Question?

[MYSTICGAL]

I was wondering what the laws are about driving and perscription meds? I take what is called a "therapudic dose" of perscription pain med. I was told by my doctor that I needed to have the perscription with at all times incase I needed to show to a police officer if I ever got pulled over for something. Is this a good idea to do? I don't drive much anymore anyway, only about 15 miles a week....but how helpful would it be to have my meds with me at all times in case of a traffic stop?

Also, because of my condition, should I have a medical braclet that showes my meds? I carry a card in my wallet, but I always wondered if having a braclet would be better for police to identify what I take in case my purse was ever thrown from the car or something in a wreck?

What do you suggest? Thank you for your input and time in answering this for me.

STAY SAFE OUT THERE!!!!!!!

[txinvestigator1]

If the medication makes you drowsey or impairs your driving, you should not drive while taking it. It is not a defense to drive under the impairing influence of a perscription medication.

You can be arrested if driving under the impaired influence of even perscription medication.

Regarding having the medication in its original container....I believe that is law also.

[mcsap]

I won't repeat it again, TX said it quite well.

[MYSTICGAL]

Thank you for the info.

That is one thing I have always wondered. Even thought, my meds do not efect me like it does a normal person (because I take theraputic doses, meaning it is always in my system) I have built up a tolerance of it, so the side effects like drosiness or any of the other side effects do not effect.....but the last thing I would ever want to do is hurt someone or my self because I have to be on the medicine, that is why when I started to take the meds, I pretty much stopped driving unless it is totaly nessasary like going to my doctor apts.

Again, thank you so very much for the advise, it is very much appreciated.

[mcsap]

Just because one has built up a tolerance ( think alcoholics who can "handle" their liquor) does not mean that it doesn't effect your driving. What does your doctor say about driving on your meds ? Either it could effect you or it won't. Does your prescription bottle have the little decals on it that warn about not operating heavy machinery etc ?

[MYSTICGAL]

My doctor said it was fine for me to drive and the only lable on my meds say "don't drive or operate machinery untill I know how this medicine will effect me" Even though both my doctor and the pharmasit tells me it is ok to drive, I just would rather not. That is why I don't drive much anymore. Just to clairfy things, my meds are not the narcotic pain meds, they are a anti-inflamitory like motrin and aleve.

[sorrel]

I wondered about keeping scripts in thier orginal bottles, some of those bottles are huge.
I didn't keep mine in thier containers, often when I did travel I had them seperated into a divided rx box. (The box was divided into morning, noon, evening and bed time).

Keeping one day's worth of meds at a time just in case I was delayed unexpectedly.
I did however have copies of the doctors decription of the meds in my glove box at all times. Then again...I wasn't driving.

[MORA Ranger]

Be careful, even if it doesn't make you drowsy. I was a medic at an MVA where the at fault driver was taking some kind of prescription medication. Her judgement was affected and she turned left in front of a guy on his way home from work. He didn't have enough time or room to take evasive action and he died. She was fine (aren't they always) and complained that he sped up to hit her, and nothing was her fault.