Off work because of Bipolar

bobajob_1966

sunnyone wrote: »

You should never drive until the DVLA say that you can when you have a notifiable condition, you can ring and ask for advice, the DVLA staff member will tell you wether you can or cant drive (after looking it up on the system) while your case is evaluated.

Any change of drugs for reportable conditions or some drugs full stop need to be reported too, every driver needs to be aware of the list of conditions/drugs that need to be reported (I have mislaid the necessary link at present) for themselves and everyone elses safety.

Wrong - the relevant law is s. 88 of the Road Traffic Act, in the absence of medical advice to the contrary you may drive whilst the DVLA assess your case.

Giving out bad information to someone who already has so much to contend with is not helpful!

carolannie

I didn't think about driving. I have bipolar (cyclothymia - supposed to be mild bipolar, but it isn't for me )

I can't afford to run a car, so it makes no difference to me.

skater_kat

declutterqueen wrote: »

Hope you can help, Doctor has put me off work because the tablets I take for Bipolar 2 disorder have stopped working, I am unable to work, I am worried because I cant work at the moment, what pay will I get, I work 40 hours a week and have been with the company just under 6 months,
I have 2 children to look after on my own, Worring is making it worse.

If you get your meds changed they may have an immediate impact to your wellbeing. Have you been signed off work with a note? You shoudl be able to get a fit note for a phased return to work. how understanding are your employers?

sunnyone

hanes wrote: »

the OP never mentioned anything about DVLA - not the help she asked for yet its turned into another topic.

Its good advice, many people drive while unfit and its wrong, I was disabled in a serious car accident caused by someone that should never have been driveing and if I can save one person from the disability and pain I have had every single day for 20 years its worth reminding people that they have a reportable illness.

Natty68

I have Bipolar II mixed episodes and I was told that my Dr would notify the DVLA if he thought I was at risk when driving.. I confirmed this with him and he said in his opinion I was okay to drive as I was sensible enough not to go out when I am having an "episode". Also my care team were happy to let me carry on driving, but now I have another diagnosis of Emotional Intesity Disorder and the Dr is happy for me to carry on. I know my limitations and thankfully haven't had to change drugs - but if I did I wouldn't go out until I was happy I didn't have any side effects.

declutterqueen

Hi Guys,
I Asked my Doctor at the time i was Diagnosed about Driving, he said that I can continue to drive and that I was in no way a risk to others, I have never driven when I feel unwell and would never dream of doing this, I have Bipolar 2 which is different to Bipolar 1. I suffer from Migrain which is far worse than a bipolar eppisode and lots of people have these, at least when I and Hypomanic I stay at home in my own little world. a migrain can attack anyone, I do thank you for your advise, (even tho i didnt ask for that!)

Been off now for a week and a bit, I havent spoke to my boss, I sent the sick note in from the doctor, and looks like i will be off another week at least, I hope to go back as soon as I can.Just worried and hope i can pay my rent end of month!

Thanks xx

declutterqueen

Natty68 wrote: »

I have Bipolar II mixed episodes and I was told that my Dr would notify the DVLA if he thought I was at risk when driving.. I confirmed this with him and he said in his opinion I was okay to drive as I was sensible enough not to go out when I am having an "episode". Also my care team were happy to let me carry on driving, but now I have another diagnosis of Emotional Intesity Disorder and the Dr is happy for me to carry on. I know my limitations and thankfully haven't had to change drugs - but if I did I wouldn't go out until I was happy I didn't have any side effects.

I have been given the same advice, Thnaks for your reply, I am the same as you I know myself and wouldnt dream of going out the house never mind drive the car, i may be a bit cookoo but not cookoo enough to risk my life and others. xx

declutterqueen

skater_kat wrote: »

If you get your meds changed they may have an immediate impact to your wellbeing. Have you been signed off work with a note? You shoudl be able to get a fit note for a phased return to work. how understanding are your employers?

She just told my mum on the first day i was off , "tell her to get herself sorted,and not to worry"
I hope to be back as soon as Doc says I can, thanks

declutterqueen

kit wrote: »

I gave up work at end of June due to bi-polar. I had been off sick for 6 months, first getting sick pay from work, then SSP. I applied for ESA on 1st July and am STILL waiting for any money to be paid to me. If you have to go on to ESA, be prepared to be very broke for a while..... I have run up a large credit card bill just to feed us.

Hope you feel better soon x

Oh dear, what a long wait, how come its taking so long??
I havent got a credit card to live off :-(

I am hoping to return to work as soon as i can, just worrying about paying bills is making me worse, I see the Doc tomorrow so hope he will sort my meds and I can be back to normalish!!

Thanks for your reply nice to know im not the only one.. good luck with your BP and hope you feel better soon also x

kit

declutterqueen wrote: »

Oh dear, what a long wait, how come its taking so long??
I havent got a credit card to live off :-(

I am hoping to return to work as soon as i can, just worrying about paying bills is making me worse, I see the Doc tomorrow so hope he will sort my meds and I can be back to normalish!!

Thanks for your reply nice to know im not the only one.. good luck with your BP and hope you feel better soon also x

I have today received payment .... woohoooo!
No idea why it took so long, i have asked and they say they don't know either.
What meds are you on at mo?