Driving with Chiari

[ChiariWolf]

I'm just curious how many drive with CM? Or how many retain driving privledges even though perhaps they don't use them often due to not feeling safe to drive.

Personally, even though I feel much better than pre-op there are many times I refuse to drive... probably 80-85% of the time. Curiosity due to finding this URL

gov.uk/arnold-chiari-malformation-and-driving

CW

[oops1990]

Hi! I never had any problems with my driving until my syrinx got too large and caused me to have foot drop with both feet. I have to wear braces on both feet now so that I am able pick them up off the floor to walk. With no braces on, I can't control my feet well enough to push pedals, and with braces on my feet are kept at a 90 degree angle so I can't push the pedals lol. I am still licensed to drive, though! I took a driving course and a test with DMV to be licensed tro drive with hand controls. I haven't driven since I took that course a few months ago, but that's only because I don't have hand controls in my vehicle =]

[selmaS]

  Exactly...and that is y I  do not drive....

along with some fear that all u said may happen as well as not being able to see the way I need to to drive defensively to keep myself and others on the road safe.

When our vision can change from fine to blurry in a second or we can not determine how far we are from something...that is not good....

[ChiariWolf]

Guess my worst fear isn't getting into trouble or even loosing the DL. Don't want to loose that privilege even though I seldom do drive.

It' s'more that when we're dizzy, confused or suffer from drop attacks how would you justify that our driving is any better or worse than a drunk driver? How could you explain to the dead person on your bumper how the need to drive was more important than their life?

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome back !!

Good to hear from u again : )

[Viva001]

I should add that I was put on bed rest & sedation for exhaustion & stress.

Just like a celebrity!  ;)

[Viva001]

Hi, I haven't been here for a Long time!
I seldom drive, and not very far, but I bought a Handicap shield (it was like $10 in NC).  My PFD was 2 years ago next month, but the Wheel of Misfortune still turns:  I occasionally become very dizzy or very nauseous or very confused.  The *last* thing I need is an unsympathetic cop hauling me off to jail.

Hello everyone who still remembers me.  I have recovered quite well, until recently when I have been packing up to move; the stress & overwork set me WAY BACK, even to the point of having panic-like episodes, which I never even had before.  Even though I'm excited to be moving, my body is reading this as "trauma".

Please be careful!!  As Selma always says, Chiari is life-altering.

Btw, Rosanne Cash recently said that it was 2 years before she even *began* to start healing.

[mmaggard20]

Hi. I have CM1, and I still drive. My toncils are already protruding into my CNS, although I have no symptoms. I am 46 and am told I was born that way. I've been driving without restrictions since i was 14 1/2 years.  For what it's worth, I also have MS & 14 other autoimmunes, MRSA & acute asthma. The only time I don't drive is when my ms blurs my vision.

[ChiariWolf]

My PCP at the time made a deal with me that if I agreed not to drive in dangerous areas or when I didn't feel safe he would recommend pulling my DL. So they review me every 4 years. Not sure what's going to happen this time though as it would seem I messed something up during that fall a few mos back. Haven't driven in a couple mos or so anyway. Just have to roll with it and enjoy what we can day by day.

CW

[selmaS]

  Hi CW-

I have not driven a car in over 5 yrs now....much of the reason was my drop attacks and my Dr said I should not, plus my night vision and depth perception is way off...so I am afraid to even try, I was never released to drive as my Drs wanted to do a fusion to make sure I would not have nemore  drop attacks...they felt the way we hold ourselves (head/neck) and the way we have to turn to see  that it could obstruct CSF flow and I could have one (drop attack) while driving....so, I have not had the fusion...and have not  gone back to it...there are times I wish I had it in me as I hate relying on others to pick me up etc....