I live in South Carolina, and my doctor said there is a federal law that if you had fainted, you are not allowed to drive for 6 months, without a fainting episode.

Now I have the dev implanted, and I checked with DMV, and they said they have laws for epileptic seizure, but not for devices.

I know the public transportation in other states is great, but I am so frustrated with this restriction. This is a major bummer.

Thoughts anyone, how they have coped and what to do? Is there a federal law like this?

Thanks

 

 

I don't believe there are federal regulations about a waiting period for driving just related to fainting. I had fainted before getting my pacemaker, and I only had to wait a week or so before driving once I got the device (I live in California). Actually, I had fainted once before WHILE driving, and in order to drive again I had to have a doctor do some paperwork with the DMV and take a driving test. There was no mention of a waiting period, but since I couldn't drive until recovering from injuries anyway (about 8 weeks) I didn't ask.

Maybe there are different restrictions for ICDs?

While I was recovering from the car accident, I relied on friends and family and worked from home a lot...

 

Hi,

I live in Rhode Island and also can't drive due to fainting. I have my PM for an illness called POTS that causes me to faint all the time, bc of the ammount of times I faint per week, I can't drive a car until being 6 months faint free. It has been five years of not being able to drive.
I am 33 yrs old and is dependant on other people for rides. I am still trying to think of the future and stay positive knowing that one day I will be able to drive again.

Hang in there, it is very tough, but it is better then getting into a car wreck hurting yourself or someone else due to you fainting!

Christine

 

Not a federal law. a State law in some States.

 

When I fainted my Dr. also said that the DMV said you are not to drive for 6 months also,but I think if you got your device put in then that fixed the problem then you just have to wait whatever time for after implant ( I think 2 weeks?)

 

cfritzla, I think that depends on the State. The device is not necessarily the only cause for fainting. And in some places, if you faint (especially in connection with driving) there is a 6mo waiting period after the last incident.

 

Depends on the state, Dr's have a responsibility in some states to report loss of conciousness to the state DMV and typically have to file paperwork after the time frame to release you for driving. It typically doesn't matter what the issue is (epilepsy or whatever). I live in New York, haven't been allowed to drive since last June and I'm 30. It sucks. I was told 6 weeks at the beginning and thought I'd never get through it...I'm at 9 months and counting, it is possible to get through, it is not easy. Hopefully your implant will work and prevent you from having any episodes and you will be released for driving soon.Try to enjoy being driven around, find it entertaining, it will help. I still find it really hard too and am constantly trying to figure out how to cope.
good luck.

 

What you are describing sounds like federal law for commercial truck drivers. For private auto drivers it seems to be up to the states.

frank

 

I heard that there is a federal law that prohibits ICD patients from getting a commercial license (for truck driving) regardless of whether or not there are symptoms like fainting. Anyone know if that's true?

I never heard of a federal law on driving. I know some states do prohibit epileptics from driving.

 

and it's the total pits. I live nine hours from my family and only have my boyfriend with me to help me get to all the many places I need to get to. It's nearly an impossible feat with all the conflicts in our schedules and it's so frustrating to have just purchased a car and have it sit there in my parking spot for 6 months. I am only 2 weeks into my next 6 month driving free stint and I find myself at my wits end, near tears almost daily because no one else can possibly realize what that limitation means for someone in today's day and age. The simplest things like getting to the gym for a quick workout, picking up a gallon of milk, running to the bank, etc... has to become an ordeal, and often its an impossibility.

My doctor in VA told me that even though I will have a pacemaker by the end of this month, I will still need to go the full 6 months without an episode, as the pacemaker won't prevent my fainting.

 

I did some research into this, apparently this is not an enforced law by the government, it's something that is enforced by the doctors. So if the doctor doesn't send a letter to the DMV, you still keep your license.

Apparently the AHA has updated their guideline, that if you never had an episode of fainting, but if the PM/ICD was placed for preventive measures, you can go on driving. Hope this helps someone out there. This was a new ruling done a few years ago.
http://cardiology.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2007/306/2

However, if you have fainted, then the law stands. Also there is a study out of Toronto that they found out that patients have been driving without listening to their doctors and the rate of accident has been lower, but this doesn't mean that people should drive.

My biggest question is say, I dont have a problem in 6 months, and then I am cleared, the day after I am so excited, get in the car and the ICD goes off, can I sue my doctor? Who made this 6 months, not even for a DUI you get 6 months! Where did this magic number come from!?