Driving??

[duncanjo]

I can't recall when my Dr. said it was ok to drive again. I think he said 6-8 weeks. But I feel i could drive down to the corner store or food market. But driving for a couple hours i know i can't do it yet. So, do u have to get permission from the Dr. to start driving? or just consult with him??

Joe-30 yrs old
Valve replacement April 04/08

 

[Freddie]

Now let me think...................is it okay to drive before 6 weeks?

Its not a real smart thing to do if you have air bags in your vehicle. Most accidents happen within a 6 block radios of home. Your bone needs time to heel. And those little bumps in the road can be quite painful, plus the seatbelt rubbing on your chest. Shoulder checking can also be a challenge.

This is just my 2 cents worth - a former Driver Educator/Examiner.

Take Care out there and check with your doctor.

 

[Gusdog]

So, do u have to get permission from the Dr. to start driving? or just consult with him??

Get permission. You might be fine just to drive down to the corner market, but you might not be, and you don't want to find out the hard way that you're not. Also, if you get into an accident before your doctor clears you to drive, even if you're not at fault, you could face some serious liability.

That may be covered in the thread OakTree referred to; I haven't read it. I can't tell you how badly I wanted to drive before I was cleared to do so, and it was more than 7 weeks by the time I saw my surgeon again. I was worse than a kid waiting for Christmas.

 

[Philip B]

Driving

Driving

Like others, my surgeon and cardiologist gave me a timeframe that I was supposed to follow regarding driving, but I didn't adhere to their instructions. In other words, like some of our other members, I cheated and started driving earlier than recommended. This comment isn't meant to encourage anyone else to cheat. Following recommendations is always a safer path.

I never worried about getting any kind of formal clearance from my doctors. Of course, my surgeon and cardiologist were a couple of hours from where I live.

-Philip

 

[aussigal]

I also cheated once at a round 5 weeks and that was enough to make me wait a few more weeks until I tried again....My problem was the level of concentration required to drive, I just couldnt manage it...I felt dangerous within a few blocks of leaving home and returned home ASAP.

 

[hensylee]

six to eight weeks was my instruction - but I waited a couple months because I had a driver who did it for me.

 

[Jkm7]

My first OHS, my cardio cleared me to drive at 6 weeks. I didn't feel up to it and did not drive until 8 weeks. I knew I was not able to drive safely until then.


This OHS, the same cardio cleared me to drive (short, local drives) at 2 1/2 weeks. I know that is highly unusual but I was up to it and drove the day after I got permission and did fine on a short errand.

 

[kfay]

My instructions from my surgery 2.5 weeks ago were 4 weeks. I cheated after my first OHS...I drove home from the airport after surgery at 9 days....don't suggest anyone else try this.

Kim

 

[Lisa in Katy]

I was released at 5 weeks, but probably could have driven before then. It's not really because of the airbags, because there is an airbag in the passenger seat too. My doctor said it was because turning the steering wheel can cause your sternum to twist, sutures to pull, etc. If your car is a standard, it's even more stressful on your body. It also depends on where you are on your pain meds.

Being stuck in the house can drive you stir crazy, so get out and walk. Catch up on all those things that you never have time to do. In my case, I walked up to my daughter's school for lunch many days and picked up my son from 1/2 day Kindergarten some days. I also cleaned my house thoroughly! Something I never have time to do!

 

[ctyguy]

I was released after 5 weeks to drive, biggest concern was the airbag. During those 5 weeks I was told to ride only in the back seat and to put a pillow between my chest and the seat belt. Passenger side airbag is just as big a concern.

Needless to say I kinda liked having my wife drive me around ! Sadly to say that now that Im running again and starting to swing a golf club all that sympathy she gave me is drying up rather quickly !

 

[Cooker]

I was told 6 weeks.....I drove at 3.....If I had had an accident I'm sure I would have paid the price....

 

[Bonzo Dog]

....... But I feel i could drive down to the corner store or food market. .......

