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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy To Avoid Drowsiness And Flash Blackouts During Driving

hi, i am a 59yr old male, i'm a bus driver,last week i developed a very bad sore neck at the base of my skull at the back, i took pain killers, and used rubs on it, this week i've still got it, but i've noticed that when driving i feel drowsy and flash blackouts for a split second, what do you sugest, Phil
Wed, 3 Sep 2014
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Diabetologist 's  Response
Hi, welcome to our site. I am Dr Saumya Mittal, MD.

Read your query. That is a very significant question and i appreciate your problem. I will try my best to answer your query

In view of your blackouts, I dont think you should be driving. You put yourself and all your passengers at risk. So till you are diagnosed and cured, avoid driving.

The problem you have noted may be a part of cervical spondylosis. usually there is a severe neck pain, often with headache or pain in the upper limbs. However blackouts are not too common with this

therefore we need to consider 2 other possibilities - TIA and Seizures.
Both the conditions can be urgencies and need to be investigated and treated appropriately.
An MRI brain with screening of the entire spin will be a useful diagnostic test for all three possibilities, and therefore I suggest the same

I hope this helps you. Inform the reports mentioned above/if any other so I can be of help further.

I have given you the answer to the maximum considering the information provided. The results of the tests could further enhance my answer to you.

Please do understand that some details could be extracted from a detailed history and examination.

Please feel free to ask another query. I would be glad to help you. Looking forward to your return query with the details asked so that I can help you further.
(If the answer has helped you, please indicate this)
Best of luck.
Dr Mittal.
Consultant Physician and Diabetologist
JS Hospital
Ex Apollo Hospital, Delhi
Ex Kailash Hospital, Noida
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Suggest Remedy To Avoid Drowsiness And Flash Blackouts During Driving

Hi, welcome to our site. I am Dr Saumya Mittal, MD. Read your query. That is a very significant question and i appreciate your problem. I will try my best to answer your query In view of your blackouts, I dont think you should be driving. You put yourself and all your passengers at risk. So till you are diagnosed and cured, avoid driving. The problem you have noted may be a part of cervical spondylosis. usually there is a severe neck pain, often with headache or pain in the upper limbs. However blackouts are not too common with this therefore we need to consider 2 other possibilities - TIA and Seizures. Both the conditions can be urgencies and need to be investigated and treated appropriately. An MRI brain with screening of the entire spin will be a useful diagnostic test for all three possibilities, and therefore I suggest the same I hope this helps you. Inform the reports mentioned above/if any other so I can be of help further. I have given you the answer to the maximum considering the information provided. The results of the tests could further enhance my answer to you. Please do understand that some details could be extracted from a detailed history and examination. Please feel free to ask another query. I would be glad to help you. Looking forward to your return query with the details asked so that I can help you further. (If the answer has helped you, please indicate this) Best of luck. Dr Mittal. Consultant Physician and Diabetologist JS Hospital Ex Apollo Hospital, Delhi Ex Kailash Hospital, Noida