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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by leo33 on November 12, 2008, at 10:35:06
Was wondering how many people drive on the benzo's or other psych meds?
Posted by fayeroe on November 12, 2008, at 10:54:09
In reply to Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds, posted by leo33 on November 12, 2008, at 10:35:06
> Was wondering how many people drive on the benzo's or other psych meds?
I don't drive on .05 xanax and I drive after taking Lamictal and Wellburtin. No problems there.
Posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2008, at 13:07:49
In reply to Re: Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds » leo33, posted by fayeroe on November 12, 2008, at 10:54:09
I've always driven 37 years on benzos as high tolerance I guess. No problems. Phillipa ps if people on psych meds didn't drive there wouldn't be any cars on the road!!!! It's how you feel that matters.
Posted by rskontos on November 12, 2008, at 17:52:43
In reply to Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds, posted by leo33 on November 12, 2008, at 10:35:06
Yep I do. My p-doc had me first take a low dose of xanax during the day to see how it would affect me. He was giving it to me for panic attacks and since they most often happen out when I go around people I needed to be able to take them and drive.
I do fine.
rsk
Posted by manic666 on November 13, 2008, at 9:43:36
In reply to Re: Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds » leo33, posted by rskontos on November 12, 2008, at 17:52:43
this is a good question your asking, they are ready to bring out a law in england if found with any substance in you not only class a, but prescribed meds you will get the same tretment as a drink driver.i am a self named car nut an before i started meds used a car for my rushes .i had a 340b.h.b. subaru impretza turbo, moded to be a fire breathing dragon.when on meds i would take far more chances with my car than before an believe my i took a lot before. my wife told me the first crash you have in that car will be your last.i have a smaller car now but is still moded to my liking.but of course meds make a hugh difference.i felt no fear an that is wrong, you may feel to relaxed an take more chances just like a drunk driver.depending on how many meds YOU HAVE TAKEN, they can an do in england take away your licence.MANIC666
Posted by Abby Cunningham on November 13, 2008, at 13:40:49
In reply to Re: Do people driveYESbut not much longer, posted by manic666 on November 13, 2008, at 9:43:36
Yes - Phillipa is correct - if everyone on a psych med was taken off the road, there would be very few drivers left! Sad to say.
I sure do drive. I have been on alprazolam for over 20 years and have always driven. The benzo only acts to prevent withdrawal now, no effect on me otherwise. So I am fine. I came down from 3 mg. xanax to 1.5mg. and want to get off it completely but scared to taper............the withdrawal is no picnic.
Posted by Phillipa on November 13, 2008, at 18:12:51
In reply to Re: Do people driveYESbut not much longer, posted by Abby Cunningham on November 13, 2008, at 13:40:49
Mine failed just had to go back up but a bit lower. Love Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on November 14, 2008, at 2:04:13
In reply to Re: Do people driveYESbut not much longer, posted by Abby Cunningham on November 13, 2008, at 13:40:49
Theoretically if your doctor thought you were in dire danger, in this state they have the authority and duty to report you to the DMV. However, that rarely is the case and your doctor would discuss things with you anyhow.
There are also private driver reflex courses at hospitals that are not run by the DMV that can certify that you are safe to drive and then you can sign off on it that you're "safe".
That being said, if you wake up early in the morning and you're on a sleeping agent, I would jog around the block or do some aerobics or something like that.
Yes, if you don't have anxiety you can take coffee, but if you are taking a lot of anxiety meds like benzodiazepines it sort of defeats the purpose of them.
That being said, I won't comment on my driving, but I do it with due diligence knowing that I have medications.
I leave extra space, more than usual, which of course means people freely cut in front of you and then you have to go again and leave the legal space that nobody follows.
I attempt to drive the safeness of my abilities, and I know my limitations, and again that's all I will say.
If you have in your mind that you have to drive safer than safe, you may end up overcompensating -- that's not something you want to do psychologically.
Drive a reasonable speed, if someone cuts you off or is a road rage driver just ignore it, its not worth more of a hazard than it already is.
Know your reflexes, if they are a little off, then drive rationally and know that. If you are having a bad day emotionally and are frazzled, keep that in mind and don't use it on the road. Pull over or exit and breathe for a while if you need to.
If you can't drive a lot at the moment for any reason, then try to use some public transportation in your area. I know it sucks in this country (US).
Driving is empowering, but it is a privilege.
-- Jay
Posted by manic666 on November 14, 2008, at 5:25:06
In reply to Re: Do people drive -- yes, posted by yxibow on November 14, 2008, at 2:04:13
jay think on , if you in a traffic jam an you have a panick attack,no were to go your blocking the traffic. major anxierty could follow an wow your a basket case.trying to hard to consantrate is another you should be relaxed not to relaxed on meds,its a big issue hear in england at the moment.if your drunk we have whats called a breatherlizer you breath in it an it show,s your alchol level. but now they do the walk the line test like you guys in US for presribed an ilegal drugs. manic666
Posted by kenny7 on November 14, 2008, at 16:37:38
In reply to Re: Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds, posted by Phillipa on November 12, 2008, at 13:07:49
You're trying to return to normalcy why wouldn't you drive? Practice if you can't...I drive titrating on god knows what and 3 mg Kpin.
