So i got my dream job as a bus driver, my problem is first off they dont know about the ms, second it feels like everything is crashing down. Past week i believe im having a relapse, its diffeent to before, ive had the permanat numbness is my hand, but now everything is spinning, used to only happen when im standing now ill be sitting and best way to describe it is that im really drunk. Still waiting for a appointment with the ms specialist, but its taking forever, and i really cant take all this at the moment. Im at the doctors now to try and speed things up, i will be calling in sick today, i know i shouldnt be driving. But i dont know what to tell them, im still on probation. If i loose my job ill be even more of a mess, got so much money going out a month i dont know what to do. Im a mess at the moment
I am so sorry that you are having a horrible time. It would have been nice if you could have shared the news about your MS with your employer (as am assuming that you are dx?) at a time of your choosing, but there you go.
Yes, it’s a mess. But one thing is absolutely clear: you must not drive in this state. You know this yourself. If your employer finds that you have driven for them while impaired in this way and keeping quiet about it, you’ll be out the door instantly. Doing the right thing and taking yourself off the road straight away has to be your best chance.
Good luck.
Alison
hiya
i wanted to be a bus driver too! tho ms arrived before i had chance to do it. so now i snog the driver instead
but none of that waffle helps you. i guess it can be an awful position for you but you are already aware of the issues you have and risking ur own life and that of others should make the decision easier and clear…
there are other jobs within the bus company-could u manage them-contoller for eg? i dunno what ‘ur rights’ are-am sure someone else will tell u but i would focus on what u know is honest for you and how you will live with it-thats the best we can do cos unfortunately it doesnt go away if we just try to ignore it.
take a deep breath and think honestly-for yourself and others please.
ellie x
Hi Ssamm,
I recently had a relapse and had symptoms similar to what you are describing…feeling (and probably looking) drunk and dizzy. These feelings have now passed for me so hopefully they will for you too. Fingers crossed!
I don’t know how long you have had your MS or how much you are aware of the requirements of the DVLA but just in case you don’t know, MS is a notifiable illness and the DVLA should be informed, as should your insurance company (who may not charge you extra just because you have MS). My neuro, when I asked his advice, didn’t seem too bothered whether I told them or not but I did because things like that worry me. My licence is now restricted to 3 years before my next renewal and there is no change to my insurance, so no problem! Just be careful Ssamm, God forbid anything should happen but, if it did and your unnotified ms came to light, you may not be covered by your insurance. If you feel you shouldn’t be driving then don’t…keep yourself, and your passengers, safe!
I’m so sorry you have such a dilemma to sort out and hope you find a solution soon. Rest and get bac k on your feet soon.
Hugs! x
Well i have not seen the specialist yet, so it still hasnt been confirmed in writing from them. It was the neurologist who told me he believe it to be 100% what i have. But currently untill ots declared by them i ot breaking the law (thankfully)
Hi, i`m sorry too that you arent able to work just now.
But as you and the others have already said, being a bus driver isnt reallly a wise thing to do, especially as ms symptoms vary and can be unpredictable a lot of the time.
Hopefully, you`ll be able to find another satisfying job.
Look after yourself.
luv Pollx
Keep safe Ssamm! x
Hi, this sounds like a difficult situation for you. I agree with you that you are not breaking the law by not telling DVLA since you have not been official diagnosed. The bigger problem is the fact that you are a bus driver, will you be able to carry on being a bus driver if you have an ms diagnosis? I really do not know. I normally wouldn’t be keen on going to a new employer and telling them about ms that you didn’t mention before you were employed but you are in an evolving situaton and things are changing. I think you need to go and be completely honest with your employer, I’m not sure what they will do. I know you are in a probationary period and tbh I don’t think they will be keen to employ someone who might not even hold a licence once they have an ms diagnosis , not suggesting this is the case btw, it’s just what they might well assume. I think you need to appeal to them, be nice and ask if there are any other jobs that you can move to within the company, hopefully the better side of human nature will come out here and they might see if they can relocate you to another job. I think you need to tell them rathe than call in sick, sickness absence during the probationary period is n’t going to help you. Tell them, it’s all you can do. Good luck, I really do feel for you.