some people will be same for you. I know it is not the answer you want, but you really should contact the people who told you not to drive if that is what has happened....

[doodle68]

Hello Bet have your read the guidance notes on driving for specific health conditions here..

gov.uk/guidance/cardiovascu...

the next step is to fill in a form which can be downloaded here..

gov.uk/government/publicati...

..each person's case is assessed some after consultations with their doctor, they are then informed of the decision .

This is a recent thread on the subject, healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

as you will see from my post I have just been passed as ok to drive unless my situation changes.

[Hidden]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF. I drove myself to hospital where I was detained for 6 days and continued driving on and after discharge. I never ever stopped driving my car, nor did I, my consultant or my GP notify DVLA. I hold a PCV ( bus) licence and AF is a notifiable condition and my PCV licence was suspended pending the all clear from my GP. At about 3 months my PCV licence was reinstated. It has never been suspended since and I have a medical each year before my licence is renewed. So far I have always met the required medical standards.

John

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your answer..uk or other?

[Hidden]

Cornwall, UK

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

hi carneuny, not sure why, but as you can see this post has become "hidden". Just thought I should mention that the reply to me which you may not have seen, mentions fainting, falling over and CT Scans, so clearly not a straightforward AF driving issue.......

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I give up with HU, hopeless! I was replying to betthedresser and actually got a return comment.

[lotusvx220]

seems like after 40 years of a/f it caught up with me collapse in back seat of car on m5 last week motorway had to be closed helicopter ride to Bristol could not remember the first 4 days was in a coma now have to have a icd fitted told wont be able to have my licence for 6months its going to seem a long time

[Flyer2820]

Hi there

The doctor looked it up when I first started with AF in 2017. You are supposed to stop driving for 4 weeks from when you are diagnosed with AF and are on the tablets. Many people will tell you that you do not have to inform the dvla of the problem but I contacted them and you have to. I have been cleared by the cardiologist to drive and the dvla. If you inform the dvla then it is worth mentioning it to the cardiologist which is what I did and he told me that there was no reason why not. The dvla will write to him for his opinion. I informed my insurance company and it made no difference to the premium.

Hope this helps.

Regards Flyer.

[Flyer2820]

Hi again betthedresser

Just remember as others have said. It is best to ask your doctor or cardiologist as if you are having severe AFs then it is not a good idea to drive for as long as possible or until you are stable but you need to seek professional medical advice. I did so and don't regret doing so. It is better than driving and having a accident. Don't take chances!!!

Regards Flyer.

[Deadwoodmike]

I started driving five days after my ablation. I probably should have waited as it was a little scary. I did it out of necessity because my brother is an idiot!😀 But seriously, whenever I was in a fib I couldn’t drive on the freeway. My adrenaline would kick in and HAD to get off at the nearest exit.