Posted by yxibow on November 15, 2008, at 0:19:06
In reply to Re: Do people drive -- yes, posted by manic666 on November 14, 2008, at 5:25:06
> jay think on , if you in a traffic jam an you have a panick attack,no were to go your blocking the traffic. major anxierty could follow an wow your a basket case.trying to hard to consantrate is another you should be relaxed not to relaxed on meds,its a big issue hear in england at the moment.if your drunk we have whats called a breatherlizer you breath in it an it show,s your alchol level. but now they do the walk the line test like you guys in US for presribed an ilegal drugs. manic666
I make sure I'm as relaxed as possible before I drive -- face it, there are untreated people out there who don't know their limits. I know my limits, I don't have big panic attacks while driving, and if I do start to feel something coming on I am practical about it.Its better to gradually pull over to the side of the road or get off the ramp and park and take a breather. Yes, traffic can be rough, but there is still that possibility. Due dilligence.
Hands free bluetooth. Listen to the radio. That's about it, look out for people doing random things is the most important thing, if you feel too distracted, just drive. And the whole 9-oclock 3-oclock hard grip on the steering wheel isn't the best thing actually. I prefer 7-oclock 2-oclock. Its why steering wheels have multiple holes now. But that's random car talk.
I know about what police may think, but you can't create scenario after scenario in your head. I'm a great scenario creator, which is not good -- why bother ? You could create 1000 different things that could happen to you on a given day, and what purpose would that serve?
Anyhow, my 2c of reason
-- Jay
Posted by yxibow on November 15, 2008, at 0:26:23
In reply to Re: Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds, posted by kenny7 on November 14, 2008, at 16:37:38
> You're trying to return to normalcy why wouldn't you drive? Practice if you can't...I drive titrating on god knows what and 3 mg Kpin.
Exactly, pull out of the driveway or garage and go around your neighborhood slowly. Then go down a major street.
Use common sense and acclimate yourself to your reflexes, what you know about your anxiety patterns, and ultimately what you know about how much medication you are taking -- less is good, most of the time, I wish I was on zero frankly of some of the medications I don't like, but it really wouldn't stabilize me at the moment.
Its not a good idea to play around with dropping things too fast just because you want to get rid of everything. That's the fastest way to panic on the road.
And for arguments sake, what if you had to take insulin and needed to carry candy in your car?
There are lots of things that people have to do to be alive, to perservere, other than mental illness.Its use it or lose it -- yes, you know the basics of driving if you learned young, just like the basics of a bicycle, but you don't want to be out there rusty, driving too slow and pressing on the brakes all the time -- that's just as dangerous.
If you've just added or are titrating a medication, make good judgment calls on what you're experiencing. Don't over analyze or micromanage your thoughts though.
-- Jay
Posted by manic666 on November 16, 2008, at 10:42:06
In reply to Re: Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds » kenny7, posted by yxibow on November 15, 2008, at 0:26:23
if i had to think all that sh*t i wouldnt get in my car . drive slow, aclimatize,be careful , be vigalant, we take mind bending drugs for christ sake sure we drive are cars, so? no one has stopped us yet.i love driving i would never give it up .but if some one stepped in the road an we killed them, an we gave a blood test they would not say it was his or her fault they would say your judgment was impaired though drugs, get real its fact. that why the cops in england treat you like a drunkdriver, no matter how many times you try to convince yourself your ok. manic666
Posted by yxibow on November 18, 2008, at 0:45:43
In reply to Re: Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds, posted by manic666 on November 16, 2008, at 10:42:06
> if i had to think all that sh*t i wouldnt get in my car . drive slow, aclimatize,be careful , be vigalant, we take mind bending drugs for christ sake sure we drive are cars, so? no one has stopped us yet.i love driving i would never give it up .but if some one stepped in the road an we killed them, an we gave a blood test they would not say it was his or her fault they would say your judgment was impaired though drugs, get real its fact. that why the cops in england treat you like a drunkdriver, no matter how many times you try to convince yourself your ok. manic666
Impaired is impaired here too. But some people are used to their medication and know how to react. It is a personal, private manner how anyone here feels confident and is able to do to their abilities.Sometimes it isn't the medication that can be impairing, and that is a sticky wicket for the police to decide -- it could be your disorder itself.
But let's not create scenarios, its not helpful, and it can be harmful -- just be prudent.
-- tidings
Jay
Posted by manic666 on November 18, 2008, at 3:46:22
In reply to Re: Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds, posted by manic666 on November 16, 2008, at 10:42:06
ok jay your right, its the drug addict on class A that has screwed it for us. manic666
Posted by Michael Bell on November 21, 2008, at 8:56:49
In reply to Do people drive on the benzo's and other meds, posted by leo33 on November 12, 2008, at 10:35:06
> Was wondering how many people drive on the benzo's or other psych meds?
Yes. I have even driven on high dose lyrica many times. My wife says it makes me reckless.
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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