Mad and a bit paranoid

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Mad and a bit paranoid
6
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 7:54pm

I have to get my driver's license renewed at the end of May and I've just spent a lot of time in the CA DMV site.  Recently, as we covered sometime last year here on the board, CA instituted a requirement that diabetics MUST inform the DMV of their diagnosis if it has been within the last 5 years.  Well, I was dianosed three years ago.


My problem is the fact I am insulin controlled and I am DEATHLY AFRAID that they are going to deny me my renewal despite the fact I am considered under control.   I already got crap from an operator at the DMV last year when I called and she told me, "Well, doesn't that mean you're a danger on the road?  You can black out, right?"  It's this type of ignorance that I am afraid of.  I have to fill out a health questionnaire and if I answer yes to any of the questions (one of which is "have you had a hypoglycemic spell in the last three years if you are an insulin controlled diabetic"), they "may" have to call your doctor to find out if you are "fit" to drive.


I don't know about you, but I find this a little invasive.  And worrisome.  I live 22 miles from work and it would take me about three hours to get to my job via bus or other public transportation.


Can anyone help calm me down about this?  Mary Frances, when they are talking hypoglycemic spells, are they talking about ones involving paramedics?  Do you know?  I have to sit on this all weekend and I am going to be worried until I get an answer.  It's bad enough I have to go in and take the vision test and the written test and have this health form filled out (I'm seeing my Endo at the beginning of May and may just take the form in for her to fill out anyway), I have to worry about them arbitrarily deciding that I'm a danger to other motorists just because I have a bum pancreas.


Yes, I realize I sound like a nutcase.  But I can't lose my license.  I will lose all income if I do.

If you believe in yourself, anything can happen.

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)

Avatar for cl_d_minnick
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 9:35pm

First Gabby calm yourself down. I have been diabetic for over 28 years with insulin helping me to control it. I have had to tell the DMV here in Washington state that I am diabetic since I first got my drivers permit. When I got my license for the first time at 18 years of age I had to fill out a survey like you are having to do and was just told that if I were to have a hypoglycemic episode that I was in need of medical attention that I would have to take a form into my doctor to have him fill out every 6 months than it would go to every year. Well, I had one a long time ago and did the forms to my doctor as I was instructed to do. After I got down to the once I hit the once a year for a while it went to once every 3 years, which I had no hypoglycemic episodes while driving that required medical attention. I then asked my doctor to please put in does not need to be monitored by the DMV since I have not had anything happening while I have been driving for over 5 years and now i have to do no forms at all.


So my best advice to you is if you have not had any hypoglycemic episodes while driving to mark that question with a no since you do not want to have to do those darn sheets every few months to take to your doctor. If you think about it we are all a danger if we do not keep ourselves under control no different than any other person with something medically wrong with them. So don't feel bad about having to let them know it is just to keep us all safe including you if you were to be in an accident and say your "Hope" bracelet were to be broken off they can run your license to find out if you have any medical conditions such as "diabetes" since you have registered yourself by law as having it. I have had to this for years and was very shocked that other states did not require that information such as California.


Do not feel that you are giving out to much information if it could save your life some day. Just look at it as being a responsible person who wants to be safe. Besides they cannot take your license unless your doctor states that you are not in any shape to drive if you do have a hyperglycemic reaction at least in my state it is that way. I do hope this has helped to make you feel better and not worry so much about it , because it is just a safe thing they are doing now in your state with not trying to be intruisive to you. Do take care and have a fabulous weekend!

Denise ^..^


Mom to

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Avatar for cl_maryfrances40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 03-26-2004 - 10:14pm

Gabby,


I don't know about summoning the paramedics as the criteria for a hypoglycemic reaction. I like you worry about this because I stupidly drove home with a 65 blood sugar two weeks ago. I don't want anyone messing with my driver's license but I also don't want to be a statistic like the former senator from Montana was when he ran the stop sign and killed someone. I also know that the recommendation is that you check your blood sugar before operating a car. I would think that you wouldn't need to report a hypo episode that didn't require medical intervention.


You have to fill out the application honestly and if you need to get your doctor to certify that you are okay, I guess you will have to do that.


I live in an area where there is no bus service. Even though I try to use public transit as much as I can, if I don't use my car to drive downtown where the bus is located, I would be stuck in my house.


I think this just another instance of being struck in the face with our chronic disease. So don't stress over it too much. You really would rather be safe than sorry.


A gentle hug,

Mary Frances


cl-maryfrances40


Co-Cl Diabetes Board


iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Sat, 03-27-2004 - 10:05pm
Gabby~

Ok...now I'm paranoid about it! Must be catching, huh? My license doesn't get renewed until 2006, and then by mail, I think. I've never seen anything on the application about diabetes, only about wearing glasses. Must be a California thing...or not.

Just because some stupid DMV person went off kilter isn't a good reason for you to get upset. Stupid is as stupid acts, I say. I swear that the majority of DMV personnel have to take a special test to see how unhelpful they can be. If I'm dissing someone, forgive me. I'm a large advocate for appropriate customer service.

Ok...you were asking Mary Frances about the hypoglycemic episodes...big ones

(under 60-65) might require paramedics. However, if you know the signs and symptoms of one coming on, you can deal with it yourself by taking your level and then by eating the proper items.

I think that, for me, until I get control of my diabetes, I'll watch it if it gets below 75-80. I start getting the shakes and sweats about then. However, I learned from our esteemed co-board members (especially the CL's) that I shouldn't just randomly eat a bunch like I did the first time I hit 83. I went bonkers and ate about 3 carbs and some protein...much too much, though.

I have had a tendancy to be compulsive about all this. Not that anyone notices (hee hee).

YOU ARE NOT A NUT CASE!!! I'd send you a pretty picture or something to cheer you up, but I haven't let loose with the $$ to buy the package yet. So, this will have to do...

you'll be fine. That's why we're here...to help each other. Actually, you only have 1 day left until Monday. Give yourself a break!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-20-2004
Sat, 03-27-2004 - 10:08pm
Just looked at your profile. You've come a long way...you are important & don't ever forget that!!!

A master's at 24? Hot stuff!!! In what field, pray tell? Being intrusive...there's a lot of that going around lately, huh?

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2003
Sun, 03-28-2004 - 2:56am

Oh, you're not prying at all.

Blueliner4
(aka The Pixie Princess)

Avatar for happyscrapper40
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-29-2004 - 7:35pm
Oh gabby, what a catch-22 to be in! I live in Florida, which has renewed my license for the second time, no questions asked, through the mail. I will have had this ugly picture for at least 18 years before my next renewal!

I am NOT sure what I would do in your shoes, but now I amgoing to playing the opposite role...what if you had the first hypoglycemic episode in several years that resulted in a fender bender,in which a minor one can be a few thousand dollars. Now, the insurance co. and police are involved and possibly doctors and a hospital, and someone gains the knowledge that you have diabetes and forwards it to the insurance company, but on your health survey you skipped the question or said NO? Will your insurance pay the damages? In this day and age, possibly not. The other thing is, with the internet and computers, data is flying about through cyberspace, which can be compared with drivers licenses, etc. and they may be able to gain this information without you divulging it.

I would ask the endo. who sees tons of diabetics and deals with this question every week.

In as much as I don't want to meet an 85 or 90 year old on the highway with thick cataracts, or some one with seizures, or someone on medication that states NOT to operate machinery while taking this medication, or anyone smoking and eating a big mac while talking on their cell phone, I don't want to meet up with someone who shouldn't be driving at that moment in time for Whatever reason.

I think Mary Frances is correct- check your blood before driving... and proceed accordingly. Have a good day! Michele H.