Hi All
Just a quickie??
All of you who have had some Brain surgery with the AVM problems you have encountered, are you ok to drive both legally and successfully afterwards????
Hi Stuart,
As with most AVM/surgery questions, it depends. I also see you live in NZ.
In the US, it varies by state, but if you have/had seizures, you have to be seizure free for either six months or one year before you can legally drive, depending on your state.
The larger issue in my mind anyway, is "Is it safe for you and others if you drive?"
Both my wife and my son have had seizure issues which precluded them from driving. Especially for my son, I worried myself silly when he started driving about 8 yrs ago. Worry for him, and worry for other innocents if something tragic happened. Both of them are driving now, and I worry much less.
I wish you well.
Ron, KS
Stuart, I drive. Some people can and some can't. Talk to your doctor and discuss it with him.
Stay Strong and Stay Positive, my Friend!
I can't but for me it's a vision issue. My bleed was in my occipital lobe and I have a left visual field cut. As others have said, check with your doctor.
Hi Stuart - I unfortunately am unable to drive. The peripheral vision in my left eye is gone (the AVM was in my occipital lobe, and it injured an eye nerve), so my doctor or forbidden me to drive.
However, I've met many people who were able to drive again after having surgery. Good luck to you.
Hmmm... great question, but I drive and I had brain surgery. I guess it just depends. Yup, I think Ron's response was right on the money...from the potential seizure aspect... but like Trish said, check with your doctor for a decision on that one, then ask why or why not? Good luck to you! :J
I think it will have to do with vision and seizures. Many seizures are controlled with meds. As for vision it would be what is required for your state.
If you are just asking about driving after brain surgery I'm sure it is perfectly fine and legal as long as you do not have vision issues or seizures that are not controlled by meds.
I know that there are some on here have special glasses that they wear.
Robin
Hi Stuart,
Iv Been Told That Im Unable To Drive Due To My AVM Plus 2 Aneurysms.Im Going To Have Brain Surgery.I Do Hope In Time I Will Be Driving Again.I Hate Not Being Able To Drive.
Thinking Of You.
Crystal
Hello Stuart,
As others have said, it depends. I live in OZ (across the pond from you) :) and the best thing to do is to check with your Neurologist. Without seizures or any other medical issues after brain surgery, it is usually a three months wait before driving again. Again, best to check with the specialist!
All the best Stuart.
Hi Stuart,
I still drive, I never stopped, but I don't have seizures or vision deficits. I read on your profile that your AVM was found like mine because of headaches and you haven't been treated yet, so ask your Dr. what you can expect post treatment.
All of us are different. I have problems turning my head quickly because of dizziness, and that hurts my reaction time. My bleed was close to two years ago, and while it hasn't affected my vision, my motor functions suffered. I'm still getting my right and left mixed up often enough that I don't feel confident. Not for my safety, but for the safety of others on the road.
I had my rupture and craniotomy when i was 16. I lost some peripheral vision in both eyes but after having an eye test i was told i can legally drive, though was in no rush at the time. Im now 22 and have had my license for a year. i try to take extra precaution as i do know i have blind spots, but so far have not experienced any difficulty because of it.
Hi Stuart. I was allowed to drive after brain surgery but I was lucky and never had a seizure. Although I was on anti-seizure meds for a while as a preventative measure. I would recommend not drinking alcohol since alcohol lower the brain’s resistance towards seizures.
I can and do drive. After my bleed, I wasn't allowed until 2 months after it. After my craniotomy, I was told I was OK to drive when the staples were being removed....
I can drive, but I have to have a knob (for one handed steering), prism glasses and an extra mirror mounted on my windshield to make up for almost total peripheral vision loss in my left eye. I had a lot of minor fender benders before I got the glasses but I was legally allowed to drive. Honestly though, I hate it. It's so stressful and requires such intense focus that I'd rather not deal with it. I've lived in the suburbs my entire life but last year I moved to DC and gave up my car. I miss the convenience sometimes and public transit has a whole host of issues, but it's made my life so much easier