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driving with fibro

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Posted 11/25/2009 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Not only does my mind go foggy when I'm driving but recently I was driving and my arms were hurting so bad I couldn't hold the wheel tight and my legs just went numb from the pain I have a lot of break through pain but my dr won't give me any meds so now this is what is happening I pulled over for a little bit but then I new I wasn't gonna be able to make it so my hubby walked to get me I was a few blocks away .now I am scared to death to drive any where in fear it will do it again I'm still having a lot of flare ups and numbness in my limbs does anyone else have this and if so what can I do I have 5 kids that need to go places and if my hubby isn't home I have to take them I hope someone can help me figure something out I'm changing dr so I can get some pain meds for pain they gave m darvecet but its like tylenol cry mad
Posted 11/25/2009 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Honestly, there are many times that I don't drive. Like you said, there are times that the fogginess makes it unsafe. There are other times that I have such bad pain that it would be unsafe. And my doctor gives me painkillers, but it is not safe to drive while taking those either. I figure, when put into perspective, most of the places I drive are not that important. Doctor's appointments and class are really the only things that I have to do at certain times, but even those can be missed if I really can't figure something out. My boyfriend is usually willing to rearrange his schedule if at all possible, or my mom is usually willing to drive for important stuff if I can't. Otherwise, I would probably call a cab (this would get expensive though since we are in a fairly rural area). I would see if your children could possibly carpool with other kids for the things they need to do. Try to schedule anything important at a time when somebody else could drive you. And please be careful when driving if you start taking any pain medication. I had a friend killed by a driver on some (and in my state you can get a DUI if they impair your driving).
Posted 11/25/2009 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Merfy!

I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time with your pain. It has to be especially hard for those of you who have kids at home still, young, single parents, parents who's spouse is in the military or anyone caring for others. It was an extra struggle when I was caring for my father when he was under hospice care and then my mother about 3 years later when she passed away. It's all we can do to take care of ourselves let alone others.

But there are ways you can get some help, and IMHO you do need to do something. I can feel the stress in your post and it feels like you're about to pop. Yes, change doctors but when you do remember that YOU are the one hiring the doctor, not the other way around. Interview them and YOU ask the questions. Ask how they treat fibro and what they do for breakthrough pain. Maybe you need a new primary doc AND a pain management doc but make sure to interview both of them. No one is going to do it for you. But it's a good idea to take someone with you who can help with remembering, asking questions you forgot and in general advocating for you. Plus, this may not be PC but women are easily intimidated and pushed aside by well meaning doctors. But when someone gets you on the defensive they back down quick when a male is there and doesn't let it happen. Does that make sense?

In the Fibro 101 thread there are a couple of links I think you should check out. First is a link to university/teaching hospitals around the world. If it were me changing doctors I would head right for one of these. You will get the most current cutting-edge technology and medications for fibro and chronic pain....and a doctor to go with it. It will be well worth your drive.

Then check out the link to the Pain Journal page. Keep a journal of your daily/hourly pain for a few months. Copy this free journal page, one for each day, and make sure to fill them out every evening before you go to bed. It will pay you to take the time!! Then, each and every time you go to a doctor visit take this along and ask them to review it while you are there. It's a great way for them to truly see what your pain is like and the best way to help you with treatments/medication. Also there is help for anyone who is on pain medication and has problems being drowsy or is simply suffering from sleepiness from the fibromyalgia. If this applies to you then talk to your doctor about a medication called Provigil. I'm not saying you must have it or it's something you can take but it is a medication that is used for narcolepsy and for grogginess induced by pain medications. I take it and it makes a huge difference. I can drive without being concerned.

Now, until you can get some help and I do hope it's very soon, start by relaxing! OK, I can hear what you are thinking. Ya sure...relax she says! She doesn't have 5 kids to run all over the state, meals to fix for this huge family, piles and piles of laundry...OK, I know what you are going through. Daughter has 5 children and I raised 3 of my own. And I know doing it with flaring fibro is pure and simple hell. But you need at least 30 minutes of ME time each day. Ask hubby to either watch the kids or once they are in bed he can do 'Sentry Duty' and listen for them. Then you are to take a long, hot soak in a tub, with bubbles, candles and some nice music. Take along reading material and your favorite beverage and don't unlock that door until the hot water tank is empty...lol

Please let us know how you are doing frequently!...OK?
Hugs,
Chutzie
Posted 11/25/2009 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
There have been times when I have made a decision not to drive cause of the fog but never due to pain. I can't imagine with that many children not being able to drive. I hope you get things under control quickly.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 11/25/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Oooh this is such a tough situation.  I don't have any solutions, I just wanted to offer my support.  I have times when I can't drive either and it a HUGE problem.  We don't tend to live in a place where there is good public transportation.  I have chronic vertigo and it can cause me to not be able to turn my head to change lanes etc. 

I hope you can get some relief and some resolution to this.  Please be careful!

Posted 11/25/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
I hope you can find a solution, or at least feel better so you can get through your days.

When fibro first appeared for me, I also had a lot of numbness in my legs and arms. Thankfully now my legs are ok, but I still have trouble with the steering wheel. I hate driving with only one hand down low, but I sometimes do that to give my arms a rest. Luckily, most of my drive is on highway, so it doesn't take much thought. I've also had fog bad enough that I'm on autopilot and don't remember my drive, or have missed my exit. It used to freak me out, now I just shrug it off.

Oh, and I would tend to agree, you may not be able to drive on some other meds either. Hopefully you can find another doctor or work with your present one for a better pain regimen that won't leave you groggy.
Posted 11/26/2009 4:08 PM (GMT 0)

Oh Merfy 5

I guess the 5 is for your children how nice.  But I have to agree with the others if you are on certain meds like darvocet, muscle relaxer and the such you really should not drive.  You could potentially cause an accident and get charged with driving  under the influence and with the narcotics I believe it is more serious than alcohol.

So hard thou when you have to go take the kids somewhere, go to appts etc...

Is there any other meds that can help you at least when you drive?  How about something for anxiety?

Good luck to you and I hope your flares calm down.  You are stong do not let this FM control you.

Rhonda

Posted 12/2/2009 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone for your inputs...I just moved to georgia so I'm looking for a good dr .but no one knows of any good ones for fibro they all look at me like I am an alien...lol they just say oooohhhhh what is that .and don't old people get your too young to have that ..I just giggle and say no young people get itt too ......all the comercials are with older women with it .........but anyway I'm hoping my new drs ..when I find one listen to me and help ...thank you all so much for caring
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