Pacemaker Club: Driving?

Driving?

by ZeldaMSW
2018-05-02 23:03:14
ICDs
1675 views
2 comments

Ugh. My ICD just fired - first time for this device - second "appropriate" shock in 11 years - (one other when a recalled Medtronic lead broke, and two when a Boston scientific device failed a mere five weeks after implantation - and the techs were messing around to see if they could get it to do anything - all they accomplished was shocking me twice before determining I needed a new implant..........) - any way - I cannot for the life of me find anything on the internet about driving restrictions. I drive A LOT for my job.

I could ask my cardiologist - IF - I had one - but after a broken lead, an emergency surgery to correct an improper device placement and the aforementioned device failure 5 weeks after it was placed, - I decided to take a break from doctors for a couple of years.- Yes - I will hopefully be finding one soon- but in the meantime - I'm just curious - does anyone know of a site that actually tells you what the current recommendations are for driving - or not - after a device fires?

Thanks in advance! Z

2 Comments

thanks

by ZeldaMSW - 2018-05-02 23:31:58

I agree that it is largely a moral issue. I have never lost consciousness when the device fired - once was drinking hot coffee and didn't even drop the cup! LOL. - After I got the first device I was terrified to drive at all - but eventually got back to it with some level of comfort - I thought those issues were all wrestled with and resolved. Apparently not so. I will take your advice and call the DMV. thanks

All states have their own rules...

by BOBTHOM - 2018-06-21 01:09:26

Each state DMV has it's own laws, especially if you have a CDL. In my state, NC, from what I understand, after the second time it fires (within 6 months) the doctors review condition, if it continues or worsens they report it to the DMV. Good luck. Hope they take into account the defective equipment!