Thank you Cath, it was my Neuro who said for me not to drive, I believe due to the meds and my current condition, I have also been on anti epilepsy meds for years, I have been many many years without any seizures however, the meds all mixing and my current symptoms, which before dx I thought would get better.
To be honest I wouldn’t fight it as I can totally see where he is coming from, I had a serious car crash 7 years ago that wasn’t my fault but I know how that was and I wouldn’t like to take the chance, I’ve lived through that and I kind of feel I have to take this advice seriously. With everything else I will fight very other symptom until I am six feet under, but I would never want to be responsible for causing someone and their family or my family the horrible grief of an accident that I caused and I had been warned.
My GP informed me about the three year situation she is excellent at talking through everything pros and cons, however we are all in agreement on tqhis point anyway lol.
I will totally ask about some counselling for holly, as I really feel it would benefit her, she really is a young carer and I think she would benefit from having a neutral person to help just her. I do have a husband but he works full time and a lot falls to the kids, but we do make a good team and have a laugh at the same time.
Polly, I gave up driving several years ago for much the same reasons as you mention…I do still have my license but I know I am not safe…besides all the other stuff I simply cannot concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time… I have the attention span of a goldfish!
It is a disadvantage when you are used to it but I am fine with it now and I am sure you will be too given time.
Good Luck tomorrow when you talk to your children…I remember it well. Remember though what Pam said they know you are ill you just have a label now.
Polly I fully agree with your decision not to drive. I didn’t know why you had stopped as I know of quite a few people who DVLA decided not to renew their licenses when they were able to drive. I still drive but can’t go on long trips and only when I feel well enough. As you have a good gp, maybe you could ask them if they can refer your daughter to young carers. As I mentioned earlier they were fantastic with my daughter who took my illness really badly. They listened to all of her concerns and even came to the house to help her talk through any concerns with me and mediated while we hashed out our differences. She had one to one sessions where they taught her relaxation and meditation techniques which have definitely helped those typical teen outrages. I enjoy her company again and know when to step back to prevent arguments which has made a huge difference to our relationship.
Well that’s the tough bit done, the kids have all been told, 2 step daughters 23 and 29 and our kids 17 and 12. The yngest was quite upset, we were open and frank but in a language they would understand, the oldest was fine, and as we expected the not driving (not that I had done much lately) was the hardest for my daughter, the youngest.
But we are actually all doing well, I took a horrific migraine yesterday, I couldn’t eat, could barely drink, opening my eyes or talking was almost impossible and that kind of got to them a bit, but Holly just slotted right into getting me cold towels, fresh water, and rubbing my feet when they spasemd.
School starts back tomo so she’s focused on that today, the hairdresser is coming today to give her a wee hair cut so she’s all excited. My husband and I discussed the young carers support in our area, witch we’ve looked into and they offer counselling too. So we are going to let her start school first and get that over and then get her into it. My oldest who is my son and going to Uni will have Uni,and part time work, what we will do with him is see how he’s coping and see how he is effected by it all. I’m currently at a not very well point but I’m hoping that having started baclofen I will start to feel the benefit soon.
Its feels so good to have somewhere and people to talk to this about knowing that you understand all this. I am also like Nina, I haven’t been asked to send my driving licence back to DVLA so I theoretically still have a licence, but it is believed I am not safe to drive. I know this in myself, acceptance of it isn’t easy but it is the one fight it is not worth anyone’s safety fighting.
Hope your all having a good day, it’s terribly wet and dull up here today xxx
I made the decision not to drive anymore too, like Nina…
my neuro said i was still ok to drive,but i knew different, i think we know ourselves if we are true to ouselves,i missed it dreadfully at first,but was thankfull that i could still drive while my kids were teenagers…now they drive its THEIR turn to taxi mum about lol…
Polly you’ve got the hardest part over now, telling the family and introducing yourself here are very difficult but I hope you keep coming back. I’ve definitely had a lot of help and support from these lovely people and it’s definitely helped me cope with my illness. It’s very reassuring knowing you’re not on your own. Just make sure you get enough rest and you’ll find ways to get control of many of your symptoms in time. It does get easier
Hi Polly, well done, that is the hardest part over and done with, its surprising how easy children adapt.
I also decided not to drive anymore, but that was a long time ago, and it does take a bit of time to get used to, but you and your family will get there. Its better to be safe than sorry.
I hope the baclofen is of benefit to you, it definitely takes the edge off for me. Any questions, just ask as I am sure someone on here will be able to answer, take care and one day at a time.
I was wondering do you claim DLA or PIP? Just occured to me that it would perhaps enable you to pay for a taxi if you felt up to a day out with your daughter?
Thank you again everyone, my car had been a lease one, taken out 4 years ago when I was still working, so when it goes back next month, the money I’m not paying out for it will help for taxis.
Ive sent away for PIP as my DLA was up for renewal, but I’m still waiting to hear for the medical from atos.
Im looking forward to getting a little stability.
Does anyone have terrible nails and hair and bruise easily? I don’t know if it’s just me or tablets side effect or what? I usually wear a lot of makeup but lately I’ve not had the energy to “paint the face on” and people have commented on how terrible I look, black circles and grey skin and covered in bruises.
I do bruise very easily, but I take warfarin as well, so presume its that rather than the amitriptyline and baclofen, but someone else without warfarin will have that answer for you.
Thank you Pat, think it might be down to the hysterectomy that I had to have at 36 last November, which I’m still struggling to get over, knocked the stuffing out of me, so I think this is hormone related. Like I said, so much is new to me and there’s a million questions bursting in my head lol.
Polly, once you get a decision on your PIP you may well be eligible for a Motability lease car. It might turn out to be the best thing financially. Basically, your benefit gets handed straight on to the lease company, but they (Motability )pay your insurance, servicing, new tyres etc etc. and you’ll be exempt from road tax. it’s a very well run scheme. Depends how much you’d spend on taxis- but it does mean you’ve got a car at your doorstep 24/7 !
I bruise very easily but like Pam take blood thinners as I also have a heart condition…doesn’t cause me any problems …as long as I take my meds.
I had alot of problems with nails a few years ago…my Dr at the time did some checks on nail clippings…could find no reason for it and eventually it went away…very odd…but do think you should get it checked…it could be something as simple as iron deficancy.
Take care, don’t forget its early days yet, takes an awful lot of getting used too but you will get there and in the meantime you have us all on here to support you!