How do the DVLA see fits?
Discussion
One of my mates had a fit (non-epileptic) a few months ago and is trying to ignore it, forgive the lack of detail on this, but getting him to talk about anything about himself is like getting blood out of a stone... I think he see's it as a sign of weakness or something, but ask him for help on the car or DIY, he will be around in minutes and will chat all day about the task, ask him how he is? "fine" is all you will ever get (he has almost always been like this, even though we can all see he isn't "fine").
Been friends with a him since we were in Uni, my wife told me most of this as they get on well and have known each other since they were in school (he is also on PH, but will not say his user name). He is a really nice bloke, would go to the end of the earth for his friends.
He had a fit last year (only one), which I suspect was to do with the fact that he lives by himself. He is really powerfully built, but very, very quiet, and to be honest a bit unlucky, he doesn't have kids, never married (although he did come close once). Anyway in April like many others he was furloughed from work, and is also on the shielding list (so went into hiding), so didn't see anyone for months and I think that is what caused it, other than the odd phone call that is the only social contact he had, previously he has gone to work everyday he could, and also looked after a few of his family.
He was told not to drive, so he didn't, the doctor said you need to inform the DVLA (which he has done, no decision yet).
We have known him for decades and this was the only fit he has ever had, it also happened in his sleep (is that unusual?), anyone know how the DVLA deal with this, so now he can't drive to work (thankfully that is not urgent yet)
Anyone know how the DVLA make the decisions? I think he is terrified as he has a good job, works hard (bit too hard sometimes), has a few degrees, and I am guessing if he can't get to work, that's it for his job! anyone know of a similar situation?
I am just trying to get him some info as, he won't...
Been friends with a him since we were in Uni, my wife told me most of this as they get on well and have known each other since they were in school (he is also on PH, but will not say his user name). He is a really nice bloke, would go to the end of the earth for his friends.
He had a fit last year (only one), which I suspect was to do with the fact that he lives by himself. He is really powerfully built, but very, very quiet, and to be honest a bit unlucky, he doesn't have kids, never married (although he did come close once). Anyway in April like many others he was furloughed from work, and is also on the shielding list (so went into hiding), so didn't see anyone for months and I think that is what caused it, other than the odd phone call that is the only social contact he had, previously he has gone to work everyday he could, and also looked after a few of his family.
He was told not to drive, so he didn't, the doctor said you need to inform the DVLA (which he has done, no decision yet).
We have known him for decades and this was the only fit he has ever had, it also happened in his sleep (is that unusual?), anyone know how the DVLA deal with this, so now he can't drive to work (thankfully that is not urgent yet)
Anyone know how the DVLA make the decisions? I think he is terrified as he has a good job, works hard (bit too hard sometimes), has a few degrees, and I am guessing if he can't get to work, that's it for his job! anyone know of a similar situation?
I am just trying to get him some info as, he won't...
I trust you read this?
https://www.gov.uk/epilepsy-and-driving
I think he will just have to wait but being asleep might prevent him losing his licence.
My brother has epilepsy and lost his licence 3 or 4 times in the 80’s and 90’s. Really difficult , used to be 2 years then became 1 year ban but in in total he lost it for 6 years before he was 30 however it may have prevented him from getting hurt or hurting someone else so it was for the best.
https://www.gov.uk/epilepsy-and-driving
I think he will just have to wait but being asleep might prevent him losing his licence.
My brother has epilepsy and lost his licence 3 or 4 times in the 80’s and 90’s. Really difficult , used to be 2 years then became 1 year ban but in in total he lost it for 6 years before he was 30 however it may have prevented him from getting hurt or hurting someone else so it was for the best.
Im have currently lost my licence because of epilepsy. I changed my medication this time too as if Im not driving I may as well try and cure it properly this time. I had been on the previous medication sll my life. Im 7.5 months into my 1 year ban. With lockdown its not been so bad. I actually sold my car rather than have it sitting about. I have lost my licence twice before but got it back both times. Your friend will most likely loose his licence for a while. Hopefully its not too long. The dvla doctor makes the decision so until he gets the brown envelope in the post giving dates of the ban he just has to wait. When he gets his licence back it may well be a medical restricted one 1-3 year. It just means they want to review his cases again then and if all ok will then get back his full licence.
