Is it safe to drive my kids around? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

dehave · 08-23-2007, 09:33 AM

I have been having a number of symptoms over the past 3 months, starting with right hand and foot going intermittantly ice cold and tingly and blue, burning sensations in different areas of right side of body, feeling left leg go tense and tight, and a billion other things. Brain MRI showed no lesions. Have an appt with an MS specialist on Sept 4th.

This past weekend I was walking around and had a feeling like the floor was falling out from under me. Not enough to make me fall down, but it happened a couple of times. Then Yesterday at the grocery store while checking out my right hand got SEVERELY tingely and felt like it wasn't going to work (although it did). It was really scary. Later I got up from sitting down with my daughter and felt light headed. Thought it would go away so kept walking and then I just sunk to the ground. Then in the afternoon, I got a really sharp pain in my hip bone, (felt like bone, not joint) So painful I had to set my 2 year old down so as not to drop her.

So my question is, does this sound like something that might make it unsafe for me to drive my girls around? I'm afraid if I get dizzy or my hand or leg stop working briefly it could be dangerous. That hasn't happened yet, but should I be worried?

Sorry so long, Thanks,.

MSNik · 08-23-2007, 02:00 PM

Dehave. I dont think any one but your doctor should answer that question. Personally, I wouldnt drive myself or my stepkids anywhere with symptoms like that simply because if I felt like you are describing, Id be afraid of what MIGHT happen..

Call your doctor, explain it to him/ her and call the MS specialist and see if they can get you in even sooner. I realize its not that far away, but what you are describing is scary, and I can see why you would be concerned. I would be, too. Having MS, I have never experienced anything like what you describe, but anything with this disease is possible. Im assuming you dont know if you have MS yet....not knowing is probably causing you a ton of stress, which can also bring on weird symptoms and make you feel awful- thats not in your head...but driving, while feeling like that, is going to be up to you and how secure you are in how you feel. I would see the doctor asap and find out what he thinks.
Good luck ..

taosdaphne · 08-23-2007, 02:39 PM

Call your doc, and call a driving school to be evaluated. I just gave up driving, even w, hand controls--too tiring, nd my reflexes aren't great. Traded in my barely-used Subaru towards an RV!! I won't be driving it, bu my partner loves to drive. We're going to a local RV campground tonight to check that we know how to do everything.

Giving up driving and my car was really, really hard--but for now the right thing to do.

taosdaphne

moore170 · 08-25-2007, 04:15 PM

Personal opinion----if you question if you should be driving, don't. I had to not drive during one of my exacerbations - I just felt that it probably wasn't safe. If your Dr. determines you shouldn't drive he should report it to the DOL. Then when you feel okay you have to involve the DOL. I prefer to leave it in my own hands and I don't drive if I question it.
Candy

iluvsiamese · 08-26-2007, 01:48 PM

If you question you're driving abilities you'd better talk to your doctor if you are uncomforatable driving... My major concern is not just for your children, but anybody else on the road... there are times when I can't drive, and I don't... Other times I'm fine. Sometimes you are your best judge of the situation, but not only should you not endanger your kids, but also not anybody else on the road... could you imagine how bad you would feel hitting another mom on the road, who was just out to do her grocery shopping or something... Invariably the decision is yours, but you have to be comfortable driving, or you should call a cab. Hope this helps