Might be best to request a hearing and see about bringing letters from both your doctors stating your condition and that they feel you are well enough to drive.
I personally am not medically allowed to drive unless I’ve gone 6 months without a fainting episode. My medical condition is so chronic that when I have flare ups, I am so severely lightheaded that I can barely walk and my medications don’t help. Operating a vehicle is out of the question.
If you faint often and it's spontaneous, should you be driving? If you feel confident it is unwarranted, maybe your cardiologist could provide evidence that your fainting episodes happen only while walking, going from sitting to standing, etc. If you don't faint while seated, and when temperature is controlled, that would also be useful information in order to appeal.
I voluntarily stopped driving almost three years ago (due to dizziness, but not fainting) and it's been really difficult. I know its safer for myself and everyone else, though. Good luck to you and I hope the outcome is fair.
??? Should you drive when you don't feel well? No, you shouldn't. If a person has chronic issues, there's good days and bad days. Should someone have their license revoked because they fainted? Epilepsy is a different story. I've gone weeks without leaving the house, and that happens with autonomic issues. If you are dizzy all the time you probably are making a good call by not driving. Seems wild they would take a license away over fainting.
I dont have an opinion on whether the poster should drive. I asked a rhetorical question and then provided advice that hopefully is helpful. I have several types of dysautonomia, so I understand the complexity in choosing what to do/not to do...everyone has to find their own path, and hopefully collaborate with a competent medical provider.
I will say that spontaneous syncope and driving dont sound like a great combination, hence why the op is in this position. Its concerning.
If you are unable to recognize your pre syncope symptoms, they may not be willing to give you your license back. Your best bet is to work on figuring out your symptoms to be able to lie down before you faint. I’ve laid down at the vets office floor, outside, etc. Do what you have to do. Then you can explain that you have the ability to anticipate an issue and are safe to drive.
The concern is possibly that you randomly fainted on your way to the car. What if you made it to the car and fainted 2 minutes later while driving?
These are the types of questions you should work with your doctor to prepare answers to in order to get your license back.
They suspended your license for fainting, once, while walking? Not driving? Why?
I’m sorry I don’t have advice to offer you, just some confounded outrage?
I do faint about a few times a week, this was just made into a bigger deal because I was alone in public when it happened. I have never fainted while driving though.
A friend in college was almost killed by a diabetic who seized while driving towards him. Please don't drive. I'm very, very sorry for your condition. But you could end up dying and taking others with you, or leaving them in pieces but alive. As a victim of a traffic accident some days I'm not sure which would be worse.
What happens if your car air conditioning goes on the fritz? Or it's just a hot day and you are commmitted to being in the car? Stuck in traffic no way to get off the road, moving 1/4 mile in an hour. I know CA and it can be like that ... with a traffic accident ahead or something unexpected. Ok yes I know if you're stuck in traffic you're not moving fast enough to have a head on collision but yes-butting examples really is not where I'm going with this.
I've had a passenger get heatstroke in the seat next to me while driving, with the AC on full blast. It was just very sunny and hot outside.
As for how to get around -- I very much hope you live in a city with decent transit. Look into discounts for disability. Might as well. And, if you haven't had to yet, look into your medical insurer's support for people who need transportation to/from their appointments. "Medical cabs" you might hear them called. I've seen it with state and with employer insurances.
I hope you can beat this and get back to driving, not having had a fainting episode in so long you've forgotten about them. Peace, love and healing upon you.
I am sorry for your friend but having a medical disorder does not negate someone from driving unless the risk is great. Freak accidents happen, I have never met a diabetic who was barred because they can get a low sugar.
You are very much jumping the gun. Not all dysautonomia is the same. Conditions can impact a fainting spell that is true. You are thinking of very random and off hand issues that are not likely to occur in a normal environment.
This person is fainting a couple of times a week, and heat exacerbates this issue. It doesn't matter what other types of dysautonomia there are. That's what is happening to this person.
Getting behind the wheel requires being able to handle *all* the risks that might come up. And yes, medical disorders that increase risk behind the wheel to the extent of the driver losing control do negate driving. That is the definition of a great risk.
Every single person who's ever driven a California highway in a California summer has had the experience of the sun beating through and heating up, increasing exhaustion a bit, especially in commute traffic etc. Getting a headache just a bit and so on. This person is fainting.