Many years ago I underwent an operation to remove a tumour from the back of my brain via craniotomy. About two weeks after the surgery and back at home I had a fit and ended up back in hospital under observation/medication. That was the only occasion it happened and I was later told not to bother alerting the DVLA as the fit was caused by scar tissue tightening as it healed at the base of my brain and was very unlikely to happen again. Not uncommon apparently.
I had a fit in 2007. First doctor almost shrugged it off, blaming alcohol because the fit happened on waking New Year's day. I knew it wasn't alcohol related as I had only two pints on New Year's Eve. I am diabetic too and when the ambulance arrived my blood sugar level was completely normal. Ambulance was called because I had bitten through my tongue and smashed my head on the radiator by the bed - there was a lot of blood.......
On the advice of a medic friend, I went for a second opinion and was told to stop driving and inform the DVLA. I was gutted.
I had a further two early morning (upon waking) fits. After each fit my blood sugar level was normal, so was not linked to my diabetes. I was banned from driving for about 18 months in total.
I had stopped drinking entirely, had multiple ECGs and MRI scans but nothing could be found wrong, so diagnosed and treated as epileptic.
Stopped taking the anti-epileptic drugs in 2008 and never had an issue since. And back driving, obviously.
I suspect your friend should at least have this investigated in case there is something more sinister going on. Getting a tumour or irregular heart rhythms sorted early is really important. Losing your licence or losing your life - I know which I would choose....unfortunately it need putting like this for some people to take notice (including me!!)
My employers were great, I worked away a lot and they basically paid for taxis everywhere, to and from airports at both ends etc. Work colleagues helped with lifts to and from work ( only when raining, as I walked the rest of the time). If I lived further away I would probably have cycled. Clear open dialogue with my employers was the answer here. I needed to know my job was safe given the driving ban, purely to take at least one thing off my plate.
The DVLA pretty much followed my doctor's lead. While it was undiagnosed they wouldn't allow me to drive. Once diagnosed as epilepsy, I needed to be fit free for twelve months and could then reapply. So I reckon your friend will need to be fit free for 12months. There are some exceptions about night time fits, but it didn't seem to apply in my case.....
Subsequently, I think the fits were linked to my diabetes. I have a CGM (continuous Glucose Monitor) now and I can see what my blood sugars do through the night. On a few occasions my blood sugars dip low at about 5am but then miraculously rise again without eating food. This is a natural body response getting energy from the liver to make the blood sugars rise. I suspect with my insulin regime in 2007 my blood sugars were dropping very low early morning causing a fit but by the time ambulance arrived my liver had kicked in with a rise to normal levels.......
On the advice of a medic friend, I went for a second opinion and was told to stop driving and inform the DVLA. I was gutted.
I had a further two early morning (upon waking) fits. After each fit my blood sugar level was normal, so was not linked to my diabetes. I was banned from driving for about 18 months in total.
I had stopped drinking entirely, had multiple ECGs and MRI scans but nothing could be found wrong, so diagnosed and treated as epileptic.
Stopped taking the anti-epileptic drugs in 2008 and never had an issue since. And back driving, obviously.
I suspect your friend should at least have this investigated in case there is something more sinister going on. Getting a tumour or irregular heart rhythms sorted early is really important. Losing your licence or losing your life - I know which I would choose....unfortunately it need putting like this for some people to take notice (including me!!)
My employers were great, I worked away a lot and they basically paid for taxis everywhere, to and from airports at both ends etc. Work colleagues helped with lifts to and from work ( only when raining, as I walked the rest of the time). If I lived further away I would probably have cycled. Clear open dialogue with my employers was the answer here. I needed to know my job was safe given the driving ban, purely to take at least one thing off my plate.
