Rhonda, It is really a very personal choice. How do you feel? Do you take narcotics? Do you get vertigo? Do you have any problems with your legs that involve moving them? Does your eyesight sometimes go blurry or double? Does heat affect your eyesight? Do your feet jerk? Those kinds of questions need to be answered by you and only you can say whether or not you are ready to hang up the keys.

For me, I gave up driving 2 years ago or so. I hate it. We have no public transportation, but I have a husband that I rely upon for every trip. I hate it though. I wish I could just go to the drug store by myself and take as long as I like picking out nail polish if I want, or go to the mall and walk around, but nooooo, Mr. Impatient doesn't tolerate that. Everything is a burden to him, and it is enough that he takes me to the doctors (which is sometimes 3xweek) and patiently sits. We argued about me driving just today, and he threw up some of those questions above to me. After pondering those questions, I realized I really shouldn't be driving, so I guess he is right. But I am lucky to at least have someone to taxi me where I need to go. As soon as he dies I tell him I will start driving again! hahaha I hope you too can come to a heart to heart decision about your driving. It sure is a pain in the ass not driving.

Why are you thinking about stopping? lchoppel raises a lot of good things to think about when making your decision. My only problem with driving was that I couldn't move my right leg back and forth from the gas and the brake. So I had hand controls installed...and with a little bit of practice it is "old hat" now. What a Godsend it is to be able to continue to drive myself places. If you can keep driving SAFELY.....then do not stop. I guess that much is obvious. :)

sheesh..this computer...second time i've written this! anyway..
Rhonda,I think Ichoppel already brought lots of good points..but I want to ask..how important is your independence on this issue?It allboils down to,you should stop driving when you are no longer a"safe" driver.
my friend back east,he went to great lengths' to keep driving,by adding all type of equipment to his car..some of us can't afford that! I still think he drives too fast! My husband is struggling with this question now..he is having some cognitive issues and trouble reading signs..now,me..with lupus,I no longer drive at night..when my fatigue is off the charts I allow someone else to take the wheel. I think that's safer for all. don't get me wrong..I'm very stubborn,just knew it wwas a better choice.your question is pivotal to many people that have pphysical challenges,but you will figure this out! good luck

I didn't drive the year I was diagnosed. My license was pulled by my neuro the second I started having vision problems. It took me over 9 months to get it back (6 months because my ophthalmologist wanted to make sure I had adjusted to what my eye sight is now, and then another 3 months waiting on the MTO to end their strike and reissue my license).

I don't think it would have been safe for anyone to be on the road with me when it was pulled, but I am fine now. I know I am much younger than many people responding to this but if you have RRMS it is possible that you will be able to drive safely again, but just can't at the present time. Everything can change and it might be worthwhile to give it some time or take some lessons with a driving instructor to see what they say about your driving.

AMAZING points you guys! To drive or not is such a personal decision as someone said...especially if you have always been independent. (which I have) so far I don't have mobility issues or take drugs that would affect me, a little vertigo but nothing unmanagable. I think I will for the time being put limits on my drving activities....like just sticking to in town driving and NOT driving when feeling fatigued...One of the best suggestions was maybe consider getting a driving instructor to evaluate how I'm doing. I think if yesterday afternoon when an old lady pulled in front of me with no warning (she was CLEARLY in the wrong) and I was able to avert smacking her with my SUV... :D THANKS SO MUCH YOUR ANSWERS WERE VERY HELPFUL!!!

I drive all the time. I figure if I can sit at a computer all day, I can sit behind the wheel. The only problem I have so far is that my right foot is affected by my MS, so I have to hold my hand under my knee to help "feel" the pedal. Some day I will probably get hand controls (barring eye problems from the MS).

Giving up driving is NOT something that I will do without a fight!

Well, in my State, when they see you come in with a cane, they make you take the behind the wheel test. I passed with flying colors and I have no tickets. I have no vision problems so I don't think that it is an issue with me.

My up close vision is good and my distant vision is good with glasses, so as long as I can see and make proper movements, I am going to drive. But if I had a chauffeur I would love it and wouldn't mind giving up driving at all if I had someone to cart me around. I really don't like driving that much but I do like my independence.