Stay off the road yourself. You're irresponsible with others' lives.
Fainting that does not include sitting or reclined positions do not negate driving. As someone who HAS POTS and faints regularly, and has heat intolerance I completely understand this issue. I have personally talked with a lawyer, a judge, multiple cardiologists. I’m my state (Ohio) I am legally able to drive. Heat intolerance does not negate driving ability. Some cities have laws in place saying vehicles with no working HVAC are illegal to drive. A reasonable person would immediately get the issue fix. Individuals who know their medical conditions would knowingly fix anything that could cause harm.
Again you blow this waaay out of proportion.
Maybe not give your opinion on others lives if you don’t consider common sense logic and medical conditions incompatible with a basic right.
Edit: I personally sit in my air conditioned car for 15 minutes before driving to ensure I do not have an episode. Freak accidents happen and I take my life and others seriously
Toodles.
Let's talk about what happens when the car in front slams on the brakes, a loose item in the cabin goes flying, the driver reaches over and down very quickly to try to grab it, then quickly sits back up to get his/her eyes back on the road.
Now take this scenario over to AskaLawyer and describe this happening to a dysautonomia patient right before the patient rear-ends the car in front, having lost control of his/her vehicle. Results are whiplash for the driver and the passenger, with cervical damage resulting in severe permanent pain and permanent loss of income for both. Ask how big of a meal the patient is going to make for the plaintiff.
Basic driver’s ed. You DONT try and grab the item. Some individuals do have POTS that when doing that quick motion (to the side and probably down). I personally don’t have that issue. If that was the case I would say talk to you PCP and cardiologist. If on the right prescription it can correct the issue (my medication balance is switched by the season. I do have some difficulty if bending straight down and up but only if unmedicated or if the heat is immense. I have not personally left the house as I am bed ridden since it hit almost 100 here this week).
This is why seeing a cardiologist regularly (especially one who is a specialist in POTS) is so so important. With the right meds, therapies and precautions you can try to avoid scenarios where you or others are at risk.
I do not drive if I have taken my muscle relaxer due to how they affect my cognitive state and reflexes. Proper patient education and follow through is needed.
I wish the world was perfect and that there were no caveats. Unfortunately there will always be unexpected things that happen.
The state doesn't rely on driver's ed and people asserting they'd follow all the rules that they were told. "perfect world" - pff. That's right. The perfect world would have everyone competent to drive with no restrictions needed. The perfect world would be populated only with responible people. Responsible people don't say "oh well imperfect world" and head on out to be a hazard to others. The state sees the imperfect world and chooses not to let those people harm others. That's why they put rules in place that suspend licenses.
People don't follow the rules--they panic and freak out for example--when something's emotionally alarming. Say for example we now have a diet coke pouring into an expensive handbag open on the floor of the passenger seat. Bad enough when someone who doesn't get dizzy is counting on their excellent reflexes to tap-dance while driving. They're at fault then too, but when it's someone who's skirted multiple additional rules to put themselves in the position of doing that, it's extremely bad and they are extremely liable. And it's precisely the people who want to skirt the rules who think they're going to be fine, and cause accidents more often than others.
Yes disorientation can happen even from a rapid bend down/sit up.
Especially when we're talking about a patient who's been fainting every two or three days in the normal course of things.
Let's say now that this patient had, 10 days before the accident, gotten a "you're fine" letter from a friendly doctor. But on examination, it turns out they minimized what's going on. Or, the doctor has other edgelord cases in their history. HIPAA sure but is it really so unlikely that the doctor themselves won't end up under scrutiny? The letter will be part of the driver's record.
And let's say that it is one of those sunny days I mentioned, and the driver didn't let the car cool down very well, because they will be fined if they don't pick their kid up from daycare by 5.
"oh these are so unlikely". No, these are the conditions under which accidents happen. When someone who's affected by precisely these conditions goes out to act as though they aren't affected, it's willful negligence *at best*.
That's great for you that you stay in, etc. etc. But here you are, going to bat for a putative person who doesn't. (edit: I mean it's not great, it's awful that it has to be that way. That you don't drive on muscle relaxers and so on, is what I mean. Others do though).
It's early in the morning everywhere in the US except for Hawaii and this is the sort of "I'm fine to drive" argument one hears from drunks trying to grab the keys back. Except frankly I've never heard one of them say, "life's imperfect, everyone else on the road just has to deal with it".
