I had one accident before I was diagnosed just about a year ago while wearing a Fentanyl patch. I had been given them in the ER a few days before that along with an increase to 8mg of dilauded every 6 hrs, despite no one knowing what was wrong with me...

Next thing I knew, my car had hit another parked one on a residential street and my original whiplash injury was reminded why my body had RSD in the first place with another whiplash.

I was basically kicked out of aquatic therapy two months ago because I told the therapist I was in too much pain not to take pain medicine but did not feel safe driving if I took it. Since I couldn't make it to therapy a few times in a row because of that, I was removed from the program.

At this point, I just don't feel anything is worth risking anyone's life for me to drive while using pain meds. That said, I also know that some I have a higher tolerance for then others such as Tramadol but that is the limit.

I noted today there is now a section about driving under the rsds.org website, research section.

It sounds like you're noticing a real impermanent of motor and perhaps even mental skills that's because of your medications. Common sense says why would you want to hurt yourself or anyone else if you're feeling this disconnected when driving?

What I'm finding odd is that you're noticing such a huge difference now that you're taking these pain medications. I'm on 3 kinds of morphine (including an internal pump) and have never once felt mentally diminished once. I see on TV all these people who have severe reactions when they're taking pain medication yet I've never felt anything other than a little sleepiness when I first started to take them that lasted only around 2 weeks. My doctor explained that my pain is literally eating the medication hence the reason I've noticed no difference with my mind or body even though I'm on quite a truckload. Maybe your dosages haven't been set quite right?

I'm pleased that your taking personal responsibility for the difference you feel now that you're on pain medication but I know I'll fight tooth and foot to not loose the freedom of driving even though I've already lost body parts and a few other things that don't make it near as easy as it once was. Only you know your capabilities. It's nice to see someone who cares about being safe. This proves you'll make the right choice. You don't need validation from any attorney or doctor when you've got this much common sense already working for you. You'll make the right choice, don't worry.