DVLA - you couldn't make it up!

[Kennyb1968]

So after chatting to a couple of you I called DVLA re driving. My AFib isn't distracting or debilitating so the very helpful chap said no need to do anything. Then today I was on to the DVLA about something else and was told I need to fill in a H1 form! My brother has persistent AFib as well and I spoke to him and he said he was told he didn't need to report it as his symptoms were the same as mine! Anyone else had similar experiences

[Tommyboy21]

Hi Kenny. Yeah I reported my afib along with doctors details and arythmia nurses details. 2 weeks later relieved a do not drive notice from DVLA. Have to ask for it back if symptoms are controlled.

[Kennyb1968 in reply to Tommyboy21]

I take it your symptoms are debilitating or distracting and interfere with your ability to drive. I'm asymptomatic so I've been told that there's no issue for driving

[Tommyboy21 in reply to Kennyb1968]

Yeah I'm pretty symptomatic that's why. But I know older folk asymptomatic and they ok driving.

[javo123j]

Kenny. The gov.uk site says you only need to report it if the afib affects your driving.

gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-driving

[Kennyb1968 in reply to javo123j]

Cheers - yes that's what I've seen before but the H1 form lists arrhythmia and AF separately! It's bonkers as according to NHS guidance AF is the most common form of arrhythmia!

[Dippy22]

Funny how your post came up just when the subject of driving has affected me!

On Sunday morning at 05.30, after three days in AF, I called 111 to seek advice (I feel I’ve taken-up a much-needed seat in A&E too many times over the past few weeks). The lovely lady strongly advised that I go to A&E but also strongly advised me not to drive myself there. My AF isn’t at all debilitating, so I’d been driving around and been active as normal for the previous few days. I had no one to drive me, so she said she’d send an ambulance. By 16.30 no ambulance has come so I phoned in again to see if I’d misheard her? Spoke to a paramedic who said not much chance of getting an ambulance and advised me to get myself to A&E (all concerned about the length of time I’d been in AF - and on my own). I got a taxi in the end.

A&E did nothing as usual (ECG, declined to adjust meds and sent me home again). The next day I went in to AAU (Acute Assessment Unit) where the nursing staff were superb. However, the consultant imperiously asked me what had brought me in there. Told him it was on the advice of 111 and a senior paramedic! He then went on to say that if the PAF doesn’t give me bad symptoms (mine doesn’t) then it’s ok for me to drive and carry on with my life as normal. Obviously if the PAF symptoms are bad (risk of passing out, dizziness, chest pain, etc), then no, it’s not ok to drive.

Sad to say he’s the second consultant who has made me feel as if I was making a fuss over nothing, whilst other medics treat it as someone serious - concerned about the length of time I can be in AF, strain on the heart muscles, risk of stroke, plus the fact I live alone, etc. I’m so bloody confused.

And five more weeks to wait to have a phone consultation with a cardiology nurse. That’s if they don’t postpone again!

[Tommyboy21 in reply to Dippy22]

That's exactly me when I went to a and e. A and E nurses get excited about heart rate. Then get put on a ward linked to monitor. Soon as I convert sent home. Now I just wait it out. Even go into work.

[stargazer52]

hi I was told to report afib when I was diagnosed so I did. DVLA got straight back to me and said I’d done the right thing, no further action was needed as they were now aware. All I have to say on any forms is that DVLA is aware and I have no restrictions. So I would say yes inform them. I’ve had no problems and was diagnosed in 2016.

[jd_fatboy]

I've been having an absolute mare with the dvla.i have a car licence and also a c1 for small lorry and bus. I've had an ablation which has been relatively good and even when I would have episodes of paroxysmal af I wasn't really to symptomatic or debilitated. My consultant has said everything is good and I should have my licence as normal with no exemptions and have this in writing. Also forwarded to the dvla. The dvla now want me to have an echocardiogram with an independent doctor 50 miles away from where I live. Even though I've had 3 in the last 14 months at my local hospital. If my consultant has said everything is fine. I just don't get why they waste taxpayers money on another consultant very much likely to say the exact same thing. They will pay for the echo and review from cardiologist but still have to foot the bill to get to and from. Grrr. Been ongoing since September 8th.

[Kennyb1968 in reply to jd_fatboy]

That's weird as they accepted my form with no question

[jd_fatboy in reply to Kennyb1968]

Is it for a car licence only. Maybe that's the case. I think things get complicated if want to drive bigger vehicles.

[Kennyb1968 in reply to jd_fatboy]

Yes - just my car licence