Now that our AMN is home safe and sound, after a wonderful Jaunt, I have a question of all you MS drivers..... Is your driving as up to snuff as it used to be?

Driving was always a joy for me. I loved jumping into my car and taking off for known or unknown places and I was, indeed, an excellent driver. Never had an accident and only two speeding tickets, in 45 years of operation..

I was OK for a long time, while having MS, but there were times (bad MS days) I wouldn't drive. This was the whole time during my 18 year remission, but at 53, when I had a bad exacerbation, I noticed a difference in my driving, even after I healed from the attack.

Since my right side was my strong side, I had no trouble driving, except I started to slowly notice a weakness in pushing the brake and a slight lack of co-ordination and response time. Not enough, yet to make me quit, but, worrysome.

I had had a few minor close calls...one with not being able to keep pressure on the brake and another one, when hitting the gas instead of the brake, while parking.. ..I pretty much stopped driving, after my husband died in 2004 and in 2006, when my DL was due to renew, I didn't renew.

I've always had, in the back of my mind, that, in an emergency, I could still drive, but I never did. There are million of peeps out there, thanking me..

You don't have to be honest with me, but in being honest with yourselves, are you still a good and safe driver? Are there days you should not/will not drive?

Since I had not driven in 22 years, I had to go to a driving school here in order to get a driver's license. I was taught how to use hand controls and refreshed on driving in busy traffic and approved to drive by the certified instructor.

The class was 16 hours long and the instructor said she could not believe that I had not driven in so many years because I really drove "by the book" as far as lane changes, speed and driving defensively.

I do not like being out in busy traffic, especially on the interstates here, because there are so many wrecks. Some of the time cars are stranded behind the wrecks for hours waiting for the accident to be cleared.

Since summers in the Phoenix area usually means weeks of heat over 110 and 100 for months, it is dangerous to be caught in one of these traffic jams. I try to stay off the busy roads and use side roads to get where I am going.

The independence being able to drive has given me is wonderful. I encourage anyone that wants to drive to take the responsibility in your hands and go for it. There are a lot of devices which make driving while physically impaired practical.

Night driving is something I do not like to do and usually avoid it when possible. I think it is not safe for a decrepit old woman to be out at night by herself. I am not a lady of the night now.

Neither of my grown sons will ride with me, so when they take me places I sit in the passenger seat. Kids!

gmi

. . .or not. LOL

I notice a difference not only from a physical standpoint but cognitive as well. There are days when I just can't handle too much visual stimulation. The stimuli is not being processed quick enough. It is on those days that I do not drive. Some days, I don't know if it is "that kind of day" until I start driving. Many, many times I have turned around and gone back home. The same holds true for the physical parts of driving, like too many spasms or weak legs that won't push the break hard enough. I just had one of those days last week.

In short, I don't drive nearly as much as I used to.

God bless you, Sally, for making that hard, but right, decision!

The only issue I have with driving is the fatigue and cognitive slowness that comes with it. If I'm tired, I don't drive. Period. And I avoid congested areas that involve traffic coming at me from all directions, or multi-lane highways, just in case.

I've not had any close calls, but if ever think for a minute that I'm not safe to be on the road, I will quit. I might weep and wail and bang my head against the wall, but I will quit. And just in case I take leave of my senses, I've made my daughter promise to do whatever she has to do to stop me if I shouldn't be on the road.

I am terrified when I hear people who KNOW they shouldn't be driving say that they "only drive near home" or "go really slow". I can't imagine how awful it would be to have to give up my license and the independence that goes with it, but it wouldn't be as awful as killing someone.

Living close to Sun City, AZ retirement communities, I see drivers who need to be in taxis and not on the road driving. Totally agree with your assessment.

gmi

I parked my car in the driveway when I started noticing visual issues were making my judgement less than it should be. I am a professionally trained emergency medical services driver. I used to drive those big fire engines! I also used to drive the ambulance, and would think nothing of jumping in the car and driving 1200 miles in a day. ziiip! ROAD TRIP! tons of fun.

I count on the DH to get me where I need to go now.

MS has not affected my driving skills yet with the exception of the month and a half i would not drive due to a bout of ON. I am much more cautous than I used to be but I think that is because of the nasty car accident a year ago. I was run off the road by someone changing lanes without looking first. I have to say in the 9 years i have lived in CT I have had more close calls due to people doing stupid and dangerous things than in my entire driving life.

I do ok now Sally since I take Provigil and I'm off most of the heavy duty meds (Topamax and Bacolfen), but there were times when DH had to drive me around much of the time.

I'm looking for a job right now and trying not to apply out of town. The good jobs are out there, in the suburbs. My sister and I had to take the keys from my Dad when he was 88 years old after he started getting lost. I won't do that to our kids. They can drive me around instead.

Right there with you, Sally. This lousy disease is so sinister (for some) with the way it gradually takes things away from us. As you know, it became impossible for me to even get into my car without help along with using the pedals since my legs didn't work very well. But even at that time when I did drive, the old confidence just wasn't there, plus quite a bit of dizziness. I learned to drive many moons ago in New Jersey and you all probably know about "Jersey Drivers" -- Leadfoot!!

It's been over a year now that I sold my car. Yes, it was a blow at first, but I've gotten used to the fact that I just don't drive. Even riding in a car usually brings on the nausea. It's been more than two years since I've been in a store, or anywhere except doctor appointments and holding my little dog on the way to the groomer. My cognition isn't the greatest, not to mention the fatigue. Sometimes I doze off while eating and wake up still holding the fork! Now that's scary when thinking about driving!!

My license is still in effect and I may renew it just in case that magic cure is found in time, but in the meantime, I sure wouldn't want to be responsible for causing an accident for myself but especially for anybody else.

Isn't it amazing how we adjust to life's different situations??

Aw Salpal~ you did a very selfless thing when you chose to discontinue driving for the safety of others and for yourself. I used to love to take day trips and could drive endlessly. Not anymore, as my dumb ole R side tends to go numb/weak if I drive very far.

I have to agree w/AMN (did I just say that????) When I don't think it's a good driving day, etc, this chickie stays home.

Salpal.