I posted about 3 weeks ago about my depressing cardiology appointment. The cardiologist's last words to me were to go off and enjoy life, have a holiday. 6 days later I was in a cafe with friends when I passed out and was 'out of it' for about a minute and a half. My friend thought I might have had a TIA so I ended up in A & E. They did numerous tests including a brain scan and could find no evidence of any sort of stroke or any reason for the fainting episode. They doc did mention that it MIGHT have been caused by my AFIB. Thing is I've had AF for 12 years and never passed out before. The doc said that because it's only happened once I don't need to report it to the DVLA, but I am concerned that that perhaps I should . I told my GP I passed out but he didn't say I should stop driving. Anyone been in a similar situation?
Update on Depressing cardiology consu... - Atrial Fibrillati...
Update on Depressing cardiology consultation
The question is why? Perhaps look at the STARS Arrythmia Alliance site AND give Arrythmia Alliance for help & guidance as to how to have this investigated.
I wouldn’t be too happy with that prognosis. I had a lot of syncope (fainting) & near syncope which was caused by Dysautonia - dysfunction of the Autonomic Nervous System. I found no one was interested except STARS AA. I found my reason & treatment and have had had no further problems but I had Paroxysmal not Persistent AF.
Keep pushing!
I lost consciousness several times, when my heart paused for too long between beats in AFib. ( both paroxysmal and permanent). Trouble is unless you are attached to a monitor when it happens there is no way of knowing this. It was eventually caught on an ambulance and hospital monitors when I had several episodes in one night.
A pacemaker has sorted this and I’ve had no episodes since.
I didn’t drive during this time.
The DVLA have a website for this and depending on the answers to questions they will tell you if you need to inform.
gov.uk/arrhythmia-and-drivi...
Clicking the button to report online takes you to questions before you have to enter personal details so safe to take a look for yourself.
Best wishes
Hi dizzielizzie1
I truly hope this helps you rather than scaring the life out of you. The first time I ever fainted was when driving. I had no idea this was about to happen. One moment I felt fine and the next I was wondering what the devil was the white thing in my face and whilst slipping in and out of consciousness wondering what I was doing on the wrong side of the road having collided with the oncoming traffic. Traumatic.
Naturally the police and the DVLC needed answers and an appointment was made with a cardiologist. When all other tests had been exhausted and no answers found, as a last resort, he sent me for a "table tilt test" at a private clinic. I failed, and again fainted without the slightest warning and felt sick and woozy for several days after. So I am prone to fainting, even though the first time was at age 62! I lost my licence, but after two years with no further problems, I can drive again, but when I sit in the drivers seat all I can do is sweat with fear and rattle with fright, so it's a non starter for me. The issue for me is that there was no warning I was about to faint, so I couldn't do anything to prevent disaster. If someone feels woozy before they faint, they can pull over & park. I have been "faint free" for 11 years. It may never happen to me again. It may never happen again to you either. I hope not. Good luck.
Hi dizzielizzie,
For the authoritive work go to DVLA website ...... Medical Services and search for conditions re surrendering your licence. If you get lost there will be a phone number contact ............. ring it. There maybe a bit of a wait - then discuss your issue ..... they are the only ones qualified to deal with your problem.
Your GP is totally irrelevant ! Sorry - its a fact of life ............ DVLA are the LAW, only they can deal with it. You may have to give DVLA permission to contact your GP if they request it.
John
I have several times reported various medical conditions, not including syncope, to my insurance company. Each time they have said that if the DVLA are happy, then they don’t have a problem.
I have advised the DVLA of hypertension, AFib and pacemaker. They asked for reports from my GP and consultant but didn’t say I had to stop driving in the meantime.
It seems to me that your blackout has not been explained. In your position, I would stop driving until a diagnosis has been made. If you carry on driving and have an accident, you may well find your insurance company will not cover you.
The quickest way to get back to driving in my non medical opinion, would be to get a private opinion from (another?) cardiologist. Do you need a pacemaker for Stokes Adam’s attacks? Could this combination of Amiodarone and Diltiazem be responsible?
Hi dizzielizzie1
Fainting (syncope) can be a side effect with afib. I have fainted twice in the past 10 years, and like yourself the cardiologist did not seem that concerned. But he was very familiar with my afib condition.
And I was given an exam and echocardiogram. Would suggest you ask for the same.
Do some research on fainting, the causes, etc. Keep yourself well hydrated and nourished (good diet).
Relax, don't be overconcerned but do ask for an echocardiogram. Best to You !
Hello, I have had 2 syncopes episodes more than 3 years ago when I was 57. The first time, I was walking in a park, I only got bruises on my forehead, at the time I felt dizzy, when I got up I had heart palpitations. The next day I got hospitalyzed for rapid afib. Almost a week later, when still in the hospital, I had my last syncope, I was on a heart monitor, my heart rate went up to 270, sustained vtach, vfib and... cardiac arrest. I regained consciousness when they rushed me to ICU and I was screaming my young son name... 2 days later, MRI of the heart showed scare tissues, I was then fitted for a pacemaker/defibrilator.
it could be vagal syncope. The vagus nerve is thought to be linked to afib and syncope. I see you are in the UK, you could ask your GP to refer you to Mr Hunter in Sheffield, as well as minimally invasive afib surgery he has also started doing vagal syncope surgery. It may be worth chatting to him.
