Driving

[Barbara Stewart]

How soon did y'all start driving again? Since I've been sick the better part of a year people are getting sick of driving me places and I'm REALLY sick of being driven places. I think I was told 4-6 weeks. It will be 4 weeks next weeks.
Mike, let us know what your cardio says and how you are feeling. I'm not terrified of endocarditis, I'm terrified of infection since that almost killed me with the first surgery.
Do post soon.
Barbara

 

[JimL]

My surgeon told me I could drive when I saw him the first time after surgery, at about three weeks. Others have reported very different time frames for being allowed to drive again.

Don't be in a rush to drive, and when you do start driving, please be very careful. I found it difficult to keep my mind on the road when I started driving again. I also found it difficult at first to turn around to look behind me because the incisions were still healing.

 

[Tom F.]

My surgeon gave me the ok to drive four weeks post op. However, because I was climbing the walls a bit sitting home I did take the car out for a spin when I was three weeks post op. Shame on me ! I had no trouble driving.

 

[Georgia]

I drove at 4 weeks. Others were told to wait until 6 weeks. I also found that I had trouble concentrating; therefore I only drove in town and not where traffic was bad or I needed to drive faster than @40mph. I didn't feel I was competent.

otoh - I didn't feel like I was making much headway until I coud drive - I really chafed having to have my husband drive me everywhere. It was a huge morale booster.

 

[PamO]

Driving? Heck, my husband tried it the second day home from the hospital! (Momshell and I had laughs about our men trying this!). But, after he realized that he couldn't pull the mailbox key out of the mailbox and couldn't pull the door shut, that was it for quite a few weeks! I suggest 4-6 weeks, not because you can't do it, but give your body AND mind time to heal.

 

[MikeHeim]

Barbara-
My cardiologist's office doesn't open for another fifteen minutes, so I plan on calling soon after. As far as driving, I was given the green light at three weeks. I didn't have the concentration issues that some have mentioned, but I did have a HUGE problem trying to turn my neck enough to check my blind spot.

 

[901]

I was driving at two weeks out. The incision was very tender and did not like the strap from the shoulder harness at all! I used the heart pillow between my chest and the belt to prevent the irritation. Since I had the pacer added about six weeks out, I used the pillow for 2+ months.

 

[msiwik]

I was driving at two weeks out. The incision was very tender and did not like the strap from the shoulder harness at all! I used the heart pillow between my chest and the belt to prevent the irritation. Since I had the pacer added about six weeks out, I used the pillow for 2+ months.

Everybody is different. I really didn't feel like driving until about 5 weeks out mostly because it hurt to turn the steering wheel due to the incision - something I noticed when moving cars in and out of the garage. The shoulder strap bothered me for a couple of months after I started driving.

 

[kingpeta]

It was 2 weeks for me. I had trouble turning my head/shoulders though and I could barely stand the shoulder strap on my chest. The other thing that bothered me was the thought of an accident! I can't imagine what it would feel like to be thrown forward in a collision, or to have the airbag deploy!

 

[archkre]

It was 2 weeks for me. I had trouble turning my head/shoulders though and I could barely stand the shoulder strap on my chest. The other thing that bothered me was the thought of an accident! I can't imagine what it would feel like to be thrown forward in a collision, or to have the airbag deploy!

The same for me, but I use my heart shaped pillow between belt and body and I have no hassle!
And I drive round trip from Miami to Boca Raton daily!
But each case is singular and comparisons are no valid!
Cheers

 

[SteveK]

I was blowing snow with my lawn tractor/snow blower attachement 3 weeks most op. The belt broke when my wife she was using it the night before and my brother drove me to get a new one, but didn't bother putting it on for me. I ended up crawling around on the floor and putting it on myself after he left. I had to try it out to make sure it worked I ended up going up and down my driveway a couple of times (it is nearly a 1/4 mile long) and my wife caught me as she was coming home from work a little early, wow was she

 

[Phyllis]

I can't imagine what it would feel like to be thrown forward in a collision, or to have the airbag deploy!
__________________

That's the catch and the big reason for waiting 6 weeks- you need to give the sternum time to heal and you can't account for other drivers on the road!

 

[Georgia]

Yup - I was given instructions - orders - to sit in the back seat of the car for the first 4 weeks to avoid any chance of the airbag deploying. Apparently it can do a lot of damage to a newly-cracked chest. And I used my heart pillow between me and the shoulder belt just in case.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Driving

Thanks for the responses. I can see there are many variations and all make sense. I was reminded about the attention thing and since I have trouble with that anyway I see I need to think about it.
Mike? ANy luck with the cardiologist?
Barbara

 

[tobagotwo]

Things that tell you you're not ready to drive:

- Papers from the hospital stating a predetermined longer waiting period
- Your surgeon, cardiologist, GP, Physical Therapist, or their nurses say you're not ready yet
- If you can't turn around in the seat quickly
- If you can't turn the wheel hard and fast
- If your upper body isn't ready to buffer bumpy roadways and speed bumps while fully controlling the steering wheel
- If you couldn't handle the steering wheel reliably in a heavy swerve
- If you can't open/close the doors or trunk
- The seat belt still hurts and you're wearing padding under it

The first two are critical, because if you have an accident, they will cause the insurance companies to declare the accident your fault. In some states, your insurance company may not be liable for covering you in these circumstances.

You also risk damage to your unhealed sternum, if you had standard surgery.

Best wishes,

 

[hensylee]

It was about six weeks for me because I wasn't home after being in the hospital - nurse cousin took me to her home to care for me. Even at home, I waited awhile, got permission from my dr, but even then I practiced a bit in the driveway (it's very, very long - a road, actually) before I hit the highway. After t he first trip out, it was a piece of cake. And VERY welcome to be on my own again.

 

[Granbonny]

Why?

Why?

do you want to drive before 6 weeks?You still have drugs left over in your body..that causes pumpheaded.. I'm sure all of you saw the awful news last week..when a truck driver rammed the back of a car..killing 7 young children. This happened in Fla.. I was never concerned about myself..but, afraid I would hurt someone else...So, I waited 6 weeks..then just a mile or so from my house..to pool, ect........Never heard if the truck driver was arrested..Maybe you Fla. people heard? Bonnie

 

[BDMc]

6 Weeks I think...

6 Weeks I think...

I was told to wait till my sternum had healed up. First time backing out of the driveway I pinched a nerve, and the pain and numbness made me suspect a heart attack! After that all was fine. Brian

 

[Guest]

*chuckles*

Barbara, I know what you mean about being tired of having others drive you around. Holy cow I hated having others drive me around, particularly because I LOVE to drive!

My last surgery was January 6, 2003. I was told I could drive again on February 10, 2003. So....I stayed up until midnight, Feb 10 ... and went for a half hour drive that early morning hour. Heh...I took my cell phone with and my sister told me that if I didn't get home within a half hour, she was going to relentlessly call me...he he he.



Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker
MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/
chdQB = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/quilt.html
"I guess I'm feeling just a little tired of this" ... Keith Urban ... 'You'll Think Of Me'

 

[hensylee]

Cort, you are absolutely priceless!