Joe, not wanting to be rude here but how far is the corner store? A sedentary car bound way of life is not good practise. Could you not walk there and back? You need the exercise. A walk each day, a little further each time is a good regime to get into. Don't go dragging heavy bags of shopping back. A few small items will suffice. Stretch the legs, it's good for body and soul

 

[Jkm7]

Whoever commented about the pain meds is right. One of the reasons my cardio agreed to let me drive so early was because I was not taking any narcotics during the day. If I took anything, it was only tylenol. He was specific about that.

 

[Faye]

Just thought I'd chime in and add my 2 cents worth.

My doc cleared me to drive the day I left the hospital - IF and it was a big IF, I was not taking any painkillers. I didn't take him up on the offer...instead, I drove a very short distance at 6 weeks and slowly built up from there.

The only trouble I had was turning to look over my shoulder(s). My vehicle is an FJ cruiser with a standard transmission.

Good Luck - you'll be back on the road soon!

 

[Philip B]

Air Bags

Air Bags

For what it's worth, the concerns about air bags and driving never made much sense to me. As Lisa noted in her post, the passenger side of vehicles usually have air bags too. I suspect most of us rode "shotgun" while being driven around by others following surgery.

Attempting to drive while under the influence of pain killing meds and the ability to operate the controls of a vehicle in a safe manner seem to be more relevant concerns to me.

Maybe I'm missing something, but here's a thought...if you can't remember when your doctor told you that you'd be clear to drive again, a simple telephone call to your doctor could answer your question. If you plan to follow you doctor's guidance, give your doc a call. If you plan to cheat, calling your doc probably wouldn't be a great idea.

-Philip

 

[Superbob]

I would follow the doctor's order on this one. The sternum needs time to properly heal. The point about auto liability is also an excellent one.

 

[Gusdog]

For what it's worth, the concerns about air bags and driving never made much sense to me. As Lisa noted in her post, the passenger side of vehicles usually have air bags too. I suspect most of us rode "shotgun" while being driven around by others following surgery.

Someone who was taking care of me (Can't remember if it was one of the nurses, or nurse practitioners, or my surgeon) told me not to ride in the front seat for the first several weeks specifically due to the risk of air bag deployment. I didn't even cheat there (I'm so lame). The only time I rode in the front seat for the first 6 weeks was in my priest's pickup, but he could turn the passenger air bag off.

It probably isn't a big deal, but I can't imagine how painful an airbag deployment into my chest would have been a week or two after surgery.

 

[aussigal]

My inability to drive was because of the drugged mental state I was still in. I thought I was OK to drive until I tried it...needless to say it only took a few minutes to realise I shouldnt be driving yet. I spent 4 days in a drug-induced coma so maybe thats why it took me longer to feel mentally alert.

 

[Sean L]

I would listen to the Dr.

I would listen to the Dr.

Joey,

I work in insurance claims and have too much experience seeing auto accidents to say it would be safe. With a broken strernum, if you get in an accident you have a very high likelihood of the steering wheel or air bag causing trauma to your sternum and impact your heart possibly killing you.

Even though it is a low risk that you would get into an accident, I don't think the risk is worth it. I see enough people with healthy ribs and stermums getting injured chests. Out of all the injury claims I have handled I would estimate off the top of my head that probably close to 20% of the injured persons complain of some sort of chest trauma either from the steering wheel, airbag or seat belts.

It is a risk being a passenger but that is why they recommend you sit in the back if there is an airbag. I thinking driving is way too risky. I know this is not want you want to hear but just had to get my two cents in. I am two weeks post OHS and I feel the frustration too...but I plan on waiting until the doctor gives me the ok.

Sean

 

[HeartPart2]

Im with cooker... I waited three weeks. I've got things to do. And as far as air bags go and seat belts... someone told me .. "hey they have them on the passenger side also", so the risk is similar. But also I think it will always ring true, listen to your body, I've been told that thousands of times here. You feel like it can be done and with caution, carpe diem.