How many are still driving?

[SueAB]

I still drive short distances and in slow times, when I have no choice, but I do not have the strength in my right leg that I used to have. I still have my license, but do not feel comfortable driving.

[jimeka]

Hi Sue, I had my car adapted to hand controls because of me having a not so good right leg. Now the right hand as got very weak and I need it to drive. I only drive in a morning, short distances, to see my siblings or go to the local post office, but by the middle of the afternoon I regard myself as unsafe. My decision. You may find hand controls a solution, if it keeps you your freedom for a while longer, it's worth it. Blessings Jimeka

[KarenUSA in reply to jimeka]

My right leg is also weak. I went to a driving evaluation to see about hand controls. My instructor suggested I try driving with my left foot before adapting the car. That is what I do now. Didn't take long to get used to driving with my left foot.

[DonnaMayB]

I am still driving. Have a left foot gas pedal since right leg is weak.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador in reply to DonnaMayB]

DonnaMayB and KarenUSA I just wanted to take a min to welcome you both to the room l hope you enjoy it as much as we all do!

Jes ♡

[Fancy1959]

SueAB, it's Fancy1959 responding to your post. I still drive short distances, close to home, and when I'm fresh. If i get tired later in the afternoon I'll try not to ever drive then. When my family comes along that will not let me drive as they claim I'm not the driver I used to be. I can't disagree but I do try to be very safe.

[agate]

@SueAB, I never did drive, always took public transportation. I had to do some adjusting when I changed from the usual buses, trains, and subways to the paratransit system for the disabled but by now I'm used to it. It's better than no transportation, and it's door-to-door though there are often long waits and there can be long rides around everywhere while other riders are picked up or dropped off.

This reply doesn't address your question but I thought you might be interested to know about possible other ways of getting around.

[erash]

I drive familiar, close locations. No distractions (phone etc). Avoid night driving. Once due to neuropathy had my foot slipping off pedal (it was late, stressful day). Once confused gas/brake pedals (fortunately in my driveway and stopped just short trash cans). This week taking car in for repairs and will have a rental. Worried about driving diff. Car

[Sierranne]

I no longer drive, they took my license. I have left drop foot. I came to a stop sign and could not remember how to put on the brakes, my right or left..I hesitated and then could not lift foot to stop...luckily I did just in time. I turned the car around and went home and parked it and told my doctor. Since I also have seizure activity I lost my license. I am rural though so getting around has made where I am home more days than not. I decided then to live my life virtually, keep a network, and find work online somehow. Best Wishes for you.

[Bygonelines in reply to Sierranne]

Sierranne have you found work online? If so what kind? I am looking at working online as well and am always looking for ideas.

Thanks!

Jacqui

[Sierranne in reply to Bygonelines]

No I haven't, I applied as telecommuter with Hilton booking rooms, but I needed equipment I could not afford at the time, and I had noisy farm animals here that would have interrupted calls lol. So then I taught myself how to create 3d jewelry with the hopes of 3d printing what I created and sell it but that did not pan out either as I could not use many of the jewelers tools because of the MS and balance I didn't think should be working with kilns and things. So I tried to sell online in a virtual world, which never generated any income only expense. I am still looking for something I can do. I even contacted Dept of Rehabilitation and no reply back. It is probably my age I am now 59.

[Bygonelines in reply to Sierranne]

I'm at work now and have class tonight but let me look in my notes tomorrow. I have a listing of online jobs somewhere on my other computer. I will let you know if I can find it and send you a copy if you would like.

[GasLight in reply to Sierranne]

Sierranne , were you ever able to find an online employment solution?

--Christopher

[Sierranne in reply to GasLight]

No, I haven''t Still creating my jewelry and looking...

[mepilot61]

I am still driving. I gave up my standard vehicles several years ago, but I didn't WANT to. Sometimes, I STILL wish I had one.

[Eleyne92]

I quit driving about 7 years ago. I have foot drop on my right side and I was having to manually lift my foot off the accelerator. Add in summer heat in Texas, and the probability of a serious accident increased substantially. Hand controls would have allowed me to drive another year, maybe two, but by then even walking with a cane had become difficult, and if I fell, I'd need help to get up. Having a driver became my best option.

I'm wheelchair dependent now, I'm in the process of getting a van so I can use my power chair when I go out. Transferring in and out of the car has become problematic as I now have very little lower leg function and heat, fatigue, dehydration, and other random factors only make it harder ... and potentially dangerous.

[Hidden in reply to Eleyne92]

That sounds like Susie to a "T." When I discovered that she was using her hands to lift her leg from the accelerator to the brake and back, I had to tell her "my way or the highway." She has not driven since. It, sometimes, becomes a hardship on both of us, as one of us has to change our plans to accommodate the other. By the way, we live in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Summertime, sometimes, becomes very hot and humid, just like Texas!

[Sggmcswain in reply to Eleyne92]

#Eleyne92 it is unusual to hear the same issues. Transferring is my biggest issue. Please tell your tricks.

[Eleyne92 in reply to Sggmcswain]

Transferring from my chair to the car involved pulling my chair parallel to the car and having the window rolled down. I had to have someone hold onto the door so I could pull against it to stand and then i leaned against the car to turn enough to drop into the seat. I then picked up my feet and hauled them into the car.

Getting on involved pushing myself up using the back of the seat and the dashboard then leaning on my chair (again, parallel to the car) to swing my foot around enough to drop myself into the chair.

Heat and \or fatigue often meant I hubby needed to physically lift me out of my chair and then duck under my arms so I could sit down in the car, but I was on my own for getting out of the car.