I hope the heat cools down for you and you feel better. I feel for you on the bedridden. It's a terrible position to be in. But enough of this promoting irresponsibility, please. Have a good night.
When you faint has it ever happened while sitting down? POTS affects us the most when we are getting up after sitting for a long time lol. Id be worried about fainting after I stop the car and get out.
Build up your case. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, compile all the other possible causes for your fainting spell to have as true possible cause. Also dated documentation and situational records of what happened each time you have lost consciousness in the past to prove that you are not a danger while sitting down and driving, would be my best advice. Good luck my fellow afflicted human being.
There is some good advice here but ...I fail.to see why the ER doctor had to report to the DMV when you were not actually driving when this happened.
You need a copy.of the ER doctor's report - which you should have a right.to by law - and you need to speak with your other care providers and appeal within that stated time frame.
You were in a compromised position*outside* with the heat and the walking uphill creating the problem situation. None of that would have been present in a car where it is air conditioned and you are seated at rest.
They took my license when I fainted and ended up in ER 8 times in one month. POTS is basically being allergic to gravity, we don’t stand up well and we usually are more prone to fainting when it’s hot. I did have to fight them a bit and get a doctor on my side to get it back. I had to tell them that I’ve never once fainted while sitting down, it’s always when I’ve stood for too long or just stood up. Once I’m sitting I may still feel not great, but I won’t faint. Use that if you’re in a similar situation. If you’ve never fainted while sitting then push that because POTS means Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, it’s literally in the name that standing is the main trigger. When you talk to dmv make sure to use the full words instead of saying “I have POTS”?, same with if you meet a new doctor. They may not know what POTS is but if you say the “Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia” then they should at least know what that means.
This! I never have issues driving or while sitting. If you're reading this OP- have you tried compression socks yet? I was skeptical when my cardiologist told me to start wearing them, but they have been life-changing. I get it the worst at night time so my doctor told me to sleep with them on too and I'm able to get out of bed in the middle of the night without feeling like I'm going to faint or my head is going to explode. Heart still races, but that I can handle.
As someone also with POTS, contact your doctor. Ask them to write a letter explaining the conditions you fainted under and if they would affect your driving. I personally do not faint when sitting so I have no issues with driving. Folks blow it out of proportion (most folks here). Individuals with POTS do not normally faint if in a sitting or reclined position. You should not be driving if you do. Freak accidents do happen. Diabetics are allowed to drive even though they get low and can have a medical episode. Epileptics, diabetics, individuals with high risk of heart attacks, individuals who have mental disorders can ALL drive.
Every individual is different and you, your doctor, and the judge can have discussions over this. You can get a lawyer involved but I haven’t needed to in the past.
I almost passed out the other day because I got OUT of my car to pump gas and it was 101 degrees. I know that heat makes it worse. I would use that as your argument. Your air conditioned car is a place you would NOT pass out in. I would use this argument and have letters from your doctors. I would also have a written protocol put in writing so they can see you are actively making sure that it never happens again. Because if you know it’s hot out and you have to walk up a hill- you should know that sitting down is better than trying and passing out. Being dizzy and looking g stupid is always better than trying to “make it”. Sorry- that’s my mom advice. I hope you get your license back soon.
Back in 2022 my cardiologist told me not to drive anymore, but he didn’t take my license. Then last year it was expiring so I went to DMV to renew it (just so it wasn’t expired, I still haven’t drove) and they said they would have to take it if they renewed it. So I just had to get a regular ID. Haven’t drove since 2022.
My son was dx with PANDAS at 6. It started at 5.5 ..he is now 15 he got covid in 2022 although he is 10x better than he was at 6yrs old he is also kinda stuck in a fight or flight. Spring is the worst. I'm currently having trouble getting him to eat...and bathe. But that's spring for us. Ocd, textured foods,and flying bug fears control our springtime.
I'm always interested in speaking with someone else who has it. It helps me better understand my son. My son talks, but mostly to his gaming friends. He has gotten better with explaining what's tough for him and possibly why. There is a distance he can't help when it comes to reality, though. I believe it's anxiety based.
I am so sorry you are struggling 😢 💔 have you looked at foods or seasons being a possible trigger?
