Driving on Meds

Today I was discharged from hospital. Due to the high doses of Benzo's and Haldol he doesn't want me to drive until I am well enough to reduce my meds. My reaction times will just be too slow. I see him next Wednesday so I am hoping it is a short term thing. This makes me totally dependant on my parents for most transport. I am living with my parents for short term to make the transition from hospital to home more smooth. Very frustrating though. I want to be free!

Has anyone else had this problem?

Not exactly but for some reason my meds make me zone out on the freeway so I Take public transit...you can also use uber or Lyft.....

Yeah, I didn't drive to work for an entire week when I first started Seroquel XR. Instead, I worked from home. Though, I actually started driving 2 days after my first dose to see what it was like (even though it wasn't a great idea...). I just didn't want to drive very far (work is 30 minutes from my door to getting into the office itself), so I drove from my house 5 mins down the road to get a fresh bagel at the local bagel/donut shop.

My reaction time was indeed slow because I wasn't used to my meds, so I had to take extra precautions to make sure I didn't hit someone. That basically meant I drove slow and kept my distance from the car in front of me, as I knew I would react slowly if the person in front of me slammed the brakes. I literally kept about 8-10 car lengths of distance between me and the person in front of me just to be extra safe. I also dragged my brakes a little cos my depth perception was off and I had to be super careful!

I'm not saying I recommend driving. I'm just saying if you do drive, make sure to keep extra distance and adhere to the speed limit. When you attempt to stop your car (for a red light, stop sign, etc), I recommend stopping earlier than you would normally, then take your foot off the brake and let your car naturally approach the stop sign/light in case you have depth perception issues like I did. Also, don't go very far until you're used to driving under your conditions. Like, stay away from highways/motorways if at all possible until you're comfortable driving local roads. I actually waited 6 days before even attempting the highway/motorway. Baby steps.

There were various times in my life I wasn't to drive because of meds, it's very frustrating. Fortunately during those times I lived where there was mass transportation and I wasn't working.

WhereI live in the city the public transport system is slow. Thankfully i am at my parents place and university, T and work are 5-10 minutes from their place (driving) so they can give me lifts most days. hopefully it will only be for a week then i will get my life back.

Too add; I have been on an average of 6mg clonazepam and 20mg of diazepam. My reaction times are slower than a sloth. I am also on 10mg of Haldol. It's amazing I can still be hypomanic while so dosed up. I should be sleeping all day. Oh well, I feel great so all is well.

Be safe....take your time and be safe.

No, I haven't but I understand how frustrating it must be for you. Hopefully this will just be short-term.

There have been times when I couldn't drive, are there places you can walk or bicycle to? I made it a point to not be "trapped", even if it meant getting to the library was an hour each way... by foot.

Getting out of the house and in the sun is quite important to my mental state.

I only have an issue when i first wake up with all thesleeping medication wearing off. After a few cups of coffee i am good togo. The only other time I have an issueis when my meds change I get a little spacey.

Take your time. You have a responsibility not just to yourself but every other person on the road.

I try to avoid driving. When I must, I will only do so at certain times of day. I find that when I first take my medications my eyesight and reaction times are significantly impaired. By midday this seems to improve to the point I feel more comfortable - and safer.

Good idea. I do want to rush back into driving but need to be safe. I am reducing my Benzo intake then will be assessed by my pdoc on Wednesday. Need to get back to work and long to be back home in my flat rather than stay with my wonderful parents. I want my independence back but must be patient.

I need to limit my driving due to meds, as well. My psych meds and my chronic pain meds make it....difficult. My boyfriend drives most of the time. I'm agoraphobic so it doesn't bother me too much. I understand where you're coming from, however, it's tough. Welcome home! xo