[Twinkletoes]

How dumb am I?

My drivers license was ready to expire. I got together all the ID documents you now need to renew and finally made the trip. Filled out their papers and (stupidly) marked MS as my disease (I don't have any obvious symptoms).

I didn't mark the boxes that asked if I got sleepy or suffered from vertigo. If I were completely honest, I guess I should have.

The clerk asked if I took anything for it, and I didn't quite know how to respond. I said, "Yes and no," because I'm on LDN and Multiple Sclerosis is an off-label usage. She didn't ask more questions, so I was sure surprised when a form arrived that must be filled out by a doctor in order for me to keep my drivers license! Pfffft!!! I mailed it to the Dr. office last week.

So, I got a call from my GP office this morning. He wants to see me before he signs the form that says I can drive. Grrrrr!

The funny thing is, my new neuro said she'd be willing to sign a letter that states I do NOT have MS! She thinks I may have transverse myelitis (whatever that is).

So WHY oh WHY did I mark that box?

[SallyC]

I never marked that box. I decided when it was time for me to stop driving, not a Gov't flunky.

Because of the BMV's rules, there are a lot of drivers who are either blind, drunk or stupid. We MSers are the least of their worries.

[Kitty]

Last time I renewed my license I paid a little extra and had it renewed for 10 years. It won't expire till 2018.

But.....I hardly ever drive anymore. To the grocery store, drug store and doctor is about the only place I go (alone) anymore.

I won't drive if I'm having issues with my vision. I wouldn't want anyone else to endanger me so I won't endanger them. Just wish everyone thought along the same lines as this. I see so many people on the road who obviously don't belong there.

[AynaDee]

Originally Posted by SallyC

I never marked that box. I decided when it was time for me to stop driving, not a Gov't flunky.

Because of the BMV's rules, there are a lot of drivers who are either blind, drunk or stupid. We MSers are the least of their worries.

I was actually wondering something similar to this the other day. My gma's friend who has MS lost her license because of her MS, but has improved through the years and now has her license back.

The thing is my depth perception is off, and of course there's a delay in messages so I drive very cautiously and SLOW, ya know, take my time. But yesterday something rather frightening happened to me, my eyesight cut out completely for about a minute and a half, I wasn't stressed or hot and there was no warning that it was about to happen I was walking and then BAM everything went black and then my insides started feeling very bizarre, but I din't panic and just stood in the same place, then all of a sudden it came back all the way.
What scares me about that was there was no warning sign to what happened, so what do I do if that were to happen while I was driving? I feel it's something I should tell my doc about but Im afraid my license will be taken and I feel like that's the only lil bit of freedom I have left as an adult. Has this happened to you before and if so what did you do?

[Dejibo]

I never check anything. its always better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Esp with the DMV.

I am glad your MD will help you fix it.

[SallyC]

That was sorta my point. The DMV can give you all the driving tests, in the world and you may pass them and keep your license.

But noone but you really knows when you are too impaired to drive....so, at some point, it has to be your decision. I didn't drive on bad days and I hope you won't either.

A unusual event, like temporarily going blind, having a heart attack, stroke...etc, cannot be guarded against and could happen to anyone.

Drive when you can do so safely and don't when you shouldn't.

[lefthanded]

Originally Posted by Twinkletoes

How dumb am I?

My drivers license was ready to expire. I got together all the ID documents you now need to renew and finally made the trip. Filled out their papers and (stupidly) marked MS as my disease (I don't have any obvious symptoms).

I didn't mark the boxes that asked if I got sleepy or suffered from vertigo. If I were completely honest, I guess I should have.

The clerk asked if I took anything for it, and I didn't quite know how to respond. I said, "Yes and no," because I'm on LDN and Multiple Sclerosis is an off-label usage. She didn't ask more questions, so I was sure surprised when a form arrived that must be filled out by a doctor in order for me to keep my drivers license! Pfffft!!! I mailed it to the Dr. office last week.

So, I got a call from my GP office this morning. He wants to see me before he signs the form that says I can drive. Grrrrr!

The funny thing is, my new neuro said she'd be willing to sign a letter that states I do NOT have MS! She thinks I may have transverse myelitis (whatever that is).

So WHY oh WHY did I mark that box?

Welcome to the TM club. My Ms specialist is calling my constellation of symptoms Transverse Myelitis for the time being, as no lesions have jumped out at him from the MRI images as of yet. I still just say I have MS, however, when asked, because it is too much to explain TM and its relationship to MS (or not) and most people only want a general idea of why you are canceling an engagement or can't join them in an activity.

Maybe this site can help you a little: http://transversemyelitis.net/

[Twinkletoes]

He shook his head and said, "You should have lied!"

No kidding!

Yep, I'll know better next time.

Thanks for your responses and support, friends. And No, I won't drive when impaired.

Guess I'll go check out the TM site and see if it clears things up for me. I'm sure I looked at it several months ago, but I guess I just wasn't read to wrap my head around it.

[NurseNancy]

twink,

a mental lapse i suppose.
to anyone reading this: NEVER NEVER OFFER UP MEDICAL INFORMATION WHEN YOU NEED TO RENEW YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE....UNLESS SPECIFICALLY ASKED.

when i moved to FL i happened to let out that i had MS. well, that halted my getting my license. the same thing happened to me. they wanted a letter from my dr. but my dr was new. so, i had to send the papers to my old dr. i won't bore you with the details but it was a huge pain in the rear. i had my dr send the paperwork to me (so i made sure i got it..and made copies). then, i fed-ex'd it to Tallahassee. they said 3 wks. well it got to be 12 wks and i didn't have it. on and on. umph!

we all knew i could drive without difficulty but proving it was another matter entirely.

[Aarcyn]

funny (not really) how the DMV makes a mountain out of a molehill.

I would have done the same thing, tell the truth! I would have thought it was obvious that you are a safe driver. I remember how good you looked a year+ ago in the restaurant.