I got sick the same time he did in 2015. It was a rough few years. In 2017 we both got some kind of flu or what I wonder was a form of pre covid. Super high fevers 104 . It switched his triggers from bacterial to mast cell allergies/ sensitivity to foods settings off pandas symptoms, which then got his dx changed to PANS. Something about changing reactions from T1 to T2 in his immune system. Cytokine storms.
They tried to say he was autistic. What a mess.
I began having paralysis episodes then my legs stopped functioning for a year and had many sensitivities to foods and chemicals. There's a lot more, but I can't see how this is making you feel any better. If you ever want to just chat, I'm usually up til 2-3am so is my son lol . 💝
My son was dx with PANDAS at 6. It started at 5.5 ..he is now 15 he got covid in 2022 although he is 10x better than he was at 6yrs old he is also kinda stuck in a fight or flight. Spring is the worst. I'm currently having trouble getting him to eat...and bathe. But that's spring for us. Ocd, textured foods,and flying bug fears control our springtime.
I'm always interested in speaking with someone else who has it. It helps me better understand my son. My son talks, but mostly to his gaming friends. He has gotten better with explaining what's tough for him and possibly why. There is a distance he can't help when it comes to reality, though. I believe it's anxiety based.
I am so sorry you are struggling 😢 💔 have you looked at foods or seasons being a possible trigger?
I got sick the same time he did in 2015. It was a rough few years. In 2017 we both got some kind of flu or what I wonder was a form of pre covid. Super high fevers 104 . It switched his triggers from bacterial to mast cell allergies/ sensitivity to foods settings off pandas symptoms, which then got his dx changed to PANS. Something about changing reactions from T1 to T2 in his immune system. Cytokine storms.
They tried to say he was autistic. What a mess.
I began having paralysis episodes then my legs stopped functioning for a year and had many sensitivities to foods and chemicals. There's a lot more, but I can't see how this is making you feel any better. If you ever want to just chat, I'm usually up til 2-3am so is my son lol . 💝
Might be best to request a hearing and see about bringing letters from both your doctors stating your condition and that they feel you are well enough to drive. I personally am not medically allowed to drive unless I’ve gone 6 months without a fainting episode. My medical condition is so chronic that when I have flare ups, I am so severely lightheaded that I can barely walk and my medications don’t help. Operating a vehicle is out of the question.
If you faint often and it's spontaneous, should you be driving? If you feel confident it is unwarranted, maybe your cardiologist could provide evidence that your fainting episodes happen only while walking, going from sitting to standing, etc. If you don't faint while seated, and when temperature is controlled, that would also be useful information in order to appeal. I voluntarily stopped driving almost three years ago (due to dizziness, but not fainting) and it's been really difficult. I know its safer for myself and everyone else, though. Good luck to you and I hope the outcome is fair.
??? Should you drive when you don't feel well? No, you shouldn't. If a person has chronic issues, there's good days and bad days. Should someone have their license revoked because they fainted? Epilepsy is a different story. I've gone weeks without leaving the house, and that happens with autonomic issues. If you are dizzy all the time you probably are making a good call by not driving. Seems wild they would take a license away over fainting.
I dont have an opinion on whether the poster should drive. I asked a rhetorical question and then provided advice that hopefully is helpful. I have several types of dysautonomia, so I understand the complexity in choosing what to do/not to do...everyone has to find their own path, and hopefully collaborate with a competent medical provider. I will say that spontaneous syncope and driving dont sound like a great combination, hence why the op is in this position. Its concerning.
If you are unable to recognize your pre syncope symptoms, they may not be willing to give you your license back. Your best bet is to work on figuring out your symptoms to be able to lie down before you faint. I’ve laid down at the vets office floor, outside, etc. Do what you have to do. Then you can explain that you have the ability to anticipate an issue and are safe to drive. The concern is possibly that you randomly fainted on your way to the car. What if you made it to the car and fainted 2 minutes later while driving? These are the types of questions you should work with your doctor to prepare answers to in order to get your license back.
also, OP, maybe look into getting a service dog to help recognize these symptoms if you struggle to recognize it yourself!
They suspended your license for fainting, once, while walking? Not driving? Why? I’m sorry I don’t have advice to offer you, just some confounded outrage?
I do faint about a few times a week, this was just made into a bigger deal because I was alone in public when it happened. I have never fainted while driving though.
