DVLA

[Brightoni360]

Hi everyone, just wondered how many people have informed the Dvla of their fibro and if so has anybody had their driving licence revoked?

[Brightoni360]

Spent last week on Brighton beach as the weather was amazing. What I hadn't realised was that I could not put any sun protection on my back as my shoulder pain is unbearable at the moment. I'm sure people were looking at me as I was almost in tears trying to reach the middle of my back in vain. Got a medication review on Wednesday, I can tell you now the person whose appointment is after mine is in for a long wait!

[TheAuthor in reply to Brightoni360]

Hi Brightoni360

I have not driven in years as I use to have blackouts due to migraines so I have not needed too. However, it is an interesting question as there are warnings now about medication and driving? I have pasted a link below to the GOV.UK cache on drugs and driving:

gov.uk/drug-driving-law

I am also so genuinely sorry to read of how much pain you are in with your shoulder. I sincerely hope that your pain eases soon for you.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Brightoni360 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you and thanks for the link.

[TheAuthor in reply to Brightoni360]

[Hidden]

I informed the DVLA about my fibromyalgia, as my meds don't require I stop driving I still have my licence. Although these days I never drive more that 15/20 min or anywhere new, also I know I'm not up to driving when I've had to take my oramorph.

[emmacares in reply to Hidden]

hi, can I ask you about your dose of oramorph as I'm currently on 20 mg 4 time s a day however, they are looking to review!!!!! Which is stressing me out no end which of course is increasing my pain! It would be useful to know. Thankyou Emma xxx,

[Hidden in reply to emmacares]

Hi emmacares no problem, I only use it for breakthrough pain and have 10mg in 5ml solution but can take up to 10ml every 6 hours which probably is the same as you. I try to hold off from using it as I hate the side effects & the certain doctors get a bit funny when I order it! Although they seem a bit happier with me being on tramadol rather than morphine - guess I've saved them some money!

[CarpaBob]

I informed the dvla and they revoked my licence due to meds. I was on maximum daily dose of codiene at the time with a suggestion of amitryptaline. I did inform them I would not be taking the amitryptaline though.

I applied for a disabled bus pass with my local council as if licence is revoked or you wouldn't get a licence due to long term illness then under the national Discretionary Travel Scheme you are entitled to one.

[down247]

I rang dvla about my fibro and was told it is not an illness on their list that they need to be informed about however they need to be informed about medications

[CarpaBob in reply to down247]

I rang them and was told although it's not an illness on their list if there is any chance it may at all effect your driving you need to inform them. I was also concerned that if I had an accident my insurance company would use the fibro to invalidate my insurance if I hadn't notified the dvla so figured it was the safest option. My pains can also be very sudden without warning so I had already stopped driving.

[curz]

I drive for a living .I have fibro and sleep apnea, I had to inform them and my employer about my sleep apnea also my insurance company .. but not my fibro as it as no impact on the way I drive .. my boss knows about my fibro and understands that if my medication changes it may mean I can't drive for a few days .

[donnabrain in reply to curz]

I thought sleep apnea was on the list of conditions where you cannot drive?

[cel71 in reply to donnabrain]

My husband has his license revoked because of sleep apnea and only got it back after a series of operations x

[curz in reply to donnabrain]

It's on the list to inform them that you have it as long as you use the car pap machine there is no issue . I also had to inform my insurance company they just put it on my notes

[Janepain69 in reply to curz]

Hi curz,

Did the DVLA let you keep ur license with the sleep apnea?

I had to surrender mine in February due to being tired, they told me that if i was found to have sleep apnea or narcolepsy then i wouldn't be able to drive again as it was to much of a risk! I have been trying to get my license back for months without success even though my Neurologist has ruled both of these conditions out?????

[curz]

gov.uk/drug-driving-law .. this is the new drug driving laws that came in in 2016 .it also cover prescription drugs ..

[gizmo100]

I checked the dvla website and fibro isn't listed, some drugs are and my drugs have now been changed again but I have informed the insurance company and they were fine.

I have found that I can't drive long distance, mainly around the city but it still hurts. Its a case of being sensible, seeing how I feel, if I am to tired, then don't drive. When my body is tired, sleep is the only option!

I am lucky, I got mobility part of pip at lower rate so have qualified for a bus pass so can mix it up a bit. Sometimes though, the pain of the bus journey and the speed humps outweigh that option!

Just want to try and keep my independence for as long as possible but some days are hard.