Hi , I'm so sorry to hear about the support you have received so far. Fainting when you know you have heart related problems is in itself stressful, and then the lifestyle issues going forward compound the level of stress and anxiety. I had an out of the blue syncope in January and still struggling with the consequences.The challenge is that the responsibility is yours as the driver. However, it is often hard for a doctor, specialist or GP to make a definitive diagnosis and they definitely will not in my experience be accountable for your driving.
The only assessment is by the DVLA medical team and you have already been given links to the website. You do need to have a guide as to the likely cause of your syncope, how it's being managed and controlled, and a steer on reporting to the DVLA.
There are two types of form on the DVLA website to report your circumstances. I thought about the issue in three ways. 1 . A dispassionate, independent person responsible for considering safety for the public, 2. Me thinking about how I would feel if I were to have an accident involving an innocent third party 3. The impact of me having an accident on the people who I love/love me .
I was given advice on this site to consider voluntarily handing in my licence when I reported my condition being fairly certain I would face a 6 month restriction. When you do this, you can re-apply for your licence 8 weeks before ' the ban' end date.
If the DVLA revoke your licence because you didn't surrender it, then you can't re-apply for your licence until the six months are up, meaning you won't be able to drive for longer than six months.
The six month period has to show your condition has been managed and stable for the whole six months. Even a change of medication can mean the six month clock ticks again from the date of any change. The process can be 'punitive' in that it's possible to extend the ban for 2 years. Your consultant will be asked to provide medical notes, not a medical opinion. The decision is made by the DVLA Doctors on the basis of the evidence provided.
It seems that the precautionary principle is in place. There is some growing evidence as the numbers of people with ICD devices grow for example. The data as I understand it suggests the accident rate is marginally better, less, for people going forward with an ICD. ( I have an ICD for LVT)
I am hoping I will get my licence back later this year but I am reconciled to the fact that there may be a point sooner rather than later, for example prompted by a medication change, that I will stop driving. I can't get my head round this and I'm finding it very hard. My lifestyle has been turned upside down. It's a little to deal with and there is very little support available which is why I have used HealthUnlocked.
A bit long winded, I hope this helps, albeit not an upbeat response which I normally try to give.
This does need to be reported, preferably to a cardiologist for tests etc., because it maybe that you need a Pacemaker
you have had a complete collapse of uncertain cause and have longstanding cardiac issues. In all honesty, and in the interests of others safety, it does need to be reported to DVLA.
I've had one incident of fainting where I blacked out for seconds having gone from bending down to standing up. I went to A and E and ended up being told not to drive and to advise DVLA by a cardiology consultant pending lots of tests. This was before my AF days. The conclusion was vasovagal syncope, I've never had it again. There are usually triggers for that. In my case a drop in blood pressure from a change in posture. I got my licence back after about three months. I think even a single faint should be taken seriously particularly if you were just sitting. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the DVLA or your insurers.
Good morning dizzielizzie1, I was diagnosed with AF three years ago, this was after I pased out on the golf course, one minute upright and next clutching my golf trolley handle. Passed out again whilst driving on the M5, just joined at junction 21 and out I went, lucky my daughter was with me and managed to get us on the hard shoulder.
No episodes since as I have a pacemaker and had the AV node ablated, so I suppose I am totally dependant on the pacemaker. I am currently recovering from spinal surgery which decompressed the nerves and had three discs fused, and no effect on my AF, I am 79
Best of luck
Dave
If you tell DVLA that its unpredictable they use that as a reason to take away your licence. So I don't drive unless I feel good and hope nothing will happen.
I have fainted several times but it was my blood pressure that had dropped too low. I have AF and high bp, and take a tablet 30mins to an hour before food so I fainted mostly in the shower. When I mentioned this to the EP he said I could drive as long as it didn't happen when sitting down. Now I take care with my bp medications and when having an AF episode ( during which I end up with low bp) I usually end up skipping them.
I had a small TIA and my daughter, (clerical worker in A&E who thinks she runs the hospital), insisted on accompanying me in the cubicle as the doctor examined me. “Will she be allowed to drive?” said Miss Know it all, while I waved frantically at her to shut up.
Of course he said no. He had no option really when asked directly.
She has never accompanied me to a medical visit again. 😀
Hi
With TIA or stroke the hospital notice says no driving for a month.
Then a clearance from a Dr who said I want you to undergo driving test - physical. It took another 4 weeks to get an appointment. Expense and both vehicles needed to be restarted as tried to keep theoir batteries topped up, I went for the test and got 10/10!
A jolly nuisance as I love driving and I couldn't get away inmy camper.
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
Often TIAs can't be proven.
Hi
It could have been needing vital electrolytes.
Be aware of what you drink and how much.
I would be cautious as well with the driving. Did you feek it coming on?
Last year I bumped my head twice and driving after one of them, I went past a turn in and went around a round about. My head went dizzy. I quickly got into the village and parked up. Sat there whilst my head was like vertigo.
Hanging on to a few posts I got inside and told my friend. She gave me a drink of water.
I settled never to have it happen again.
I had driven to doctor told them about the fall driven on - in all 75kms and home later.
We don't know your age, meds you are on or your vitals BP and H/Rate.
Yes one time as the Dr says does not mean you cannot drive for 1 year or two.
cheri JOY. 75. (NZ)
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