I don't know if it's the same in the US but here if you have an accident due to a medical condition which you haven't reported your insurance will be declared null and void and you will get done for driving with no insurance, that comes not from being an RSD sufferer but from being an ex-police officer.

In the US each state has different rules regarding medical conditions that affect drivers licensing. If false information is given and an accident occurs not only will that person be held responsible (even if the accident wasn't there fault) to a certain degree and they will also be criminally charged usually a misdemeanor offense. Medications that influence judgement, reflexes and are known to cause any kind of cognitive impairment will be looked into and likely used against the person even if they weren't the at fault driver. Insurance companies will also reduce any benefits or fight any amount owed if the driver (at fault or not) is found to have any of these medications in there system, even if they are prescribed. Ultimately we are responsible to use good judgement and follow the laws provided under drivers licencing in each state.

This is why I taper down or withdraw from medications prior to driving when absolutely necessary.

It is each of our responsibilities to protect the lives of others when we know that our judgement/ability is impaired, especially knowing that our actions (if impaired) could cause injury or worse for them to end up in our shoes.. that would be terrible.

Oh Nanc, I only have a glimpse of how frustrating this must be for you! I could not drive for about 8 weeks after surgery caused mine. Then I got a steering wheel knob (ordered from auto parts store) and had to take Nucynta to get to my P.T. I know it hurts like ?*&($# no one can imagine, but please keep trying and believe you me I do understand those "meltdowns".

Call the public transport in your town. Ours has a service for just disabled people, they'll pick you up and drop you off where you need to go, it's like $2 a ride.

I hope your appointment went well!
 

Hey Nanc,

I wanted to let you know I was thinking about you, hoping your appointment was helpful. Glad your husband was able to take time away from work so that you were able to go and I hope this doesn't cause him any additional stress.

Wishing you a better day,
Tessa

Hi Tessa!

Thanks so much for checking on me. My appointment was ok, maybe a little helpful. I told her again about the ride situation and that my husband took 1/2 day off again. She said "if there's a will, there's a way." Really?? Wanting to be there will not magically get me there. I could tell that my husband was a little frustrated about the appt since it took a while longer. He didn't seem mad, just concerned about getting to work when he said he would. She didn't have anyone scheduled right after me so she extended my 30 minute appt to a little more than an hour (I am not complaining about that).

I sent her a brochure about RSD/CRPS and she also pulled up info online to read before this appointment. I appreciate her efforts to learn more about it before working on me a lot. I see that she still has some learning to do :)

I am still working on the ride situation....will keep you posted!
Nanc
:hug:

Nancy, over the last few years I have had a problem driving and keeping my license. At one point it was taken away. That feeling was awful. When I was volunteering to not drive was much different than being told 'you cannot drive.' In order to get my license back I had to go through a program at one of the local hospitals. There they take drivers (usually the elderly) out for special testing. They assess the driver's ability to drive with medical history included. Medications are most certainly a concern as to their affects on the driver. They also make recommendations as to possible equipment that can be installed on a car to help the driver drive. In my case the RN approved me to drive with the stipulation that I have a nob installed on the steering wheel (because my left arm was weak). She also had me drive with a hand operated brake mechanism (my legs and feet are weak and feet numb). She provided information for community programs that help with the cost of installation of the equipment. She said that there are many disabled people that drive, including amputees, with the proper equipment.

The medication, that is the rub.

I had to take the approval to my doctor. We had a discussion again about my driving ability and medications. She finally approved it with the stipulation that I would not drive when on heavy medications or in a terrible pain flare. I had to have my wits about me. I then had to go to the DOV where I took both a written and driving test. I past. Phew! So I have my license but I still don't drive. My husband takes me everywhere for the most part. I have used the ENOA van to take me for aquatic therapy in the past.

I have my license. It is important to me. I hope you can work out your issues with getting around to your various medical and therapy appointments. I understand about your concerns for your husband and the interruptions of his work. My husband does the same. Perhaps there is a driving program at one of your local hospitals. For me it was free, and I believe worth it.

I am hoping for the best for you. It does take a bit of work, but please stick with it.

Have you considered trying to hire someone to drive you? Not a professional driver but someone who runs errands? Think $10-15 per hour.

I have not really. Wouldn't know where to begin in finding someone trustworthy and it could be costly...only just began receiving SSDI. Paying that much on top of the dr co-pays would be too much as I have a lot of appts going on right now.