while driving…
Question:
Dan <myshoeisonf…@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:QhE35.13484$ds.396598@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I am 19 years old, and am having trouble with my tics when i’m driving. > most people probably think I am drunk, I jerk my neck and shoulders – > sending my into adjacent lanes, of course. I really dont think that I > should drive ….. > but I don’t think that I can tell anyone without them taking me seriously. > (especially the ones who would do the driving for me) > it seems like, for me, that it would be easier for a policeman to pull me > over, and suspend my license. That would take it off MY shoulders anyway. > I have had a close encounter with a curb, and a ditch. I really do not want > to drive. but somedays i’m ok. > by the way, what does the DMV have to say about TS? > any comments appreciated :^) > -dan
Response:
Dan <myshoeisonf…@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:QhE35.13484$ds.396598@newsread2.prod.itd.earthlink.net… > I am 19 years old, and am having trouble with my tics when i’m driving. > most people probably think I am drunk, I jerk my neck and shoulders – > sending my into adjacent lanes, of course. I really dont think that I > should drive …..
Then you shouldn’t on those days when you feel this coming on. > but I don’t think that I can tell anyone without them taking me seriously.
But why not? If you perceive yourself as having a problem while driving, then you should hope that they take you seriously. Perhaps what’s happening is that you are afraid of losing your license? You won’t until and unless you have an accident, and then, maybe not. So the thing to do is to figure out what it is that is making you tic, if it’s worse at some times while driving than others, and find ways to avoid those things, or get someone else to do the driving. Are you a relatively ‘new’ driver? It may be the stress of this that’s exacerbating your tics. Talk to us more about it. KAT in CT
Response:
Dan, I wouldn’t wait until a policeman takes away your liscense. What if that means you have to wait until you total your car, or injure or even kill yourself or someone else? Talk about having something on your shoulders!!! I wouldn’t be ashamed of having other people drive you. Most would be happy to keep you and others safe. Yes, some might think its a burden but so what. The possible alternatives are far worse. As far as the DMV, they do prevent forbid you to drive if you have a physical or mental impairment which prevents you from driving. Legally blind people have gotten arrested for driving. You may want to see if a doctor can treat the tics to the point where you can drive safely again, but wait until you know the meds work. Esp since they are sedating and initially can impair your driving worse. Good luck, Alex I am 19 years old, and am having trouble with my tics when i’m driving. most people probably think I am drunk, I jerk my neck and shoulders – sending my into adjacent lanes, of course. I really dont think that I should drive ….. but I don’t think that I can tell anyone without them taking me seriously. (especially the ones who would do the driving for me) it seems like, for me, that it would be easier for a policeman to pull me over, and suspend my license. That would take it off MY shoulders anyway. I have had a close encounter with a curb, and a ditch. I really do not want to drive. but somedays i’m ok. by the way, what does the DMV have to say about TS? any comments appreciated :^) -dan — For info about this service, see http://www.twwells.com/anon/ or e-mail: h…@anon.twwells.com — for an automatically returned help message ad…@anon.twwells.com – for the service’s administrator ano…@anon.twwells.com — anonymous mail to the administrator
Response:
According to the DMV here, I called them this morning, if you were to go to a doctor and tell him exactly what you said in this email, he would be forced to notify the DMV about your condition. They wouldn’t suspend your license, but they would relinguish it until you have been without this problem for one entire year. So, if you want to have an excuse not to drive, go tell your doc what you told all of us. Kimberly "If you don’t give your heart wings, you will surely never fly."
