Driving

[Bs1524]

Are there any members here who are ok to drive? My husband hasn't been driving due to his confusion but since he has been off the anti-nausea medication he feels so much better and he is now saying he wants to be able to drive just to the next village. I understand his frustration for 2 years he hasn't left the house unless it is for a doctor or hospital appointment and I have taken him. No doctor has seen him since he has been off the anti-nausea medication and I would like him to wait to he is seen. Does having liver disease automatically mean no driving?

[bintcliffe]

Hi there, I still drive but have a yearly licence, with the approval of my GP, my advice would be to speak to your GP to get their opinion and also contact DVLA, good luck. X

[Bs1524 in reply to bintcliffe]

From we have seen neither his meds or liver disease is notifiable and the HE episodes we thought he was having would appear to be down to the anti-nausea. I will try to get him to speak to the doctor he is so frustrated and is blaming me for pointing out he should wait until the doctor says he is ok to drive.

[bintcliffe in reply to Bs1524]

You are right to wait for the doctor, every case is different I had to tell the DVLA has I had a seizure and they took away my licence for a period that's why I'm only allowed a 1 year licence.

[Bs1524 in reply to bintcliffe]

I will try I hope it was just his frustration making him unreasonable.

[Huggy7614]

I had an episode (HE) shortly before my transplant, my consultant was concerned it was a seizure, so said that I shouldn’t drive. I later saw a neurologist who said nope, it was HE and that I was fine to drive!!Certainly speak to gp or consultant to confirm, it’s ok for him to drive. I would delay telling dvla until you’ve spoken to them - once you’ve informed dvla it will take some time to get that rescinded.

Andy.

[Roots57]

I was stopped from driving due to encephalopathy and didn’t return to driving until 4 months following transplant. I didn’t realise at the time that although I only had 3 acute episodes of encephalopathy I was experiencing background encephalopathy which was impacting on my daily life. It’s better to be safe than sorry even though though it’s a loss of independence x

[Bs1524 in reply to Roots57]

I agree with you however he has decided that I am holding him back, I don’t want him to leave the house, nothing could be further from the truth. I would love it if he could pop out to the shop. It would seem that a lot of his confusion was down the anti-nausea medication but no doctor has seen him since coming off them. He has told me he is going to do what he wants and he was actually extremely rude to me. I can’t physically stop him the way he is acting is very childish and irrational. I appreciate he has been stuck in the house for two years but he has been sleeping a lot of that time. I don’t know what to do

[Roots57 in reply to Bs1524]

You can only do your best. He is obviously struggling with the limitations of COVID and liver disease. Make sure you look after yourself and speak to your own GP to ensure you are are receiving the appropriate supports. Not easy for anyone involved in these situations. You take care x

[Hidden]

You say he hasn't been out other than appointments? Could you not both go out somewhere together that isn't an appointment with you driving so he feels less 'locked up'. Is there any other way he can get out - buses or any other friends or family members who'd take him. Also is he walking around where you live - walking is great for your mental health.

Sorry he's taking his frustrations out on you. He should seek medical advice before driving again - his GP should hopefully be able to help?

[Bs1524 in reply to Hidden]

There is only me he can’t walk as he needs new knees and I have suggested a drive and he hasn’t wanted to he sleeps on and off throughout the day and night. We have no bus service to speak of. I have asked him to speak to the doctors but he accuses me as if all this is my fault. Homes after the last four years snd especially the the last two since he was diagnosed I am not sure how much more zI can take

[Hidden in reply to Bs1524]

If you want to call the nurse team here at the Trust you are very welcome. If you are feeling very low please do consider reaching out for some help, maybe with your own GP? keep us posted....

[Hidden]

Can you speak the liver consultant to clarify matters? Whilst it must be difficult for him, its really important that the decision around driving safety is made by his own doctors who have access to his full medical history.

[Bs1524 in reply to Hidden]

That’s what I want to do

[Nicky182 in reply to Bs1524]

If he feels up to it then let him do it, tell him to go for a drive by himself first to see how he feels x