Went to see doctor (MD) about fatigue from P/D and, right in the middle of the conversation she says "I could pull your driver's license." Now I have not had any problems driving, no accidents, etc. She then added that it was ok for me to drive if my husband were there as the passenger. What sense would that make? I am about 60 and could live another 20-30 years...without driving? If my health had an impact on my driving I would make appropriate changes but right now I have no problems. Her interjection that she has such power over me-right to drive-causes me to distrust her and other doctors and other power-people. Your thoughts?
She/Doctor threatened pulling my driver's... - Cure Parkinson's
She/Doctor threatened pulling my driver's license...
Written by
Nippermcc
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35 Replies
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If it came from out of the blue, it sounds like a power trip or some kind of bias to me.
Wow. I don’t think I would see that doc again.
Thank you Dan that's what I plan to do. Unfortunately there are not many MDs, or neurologists, in my area with PD experience. We live in a rural area that is 40 minute ride from healthcare, so pulling my license would basically mean pulling my healthcare...yes we are looking to move closer but the closer you get to the city the more $$$ for a home.
I would look at my options for a new doctor. Your doctor does not seem to understand the purpose of the law and there is no logic to what she is telling you. The purpose of that law is so that she should report anyone to the DMV who has a health condition that would make driving dangerous such as a recent history of multiple seizures. In that case, she would be required to report you to the DMV who would then likely pull your driver's license for safety reasons. If she didn't and then you got in an accident, she could have a problem. This is not a maybe situation, you are either safe to drive or you are not safe to drive and she should either report you to the DMV or not!
One problem with this law is that people will sometimes hide certain facts from their doctor in order to not risk losing their license. In the same example as above, the doctor may ask the patient if they have had any seizures since their last visit and even though they may have had a seizure yesterday, they may lie and say they didn't in order to keep their license. The law is there to help us all, it is not there so that doctors can use it as some sort of leverage against their patients and I have no idea why she thinks it is some how better if your husband is in the car with you! If it really is unsafe for you to drive, then it is unsafe for your husband to be in the car with you!
Art
Nippermcc• in reply to
Thanks easily. I didn't "get" the part about having my husband along as a passenger either. I see people every day driving their cars while talking on the food, reading, eating and other activities that put them and fellow drivers at risk, and no one suggests pulling their license...this doctor threatened to pull my license solely because I have pd.
• in reply to
A little more information on this subject:
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Quick Facts Regarding Cognitive Impairment, and Age Related License Restrictions
12% of states physicians are required to report individuals who are cognitively, or medically
impaired to the DMV (California, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, and Pennsylvania). It
was not clear however, if all of these states have streamlined systems that allow medical
professionals to communicate directly with the DMV through a common data base or
standardized system. Rather many have this communication take place through mailing or faxing
in a form that lists the individual’s impairment, and the medical professional’s opinion.
50% of the remaining states (not including states listed above), encourage or allow physician
reporting, but do not make it mandatory. This reporting is done through the use of anonymous, or
non-anonymous reporting of individuals as being inept to operate a motor vehicle (Alabama,
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky,
Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico,
North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming).
40% of states require a decreased time between license renewals once an individual has reached
a specific age (a majority of which is age 65).
30% of states require the addition of a vision test in regard to reaching a certain age.
5% of states require an in person license renewal once an individual has reach a specific age.
This does not account for states that have always required in person license renewal independent
of an individual’s age.
Only the District of Columbia requires a road test in regard to reaching a certain age (75 years
old). Other states only require this if there is suspected impairment as suspected by a DMV
agent, physician note, or referral (anonymous, or non-anonymous).
Did she state any reason for pulling your license? The only PD related reason I can think of would be involuntary sleep attacks. In any case her high-handed manner of addressing it is unacceptable. Time for new MD.
I took my husband's keys away when his depth perception and reflexes got really bad. I could never forgive myself if he had an accident and hurt someone else.
I would pursue this topic with her and ask why she made the comment. Was she a general neuro, Primary or a MDS?
She was an MD. I don't plan on talking with her about it any further. She has no other PD patients, which is really what I'm looking for, someone with pd experience.