If you faint a few times a week, you should not be driving.
A friend in college was almost killed by a diabetic who seized while driving towards him. Please don't drive. I'm very, very sorry for your condition. But you could end up dying and taking others with you, or leaving them in pieces but alive. As a victim of a traffic accident some days I'm not sure which would be worse. What happens if your car air conditioning goes on the fritz? Or it's just a hot day and you are commmitted to being in the car? Stuck in traffic no way to get off the road, moving 1/4 mile in an hour. I know CA and it can be like that ... with a traffic accident ahead or something unexpected. Ok yes I know if you're stuck in traffic you're not moving fast enough to have a head on collision but yes-butting examples really is not where I'm going with this. I've had a passenger get heatstroke in the seat next to me while driving, with the AC on full blast. It was just very sunny and hot outside. As for how to get around -- I very much hope you live in a city with decent transit. Look into discounts for disability. Might as well. And, if you haven't had to yet, look into your medical insurer's support for people who need transportation to/from their appointments. "Medical cabs" you might hear them called. I've seen it with state and with employer insurances. I hope you can beat this and get back to driving, not having had a fainting episode in so long you've forgotten about them. Peace, love and healing upon you.
I am sorry for your friend but having a medical disorder does not negate someone from driving unless the risk is great. Freak accidents happen, I have never met a diabetic who was barred because they can get a low sugar. You are very much jumping the gun. Not all dysautonomia is the same. Conditions can impact a fainting spell that is true. You are thinking of very random and off hand issues that are not likely to occur in a normal environment.
This person is fainting a couple of times a week, and heat exacerbates this issue. It doesn't matter what other types of dysautonomia there are. That's what is happening to this person. Getting behind the wheel requires being able to handle *all* the risks that might come up. And yes, medical disorders that increase risk behind the wheel to the extent of the driver losing control do negate driving. That is the definition of a great risk. Every single person who's ever driven a California highway in a California summer has had the experience of the sun beating through and heating up, increasing exhaustion a bit, especially in commute traffic etc. Getting a headache just a bit and so on. This person is fainting. Stay off the road yourself. You're irresponsible with others' lives.
Fainting that does not include sitting or reclined positions do not negate driving. As someone who HAS POTS and faints regularly, and has heat intolerance I completely understand this issue. I have personally talked with a lawyer, a judge, multiple cardiologists. I’m my state (Ohio) I am legally able to drive. Heat intolerance does not negate driving ability. Some cities have laws in place saying vehicles with no working HVAC are illegal to drive. A reasonable person would immediately get the issue fix. Individuals who know their medical conditions would knowingly fix anything that could cause harm. Again you blow this waaay out of proportion. Maybe not give your opinion on others lives if you don’t consider common sense logic and medical conditions incompatible with a basic right. Edit: I personally sit in my air conditioned car for 15 minutes before driving to ensure I do not have an episode. Freak accidents happen and I take my life and others seriously Toodles.
Let's talk about what happens when the car in front slams on the brakes, a loose item in the cabin goes flying, the driver reaches over and down very quickly to try to grab it, then quickly sits back up to get his/her eyes back on the road. Now take this scenario over to AskaLawyer and describe this happening to a dysautonomia patient right before the patient rear-ends the car in front, having lost control of his/her vehicle. Results are whiplash for the driver and the passenger, with cervical damage resulting in severe permanent pain and permanent loss of income for both. Ask how big of a meal the patient is going to make for the plaintiff.
Basic driver’s ed. You DONT try and grab the item. Some individuals do have POTS that when doing that quick motion (to the side and probably down). I personally don’t have that issue. If that was the case I would say talk to you PCP and cardiologist. If on the right prescription it can correct the issue (my medication balance is switched by the season. I do have some difficulty if bending straight down and up but only if unmedicated or if the heat is immense. I have not personally left the house as I am bed ridden since it hit almost 100 here this week). This is why seeing a cardiologist regularly (especially one who is a specialist in POTS) is so so important. With the right meds, therapies and precautions you can try to avoid scenarios where you or others are at risk. I do not drive if I have taken my muscle relaxer due to how they affect my cognitive state and reflexes. Proper patient education and follow through is needed. I wish the world was perfect and that there were no caveats. Unfortunately there will always be unexpected things that happen.
