Pacemaker and driving

After 10 years I am going for my second PM. I fainted once before my first PM was implanted. I have never had any issues afterwards, but I know that after these years I have become more dependent on my PM.
I know that this depends on one's condition, and that the rules will vary from one country (or state) to another, but I wonder if any of you has had any issues renewing the driver's license, and/or if they request a letter from a doctor.
Any comments?

6 Comments

Just renewed today

by Theknotguy - 2014-12-09 10:12:12

Just renewed today. My State doesn't even ask if you have a PM so no problems. They were more concerned about a living will than if I had a PM.

I'm not sure what they do in Canada. Don't know if they ask any more question or what. Of course you've got a lot more open country so maybe they ask even fewer questions.

Hope everything goes well.

DMV

by joelcr3 - 2014-12-10 07:12:28

each state has its own rules. In my state a dr or police offecer can ask that DMV investigate.

driving

by Tracey_E - 2014-12-10 08:12:45

Here they check vision and hearing, and if you pass out or are otherwise unfit to drive your dr is required by law to report it to dmv. You can't get a commercial drivers license with an icd, but pacers are ok. I pace every beat, but it doesn't show up anywhere on my license and I've never had a problem renewing.

using the pm

by Tracey_E - 2014-12-10 10:12:23

Many of us use it 100% of the time. They are dependable and not an issue for driving or anything else.

Driving

by Enrique - 2014-12-10 10:12:55

Thank you everybody. Right now I am confident that I can drive without problems. But obviously I don't want to get in an accident and/or hurt somebody else. I wonder at which point being dependent on a PM can become an issue.

increased usage vs dependence

by Tracey_E - 2014-12-10 11:12:46

Don't think of using it more as being dependent on it. Most of us have an underlying rate which means if it were to suddenly stop pacing it would not feel good, it could be serious, we would definitely want it fixed asap... but it would not be life or death. Pacers don't suddenly stop. The very worst they can do in a case of malfunction (virtually unheard of) is end up in test mode where they pace at a steady 60. Again, it would fee bad if you pace every beat, but not even remotely life threatening.

You know you're wired when...

You need to be re-booted each morning.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.