Re: Driving Jai Bi*ch session LOL!!

[Guest guest]

I also don't drive much....I only drive when I absolutely have to, but not because my doctor told me not to.....because i feel that I can't.

My doctor has never said anything about me driving....

yet.

But, When I do drive, I can't keep my eyes focused, I can't keep my concentration directed on driving, and I can't stay awake while driving.

So, I will only drive to the next town....7 miles away.....which is the nearest store, to get stuff or to the school, because that is as far as I can keep my concentration going.

It is by my own choice that I don't drive. With the meds that I am on, and if I do wreck my car, and cause an accident where anyone else is injured, it would be all my fault and would be caused by drugs (By Law, our medications are considered as Driving while Drugged and is Illegal). So, it's just safer for me not to drive very far.

It sucks not being able to just hop in the car and go where ever I want to go.....like grocery shopping, to Mcs, to the Doctor's office or where ever I feel like going (which for me is 30 miles or further no matter where I go)

But, I've learned to just sit around and wait, and once Gene gets the time, he'll take me to where I need to go, or, if I need to go sooner than that, I can talk his mother into driving me.

Just everyone be careful while driving, because if you are taking any narcotic Medications and you have an accident......they can give you a ticket for Driving under the Influence!

Tonia

-------Original Message-------

In a message dated 10/12/04 7:29:17 PM Pacific Daylight Time, RSD-CRPSofAmerica writes:

Just told yesterday that I cannot drive anymore, so what did I do today, I got in the car and drove to the store and to my Moms!!!! I just can't let myself except the fact that I will no longer have the freedom to drive and may go paralyzed! It is a possibility and it really scares me. You never think it is going to happen to you until it does. Hi Dawn,I understand how you feel. I have not been able to drive since Oct. Of 99. It is VERY hard for me because I am a very independent person. I have been dealing with RSD since Oct.99 and it has been a very long and hard road. I lost everything I ever worked for and basically have no memories from Oct. 99 till about 2002. I was so heavily medicated, having back to back surgeries, blocks, etc. The septicemia caused infection to seed to other parts of my body causing osteomylitis (bone infections) in several parts of my body.I have spent almost as much time in the hospital or rehab hospital (physical rehab, not drug rehab) than I have out. Since the successful implantation of the SCS in August I am going to work on being able to drive again. I will hopefully be reducing the dosages of my meds due to the SCS. I am kind of bummed because I saw my pain doc yesterday and he did not reduce anything yet. He wants to let everything settle first. I am getting very impatient, I WANT TO DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please know that hopefully it will just be temporary that you can't drive, keep up the fight to beat this monster called RSD.Finally my meds were stabilized so much so that I did not sleep all day and night. I was put on Methylin, kind of like Ritalin and it was a Godsend. I was still having problems with complications from surgeries but actually started forming some memories. I started being able to spend time at home, with home health nurses coming in to help me with dressing changes, IV's and even emotional support. After some of my surgeries to my leg they were so horrific I could not look at it let alone change the dressings. I am an RN and have seen it all but this was too much. When it is your own body it is totally different. I am sure any one in health care can agree that being the one in the hosp bed is totally different from being the caregiver!!! I had PT that came to my home to get me moving again. They were wonderful!!!I have come a long way!! One year ago I could not walk through Walmart by myself, I had to use one of those electric carts, well NO MORE!!!!!! I still use crutches but can get around so much better. My parents retired to a ski town up north and every fall they have a festival in the town. I always would go but my Dad had to bring my wheelchair so I could get around. The festival is this coming weekend and I am going to walk. Might not sound like much but it is a major accomplishment for me. Wow I am really rambling on. I think what happened was that earlier I was looking through a bunch of pictures from the last few years. It just brought back a lot of memories.(That's a good sign LOL!) Sorry to burden you all with this but I guess I had to get it off of my chest. Thanks for listening (or reading really lol) You all are in my prayers, Love Jai