Response:
I concure, if your driving is so bad that you might injure somebody else, then STOP driving. I got pretty bad myself. But went on medication and it helped my driving to an amazing degree. Also, after you get used to the medication, You’ll realize that your driving might be even better than the average driver! (since you know your limitations) James
Response:
Dan- I have trouble driving some times too. On those days I just don’t drive. I either get someone to drive me, or I don’t go out. There is no reason to not ask for a ride when you need it. I think people will understand more than you know. But I would strongly advise against telling the DMV about your TS. Just limit your driving voluntarily. I say this because, as you know, some days are worse than others. You might also find that in a year or two your tics could decrease significantly. Or you can go months for a time without ticcing, and then have a flare up again. That is the way TS goes. So if you get TS put on your driving record now, both with the DMV and auto insurance, it might hinder your freedom to drive on days or in longer times of remission. I’m not telling you to lie; I’m just saying sometimes you can give too much information. In the meantime, you might investigate medication if the tics are too bad too often for you to function well. But remember here too you will have to be cautious driving. Side effects can be just as problematic as the tics, especially when you are just starting a drug. Until you know how a drug affects you, don’t drive. I know it is hard to be patient, and difficult not to be extremely hard on yourself. It sounds trite, but just take life a day at a time. Somedays you will be able to drive well, somedays not. It doesn’t mean you will never be able to drive again. Sometimes it is a real pain to feel dependant on others, but then, if your friends or family needed a hand, wouldn’t you help them? How would you feel if they didn’t ask you to do something for them that you can do well, just because they thought you wouldn’t understand? One of the hardest parts to learn about caring about other people is that you have to give them the chance to care about you. You have to let them help you just as you would help them. Take it easy, Ellen
Response:
Dan writes: > I really do not want >to drive. but somedays i’m ok.
There are times when I can drive and other times when I cannot. I usually ask for rides if available (there is no mass transit system here) and like I said, there are days when I can. Keep your license by only driving when you are doing well. Otherwise I would ask for rides or take a bus if available, it would be better than injuring someone and also getting your license removed and then NEVER being able to drive. I know what you mean about people not believing you. It seems like the tics, although they may not be as apparent when I am not driving, seem to increase on the bad days when I attempt to get behind the wheel…I’m not sure if it’s the confinement, or whatever, and I don’t know why it works that way. I am always battling the "what if they don’t believe me" thing. Finally I just stopped caring if anyone believed me or not. It is better than getting in a wreck and being liable for someone else’s life. Besides, as long as you control the situation (ask for rides when you can’t drive) you can still have a license for when you are able to drive safely. Otherwise it would be harder to get it back I would think. I don’t know if you are working; I do not so I don’t have to worry about transportation unless I need food or need to go to the bank. You may need to work that out if you have places you must be. But I would definitely err on the side of caution.
Response:
Dan, I don’t have any advice, or experience with this personally. I just felt I needed to share a story from someone in my Chapter. They just called the hotline last week, in trouble. The police pulled him over, due to his erratic driving, due to his ticcing. They thought he was drunk, took him in, gave him a breatalizer, etc. Not a pretty story. He was actually on his way back from NIH, where he is participating in a medication study, to get more of his meds. He now has a lawyer, and is fighting them taking away his licsense and in need of help from our local chapter. I am not trying to scare you. You obviously are concerned enough, or it would not have prompted you to post in the first place. For 19, you are being very responsible in questioning this, in my humble opinion. Dan, trust your gut instinct. If you feel that you are endangering yourself, or others, you need to take action. Make sure that you are not blown off by others that you ask to help you. Be serious and matter of fact and let them know that this is a temporary arrangment. Since this is a new issue then the likelihood is, that is will wane again at some time. Hopefully sooner than later. Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com. Up to 100 minutes free! http://www.keen.com
Response:
‘Twas Tue, 20 Jun 2000 18:05:28 GMT when the wise and venerated lpac…@optonline.net (lpacker) enlightened alt.support.tourette with these thought provoking words: >4. Many states — through the agency that handles vocational >rehabilitation — have special driving classes and training. They >also do evaluations. Perhaps you should check into those services to >see if they could work with you on extended driving lessons to help >you figure out a way to drive safely despite the tics. It might even >be the case that once you were in such a supportive driving training >situation, your stress might drop and the tics might be less of a >problem.
I strongly advise against this, unless you are having a serious problem. Simply by asking about such services, you might be reported to the DMV and lose your license. — RB |
