Drink Driving Medical

[Yogster]

Loggy-z is a relieved man today. I have got my license back and can drive from the 28th march. I had the medical as I previously mentioned. I rang the dvla the day they got my results and the medical department made the decision within 24hours. There was no contact made with my own doctor or any investigations into my previous medical history. My advice is don't drink for 14 days before the medical and do take pure milk thistle 3 times a day in that time. It seems to have worked for me. Next step is trying to get insurance. Good luck to all who still have to do the medical. I personally believe 90% of all driver have drank while over the limit, many the morning after without knowing. You will one day get caught, I for one have learned the hard way but learnt my lesson.

 

 

Loggy-Z, mate try using compare the market.com for insurance. I found the post office to be at least £200 cheaper than anyone else. Good Luck and congrats mate:).

Yogster

[crem]

I personally believe 90% of all driver have drank while over the limit,

 

 

I personally believe the figure is 100%.

[liverpool-paul]

hi yogster...loggy z... paul is a very chuffed person today as he too has passed the medical and got my license through the post toady...wahoooooooooo :D:D

[crem]

hi yogster...loggy z... paul is a very chuffed person today as he too has passed the medical and got my license through the post toady...wahoooooooooo :D:D

 

Now for the probably more painful bit..... sorting out some insurance!

[smorg76]

Afternoon guys

 

I've been following the progress of Loggie-z, Yogster, and Liverpool-Paul for some time now as.... yes.... I'm in the same boat. First of all, I'd like to say congratulations to you 3 for passing.... It must be a hell of a relief and sense of achievement.

 

Well, my story.... I was caught on Feb 6 2005 and convicted on Feb 11 2005 and my breath rating was 92mg so I'm a HRO as a result of being over 2.5 times over. I had a fine of £480 and a disqualification for 2 years. I took the driver rehab course which reduced the ban by 6 months so would have been eligible to drive on Aug 11 2006 after successful completion of the medical......

 

Now to me.... I'm soooo disappointed that in 2005 things weren't going the best for me (I'll save you on the boring details) but was drinking a lot (8 cans a night) and stupidly decided to drive over 200 miles back to my home town as was feeling down, I got as far as 35 miles from home before being pulled. I will say that I am extremely grateful now to have been caught and convicted because I didn't cause an accident, however, if I had carried on I could and probably would have... It seemed like a well needed kick up the a**e.

 

So, after feeling totally lost without my license I kept on drinking a silly amount as (don't laugh at this most ridiculous excuse) I was bored each evening and bad choice soon became habit until I eventually lost the flat and job. I had to relocate to start over ( May 2008 ) which was good for me as I'd gotten into debt, but thankfully now am debt free. My drinking habits were still bad, but nowhere near as atrocious as the were. Up until February I decided that I wanted to really move on with my life and stopped drinking in the week. I was worried about this as my bad habit had become a lifestyle and honestly thought i'd find it really tough... suprisingly it wasn't, and not drinking can also become a habit. Wow.

 

I do however still have a couple of drinks on the weekend ( no more 2/3 drinks on a saturday) but do realise that in order for me to apply and pass my medical I will need to stop completely. This 'should' be ok as in the week has suprised me at how easy it was. I must say that I do not think I'm an alcoholic, but i am a problem drinker.... The truth is, I'd never really bothered to stop before and enjoyed the feeling even though I lost a lot.

 

Now I can see clearly and really wish to regain my license. I'm enjoying life again and love feeling fresh in the morning and not hungover.

 

Now, finally my question, as i have drunk excessively for a long period of time (5 years), how long will I have to wait before applying for my medical? I hear the figure of 3 months is usually sufficient for a previously heavy drinker, this is absolutely fine by me, but I'm only asking because i'm not sure what 'hit' my liver has taken.

 

I am well aware that it is over 4 years now that i haven't had my license, and to be honest I'm sick of not living a life and thankfully now can realise this and look forward to every day. I must also say, that after experiencing what I have, I know I'll never do this again..... As you guys all know, the loss of freedom and independence is too big to quantify.

 

Wow, now that is one heck of a ramble, I hope no-one has fallen asleep reading this, but I felt I needed to post as this is the only place on the whole 'interweb' (lol) that I have been able to find honest true advice, and I thank all who have posted sensible responses (as opposed to the usual "drink drivers should be castrated" crowd)

 

Anyway, thanks for reading, and hope to hear from you soon.

[smorg76]

Anyone?

[liverpool-paul]

Stop shouting you idiot, do you think we don't know?

you Piers Morgan

[brum no 1]

Am in a similar situation to most of the posters on here and I guess I am seeking some peace of mind as my quack and the dvla dont appear to be entirely sure.

 

I have not touched a drop since my ban and dont miss it at all. Did not think I would have any problems until the doc told me I had raised lft function.

 

My ggt is 17, mcv 91 which are both ok but my alt is 49. Is this one high reading enough to fail me? Any informed genuine advice much appreciated.

[brum no 1]

I take it you are all too busy driving to respond.

[crem]

I take it you are all too busy driving to respond.

 

It's a bit of a specialist question, so unfortunately there will be a reduced number of members who can help. I guess only people who have been through what you are facing will know how their case was handled.

[smorg76]

I take it you are all too busy driving to respond.

 

 

That's what I thought..... Guys? Any help would be appreciated for both myself and Brum...

[liverpool-paul]

Am in a similar situation to most of the posters on here and I guess I am seeking some peace of mind as my quack and the dvla dont appear to be entirely sure.

 

I have not touched a drop since my ban and dont miss it at all. Did not think I would have any problems until the doc told me I had raised lft function.

 

My ggt is 17, mcv 91 which are both ok but my alt is 49. Is this one high reading enough to fail me? Any informed genuine advice much appreciated.

