MS - Needing some help please

[Sweet]

Hi friends. I am sorry that i haven't been around posting so much lately, have just had more health issues going on than KC. Hehe sometimes there is more than lens problems and grafts though it never seems like it at the time!

I have had a weakness in my arms and legs for so long that i just got used to it but even i wasn't that silly to know that losing my balance, dropping things all the time and then being unable to pick up a pen and write is a neuro problem. I put off seeing my GP for so long as i think i already knew that a scan would show something bad and i had so many eyesight worries that i couldn't think about it, especially when it did resolve itself over time. Hehe before anyone here with the little name of Gareth says anything, no i wasn't drunk all the time!!!

Anyway, long story kinda short. Had a MRI early Dec, but the hospital messed up with my follow up appointment and i only went yesterday instead of early Jan. Shame as i was hoping that them leaving it three months meant that there was nothing to worry about, and then cancelling it from last week to yesterday was even better! But no, it was for me to see the consultant and not one of her team.

Anyway ... the whole point of posting here was to ask if anyone has any info on MS as i am driving myself insane looking things up online. There are loads more sites than KC and the forum i did join late last night isn't as friendly yet as i don't know them I just need to know if i need medication and do i need to tell the DVLA? Can i drive with MS? Never really thought about it

Anyway things are ok and i guess it is nice to know that i wasn't imagining everything. Am just not counting for any more illnesses with two initials as this is SSSOOOOO outdated now!!!

Thanks for listening and i will be back replying really soon. Just needing a little time to think.

[ChrisK]

Hi Sweet,

I am really sorry to hear of your continued health problems. Having KC is bad enough let alone also having to contend with MS.

I don't know much about MS, but a friend of a friend has had MS for a number of years. I haven't seen her in a while but do know that she was driving a few years after her diagnosis.

I'm not sure if you have to contact the DVLA though.

I wish you all the best and hope someone else has better information than me.

[Andrew MacLean]

Sweet

I am so sorry to learn of your Multiple Sclerosis. I think that people with MS can continue to deive, but it would probably be prudent to check with the DVLA, in case there are any restrictions they want to apply.

You are very much in our thoughts.

On the bright side; now, when Gareth glances at you round his glare proof glasses and gets ready to suggest you put more water in the Malibu, you just remind him that you have MS and that this has an effect on your balance.

Please keep us posted on how things are going. A friend of mine, who is in her late 20's has had a similar diagnosis. I'll ask her what she finds most helpful; last time we spoke she was very excited about hyperbarric treatment. I think this involves sitting in a capsule in which they increase the air pressure and then let it return to "normal" over a long period of time.

All the best

Andrew

[GarethB]

Sweet sorry to hear the news.

You know what I will say when we next meet and it will not be drink related.

Regarding driving, I think you would do best calling the DVLA, you can always say you are calling on behalf of a patient.

You have all my details if you need to have a chat.

[ChrisK]

Sweet

I am so sorry to learn of your Multiple Sclerosis. I think that people with MS can continue to deive, but it would probably be prudent to check with the DVLA, in case there are any restrictions they want to apply.

You are very much in our thoughts.

On the bright side; now, when Gareth glances at you round his glare proof glasses and gets ready to suggest you put more water in the Malibu, you just remind him that you have MS and that this has an effect on your balance.

Please keep us posted on how things are going. A friend of mine, who is in her late 20's has had a similar diagnosis. I'll ask her what she finds most helpful; last time we spoke she was very excited about hyperbarric treatment. I think this involves sitting in a capsule in which they increase the air pressure and then let it return to "normal" over a long period of time.

All the best

Andrew

That's what my friend had. She said it was beneficial too.

She referred to it as an oxygen capsule I believe.

[Anne B]

I haven't got any advice to give but i hope you get some answers soon.

Take care of yourself and thinking of you.

anne

[John Smith]

Sweet,

I would have thought that the DVLA would be interested in your MS; but only as interested as they are in our KC. If you're having an attack which lasts for a few weeks, then you probably shouldn't drive during that time. For the rest of the year I would suspect that as you have no real problems that you'd be fine to drive.

You will need to declare this to any insurance though.

We're all thinking about you at the moment and wishing you well.

John
x

[Sarah M]

sweet,

thinking of u

sarah
x

[Pat A]

Sweet
So sorry to hear your news - thinking of you right now.
As others have said, I'd check with DVLA - but certainly a friend of mine with MS still drives and has done for years. She has a disabled badge for her car too, which I know she finds useful if she is having a bad MS day (but she still drives on bad MS days - I think it's walking far she finds a problem).

Take care..
x

[Michael P]

Claire, you already know my thoughts are with you.

With regard to driving, you need to notify the DVLA and there is a specific form on the website. If you would like me to download it and email it to you, I will need your email address.

You must notify your motor insurer and so long as the DVLA are happy for you to continue to drive, which I am sure they will be, then the insurer should not charge any extra premium or impose any conditions.

In the interim, I think it would also be advisable to get a written confirmation from your doctor confirming you are ok to drive.