Off driving due to faints? Anyone overturned decision?

[Bigdan]

I've been off driving for a few month now due to a few faints.

These have all occurred with periods of sickness leading up to them - so not out of the blue.

I've been fitted with a loop recorder just last week, to investigate heart rate and rhythm.

Its frustrating as I'm still active but reliant on others for transport and also off work.

The DVLA seems to put a 6 month ban after a faint and my cardiologist won't go against their decision.

Has anyone successfully argued their own case and overturned the professional judgement of rule makers?

Thanks, Dan.

[Stumpy47]

I voluntarily surrendered my UK licence after frequent pre syncope episodes (enough to realise I could harm someone inc myself. during those 6 months I had an ablation done in May 2019 for svt which proved very successful, my new licence was recieved after I had been cleared of any symptoms. In Sept this year I had a Dual Chamber PM inserted for a slow heart rate & again was NOT allowed to drive for 1 week only. Insurance premium has not been affected at all & DVLA were also informed, I just have to ensure I attend allpacing check ups as they come up!Best wishes.

[judes]

I had to give up driving and was devastated, still miss it.

If want to wrap myself round a tree that’s down to me, but if I injured anyone else or a child I couldn’t live with myself.

Different if it’s a medical emergency that was completely unknown.

J

[Ianc2]

I have had an isolated faint which where I slowly fell down and then jumped up again quite quickly. My cardiologist did an ECG and questioned me and my wife very closely about how this event occurred and what exactly happened. He then explained that he needed to establish whether I would be able to pull over from the fast lane and safely stop or not.

I was told to stop driving while I made a few changes:

1. The principal one being to drink at least 500ml of extra water between meals in order to maintain blood volumes and make it far more difficult for pressure to suddenly drop, with a grand total of about 2.5 litres a day, If you have a fitbit you can track your consumption. Just make sure you know where the loos are.

2. To maintain salt levels and eat regular small meals.

3. To either stop or change the time at which I time I take rampiril so that I take it in the evening. Rampiril can cause blood pressure to drop and it stays in your system for about 12-13 hours. However it has distinct benefits in maintaining flexibility in blood vessels and preventing stroke. So you have a choice.

I have just had an appointment with my cardiologist who is happy that I have not driven for the time he required and that as there have been no further events he will not need to refer me onward to the DVLA. I will have a tracking sensor inserted under my skin to try and capture my heart data for further consideration.

Hope this all helps

[Bigdan in reply to Ianc2]

Yeah, interesting stuff, I'm gonna try to and get mine back as I've had periods of sickness leading to mine. Had 3 month off driving now with no faints. I've just had a loop recorder fitted last week which is perhaps what you're getting?

[Ianc2]

Yes . consultant was very specific about Rampiril and blood pressure suddenly dropping, causing faints.

[Bigdan in reply to Ianc2]

Yeah. I've had blood pressure monitor but only 24hr. Its frustrating as still up on the fells walking and biking etc but also understanding knowing what can go wrong if the wrong call is made.

[Ianc2]

The changes I made seem to be working for me. I used to go rampaging over the hills, 14 peaks in Snowdonia and all that, and got into the bad habit of not drinking water during the day.

I can clearly remember going into a bar in the lakes after a hot day on Helvellyn and slurping down 5 pints in almost as many minutes. Didn't touch the sides. All good fun.

It wasn't until the consultant pointed out that I need to drink a set amount that the penny dropped. So extra water all round. If you can get 6 months clear you should be in with a good chance to get your licence back.