The DVLA pretty much followed my doctor's lead. While it was undiagnosed they wouldn't allow me to drive. Once diagnosed as epilepsy, I needed to be fit free for twelve months and could then reapply. So I reckon your friend will need to be fit free for 12months. There are some exceptions about night time fits, but it didn't seem to apply in my case.....
Subsequently, I think the fits were linked to my diabetes. I have a CGM (continuous Glucose Monitor) now and I can see what my blood sugars do through the night. On a few occasions my blood sugars dip low at about 5am but then miraculously rise again without eating food. This is a natural body response getting energy from the liver to make the blood sugars rise. I suspect with my insulin regime in 2007 my blood sugars were dropping very low early morning causing a fit but by the time ambulance arrived my liver had kicked in with a rise to normal levels.......
Edited by mike9009 on Tuesday 9th February 21:36
I had a 1 off black out many, many years ago whilst driving. I cannot remember if I had my licence taken away or if I was just advised not to drive while I had a load of tests.
Once they came back all clear/negative, it was put down to stress/overworking, I was given my licence back and have had no issues since.
Once they came back all clear/negative, it was put down to stress/overworking, I was given my licence back and have had no issues since.
Thanks all,
He seen this thread and it had the desired effect and he gave me a call the other day: it was just the one fit months ago; there hadn't been a repeat. He had already stopped driving (he is WFH anyway), and I am guessing it was due to stress.
He contacted the DVLA, but had already been speaking to his doctor, so hopefully he can get it all sorted out.
He seen this thread and it had the desired effect and he gave me a call the other day: it was just the one fit months ago; there hadn't been a repeat. He had already stopped driving (he is WFH anyway), and I am guessing it was due to stress.
He contacted the DVLA, but had already been speaking to his doctor, so hopefully he can get it all sorted out.
Edited by PiesAreGreat on Thursday 18th February 23:31
PiesAreGreat said:
Thanks all,
He seen this thread and it had the desired effect, it was just the one fit months ago; there hadn't been a repeat. He had already stopped driving (he is WFH anyway), and I am guessing it was due to stress.
He contacted the DVLA, but had already been speaking to his doctor, so hopefully he can get it all sorted out.
Good news that it was only one fit. He will soon be back driving before he knows it. He seen this thread and it had the desired effect, it was just the one fit months ago; there hadn't been a repeat. He had already stopped driving (he is WFH anyway), and I am guessing it was due to stress.
He contacted the DVLA, but had already been speaking to his doctor, so hopefully he can get it all sorted out.
sherman said:
PiesAreGreat said:
Thanks all,
He seen this thread and it had the desired effect, it was just the one fit months ago; there hadn't been a repeat. He had already stopped driving (he is WFH anyway), and I am guessing it was due to stress.
He contacted the DVLA, but had already been speaking to his doctor, so hopefully he can get it all sorted out.
Good news that it was only one fit. He will soon be back driving before he knows it. He seen this thread and it had the desired effect, it was just the one fit months ago; there hadn't been a repeat. He had already stopped driving (he is WFH anyway), and I am guessing it was due to stress.
He contacted the DVLA, but had already been speaking to his doctor, so hopefully he can get it all sorted out.
PiesAreGreat said:
I hope so, due to Covid restrictions we can't just drop round, so hasn't seen many people for the last year, so must be feeling very isolated. I think he is more concerned that he can't drive to work (like a lot of us, he is WFH for the moment).
I think it would be hard for a company to sack him if he is doing his job satisfactorally without driving just now because of WFH. They may let him WFH until he can drive anyway. By the time lockdown is lifted and his office is open he will be several months into his ban.
I lost my licence last june for epilepsy. I should get my licence back this june. We wont be allowed out of our local area until probably May anyway so realisticly I will only trully lose about 1 months of driving freedom. Going to the local supermarket doesnt count for driving.
Obviously it will depend on the company, but mine were really good. They adjusted my responsibilities and kept me working full time. It was nice to have everything else carry on as normal (except having to get a lift to work)
If he's been able to WFH due to Covid, I'm sure they can remain flexible in the short term when restrictions are lifted.
If he's been able to WFH due to Covid, I'm sure they can remain flexible in the short term when restrictions are lifted.
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