I guess you have to use your best judgment. Consider your drugs, your vision, and your ability to move properly like Ichoppel says. BTW, lchoppel, nail polish is not good for you to smell anyway (LOL)!

If your neuro has not deemed you unsafe to drive (don't inquire, let them bring it up, seriously), get full coverage and hit the road. If the other 47 people in Montana get in your path, it's their problem. :^) Don't let this shit rob you of yet another freedom. Just don't get a big ol' sign bumper sticker that reads "Watch out, I have ms and may drive funny"...it might send up a red flag to the old pig-parade, if you know what I mean....

I'm in south Florida. I see the elderly, ON NARCOTICS mind you, raise hell and cause potential catastrophic damage, daily. They still drive. 25 in a 45mph three-lane, middle lane with people passing right and left at 55. But they DO still drive. With their blinkers on and lights off, but they DO still drive. With the only thing looking over the steering wheel being their white hair, but they DO still drive. You get my point.

Don't let it take yet ANOTHER freedom of life. The fact is, you and you alone know how you feel, daily. And only YOU can make that judgment call, daily. The fact that you bought the vehicle in the first place leads me to believe your question was answered well before you asked us. It is now a matter of overcoming your anxiety/fears. That is your battle alone.

Drive like the wind, and inform the townsfolk. 8^)

@ figureitout THANK YOU! I smiled BIG the whole time I read your response! I agree completely!

When I first started treatment last year, I gave up driving but my hubby bought me a cash car which is a stick 5 speed and I drive it everyday to work

I drive on some days - some days I can't. Driving exhausts me so my doctor suggested I limit my driving to a 10 minute time frame. Again, some days I think I can and do, other days I just know that my body is not functioning well enough to do so safely. I think you have to consider your weaknesses, and then really consider if you are safe. It is a pain not to be able to go wherever and whenever you want. My husband has his own business and is unable to close it just to take me someplace. He gives me Sundays to take me where I want. MS should be called adjust,adjust,adjust.

lchoppel gives a good round-up of all the factors etc. Each of us is different and takes a different approach.

When I had my very first attack, I had warning symptoms driving - eyesight and right leg getting stiff. Once I got over that first relapse I drove again and after few years was assessed by NHS driving centre. I now have a medical notification on my licence and have to keep UK driving authority informed plus renew licence regularly.

Like LilMargie I found myself holding my right leg but when that became too difficult and dangerous - less control - I had the pedals adapted so I could drive with my left foot. I had to drive as I was an equestrian journalist so had to get to shows.

However eventually (after 10 years) I found that my left would get tired too quickly. I started having problems reversing and hit things!! Luckily I had stopped needing to drive long distances plus I had got re-married. Now I allow my American wife to drive and I can enjoy the scenery at last !!!

So take it a day at a time. Keep driving until you feel that there is a better alternative.

There are two issues for me. The second one is when my balance is so bad that it would be unsafe. The primary reason though is that my sense of direction completely vanished several years ago ! I get lost trying to find my way back into the store after visiting the rest room !

Thus I very rarely drive. And I even didn't mention the very first thing that affected my driving. I would merrily be driving along and it would dawn on me that I had completely missed my turn. I would turn around, and drive past it going the other direction. AAAGGGHHH!!!

ok-if i am repeating someone forgiveme. okay, if i see one more person driving around holding a &^%$ phone to their eator even just talking into an earpiece, well to me that is more like giving "normal" people MS, you cannot drive and chat SAFELY. i don't care if you have been doing it for years!! i take such care in my driving that it really ticks me off to have to dance through "walkers", and yet these idiots, and i am related to a bunch of them, drive around with their "driver" on auto pilot, WE KNOW how hard it is, and they think it is their RIGHT to drive. well thankyou, i feel better now, ichoppel, please find a friend that will drive you where ever and giggle and shop w/you, don't let power trippers try to run your lives kids! they will with glee....(*&^%& love and kisses, leslie joan, seemingly pissed off in idaho, now for coffee, i should Never write before coffee.