If you are diagnosed with narcolepsy, do they take your driver’s license away from you?
Monday, March 9th, 2009 at
5:24 am
marelda asked:
I have a sleep study coming up next Sunday and Monday. The doctor thinks I have narcolepsy. I have been having trouble driving and had to take a leave of absence from work, because I was falling asleep while driving. Right now, I just drive for small trips to the local grocery store. My husband does all the other driving. I am just wondering if they are going to take away my driver’s license, or will the medicine make it possible for me to drive long distances (20 minutes to 1 hour), so I can go back to work.
I have a sleep study coming up next Sunday and Monday. The doctor thinks I have narcolepsy. I have been having trouble driving and had to take a leave of absence from work, because I was falling asleep while driving. Right now, I just drive for small trips to the local grocery store. My husband does all the other driving. I am just wondering if they are going to take away my driver’s license, or will the medicine make it possible for me to drive long distances (20 minutes to 1 hour), so I can go back to work.
Tagged with: Driver License • Leave Of Absence • Sleep
Filed under: Narcolepsy
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I kinda hope so zzzzzzzzzzzz
If the motor vehicle branch knows you have narcolepsy, yes they will suspend your license till you get it treated.
It depends on the laws of your state or country. Does your state/country have a law that requires doctors to notify them if a patient is “unsafe to drive”? If not, how would the Driver’s License Bureau know that you even have it, unless you tell them?
But, more importantly, how safe is it for you to drive.. even short distances? I know you would like to have the freedom to drive yourself when y ou need or want to… but honestly, how safe is it for you and others on the road???
Discuss this with your doctor and let him know that you would like to continue to drive and if the medication he might prescribe for you can make this possible.
There is medication for this but of course your doctor will have to decide if this is safe for you as well as the pubic..
Since you already have a doctor, you should really ask him/her how the medication will help you. As for your license, you might want to contact the DMV of your state and ask the question.
Some states restrict driving for narcoleptics, however you can usually make a case to keep your license once you are under medical treatment and can demonstrate that the medication is making it possible for you to stay alert. It might require a letter from your doctor, and it may take a while before you can really determine if the medication is going to be effective enough for this. However, research has shown that narcoleptics who are under medical treatment for the condition appear to be no more at risk for crashes than the general public. So, your diagnosis doesn’t mean you won’t be able to drive anymore — in fact, it may mean you’ll be able to drive MORE, as once you get the condition diagnosed, you can begin to treat it. Good luck!
I don’t think so. I know a person who has narcolepsy and he drives. I think he is on medication for it though. He has been driving for years with it.
My ex-husband was diagnosed with narcolepsy, and yes they do give you medication to make you able to function during the day, then maybe something to help you sleep at night. They didn’t take his license away, so I wouldn’t worry about that. Good luck during those sleep tests…it’s hard not to fall asleep givin the conditions in the room they put you in…I hope all goes well for you! It’s a rough road to get started, but everything planes out eventually when you get used to the medicine and a regular sleeping pattern again.
You should ask you doctor they think it’s safe for you to drive. Narcolepsy can be treated though, depending on circumstances. Try to be careful until that test!
Here’s some handy info too…