Unbeliever said:
When I was first prescribed metformin I was horrified at the thought that there could be drivers suffering the confusion and dizziness i suffereed as a side effect let alone other side effects from other drugs.
I now shudder to think that a new generation of T2s who do not have the means to test and are told that testing is unnecessary - are loose on the roads.
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Can we be very clear here - testing is for people taking medication to lower blood glucose which can cause the symptoms of a hypo.
I guess this would be all T1s and some T2s.
It is not for "all diabetics".
It is not even for "all diagnosed diabetics" which is not in any way the same as above.
So:
Anyone using Insulin - no brainer.
From other threads we see that Metformin (and some other oral drugs) can cause hypos (true of "false" hypos count - it is the symptoms which we are trying to avoid) in some people - so there is a case for people on Metformin to test, although I don't know what percentage of people on Metformin (or other oral drug) get hypo symptoms. If it is vanishingly small then the rule should be "if you have suffereed a hypo, then you must test". As far as I know there are no general restrictions on people using oral drugs.
T2s not taking any drugs have NO need to test to detect the onset of a hypo. If you get hypos without taking drugs then as far as I can see you are not diabetic (or are in the final stages of starving to death).
People taking drugs which are causing obvious side effects (such as those described aboveby "Unbeliever") should not drive - but this is NOT a diabetic issue it is a general health issue and has been covered exhaustively.
Now why don't we stop this demonisation and victimisation of diabetics and focus on the real issue.
People with health problems which are likely to affect their ability to drive safely should not be driving.
How do you detect and prevent this?
Doctors are not obliged to 'shop' their patients to the DVLA which is probably just as well because then this would damage the doctor/patient relationship and discourage people from seeking medical treatment.
The only way to ensure a level playing field is to require a regular medical examination for all people who hold or wish to hold a driving licence.
This would detect undeclared (and quite possibly undiagnosed) conditions such as diabetes and defective eyesight without demonising any particular group.
Frequency of examination could be tailored to the age of the driver, and any warning signs picked up in the previous medical.
This would of course have to be backed up by much more frequent and rigorous checking of road users to ensure that they held a valid licence.
If this was implimented then unlicenced and uninsured drivers would also be caught in the net and the roads just might become a slightly safer place.
The increased medical checking might also increase the chances of early diagnosis of health problems in the bulk of the population and a general improvement in health.
Loads of benefits, but who would agree to the cost?
Further, who would agree that they needed a medical before they could drive or continue driving?
Further, who would accept that it was fair if they failed the medical?
Legislation is a waste of time unless there is the will and the resource to police it actively.
It is also a waste of time if there is already legislation in place which covers the issue.
[Think of all the time wasted making it illegal to drive whilst operating a mobile phone, which failed both the above points.]
So if you do have to campaign, please campaign for something which is equitable and useful, and also campaign for the resources to implement the legislation effectively.
Cheers
LGC
