Hello

[maxinebird]

I'm new here. My name is Maxine.

I am nearly at my 8th month of a serious Brain Injury.

I am eager to get back to being normal and my old self again.

Although it is taking longer that i anticipated, and after reading the lovely comments on here, it might not occur.

I lost my smell and taste, which is not an issue for me.

Although loud noises and sounds hurt my head, and might give me an headache. (even babies crying). I did go to a gig last week. I should of took earplugs, or learn not to go again, but as i said, i want to be normal

Can i ask if anybody had their Driving licence revoked ? Mine was because of memory, but that was only hit or miss whilst i was in Hospital. I am really struggling to get mine back..

Thanks for letting me waffle.... Maxine

[sca2013]

Good for you. I'm glad you're able to think like this and hope you're able to realize your normal. Big thing - Be patient with your progress and yourself. No didn't have my driver license revoked, but then it was about 6 weeks post event until they diagnosed the brain injury. However I didn't drive for quite a few weeks after that and tend to use less busy routes even now 4+ year later due to the sensory overload, which still bothers me. Ear plugs are a constant companion, also avoidance of places that are busy or noisy. Best wishes to you.

[maxinebird in reply to sca2013]

Thank you for your helpful reply. I do try to be patient, with everything. But ESA keep sending me to jobseekers to start work again, 5 months ago. I have started catching a bus and walking to some of my old jobs, but need to drive to others. (self employed carer). I am actually knackered after 3 hours of being out. (thing thats call fatigue). I would be happy to drive just a short distant a day . i don't fancy motorways even in the future. thanks

[sealiphone]

16 years since my TBI and I wouldn't think of driving due to significant problems in concentration and attention.

A lot of my other symptoms did lessen or disappear over a 3-4 year period, so it is a slow process

[GailRichardson]

I got out to dance and music, but the loud noise a bit hard

It is several of friends to talking and loud

I will be normal ...... and you will be xx

My driving is OK .... but I do not be far. DVLA had to be considered.... but they where OK

I think you are in England?? My fiance is a Driver Teacher .... he could answer your question?

I had a stroke Dec 2016 ... my cannot speak and write (aphasia) and writing replying hard!!! so my grammar

[Pip70]

Hi there! My brain injury is caused by a progressive congenital condition so did not have a trauma but I still have the 'old me v new me' that now can't work or walk unaided and have a shocking memory!

This forum is a good place just share experiences and it makes you realise you are not the only one out there with brain injury deficits! Take care keep smiling! Kate 😀

[rockmanNo1]

hi maxi i can understand your situation its not easy to talk to your friends but you need to tell them how things affect you i have had 4 brain opps while copping with lung cancer you dont want there symphathy and you dont want people to start treating you difrently alot of brain injured people lose there friends its not that they dont care but they get embarased then they seem to fade away slowley so it becomes hard work thats why its important to know how those around you feel and understand what your feeling you sound like a fighter and things will get better it takes time i hope we et a chance to talk be lucky stay safe

[maxinebird in reply to rockmanNo1]

hi... i hope you haven't lost your friends.. i have had speech therapy but my talking is still not great, so i think my friends give up on me for that reason. I have a great dad and son, who understand more than i do, and this might be a way of advice and communication with you great people, thanks

[cat3]

Welcome Maxine. I had a haemorrhage 6 years ago and I'm very familiar with the 'How soon can I get back to normal'. Conditions differ in type and severity, so the outcomes vary, but certain after-effects seem common to all.

The brain, being a delicate & complex organ, cannot recover therefore we're stuck (to varying degrees) with our deficits & issues. It's hard but, as you seem to have gleaned already, accepting & managing these changes is our only option. Time is the essential medicine as it puts distance between who we once were and who we now are 'til the grieving for the past dims, allowing us to concentrate on the here & now. 😖

I was guided through the procedure of informing DVLA of my brain issue by hospital staff then, after 5 months (2 months from discharge) at my first check-up, my surgeon told me I should tell DVLA that subsequent MRIs together with vision, co-ordination and cognitive testing had determined me fit to drive once more.

Wishing you the best possible progress in reaching a good quality of life (I plateaud at around the 3 year point).

Best wishes, Cat x

[fredikins]

Welcome Maxine, I'm going through the rigmarole of getting my driving licence back at the mo', looks like being a long drawn out process so I'm not holding my breath, first step blocked by the Consultant I have not seen for about 18 months, he just wants to see me to decide my capabilities, he can then refract his initial statement to DVLA saving the hassle of reapplying. Ear plugs are an absolute necessity in ALL pockets of every item you wear Maxine, as it looks you have learned to never be without the little darlings.