 

Hi brum no 1..This 1 reading will not fail you if the other 3 readings which the dvla test for are within their recommended limits..You are allowed to fail 1 out of the 4..Levels are as below..

GAMMA GT UPPER REF RANGE 50

ASPARTATE TRANSAMINISE (AST) UPPER REF RANGE 40

MCV UPPER REF RANGE 98

ALT UPPER REF RANGE 40

BLOOD ALCOHOL (if assayed) mg/100ml..

These are the levels that the dvla sent to me when i first failed my medical with my figures next to them to say why i had failed..

I have been told by the dvla myself that these figures can fluctuate from medical lab to medical lab when the blood sample is analysed..But i cant see them changing by that much to be honest..

Hope this helps..p.s get some pure milk thistle tablets which will clear out your liver and reduce your figures..

[brum no 1]

Thanks, am on milk thistle having read the thread previously. Have had my blood tested twice but no mention of AST even tho I have asked.

 

This whole process is nerve wracking.Medical is in 2 weeks and my job, house are hanging in the balance.

 

Never want to be here again so as a deterrent you got to give it to them.

 

If only the masses knew.

[liverpool-paul]

Thanks, am on milk thistle having read the thread previously. Have had my blood tested twice but no mention of AST even tho I have asked.

 

This whole process is nerve wracking.Medical is in 2 weeks and my job, house are hanging in the balance.

 

Never want to be here again so as a deterrent you got to give it to them.

 

If only the masses knew.

im sure you will be fine m8

[OverRover]

Hi all. It appears I'm in the same boat as a few of you. I'm about 30 and since I was about 20 I have been drinking over the recommended weekly allowance of units. I'm not talking caning bottles of vodka everyday, but enjoying a good few pints at the weekend and a couple most nights of the week.

Anyway, I took my medical almost 3 weeks ago and it followed the description given above very closely. In preparation for this I had given up drinking completely in January.

On the dame day as my DVLA medical, I also had a blood test for something else. The results of the other test came back within a couple of days and it said that my ALT reading was 80 (twice the recommended upper level). I spoke to the Dr and they said it's nothing to worry about and it's a fairly normal reading for a bloke of my age.

At getting this reading I immediately assumed that I would fail my DVLA medical, but yesterday I received a driving licence through the post. I rang the DVLA and a woman told me that all she could see on the screen was that I was eligble to drive in June when my ban is due to end.

Now for the question. Does this sound like I have passed the medical & now have my licence back as of June, or is this simply a temporary licence whilst they conduct their investigations? I'd like it to be true, but because of the other test results I can't quite believe that I've passed. I've also not received anything else from the DVLA with the results of my medical. Do you get a separate letter?

I suppose I'm also asking if anyone else has had a similar experience of getting their licence back.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I though maybe some of the info may be useful for others. Any responses are welcome

[Pauly1705]

All,

 

Here is a short story and I would like some advice please; based on your past experiences.

 

I have a medical this week (Wed) and have not drunk anything alcoholic for 7 days. I am drinking 5-6 litres of water a day (normal for me) and drink a lot of cranberry juice (also normal)

 

Now; I used to drink 4 pints a night for as long as I remember and have never had health problems (to my knowledge)

 

I am 5'10" and weigh 12.5 stone (normal) What are the chances of passing this medical? I do appreciate it varies; just wondered if anyone had a clue?

 

Thanks

 

Paul

 

PS I will let you know how I get on...

[poppynurse]

It completely depends on your liver function and how much damage it may have sustained over the years if you have been a heavy drinker. The liver is a remarkable organ and may carry on functioning until there is very little reserve left - ie someone may have a damaged liver and have no signs or symptoms. The only was to tell how your function is is through a blood test.

 

On another note - the volume of water/juice you are drinking is excessive, you should be consuming around 3 litres per day, you can actually do yourself damage by drinking too much water! Excessive thirst can be an indication of an endocrine problem - have you been tested for diabetes?

[Pauly1705]

Thanks Poppy....As I thought. Mind you; I do feel fine do that is not really the answer I have always drunk that much water.....Wasn't aware. Diabeties; no? Never.....

[poppynurse]

Might be worth checking it out with your GP as undiagnosed diabetes can do a lot of damage, one of the main symptoms is being thirsty all the time, it can be diagnosed with a simple blood test

[Pauly1705]

This medical might highlight this....I believe they do a urine test

[poppynurse]

It depends on the test sticks they use - ie if they are specifically looking for sugar (glucose).

[jonny england]

helo liverpool paul i to having problrms with dvla, i got done 4 d,drive and put in for a drink drivers coarse to help with insurance and reduce my year ban !!costin about £360 that was 4 years ago and still havent got my licence back yet !!when i left rehab i was given full bill of health Just another super tax!! ah i wonder if i can get my coarse money back as it was in a way miss sold to me by the judge??and of no use to me! I put myself throught rehab and im 4 years sober

Edited May 11, 2009 by jonny england
missed bits

[Pauly1705]

True

[poppynurse]

helo liverpool paul i to having problrms with dvla, i got done 4 d,drive and put in for a drink drivers coarse to help with insurance and reduce my year ban !!costin about £360 that was 4 years ago and still havent got my licence back yet !!when i left rehab i was given full bill of health Just another super tax!! ah i wonder if i can get my coarse money back as it was in a way miss sold to me by the judge??and of no use to me! I put myself throught rehab and im 4 years sober

 

 

For what reason have you not got your licence back?

[jay.01438]

i would start taking milk thistle do a google on it he helps to clean and repair the liver my GP told me about it when i was ill

you can get it from health shops

Regards DK

hello there i have a medical in a weeks time and have been taking milk thistle liquid form for about a month,do i continue taking it right up to the medical or will it show up on the blood or urine test thanks jay.01438