A dad says he lost his driving licence and his job after he was misdiagnosed with epilepsy – which was actually extreme diarrhoea.
Rod Puckey, 63, felt unwell, was sweating and constantly running to the loo after coming down with a viral infection in March.
He went to hospital and claims doctors said the dad-of-four had an early onset epileptic episode – and wrote it on his medical record.
Rod says he then informed the DVLA who told him he would be unable to drive for six months.
It meant Rod – who delivered medical supplies around Europe – was left unable to work.
But Rod then went for a second opinion at a private clinic and discovered he had been wrongly diagnosed – and simply had a very bad case of the runs.
Despite the second opinion ruling out an epileptic fit. Rod had already phoned the DVLA to tell him of a potential change in his medical condition.
Rod has since been made unemployed after being dubbed unfit to drive and having his licence revoked.
But the dad-of-four says he did the honourable thing by informing them and claims he has been unfairly punished.
Rod, from Stourbridge, West Midlands, said: "I was only ill for a few days and I didn’t drive in that time.
"It was an extreme case of diarrhoea – it was really difficult going to the doctors as I had to dash off every couple of minutes.
"I thought I would let the DVLA know of the illness incase I needed to change my insurance.
"I use my car every single day and was aware of the potential fine so I was doing the right thing.
"I’m very by the book and a law abiding citizen so why wouldn’t I keep them informed? Turns out doing the honest thing really comes round to bite you.
"They won’t give me my licence back despite doctors admitting the epileptic-like note was done in error!
"I’ve drive around 25,000 miles-a-year for work and have been doing so for almost 40 years.
"I’ve been dealt a hefty punishment for something that only lasted a couple of days."
He added: "I’ve never had any issue with my driving. My wife doesn’t drive, my kids have left home and I’m not old enough for a bus pass.
"I’ve had my livelihood stripped away from me from something that wasn’t even my fault.
"I don’t really mind on missing out on work as I’m at that stage in my life where I’m not fully dependent on it.
"But had this happened 20 years ago when I had kids to bring up and a mortgage to pay I would have struggled.
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"I want to warn people who are dependent on their motor for work not to inform the DVLA.Doing the right thing screws you over."
The DVLA said it does not comment on individual cases but did explain road safety and people’s personal mobility.
Drivers can be fined up to £1,000 if they do not inform the DVLA about a medical condition that affects their driving.
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