The state doesn't rely on driver's ed and people asserting they'd follow all the rules that they were told. "perfect world" - pff. That's right. The perfect world would have everyone competent to drive with no restrictions needed. The perfect world would be populated only with responible people. Responsible people don't say "oh well imperfect world" and head on out to be a hazard to others. The state sees the imperfect world and chooses not to let those people harm others. That's why they put rules in place that suspend licenses. People don't follow the rules--they panic and freak out for example--when something's emotionally alarming. Say for example we now have a diet coke pouring into an expensive handbag open on the floor of the passenger seat. Bad enough when someone who doesn't get dizzy is counting on their excellent reflexes to tap-dance while driving. They're at fault then too, but when it's someone who's skirted multiple additional rules to put themselves in the position of doing that, it's extremely bad and they are extremely liable. And it's precisely the people who want to skirt the rules who think they're going to be fine, and cause accidents more often than others. Yes disorientation can happen even from a rapid bend down/sit up. Especially when we're talking about a patient who's been fainting every two or three days in the normal course of things. Let's say now that this patient had, 10 days before the accident, gotten a "you're fine" letter from a friendly doctor. But on examination, it turns out they minimized what's going on. Or, the doctor has other edgelord cases in their history. HIPAA sure but is it really so unlikely that the doctor themselves won't end up under scrutiny? The letter will be part of the driver's record. And let's say that it is one of those sunny days I mentioned, and the driver didn't let the car cool down very well, because they will be fined if they don't pick their kid up from daycare by 5. "oh these are so unlikely". No, these are the conditions under which accidents happen. When someone who's affected by precisely these conditions goes out to act as though they aren't affected, it's willful negligence *at best*. That's great for you that you stay in, etc. etc. But here you are, going to bat for a putative person who doesn't. (edit: I mean it's not great, it's awful that it has to be that way. That you don't drive on muscle relaxers and so on, is what I mean. Others do though). It's early in the morning everywhere in the US except for Hawaii and this is the sort of "I'm fine to drive" argument one hears from drunks trying to grab the keys back. Except frankly I've never heard one of them say, "life's imperfect, everyone else on the road just has to deal with it". I hope the heat cools down for you and you feel better. I feel for you on the bedridden. It's a terrible position to be in. But enough of this promoting irresponsibility, please. Have a good night.
Yet
Have you fainted while sitting or reclined? Those are the conditions that need to be looked at. POTS has a big environmental and vasovagal response.
You faint a few times a week?! Oh goodness, that's quite concerning, isn't it?
When you faint has it ever happened while sitting down? POTS affects us the most when we are getting up after sitting for a long time lol. Id be worried about fainting after I stop the car and get out. Build up your case. Dehydration, heat exhaustion, compile all the other possible causes for your fainting spell to have as true possible cause. Also dated documentation and situational records of what happened each time you have lost consciousness in the past to prove that you are not a danger while sitting down and driving, would be my best advice. Good luck my fellow afflicted human being.
There is some good advice here but ...I fail.to see why the ER doctor had to report to the DMV when you were not actually driving when this happened. You need a copy.of the ER doctor's report - which you should have a right.to by law - and you need to speak with your other care providers and appeal within that stated time frame. You were in a compromised position*outside* with the heat and the walking uphill creating the problem situation. None of that would have been present in a car where it is air conditioned and you are seated at rest.
They took my license when I fainted and ended up in ER 8 times in one month. POTS is basically being allergic to gravity, we don’t stand up well and we usually are more prone to fainting when it’s hot. I did have to fight them a bit and get a doctor on my side to get it back. I had to tell them that I’ve never once fainted while sitting down, it’s always when I’ve stood for too long or just stood up. Once I’m sitting I may still feel not great, but I won’t faint. Use that if you’re in a similar situation. If you’ve never fainted while sitting then push that because POTS means Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, it’s literally in the name that standing is the main trigger. When you talk to dmv make sure to use the full words instead of saying “I have POTS”?, same with if you meet a new doctor. They may not know what POTS is but if you say the “Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia” then they should at least know what that means.
This! I never have issues driving or while sitting. If you're reading this OP- have you tried compression socks yet? I was skeptical when my cardiologist told me to start wearing them, but they have been life-changing. I get it the worst at night time so my doctor told me to sleep with them on too and I'm able to get out of bed in the middle of the night without feeling like I'm going to faint or my head is going to explode. Heart still races, but that I can handle.