I never got around to getting a transfer board, but it might have helped. I still need to get one. 😜

[JeenaRae]

I still drive and thanks to Dors of Maryland when I lived there my car was modified with a cool discrete hand control system called monoxide. It allows me to drive normal on good days or as I start out and switch to my hand controls when I'm tired and need it. It doesn't cut into the steering wheel at all.

[greaterexp]

I've been fortunate that the physical issues haven't been much of a problem with driving, since most of the weakness is on the left side. I did have a month or so when the mental fog was so bad that I felt afraid when driving. I still let others drive if I feel even a pinch of fogginess. I hope to remain in control of the driving for as long as possible, but I know if I had an accident, I'd feel horrible if someone else were injured, and I'm naturally not excited about injuries to myself either. I only drive when I feel sharp enough. I think we all dislike being dependent on others for anything, but when it's simply not safe, it isn't safe.

[howard0425]

Iwas diagnosed in 2007. In 2009 I got a left foot throttle pedal as I could not use my right leg. I drove into 2010 when I stopped driving in July. I was not working, I stopped working in Nov. 2009. I only drove to the bank once a month and did little other driving. I did not feel safe for myself or others. I surrendered my license in April 2011. When I go out now, I am dependent on others to drive. It has not been a problem yet.

[dmaskal1]

I was diagnosed in 1987 and drove until 2004, but, I haven't driven for the past twelve years. I'm safer not driving, and, with no accidents my insurance has decreased markedly.

[Jbahnan]

I still drive, it's getting a little harder but I still drive.

[Nenay]

I am only able to drive during the day. My vision isn't very good at night.

[AngieRowe]

I still drive as primarily my left leg is the problem. However, my left arm is getting weak and my right arm is having some occasional stiffness, so I know it won't be long.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

SueAB l haven't been able to drive since l lost the feeling in both feet 7? Yrs ago? The doc at the time didn't find it funny when l asked why, when the car would stop eventually (dumb Dr's anyway, no sense of humor )

Now l have to rely on other's which kind of stinks sometimes. But it works for me

Jes ♡

[Smiley901]

Hi SueAB. I have right leg weakness and paresthesia in both feet. I still drive with no problem however I'm now in the process of waiting for an appointment for driving evaluation. I will be be getting hand controls for my vehicle. I will feel safer.

[1RiskyRich]

I felt the same way a year ago. I felt very insecure when driving and would only drive an automatic car. 6 months after treatment it's given me back that security needed to drive around. I now am looking into a stick shift.

[ddeadred]

Living with MonSter for 30 yrs. and like you, mainly drive short distances but must be VERY MINDFUL of difference between brake & gas... Left a pretty KISS on a guard rail once parking and rear-ended car while parking once (ouch--cost with increase in insurance)... Trying to maintain some independence living alone... Just turned 52 so it's important to me!

[Elle61]

I still drive . I have trouble with my left side , I feel I'm ok for now . I'm very limited

to one early outing maybe twice a week. I will not drive in rain,snow, or at night. It's getting harder for me because I have to load my walker into the back seat every time I go out.....

[Pbailz]

I am still driving... However my in-laws question if I should. Thankfully they're less than a mile away. My parents live about two and a half hours away and my in-laws will drive me/my daughter an hour to meet my parents so we can go to the family gatherings. (My husband works A LOT) I don't think my own parents realize that I really do NEED this. I started on short term disability this past October primarily because of fatigue & memory loss. My husband installed a Garmin in my car bc altho I could get an appointment there were times it would take me 2 hrs+ to get back because I got confused/turned around. Grrr...it's frustrating!

[pmbevac]

Still driving, but in 2014 when my right leg first started feeling the effects I should have been taken off the road. I had binary (off or to the floor) throttle control and had to hold the leg in a driving position with one hand and steer with the other. That lasted a bit less that a month and gradually got back to where I can drive safely.

[agapepilgrim]

SueAB

[MsMeli54]

I haven't officially been diagnosed yet as I just had my MRI on Thursday. My symptoms started 3/25/17 which was the day before my 54th birthday. For about 6 weeks now I have had constant dizziness and associated nausea so I haven't been driving and I am using a cane to help with my balance when I walk. My fiance has been taking me to my doctor appts. I don't get out of the house much now just usually on Saturday mornings when we go pick up our grocery order from Walmart. I took a LOA from my job in April and at this point I'm not sure when I'll be able to return. Does the dizziness ever go away once you have it? Anybody else have this issue?

[Sggmcswain in reply to MsMeli54]

#Msmel54 unfortunately the dizziness stays.

[SueAB]

MsMeli54 , Sounds like you are having a rough time - I feel for you! My experience is that my dizziness did eventually go away. Unfortunately, it likes to return now and then, I find Dramamine helps with this.

[cljones]

I still drive but I also have drop foot but it is the left foot so it hasn't affected my driving to badly yet. My right foot is getting weaker so I don't drive far. I keep a good distance between me and the car in front of me.

[Sggmcswain]

I drove for a living. As you should tell by that statement, I don't anymore.

Ha - no driving, got divorced and my poor sister had me dumped on her.

But now I am on Ocrevus and seeing SOME improvements. She is doing the driving but I can make the "go go" carts at the stores move well.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

I didn't drive for the first 9 months, then gradually was able to start driving hubby's little work truck. Both of our vehicles have stick shifts. I'm great for around town, but when I go see some friends about 35 miles away, I realize I get distracted while driving.

[Horse714]

Still driving no problems with it, but my night vision isn’t very good, I try to do everything during the day but I work day and nights and I find it scary at times driving home from work when it’s dark out.