[maxinebird in reply to fredikins]

hello, thanks for the knowledge and reply,,, my consultant ( i only see once ) signed me off in october. and told Dvla on 6th feb the same thing... I applied for a driving reassessment on 5th of january with an O T ... i not heard from them either. It sure is a rigmarole... what are your thoughts about sending a letter to your M P... i have one ready to sent.

[fredikins in reply to maxinebird]

In my opinion Maxine that is complicating things, "keep it simple" is my mantra, this is a good exercise in patience as far as I'm concerned, but its obviously different for you needing a motor for work, are MP's good for anything but throwing buns in Parliament. Good luck if you try that, it will be interesting if nothing else

[Hidden]

My husband's driving licence was revoked but he went to Driver Assessment Testing where they took him out on the road and did some cognitive tests. He then had a certificate to send to DVLA to prove that he was capable.

[Hidden]

Hi Maxine

Welcome, i can totally empathise on the noise intolerance it's plagued me from the beginning and along with whistling ,,,,, babies crying is the worst for me. The good news is it does get better although for me it's still an issue and i am having private treatment for it.

I think most who've had a BI crave normality and you can learn to adapt as i'm sure you've noticed already.

I was given the all clear 6 weeks after my BI to drive again and it's only been in the last few weeks which now almost 3 years down the line that i am getting back behind the wheel. I'm like a learner driver (have L plates on the car) and have my husband with me whenever i practice. Whilst i haven't lost the 'mechanics' of driving i need to build up my confidence and mental stamina.

Hoping that we've offered some reassurance and that you're not on your own. ((hugs))

Rachel x

[lcd8]

Hi Maxine. I have a long-term BI and lose my driving license for 6 months every time I have surgery for it. Its a right pain in the neck especially because after a couple of weeks' recovery I feel perfectly capable of driving. I need my car to get to work. But obviously I wouldn't risk driving while I don't have my license. You don't say what caused your problems.

[maxinebird in reply to lcd8]

hello and thanks for your reply,,, i think i am embarrassed to why i have this problem .

I fell over, fractured my skull on the kerb and 2 haemorrhages was on my brain and removed,

i thought about driving without, but Know that is naughty. I only want to go a few miles, which i cant get to by bus or walking.

I hope you are alright Icd8

[lcd8]

I'm good at the moment thanks Maxine. I last lost my license in 2007 so all well and good since then. Please don't feel embarrassed about your accident. These things can happen to any of us. The amount of times I have given myself a good telling off about doing something stupid is quite unbelievable. Well done for getting through your haemorrhages though. I haven't had a haemorrhage but have got close to it. I will never get rid of my condition so have no choice but to live with it. Hope any deficits from your accident are getting better. Never lose hope.

Best wishes

Lulu

[spideyman]

Maxine 8 months is nothing.

When they say you’ll never be the same again, your body might be different, it might be the same but what will change is the way you perceive ppl

[keeley24]

Didn’t have licence revoked until I failed a driving assessment. DVLA are pathetic I informed them about my BI and after like 9 month they sent me for eyesight test which I passed so was allowed to start driving again. Then months later after I’d been driving safely for months they decided I had to have driving assessment in a different car in an area I’d never been let alone driven. Due to not knowing area and the car being new to me I failed assessment so had to stop driving and had a few refresher lessons with ADI who worked with people getting back to driving after BI. I passed the next assessment so been fine driving since. I understand the assessment made sense to make sure I was still safe to drive, what I can’t understand is how they could think it’s safe letting someone drive before an assessment but not after. I was as safe driving before it as I would have been after. Would make as much sense to let a learner driver drive solo before taking driving test.

[maxinebird in reply to keeley24]

Thanks for the reply Keeley24.... If they want me to do a re assessment, it is a different county which i do not know :-(..

I just read, you are doing a 10k in April, I am envious. Great luck with it,

[Mikey48]

Hi Maxine and a warm welcome to you.

I've had to surrender my licence twice. Firstly back in 2015 because of a sub arachnoid hemorrhage and again just 6 weeks ago following a seizure. Once you've reapplied DVLA should send you a note allowing you to drive whilst your application is being determined. Make sure your medics are on board and are submitting all necessary info to DVLA. It can take a long time (10 months in my case ) but at least I could drive in the meantime under Section 88 of the Road Traffic Act (the note ). It can br a very long and frustrating process and DVLA do ask some daft questions. Can't believe I used to work there! Good luck with it and, again, welcome!