Not to learn to drive?

[JoeExoticsPrinceAlbert]

I've suffered from migraines with aura since I was a teenager. When I get a migraine I get blind spots in my eyes, and my vision goes really funny. I can hold my hand in front of my face, but it looks like part of my hand is missing. I get very dizzy and disorientated. Even with medication I still get auras, with no headache. It happens roughly once or twice a month. Bright lights can trigger it which is another concern, such as sunlight glinting off car windows. It's really putting me off learning to drive because I worry what would happen if i got one whilst on the road? It can last hours too so it's not as though I can just pull over for ten minutes and wait for it to subside. Any other drivers who suffer migraines with aura, what do you do in this situation?

YABU - learn to drive

YANBU - sounds like an accident waiting to happen, don't bother learning

[SuperficialSuzie]

I get aura with a migraine but it only lasts for 15 minutes so on the rare occasions that I have had one whilst driving, I just pull over unless very close to home.

If they are well controlled or at predictable times then it might be worth at least learning to drive. Once you have the skill you will always have it and can use it as and when you wish to / feel able to.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

In my 8 years of driving, I've only had one occasy where a migraine hit me while driving. I was only a couple of miles from home and not thinking straight and drove home- on reflection I would have called a taxi.

If you live somewhere with good public transport, and can guarantee that will always be the case, you may get away without driving. But I need to get my DC to school 2 miles away for example- the nearest schooI could find places at.

[JoeExoticsPrinceAlbert]

I just worry so much as they are completely unpredictable. My auras can last anywhere between 2-6 hours!

[Ohtherewearethen]

I think it's good that you are taking the potential risks seriously. As they are unpredictable and long-lasting and will seriously prohibit your concentration/vision when driving it might be best if you don't drive. You wouldn't be able to forgive yourself if the very worst happened.

[AuntyRigsby]

YABU - I'm guessing that you get a minute or twos awareness that the aura is coming on before you reach a point at which your vision is significantly affected. So long as you can pull over in time I think you're safe to drive. It might be inconvenient to have to wait until you're able to continue your journey, but that's a decision to be taken when you decide whether or not to make a journey, and which route to take.

[bathorshower]

Both DH and I can get migraines with aura, though very very rarely compared with you. I guess the question is, what are your escape strategies? I'm assuming you can pull over if one starts. Do you only do long journeys with another driver in the car (most of our long journeys are shared, and I have had to take over driving on occasion)? Do you accept that you will occasionally have a whopping taxi bill (assuming you don't vomit when you move during a migraine)? Would you ever be driving with children? Could you get them into a taxi? What do you do on long journeys now when you get a migraine?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to help you think through how you might respond if you did learn to drive.

[Lima45]

As the only driver in my extended local family I'm on the other side of this.

YANBU if you have other ways of getting about and can manage without a car. It seems sensible if this is the case given the auras.

However YABU if you've got another driver who you rely on and no other way of getting around.

I've had migraines with auras in the past and luckily have had enough prior warning to know not to get in the car. If yours are very sudden then I totally get why you'd be hesitant to drive.

As th sole driver I've been expected to drive in all states as I'm the only one who can. Including when I had an injured arm. Another driver would be very handy in those situations.

I can't give you a straight up answer without knowing your situation, and even then it'd only be my opinion. End of the day it's up to you to decide and it all depends on your auras and circumstances.

[lanthanum]

If you don't get enough warning to pull over and stop, I think you're safer not driving. What does your doctor say?
As a comparison, the rules for those with epilepsy are at www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/driving-regulations.

[JoeExoticsPrinceAlbert]

I'm a single parent of four children so if I were to have one with the kids in the car I don't know what I would do. And obviously that means there wouldn't be another adult sitting in the car with me.

[ShowOfHands]

Mine start with a small blind spot at the very edge of my vision and it's happened once while driving. I had enough time to pull into a side street and call DH to arrange a way to collect me before the spot started to grow into anything that would affect my driving. I usually have at least an hour of vision loss but around 15 minutes where it's negligible in which to act. If it was instantly compromising, I wouldn't drive.

[JoeExoticsPrinceAlbert]

My doctor said its up to me, he didn't think they were severe enough to advise not to