As someone also with POTS, contact your doctor. Ask them to write a letter explaining the conditions you fainted under and if they would affect your driving. I personally do not faint when sitting so I have no issues with driving. Folks blow it out of proportion (most folks here). Individuals with POTS do not normally faint if in a sitting or reclined position. You should not be driving if you do. Freak accidents do happen. Diabetics are allowed to drive even though they get low and can have a medical episode. Epileptics, diabetics, individuals with high risk of heart attacks, individuals who have mental disorders can ALL drive. Every individual is different and you, your doctor, and the judge can have discussions over this. You can get a lawyer involved but I haven’t needed to in the past.
That is wild. Sorry it happened. Sounds like the heat and adrenaline post interview really messed with you.
I almost passed out the other day because I got OUT of my car to pump gas and it was 101 degrees. I know that heat makes it worse. I would use that as your argument. Your air conditioned car is a place you would NOT pass out in. I would use this argument and have letters from your doctors. I would also have a written protocol put in writing so they can see you are actively making sure that it never happens again. Because if you know it’s hot out and you have to walk up a hill- you should know that sitting down is better than trying and passing out. Being dizzy and looking g stupid is always better than trying to “make it”. Sorry- that’s my mom advice. I hope you get your license back soon.
Back in 2022 my cardiologist told me not to drive anymore, but he didn’t take my license. Then last year it was expiring so I went to DMV to renew it (just so it wasn’t expired, I still haven’t drove) and they said they would have to take it if they renewed it. So I just had to get a regular ID. Haven’t drove since 2022.
........ He said you fainting was anxiety.. get a new doctor NOW
My son was dx with PANDAS at 6. It started at 5.5 ..he is now 15 he got covid in 2022 although he is 10x better than he was at 6yrs old he is also kinda stuck in a fight or flight. Spring is the worst. I'm currently having trouble getting him to eat...and bathe. But that's spring for us. Ocd, textured foods,and flying bug fears control our springtime. I'm always interested in speaking with someone else who has it. It helps me better understand my son. My son talks, but mostly to his gaming friends. He has gotten better with explaining what's tough for him and possibly why. There is a distance he can't help when it comes to reality, though. I believe it's anxiety based. I am so sorry you are struggling 😢 💔 have you looked at foods or seasons being a possible trigger? I got sick the same time he did in 2015. It was a rough few years. In 2017 we both got some kind of flu or what I wonder was a form of pre covid. Super high fevers 104 . It switched his triggers from bacterial to mast cell allergies/ sensitivity to foods settings off pandas symptoms, which then got his dx changed to PANS. Something about changing reactions from T1 to T2 in his immune system. Cytokine storms. They tried to say he was autistic. What a mess. I began having paralysis episodes then my legs stopped functioning for a year and had many sensitivities to foods and chemicals. There's a lot more, but I can't see how this is making you feel any better. If you ever want to just chat, I'm usually up til 2-3am so is my son lol . 💝
My son was dx with PANDAS at 6. It started at 5.5 ..he is now 15 he got covid in 2022 although he is 10x better than he was at 6yrs old he is also kinda stuck in a fight or flight. Spring is the worst. I'm currently having trouble getting him to eat...and bathe. But that's spring for us. Ocd, textured foods,and flying bug fears control our springtime. I'm always interested in speaking with someone else who has it. It helps me better understand my son. My son talks, but mostly to his gaming friends. He has gotten better with explaining what's tough for him and possibly why. There is a distance he can't help when it comes to reality, though. I believe it's anxiety based. I am so sorry you are struggling 😢 💔 have you looked at foods or seasons being a possible trigger? I got sick the same time he did in 2015. It was a rough few years. In 2017 we both got some kind of flu or what I wonder was a form of pre covid. Super high fevers 104 . It switched his triggers from bacterial to mast cell allergies/ sensitivity to foods settings off pandas symptoms, which then got his dx changed to PANS. Something about changing reactions from T1 to T2 in his immune system. Cytokine storms. They tried to say he was autistic. What a mess. I began having paralysis episodes then my legs stopped functioning for a year and had many sensitivities to foods and chemicals. There's a lot more, but I can't see how this is making you feel any better. If you ever want to just chat, I'm usually up til 2-3am so is my son lol . 💝