Quote:
Originally Posted by splitimage
Hi everyone,
I have a bit of a dilema. I have a friend who confides everything to me, so she's told me what dosages her pdoc has increased her meds to and some of the side effects she's having.
He's got her on 20 mg of clonazapam (Klonopin) daily, and 1000 mg of Seroquel daily, plus Cipralex and some other stuff. I think this is irresponsible prescribing. Anyway it's affecting her memory - she's started to forget conversations that we've had, and she's commented on how much clumsier she is.
I don't think she should be driving. I know that when I was on 5 mg of clonazapam it affected my ability to drive (I'm now tapering off it) and I wouldn't go near a car after taking my Seroquel & I'm only taking 25 mg up to twice a day.
Up here in Ontario, Dr's have an obligation to report patients who shouldn't be driving to the Ministry of Transportation, but it really varies from Dr. to Dr. how strictly they follow that guideline, and both her Dr's are pretty lax.
I'm tempted to call the police and report her myself except I know that would screw up our friendship, and I know she'd be devastated to lose her licence. But I really think she shouldn't be driving.
So what do you guys think? Would you report a friend?
splitimage
|
no I would not report a friend just because....I ...dont think a person shoulldnt be driving doesnt mean that person really is not able to drive safely. and just because medications affect me one way doesnt mean a person on that same medication whether its higher dosage then me or lower dosage than me is going to be affected the same way..
example look at how many people here at psych central are on the same meds and varied dosages...the way the same meds affects a person is different.
I have a friend who is on the same meds I am on. I get dizzy she doesnt. she gets ringing in her ears I dont, I get cotton mouth she gets too much saliva in her mouth....shes clumbsy, Im not, she forgets where she puts things but she drives very well...never speeds, never misses a light, never turns the wrong way, follows all the driving rules.
just because someone has a problem with forgetfulness, and clumbsiness and is on a higher dosage of meds then I am doesnt say they cant drive a vehicle....there are many people with cerebral palsy, Parkinson's, MS, DID, depression, heart disease, epilepsy, and other medical and mental health issues that cause a person to be clumbsy and forgetful that are still very capable of driving according to the american Department of Motor Vehicles here in america.
the line in the sand is that here in america it isnt me that decides who can and who cant drive based on things like forgetfulness, and being clumbsy. If this was my friend I would politely suggest she contact her doctor and then let her and her doctor make the decision of whether she should drive or not. here in america we dont stop someone from driving just because a person is forgetful and clumbsy. if we did that there probably would not be any one out there driving a vehicle because everyone has times when they have been forgetful and clumbsy because of their medications, health issues, aging, mental issues, and other completely normal issues.