Driving with health issues?

[firewatch]

Hey guys me again.
Some of you remember me posting about some health issues about two months back.
Well i still have them, and they have been bad this week.
I want to learn to drive but i am worriead about doing so whilst im still getting these episodes.
Do I go and chat with the doctor (oh joy) or can you lot give me some advice? Because if i cant learn to drive then i am stuck on the buses, and thus does it make me eligible for a concessionary bus pass doofer?
Thanks in advance

[tiggerblue10]

I didn't see your previous post Firewatch. What is your health issue?

[dundurn]

Good rule of thumb - if you think it might affect your ability to drive, then get it checked out, for your peace of mind if nothing else. On a more depressing note, both your instructor and your insurers will definitely need to know.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi Firewatch

I don't know your health issues either and unfortunately depending on what they are if you failed to declare them then your insurance could be deemed void.
Your best getting advice from your Doctor and also enquire with the DVLA. My husband had to do this when he had his second kidney transplant and we have to declare it on all insurances, including car. We all know how insurance companys love to find an excuse not to pay out!

[firewatch]

Basically i have been suffering with episodes of tachycardia shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness and sometimes blacking-out. they can also leave me feeling very tired, like lying down for five minutes and waking up 5 hours later! I thought they had gotten better but as it turns out they have not!
I am off to check with the DVLA now...........

[tiggerblue10]

Check with your GP as well.

My work colleague has a son with epilepsy and although he has a licence he does not drive. His GP has advised him not to just in case,

[jkkerr]

You've been suffering those symptoms and haven't been to see your GP yet?

[firewatch]

Yes i have been, considering i collapsed in may with the problem, they can find nothing wrong they have checked for a broad spectrum of possible causes and as yet found nothing.
Cannot find the right information on the DVLA website there is a lot to it!

[~Wingnut~]

Hi again firewatch :o)

I really think you need to speak to your Doctor about this. Blacking out is serious and doesn't bear thinking about if you had one whilst driving! it really just isn't safe for you or everyone else. You would need to go for so long without having an attack before you would be considered to get your licence back.
If your last attack was only last May I really don't think you should be thinking about taking driving lessons just yet.

I hope they discover what is causing these attacks so you know what you are dealing with and can hopefully stop them happening. All the best xx

[atsgran]

Hi firewatch, best to speak to your doctor about health issues before thinking about driving, but also take care on your mountain biking holiday, hope all goes well for you.

[firewatch]

Thanks everyone, yeah i will be careful, I often stop if there is a problem. Mind i didn't get the nickname stranded turtle for no reason!
If the pain and general achyness is still with me when we get back from holiday, the first thing i will be doing is phoning the doctors for an appointment. I really want to know what is wrong and get on with driving!!!!!!I want my independence!
Plus I now have work worriead, so i guess it will be better all round if we knew what it was.

[Eve]

Check with your doctor as for some conditions they can sign to say if you can drive or not.

With Meniere's Disease I will have to check with mine if I ever get round to learning to drive properly.

This should help...

http://www.dvla.gov.uk/medical.aspx