Doctor advised me not to drive

Stressedoutseller2020

Hi, 

I wonder if anyone can help or offer advice. 

I recently went to the doctors after feeling tired and experiencing low energy. This didn’t affect my day to day life other than wishing I had more energy and wasn’t so tired. I assumed I may have low iron or similar.

 I have also experienced moments of sort of day dreaming but aware of my surroundings. I am studying a degree so spend a lot of time at my computer as well as my computer at work. The only way I can explain these episodes is pro longed day dreaming as in my brain is tired so I’ve sort of drifted whilst remaining conscious (hope that makes sense). 

Anyway, after having blood tests and a check up at the doctors he has said he cannot find anything wrong but has referred me to a Neurologist and for an MRI but said I am not to drive in the meantime. 

This has knocked me for six as I drive every day for work, I live fairly rural and need to drive to get everywhere. Other than the low energy I don’t feel ill at all and am so surprised that I have been told not to drive. 

Can anyone advise, Is this likely to be long term or is it likely that when I receive the all clear from the MRI I can go back to normal and continue driving? 

Anyone who has experienced similar or can offer any advice? It would be greatly received. 

Google has made me feel 100 times worse with all kinds of worrying scenarios. 

[Deleted User]

The MRI itself is just like an Xray and won't affect your future driving ability

I hope that you follow the advice and stay off the road until the problem is resolved

Surely, what you ought to be asking is What is causing your health issues ?

AdrianC

It's a precaution, in case you fall asleep, zone out, or black out whilst driving. I think you'll agree that would not be ideal, right...?

Good luck getting a diagnosis and getting your issue resolved. This has to be the most important thing, right?

In the meantime, listen to the doctor when they say "don't drive". If you ignore that, and the worst does happen, you will find a ton of bricks heading your direction.

JamoLew

I would guess that the area of concern with regards to your ability to drive is your periods of “day dreaming”

Even if the MRI shows no issues - whilst your symptoms remain I imagine you will be advised not to drive

Flight3287462

You have been told by your doctor not to drive, if you carry on and have an accident you could kill someone, if you do that you would probably be charged with manslaughter.

Time to make alternative arrangements.

Stressedoutseller2020

Thanks for the replies. 

To respond to those who have referenced the driving against doctors advice, I haven’t driven since I have been told not to and I don’t intend to, hence why I’m asking for advice regarding those who may have experienced similar and time frames etc. 

I personally feel that I have been overworked and particularly stressed and as a result I have experienced the symptoms I have explained above. 

Of course I will wait for the outcome of the tests and in the meantime will be off the road. I was just hoping for this to be a short term temporary thing and maybe someone had experienced similar. 

Torry_Quine

It's a hard thing to hear but you must not drive. Drs don't say this lightly. If something were to happen it could result in an accident and you would be driving uninsured having been told not to. 
I hope that you don't have too long to wait and get an explanation.

EssexExile

I had a similar issue many years ago. I had all the tests and nothing was found. In my case things improved gradually. I could offer you all sorts of advice, but I'm not a doctor and everyone seems to have different experiences, so I won't.

Ectophile

The problem is that what you've described sounds a bit like "absence seizures" (or "petit mal").  If course it may not be that at all, but it sounds like your doctor doesn't want to take the risk.  https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/absence-seizures