I'd find a good Movement Disorder Specialist. They are neurologists who specialize in Parkinson's Disease
I'd get a new doctor.
It sounds like your doctor is concerned about your ability to drive. The way she expressed herself was terrible. She made her concern sound like a threat. If she has been nice to you all the previous times you've seen her, it might be best to forgive her threat. If she is consistently rude, maybe you'd be happier with another doctor.
It's her power trip. Go elsewhere.
Thank you Eliza-Jane I'll do that.
Driving is not just about the driver. It is also about everyone else at risk of injury from the driver. We have regulations here in the U.K. about the obligatory reporting of conditions that *might* affect ability to drive safely. It is then for the DVLA to make a decision. Often that will be a short license for 3 years pending a further medical report.
An article came out this week in a neurology journal saying Parkinson's affects driving. Duh! ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/300...
To summarize it says we do worse on tests on road and in simulators, but we have the same number of accidents as the general population. We compensate I think.
Your doctor must have been excited she read the article.
I'm only 54 but I decided giving up driving was an appropriate step for me. I don't want to put myself or others in danger, should anything happen.
I'm glad you found a solution that works for you, but I live a 30-40 miles from the healthcare area so giving up the car for no basis other than a power-play would actually have a negative impact on my health as I'd have no way to go see a doctor...and the homes there are 3X what they are where I live now...
Here in Panama City, Panama, the LAW is clear that to renew your driver license, after age 70, one needs to present a certificate of physical and mental competency issued by an MD (Internal Medicine or Geriatrician). Normally driver license are renew every 4 years but after age 70 renewal is every 2 years plus the medical certificate. At age 85 a written and practical driving test is also required.
Power is a weird thing. Did she discuss anything about your fatigue?
Just an FYI....you can ask for a driving assessment by an OT if the doc is pulling a power move. The assessment will show you are safe to drive....but be careful about getting drowsy and nodding off. This won't show up in a test. Also, I would avoid the topic of driving and just mention your hubby drives most places. Keep it vague and general with the doc. It makes it seem like you really don't drive much anyway....deflates the threat of license taken away. Also, please make sure you do stop when it is appropriate. My dad continued to drive (thanks to his second wife) when he was long past safety. I was really upset but they would lie to me all the time, assuring me he was no longer driving. He was driving the wrong way down a one way street and almost injured people when the police pulled his license. Don't be intimidated by the doc...giving people the illusion they have the power is often enough.
Thank you for sharing some smart ideas. I really do appreciate that!
In my experience, my spouse’s doctor never said that, but his doses made him drowsy and he fell asleep at the wheel even when I was with him. He would swear up and down he didn’t and he just couldn’t help it. Two car accidents happened. This was before DBS.
I agree with those who think you should find another doctor. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable with that doctor anymore. Ask others for a recommendation. Call your local Parkinson’s association or if you’re involved in any support groups someone should be able to give you some good advice! I don’t like the way the dr. spoke to you either. You deserve better! Good luck!
I'm not sure that "legally" doctors either have the responsibility or right to disclose information about your health without your permission. If that were the case, a "reminder" to your doctor would be appropriate. Certainly would clip their wings as far as "threats" are concerned. Irrespective of that, thank God they do (turn people in). Driving is a privilege and if you pose a threat to yourself or others behind the wheel, you should not be driving. Period. No need for you to kill or maim someone to "prove" that you're unfit to drive. Sorry if that's an inconvenience for you, but it's a risk we all face....
Get a new doctor
Are you taking Mirapex? Many people have a reaction to this drug of spontaneously dosing off.
I’m sorry but I do not believe that the ‘need’ to drive, based on where we live and the places we want to go, has any relevance to our capacity to drive safely. You told the doctor you are experiencing fatigue, falling asleep without warning is typical of fatigue in Parkinson’s, so the doctor rightly suggested that you should have your husband in the car - conversation may help you stay awake- and that your license may be at risk. She might not have said this with courtesy, but that does not make her wrong. Giving up driving is painful but the time comes, as I know from my own experience.
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