How to Get Seen Sooner?

[Floatyboaty]

Yes I'm in a minority I agree, are you saying that because I am in a minority my opinion does not count and I should be quiet? I hope not leswaller.
If it does, whatever happened to debate? No one wants to argue, well at least I certainly don't and you have said you don't either....

[threewheelweave]

Emotive Subject - All Opinions are Valid

If you have the benefit of living in a place and working in a place with excellent transport links between them and you lost your licence then the point raised by FB is valid.
If you have neither and you rely on your own transport then it can be impossible to get to work - then you have the problem of keeping your job and all its attendant problems and issues (this is the face of the worst recession since 1930) - Not easy!
Good advice I had given me many years ago was to limit your "general commute" to a maximum of 30minutes each way - my cousin recently changed jobs to get a position with just a ten minute bike ride commute and described it as "getting an extra two days back to live each week rather than exist"

Stay positive and keep those opinions coming - all are valid and respected

TWW
UK

[Brummie Jon]

opinions

Hi

There are many opinionated people on this forum, myself most definitely included. It it the judgemental attitudes and the suggestion that some of us only have ourselves to blame is what annoys me.... Surely forums are supposed to be for discussion, empathy and support. There seems to be a lack of understanding from some people that their own experiences are a result of personal circumstance, their postcode and inconsistancies within the system. Some of us have been lucky, others have not, it is the lack of empathy and the "this is my experience, if yours is different it is because you are doing something wrong" attiude that I find hard to swallow... Not just in this forum but in our whole culture....

*JP*

[threewheelweave]

Empathy NEEDED - TOO RIGHT!

JP you make an excellent and well observed point which I concur with!
We need to help each other out with a splash of empathy because some members and guests are scared witless by the whole OSA thing!

As you say some of us (myself definitely) have been extremely fortunate in how things have panned out - but we should be able to offer advice, opinions and experience with a touch of humour to lighten the worry load that some are carrying.

If we approach the threads in this way it can only make the posts better and more relevant and our community in common stronger as a result!

Hear hear I say - well expressed!

TWW
UK

[Floatyboaty]

Hi

There are many opinionated people on this forum, myself most definitely included. It it the judgemental attitudes and the suggestion that some of us only have ourselves to blame is what annoys me.... Surely forums are supposed to be for discussion, empathy and support. There seems to be a lack of understanding from some people that their own experiences are a result of personal circumstance, their postcode and inconsistancies within the system. Some of us have been lucky, others have not, it is the lack of empathy and the "this is my experience, if yours is different it is because you are doing something wrong" attiude that I find hard to swallow... Not just in this forum but in our whole culture....

*JP*

I hope I have not come across as judgemental and if I have I apologise it is not meant as such.
It is difficult with the written word to come across how it would normally come across in spoken conversation.
I certainly don't believe that it is the patients on here that are doing anything wrong, or it is the fault of their personal circumstances. It is though a postcode lottery and this is really highlighted by tonybrentwoods cause. I think it is great that the media are starting to pick up on it and it will be interesting to see the outcomes (If any). I have been lucky, very lucky and I realise that both with the speed of service and my own adaptation to the situation. I do realise and sympathise with those for whom this does not happen. Some people find it hard to adapt and it must be a nightmare for them. It was hard enough for me as the apnoea was a shock (I was being tested for lung cancer!) I was totally unprepared but adapted straight away.
I really do not beleive that those people who are having difficulties have bought it on themselves.
Actually, you might not even be getting at me here?
I agree about the whole culture thing, we certainly do live in a 'I'm alright Jack your own fault if you ain't!' age

[Brummie Jon]

no probs floaty boaty

Hi

Actually, my earlier comments were not aimed at you floaty boaty, more of a an expression of concern for you not to get too influenced by posts from some of the self appointed "experts" on this forum, some of whom I now have on my "ignore" list. Some of the "support" I have experienced on this forum has not all been positive. I have to admit, I have gone into some "rants" on this forum but I've realised that they were being fuelled by some of the very judgemental replies I was getting from more "senior" forum members... seems I was saying things contradicting their "expert advice" to "newbies" (I hate that patronising term).

Just one more thing about the DVLA and then I'll say no more, It took them two weeks from me informing them of my doctors advice, to suspending my licence, they didn't contact either my doctor or my consultant. Once I was receiving treatment, I wrote to them immediately, that was 8 weeks ago, they have sent a letter to my doctor and my consultant asking for confirmation of treatment and compliance. So the DVLA need little evidence (one night on a oxymeter) to suspend your licence ant lots to reinstate it. I telephoned the DVLA last week to check progress, they said that they had got replies from both my doctor and my consultant and now my case was waiting to be heard by the medical board but couldn't tell me when. I asked if they had a customer charter or an SLA (service level agreement, I too work of the gov, it's not that different). They told me that their SLA was to handle cases within 90 days......90 days, what sort of service is that? I have to handle my cases within 10 days.... So, I'm still waiting....

The best piece of advice I could give is to firmly talk to your consultant and explain why you need treatment sooner rather than later when you have your first sleep study and try to get on your treatment immediately. I think that essential drivers should be given priority... Again, NHS treatment seems to be a postcode lottery but it must be worth a try.

Trouble is, how does one define an "essential driver" I'm sure we all have different opinions on that one....

*BJ*

[Tigers Fan]

STILL walking?

Hi

Surely forums are supposed to be for discussion, empathy and support.
*JP*

Hey BJ!

You seem to have calmed down as well as come back while I've been away, driving in various places around the world.

I am in awe that the DVLA are stringing you out this long. I wonder if they have a Red Star system? and whether you have attracted that sort of attention. Whatever, they certainly seem to be making very sure that they do everything absolutely correctly, presumably so they cannot be found in fault when you get your day in Court with them.

My empathy and support goes to those who take a considered approach, to those who do not attack and abuse (the DVLA in your case), to those who accept personal responsibility and who do not seek to blame others (DVLA again, the system, etc.).

This new thread certainly points up the hardships brought on by losing our licences, so I'd like to emphasise again the need for the newly diagnosed to do their research diligently before appoaching the DVLA with the news of their OSA. Good, solid advice and guidance is all here, within this forum.

Tigers Fan