Driving safely
I am wondering how others decide when they can't drive? I am a home health therapist so if I don't drive I don't work. As a speech therapist most jobs I can get require driving. My nurse practitioner wants more time to help the headaches before I try for disability but she really doesn't want me driving any day I have a headache. When that is 22-26 days a month I couldn't work at all so I often drive when I probably shouldn't. If my pain rating is to high, I feel exhausted and can't wake up, become easily frustrated at small things, am having lots of vision trouble or a combination of a lot if mild symptoms combined I don't drive but may lose a day of work every week because of it.
Hi Cpfarrington,
Thank you for your question and bringing up tough question. For the most part the answer is it's not a great idea to drive during a migraine attack. But the reality of it may be different. I completely understand your situation and feel for you. We have this article on driving and migraine that may be of interest; https://migraine.com/blog/can-i-drive-with-a-migraine/. This two part piece has tips for the time you have to drive; https://migraine.com/blog/driving-tips-for-migraineurs-part-1/ and https://migraine.com/blog/part-2-driving-tips-for-migraineurs/.
Have you by any chance seen a 'true' migraine/headache expert, a doctor specifically trained and board certified in headache medicine? If not I would encourage you to do so. The thing about neurologists is they may be fine doctors, but have a hard time being experts in one area because they treat so many different conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson's and others. In addition being certified in neurology is not the same as being certified in headache medicine. Migraine/headache experts are board certified in headache medicine and treat one condition all day, every day - migraine and headache. When you get a chance take a look at this information; http://migraine.com/blog/how-are-migraine-specialists-different/ and https://migraine.com/blog/really-find-headache-specialist/.
Let me know if that helps,
Nancy
