My CRPS started in my left leg, so in a way I'm fortunate in that we 'only' had to swap our manual transmission car for an automatic....but the cost and hassle of that was pretty big and as with everything else, I just felt like such a nuisance and drama-queen!

Since it's been in my feet as well I find I do struggle to feel the pedals fully sometimes. On bad days I just don't drive at all, and I won't ever set out to drive a long distance now as I just don't know if my feet might flare up. It's not happened badly while driving so far. I dread not being able to drive...

I'm the same with the friends and family dilemma - like so many others, I've lost a fair number of so-called friends since this started. Some people just don't forgive or try to understand when you have to change your plans at the last minute, or if there are places you just can't tolerate anymore. The ones I've still got either work full time or live quite a distance away. My family aren't that far from me, but they're working, and my parents aren't that well themselves and I can't ask them to wait around at a hospital. Taxis are expensive, buses impossible...my poor husband has taken long lunch breaks for me, afternoons off, etc, but he can't do it all the time. I'm not claiming disability allowance or benefits, so I don't think I qualify for the local driver service free. Sigh.

Well done to all of you finding a way through the maze of problems this throws up at you. It's great coming on this forum and feeling inspired by everyone out there who feels like me and understands all this stuff, and pushes to get through the long days too....

Bram

Thanks Bram & Vrae!

So, I went out to try again this morning. I failed at it again. My foot was bothering me and my vision was blurry. As I was driving (back roads) I got one of those sharp shooting pains in the side of my head and then the vision gets worse and my face starts flaring up. We ended up swapping places and my husband drove the rest of the way to Walmart. We forgot my walker, so I said I would just use the cart, my hands hurt so bad from trying to hold the steering wheel, I couldn't push the cart. We only picked up a few things and left.

At least I tried again, but I feel so defeated. I always thought I would be older, much older, when I would lose the ability to drive. This just sucks!!!

My husband is calling his boss now to tell him he needs the morning off to drive me to my appt tomorrow. Hopefully I can find some help through Social Services or something by my next appt. Thanks again for the ideas and caring suggestions. I appreciate it and am so thankful to have found this forum. You guys are awesome!

Nanc

God Bless You Nanc........could have been me writing your driving story.

I do know from experience (my mother in law lived with us for 5 months a few years ago) that in GA all the dr has to do is write a prescription for PT and we can call any home health agency we want and they will come in so many times a week to do PT. It was the same agency that was doing her bathing and stuff 4 times a week. They have a host of aids, nurses and PT personnel they can use.

Not sure if this helps but my mother in laws costs were charged to Medicare. But I know of people that their insurance also covered this for them.

Talk to u soon......Stay strong !

Debi from beautiful Georgia (the sun is Shining ! )

Hi Nanc, I'm so proud of you for trying to go out again. You shouldn't feel defeated because you tried. I get blurry vision from my neurontin sometimes. I don't know if what you take affects your vision, but you may want to check it out. My rsd is starting to spread to my feet. I noticed last night that bottom of my left foot is starting to swell up now and it hurts so much when I walk on them. Spread stinks. I'm worried that I may not be able to walk much longer without assistance, let alone drive. I hope you have luck with social services. I will send positive thoughts your way. Hope you have a better day this afternoon.

My at home physical therapy was through the local hospital...advocate home health. It was my doctor that gave me the referral for that (my boyfriend's mom made the suggestion when she was with me at an appointment since she had the at home physical therapy after her knee replacement). My doctor said she wouldn't have thought of the at home therapy on her own but once the suggestion was made she thought it was a great idea. It was one of those, "Duh! Why didn't we think of that before? It's so obvious..." moments.

If it's not safe for you to drive then it's not. If the possible benefits of therapy are outweighed by the pain it will cause you to get there...then it's not worth it. Hope you can figure something out...don't give up.

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.