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Warning against driving

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User
Posted 14 Feb 2020 at 19:17

Is there a good reason why someone shouldn't drive if they have advanced PCA? Our specialist nurse yesterday advised against it, but I didn't catch the reason. I'll probably have to call her and ask.

User
Posted 14 Feb 2020 at 21:38
I am not sure whether this is a generalization or a recommendation in very specific situations. There might come a time when somebody with PCa is so affected that his ability to drive is impaired but I feel this is has to be considered on a case by case basis rather than a sweeping statement which it appears to be and a situation could change as PCa progresses. Another consideration is various drugs and pain killers men are on that could affect their judgement, alertness and anticipation. But this is of course the case when people take drugs for other conditions or socially as stimulants. I think it would be difficult to ban men from driving for a multitude of reasons other than illegal ones. When it comes to PCa I think an individual knows if his driving is acceptable. I would suggest a man with PCa is less at risk than somebody who has had a major stroke for example.
Barry
User
Posted 14 Feb 2020 at 22:02

PCa is not a disease of which you are obliged to notify the DVLA. That said, as Barry suggests, there might be treatment issues that make driving unsafe rather than the illness itself. I'd definitely ask for clarification.

User
Posted 14 Feb 2020 at 23:03
Many things that can affect driving capability are difficult to access and would have to be frequently reviewed to be effective. It's not as simple as when people blow into a bag as a prerequisite to establish whether they are too intoxicated to drive or have to pass a special eye test as I do on renewing my licence due to Glaucoma.

One further thought; in the event of a person having an accident, I wonder how Insurers would view medical advice not to drive coming from a nurse than a Dr?

Barry
User
Posted 15 Feb 2020 at 17:59

Some very good advice already given and based on a sensible approach to the matter.

When I submitted an application to the DVLA to have my Cat D (buses) entitlement reinstated at age 70, it was accompanied by a medical report from my GP who stated I had PCa (along with a half dozen other conditions).

They wrote back to my GP and asked him to clarify a number of things relating to my conditions among which was a question on how advanced was my PCa and did my GP believe it would affect my brain or nervous system by way of metastasise in the foreseeable future.  Given I'm a Gleason 6 on AS and low PSA (1.9) he responded accordingly and my licence was issued.

Interestingly the DVLA's GOV.UK site states:

You do not need to tell DVLA if you have cancer, unless:

  • you develop problems with your brain or nervous system

  • your doctor says you might not be fit to drive

It appears from the above you have no reason to advise the DVLA of the fact you have cancer unless you have developed the proscribed problems or your doctor says you might not be fit to drive.  

 

Roger
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User
Posted 14 Feb 2020 at 21:38
I am not sure whether this is a generalization or a recommendation in very specific situations. There might come a time when somebody with PCa is so affected that his ability to drive is impaired but I feel this is has to be considered on a case by case basis rather than a sweeping statement which it appears to be and a situation could change as PCa progresses. Another consideration is various drugs and pain killers men are on that could affect their judgement, alertness and anticipation. But this is of course the case when people take drugs for other conditions or socially as stimulants. I think it would be difficult to ban men from driving for a multitude of reasons other than illegal ones. When it comes to PCa I think an individual knows if his driving is acceptable. I would suggest a man with PCa is less at risk than somebody who has had a major stroke for example.
Barry
User
Posted 14 Feb 2020 at 22:02

PCa is not a disease of which you are obliged to notify the DVLA. That said, as Barry suggests, there might be treatment issues that make driving unsafe rather than the illness itself. I'd definitely ask for clarification.

User
Posted 14 Feb 2020 at 23:03
Many things that can affect driving capability are difficult to access and would have to be frequently reviewed to be effective. It's not as simple as when people blow into a bag as a prerequisite to establish whether they are too intoxicated to drive or have to pass a special eye test as I do on renewing my licence due to Glaucoma.

One further thought; in the event of a person having an accident, I wonder how Insurers would view medical advice not to drive coming from a nurse than a Dr?

Barry
User
Posted 15 Feb 2020 at 17:59

Some very good advice already given and based on a sensible approach to the matter.

When I submitted an application to the DVLA to have my Cat D (buses) entitlement reinstated at age 70, it was accompanied by a medical report from my GP who stated I had PCa (along with a half dozen other conditions).

They wrote back to my GP and asked him to clarify a number of things relating to my conditions among which was a question on how advanced was my PCa and did my GP believe it would affect my brain or nervous system by way of metastasise in the foreseeable future.  Given I'm a Gleason 6 on AS and low PSA (1.9) he responded accordingly and my licence was issued.

Interestingly the DVLA's GOV.UK site states:

You do not need to tell DVLA if you have cancer, unless:

  • you develop problems with your brain or nervous system

  • your doctor says you might not be fit to drive

It appears from the above you have no reason to advise the DVLA of the fact you have cancer unless you have developed the proscribed problems or your doctor says you might not be fit to drive.  

 

Roger
User
Posted 11 Mar 2020 at 15:57

We've since seen the oncologist and he reckoned it was OK for my partner to drive if he felt OK - I gathered from the Specialist Nurse that the concern was about the possibility of fractures, but I'd have thought they were as likely if you were a passenger as if you were driving.

User
Posted 11 Mar 2020 at 17:39

One thing that we found out was that there is some alcohol in the drug often given as chemotherapy. It was advised that It might not be wise to drive but the implication was that you could be over the legal limit, presumably if you had also drunk alcohol during the day. Every patient reacts differently and  as further doses of chemo are given, the fatigue or brain fog could affect reaction time, I guess.  

User
Posted 11 Mar 2020 at 17:55

That's a thought....my partner isn't on chemo at present, but I'll bear it in mind if he should have t in future.

User
Posted 11 Mar 2020 at 20:00
When Tony was on chemo he was told not to drive on the day of the chemo but was ok to drive at all other times.

regards barbara

User
Posted 11 Mar 2020 at 21:10

Yes that is what we were advised too - on the day.

User
Posted 18 Mar 2020 at 04:42

I was advised not to drink alcohol the day before and day after my chemo because of the alcohol in my treatment (Docetaxel). I do always feel a little light headed after treatment but can function near normal. My nurse was concerned at reaction times if driving. I have followed their advice.

User
Posted 18 Mar 2020 at 11:45

Thanks for all the advice. My partner is possibly having chemo starting in a few weeks time (covid19 permitting), so we'll bear in mind the advice about driving as well as all the other things - I guess he'll be self-isolating, so we're getting our heads round how best to organise that.

 
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