[jonelmes1978]

I didn't inform of fibromyalgia but did advise of one other issue. Nearly lost licence

[Leonwp]

So glad you raised this. I have advanced and acute RA, i have not been stopped from driving, i stopped myself 4 years ago when my meds reached a level that i knew that i could not be certain i could drive safely. I would ask anyone to consider honestly if they should be driving? and how they feel if they are putting others lives in danger?. It is very hard to give up the convenience of having a licence,especially with the cost of black cabs i have to use or the physical pain of being bounced around on a bus. But far better to put up with those things than harm an animal a person or one of our precious little ones. BE HONEST CHAPS.

[Pamg]

I was advised by my hospital consultant not to drive because of my medication. It is not fibro its if you exceed the amount of medication and my insurance also agreed that my my medication was over the limit. I now longer drive as I do not want to put other people at risk also if you did get stopped by the police you have to pay a large fine!

[rosewine]

Good question. Fibromyalgia doesn't appear on their list of illnesses.

We do have to be careful about the drugs we take and whether our doctor thinks it is best that we don't drive. I know if I up the amount of Pregablin I take i feel a bit other worldy so won't drive and I am the same if I take a whole sleeping tablet so with that I just use common sense. Also if I am in alot of pain or stiffness I don't drive. To be honest in 5 years now I haven't driven more than a half hour each way journey.x

[Hidden]

I don't drive but because of my vertigo I wouldn't be allowed to as my dizzy spells can be severe and go on for days.

[George16]

Hi, I am 32 and only just learning to drive I have told my instructor and dvla and all happy for my to continue lessons just advised not to drive on a bad day or when on increased medication but only want to pop to supermarket etc as I find buses such hard work in my area. 🐧

[Janepain69]

I contacted the DVLA about my fibro and they wrote back and said that they did not need to know about that condition. I had been seeing my Neurologist for a year and he had no concerns regarding my driving even with my CFS which is a major problem when i have no stimulant and because i live on my own. He then moved on and i was booked in to see a different consultant who knew nothing about what had gone on over the last year then asked me to bring him up to date with everything! at the end of my 10 min chat with him he said ok we will leave you in the hand of the sleep team so we don't need to see you again. I eventually found out that he then came to the conclusion that he saw me as unfit to drive and contacted the DVLA who then suspended my license, I WAS FUMING!!!!

how the hell cud he cum to this decision after seeing me for just 10 mins wen my other consultant was fine with it for a year, even though i told him that the only time i am totally awake is wen im driving as there is a constant stimulant bcos im moving, changing gear, breaking, noise and movement. I have never had a problem with my driving and if i thought there was any risk at all then i WUD NOT drive. Nearly 9 months down the line with letters going bak and forth i am still waiting to hear if i can have my license bak, i have been cleared of having sleep apnea or narcolepsy and am now waiting for a decision from the DVLA.

All of this has almost completely destroyed what little life i had and am now totally isolated - all bcos of a 10 min chat with a consultant who cudnt be bothered to bring himself up to speed on my case even though he had all my notes with him.

Sorry to vent guys but this has affected me so much more than i can explain on here, Gentle hugs and squeezes to u all x x x x

[Brightoni360 in reply to Janepain69]

Sorry for you. If they took my licence off me I would be devastated too. Hope they can reinstate it soon for you. Take care.

[Tabby-Cat]

Fibro isn't on the list of notifiable conditions, and you don't need to notify drugs unless your doctor advises you not to drive. I don't drive if I'm very fatigued. Thankfully, now I've stopped work I only drive locally to the shops, the dog park, the beach etc. In reasonable weather I often use my mobility scooter instead of driving. A bus pass would be no good to me because I can't walk as far as the bus stop.

[Hidden]

To be honest folks I think its all common sense- if it says on your meds "do not drive or operate machinery" then don.t! I don.t own a car anymore because it would be more off the road than on. I hire from a national car hire (name available by PM if req.) at £14.95 for the week end and daily £10.00 in week. I have a bus pass and a good local bus service plus Ring & Ride available or taxi if its urgent. I missed it for shopping but now most supermarkets deliver and its fresh food not the left overs, my pharmacist delivers, my g.p is one bus stop away, I might be lucky but I,m playing it safe.

[curz]

Hi I hope this helps ..

sleep-apnoea-trust.org/driv...

[Private18]

Have just found out today that my licence has been revoked. Due to the symptoms of fibromyalgia - memory loss and poor concentration. I haven't driven much in past 2 years due to this condition anyway. But it still came as a shock to realise I am now no longer allowed to drive.