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May 25, 2006
Heres my nuts... please form a queue if you want to kick them
Well then. What a day yesterday was. Ever heard the expression "kicked when already down"? - that is how I feel today, after seeing the neurology clinic yesterday. Ive been given another kick in the nuts, hence the title to this entry.
Theyve revoked my driving license as a result of the jerks getting worse and more frequent when laying down. Of course we drive a lot when lying down dont we! On top of this, they want to admit me for a day of tests hooked up a an EEG machine so that they can try to catch the jerks happening. They are still convinced that it is epilepsy-proper, and not just after effects of the drugs I am on.
Ive contacted the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, for my non-UK Friends), and informed them of the situation. I now have to fill in form Ep1 and return my drivers license. I am NOT a happy bunny today. OK, I dont own a car, and Im not insured. Ive not driven since I passed my test, so it could be so very much worse. BUT when I get to be fit enough to work again having no license to drive with severely limits my chances or employment, and also the radius of the area that I can seek employment in.
It almost feels like i've lost my freedom. Its hard to describe. I was so pleased the day I got my license, as it hadnt been an easy thing for me to pass with being so ill at the time. I was so proud, and now its gone. Hummpph.
How do I get my license back? Im glad you asked. The DVLA website states that I have to be completely symptom free of epilepsy for 12 consequtive months, and have this period of time monitored and evaluated by my neurology clinic - just like they are now.
Trouble is that "symptom free" doesnt just mean full blown grand mal fits, but the slightest little twinge or jerk too. So I could go symptom free for 11 months and 28 days, then on the 29th day I have a twitch, and Im back to square one again having to start the year over.
Major suckage. My mum is devestated over it too. I dont fully understand why, but she was really really keen for me to keep my license even though I never drove and had put a self imposed ban on myself once I started the drowsy meds all those years ago.
I guess I just have to see what the EEG says when its done. If its epilepsy then I have to hope that the increase in epilim that was proposed yesterday is gonna fully work as then i can have my license back in 12 months so long as the meds keep doing the job. And if its not epilepsy, and is purely drug after effects then Im pretty much screwed as I cannot live a life without the pain medication as I'll be in bed all day every day in unmitigated agony. It would also mean that my driving license would be in the hands of the pain clinic. And that - as you can probably tell from recent entries in here - is a very bad thing, and something that worries me. A lot!
J.
Depression: 8/10
Pain: 5/10
Posted by Jason at May 25, 2006 09:17 AM
Readers Thoughts
You've certainly had a bad day, and I'm very sorry for that, but you have to know that your efforts in this fantastic website have helped our family immensely. A family member has undergone a bowel resection for a malignancy and now has a colostomy. We've been travelling through the net for some time, and your site is absolutely the best source of information for a novice colostomist. You manage to put a humanistic, sensitive perspective on what can be a traumatic experience.
I hope your many health challenges can be resolved. Life sometimes isn't fair, but troubles like these are a true test of character, and it seems to me you've more than passed with flying colours.
Thanks so much for your altruism. I wish you good health and happiness.
Meja
Posted by: meja at May 26, 2006 11:20 PM