Driving

[annie330]

Please can I ask who is still driving or who has had their licence revoked.

I have been avoiding asking and would appreciate people's comments. (I'm hoping their good ones please)

Thanks

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

My licence was revoked by DVLA in early 2011. I have barely driven at all since 1995, and a spate of near accidents, long before I was diagnosed, and certainly long before DVLA were interested in my case. Though I hung on to my licence for very occasional needs. I won't be driving ever again. I have cerebral vasculitis, in a pretty aggressive difficult-to-treat form. Adapatations to the car wouldn't solve my problems, or make me safe to drive.

[Nell]

Hi

I think this is very individual as Vasculitis and indeed the medications affect us all differently. I am still able to drive at the moment but I lost the use of my left foot for a while so wasn't safe to so. I stooped driving of my own accord until the feeling came back. I now have cataracts due to the prednisolone and am awaiting surgery. Night driving is now a no no till I get it fixed but I can still manage in the daytime in familiar places. At the end of the day it's all about keeping yourself and the general public safe.

Nell

[John_Mills Volunteer]

Again, sound advice from Viv & Nell. If there is any doubt at all in your mind about your ability and safety, don't drive, it's just not fair to yourself or others. But if your problems seem to be temporary, don't drive, but reserve your options. If there is any suggestion of fits or loss of consciousness, however fleeting, you should definitely not drive and your GP would normally advise DVLC, so your licence would be suspended. I have had WG for 11 years and apart from the early weeks around diagnosis, I've driven 000s of miles since without mishap, much of it long-haul in France. But I do very consciously avoid the risk of getting too tired and pace myself.

[vivdunstan Volunteer in reply to John_Mills]

For cerebral vasculitis strokes and TIAs (both of which the disease causes) are very big concerns for DVLA and the resulting range of problems that these can cause. DVLA have information online specifically about how they deal with these conditions. See

direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/D...

and

direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/D...

[PatriciaAnn]

When I was first diagnosed, and for at least a year, I didn't have the strength in my legs to walk properly and I certainly wasn't able to press the clutch down, in fact I didn't have the strength to lift my foot over to the clutch. So I just stopped driving as this was the sensible thing to do. In the end I sold my car and bought an automatic. I've had no problems since. However, I appreciate that this problem is probably not the problem you are encountering.

Patricia

[annie330]

Thank you for all your comments and the links to DVLA. After any episode I don't drive until I feel able to, I think that I am sensible about it but with my sisters comments yesterday I thought I would grab the bull my the horns and ask you all your thoughts and how you have faired. Thank you for answering I think that for now I will continue with my gut feelings and if I don't feel well then I won't drive.

Happy new year, let's hope 2012 is a good one for all of us.

Louise

[Sarahjh2004]

Hi All

I fell suddenly ill last year and rang the DVLA who advised me that because HUVs wasn't on their list as far as they were concerned I could drive. The same with my insurance company. I haven't driven since falling ill as I would never forgive myself if I hurt someone in an accident. You see, I am apparently ok to drive eventhough I can blackout and shake when reacting.....

I agree with the comments above, it's about being sensible. It's not easy. I am

a mum of two who is now housebound and rely on everyone else but I know I have made the right decision.

Sarah

[JimL]

I have WG and have been able to drive most of the time. In fact I am a taxi driver and have been encouraged by my consultant and GP to go back to work.

There are times when driving seems difficult, like today I felt very tired and parked up and had a short nap but within an hour I was feeling tired again so backed up and went home three hours earlier than normal. I have chemo tomorrow and will not feel safe driving on Friday and Saturday so I don't.

Jim