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I don't believe that anyone's license to drive priviledges should be taken away because they get migraines. I get migraines, and have other health problems and most if not all of your medications (including blood pressure) caution about driving until you know the effects of the medicine. There would not be very many people driving anymore if they passed laws because of medical conditions. But, I do agree that if a migraine impairs you to the point that you can not safely drive, call someone to come and get you!
Hi,
Your articale on medication and migranes just through me, I had no idea we would be judged as being under the influence. It does make since, though, but I have to wonder about the people who take anti-depressents for migranes and for depression. My question is, what about all of the people out there that are taking these prescriptions for depression? Are they to be judged as well as us?
Just me,
making a statement,
with lots of love to all,
Nanc
9/03/09
Nanc - I guess it could be startling to realize, but any medication, for any condition, that impairs our ability to drive, can lead to a DUI conviction potentially - Migraineurs aren't singled out! If we are taking medication that makes it unsafe for us to drive, we shouldn't drive. The laws are there to attempt to keep the roads safe. It's not a question of being "judged" but if we drive erratically and we have meds in our systems we will not be let off just because the meds were prescribed.
- Megan
Megan,
Iow do i say this without sounding like its all on us, because its not. It doesn't seem right but that is the law, I just didn't relise you could be considered under the influnce. I just didn't no, and thanks for bringing this to our attention, its made me more aware of whats to come. You see I never had to take any kind of medication until 1999, that was when I had the head injury and this is when my migranes started. So just bear with me, I didn't mean to single out any one, and I sure didn't mean to affend anyone.
Thanks so much
this is a wonderful site and
for information, and I hope to hear more.
Nanc,
with love for everyone
9/03/09
Me too!! I try to wait until I get home; however, some times it is very difficult. The hardest part is trying to get home. If I am at work it is a 45 minute drive and usually stuck in traffic. I don't like to "put" people out and well, taxi costs, forget that. So, unfortunately, I do have to drive home. But then I get people at work saying...Why don't you bring your pills to work and take them???? Maybe I should send them this website 
Thanks for all the information....gg
Thanks for the article, Megan.
I do have backup drivers when I need them. Fortunately I do not work very far away and it's in a straight shot down the road. My only problem is, I have tended to run red lights without even noticing them during an attack.
I'm super paranoid while driving anymore, so I tend to stay more alert...I try to take my meds around my work schedule and if it's terrible I won't even go in anymore. I only drive to work or to my mom's when I am feeling OK. I'd have to say I never was a great driver, but my ability has really tanked over the past few years. I'm considering going for disability tags.
My lastest adventure involved driving over a sidewalk at a local gas station. Who knew a little Civic could get up and over that concrete barrier? Well, now I do. I am lucky no one was out and about at that moment. Thank God. And people wonder why I don't leave my house!
I just ordered bumper stickers from Teri's shop, so at least people will have a warning. I already have a bumper sticker that says "I have no idea where I am going," but maybe people will stay away.
So, it is very dangerous to drive whether with a migraine or on meds...I'd mention also that all medications you take with you need to be kept in their original bottles, just in case you are pulled over the police will know they are your medications and not illegal. It may differ from state to state but here in Mo we can't even put aspirin in a bottle that isn't labeled "aspirin". A small precaution, but a worthwhile one.
I absolutely agree with Megan. I had some "close calls" before I realised not just the meds, but the migraine aura's and migraines themselves were enough to impair my judgement and skills. I am frightened for some friends and relatives who do not suscribe to this, and think they are clinging to their independence by driving anyway. I am going to forward your articles to them. Thank you!
Thanks, Lynne. I realize it's not just an inconvenience - it can be a big problem for us. Just yesterday I had to face whether I was recovered enough from a Migraine to drive myself to work, whether to call in sick, whether to ask my husband to rearrange his day to drive me. Luckily he could arrange his work and his day around driving me, without much of a problem. But we do have tough choices to make. For me, I know that the 6 minutes on an interstate I have on my route are much too dangerous for me to try unless I'm feeling quite well!
I always worry about the chance of being charged with DWI if I am in an accident, because the medicine stays in your system for a while. So, I wonder if they can tell how long ago you took it. I try not to take many meds if I have to drive and would NEVER even try to drive home from the ER, but I do take meds frequently. I have had a lot today. I just asked DH if he thought after taking narcotic pain meds tonight, then driving tomorrow morning, after they had worn off, but are still in my system, and I got into an accident, did he think I would be charged, he thinks yes. Which is unfair. After sleeping them off, they would no longer be effecting me, but still in my system, what do you guys think? I am in GA, and they are DWI hungry, especially in the county I live in. I really do not drive that much anymore since my migraines have transformed. I may drive to town once a week, which is just a few miles, to shop for groceries, or get my meds, but do not drive long distances very often. My mom usually is on call on days I have to go to the DR, which is a 45 minute drive. And either her or DH take me to the ER on the rare occasion I have to go. I have had to pull over and have DH come get me, but not often. It's just one more thing for him to have to do for me, and I still have not learned not to feel guilty for all he does and all I DO NOT do because of this stupid disease.
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I can barely walk when I have a migraine let alone drive. My family moans and groans if they have to pick me up from somewhere when I get an attack, but the fact remains they would rather I call then attempt to drive with a migraine. My vision gets blurred and the pounding in my head is such a distraction. I am positive I could be as bad as a drunk driver at times.
This is a great article to share in case others never thought about the consequences of driving with a migraine. Thank you for the valuable information!