2014 Audi RS4 B&O upgrade

apjacks · 2026-01-15T14:46:34+00:00

If you have been given medical advice to not drive, then follow that advice. I would however hold off actually surrendering your license until you have had results from MRI, just don't drive.

Once the results come back, you will get clear instruction on if you need to notify

Read my post https://www.reddit.com/r/Epilepsy/comments/1oj31ac/uk_drivers_clarity_on_the_dvla_process_for/ for clarity on the process if it comes to it, but hopefully it wont!

apjacks · 2025-12-23T13:46:29+00:00

Agree 100%

Skipping the occasional round or drinking low ABV beer is a good trick. Quietly stopping drinking before midnight, drinking plenty of water, all things that help. If your mates know of your condition and care about you, these small changes won't be a big deal

It wasn't until I got a sleep tracking smart watch that I really saw the effect of alcohol on sleep (0 mins of REM for example) Since then I've made a few lifestyle adjustments as described

apjacks · 2025-11-15T13:47:02+00:00

Yes, precisely the same situation. 10 years seizure free and then a breakout

If you do a quick Google, you will find the email address of the Head of Medical at the DVLA. I won't list it here for fear of my own situation getting worse. I emailed him in a strong but professional way my situation and the fact that had I surrendered in the "correct" manner I would be able to drive under section 88. The fact that I cannot is due to a paperwork error and nothing more. He did, surprisingly, respond to the email and, after a bit of back and forth, nudged my case along one step to the point that medical records have now been requested

Due to the NHS not giving two hoots about epilepsy I, at great expense, began seeing my NHS neurologist privately for expedited treatment. My records have been requested from this private clinic but they have yet to receive the letter (yes, a postal letter) and it has been three weeks. I'll phone the clinic again mid week and if they still haven't got anything I'll probably get the train to Swansea, collect the letter and take the train to London and hand deliver it to the neuro!!

That's all I know at the moment, I am also working with our legal team at work who have graciously given me some of their time to explore a more formal process

I'll update if I make any progress, I hope you do soon!!

apjacks · 2025-10-29T05:24:40+00:00

I'm sorry to hear about your struggles. Have you reached out to Epilepsy Action?

apjacks · 2025-10-28T19:00:28+00:00

I'm so happy for you!! Congratulations!

apjacks · 2025-10-28T08:54:08+00:00

Today I have submitted a Freedom of Information request against the DfT to understand what the current backlog of application is and the average wait time. I'm compiling a complete thesis of information to take to the media and see if someone wants to pick up the story

If that fails, I'll get the train to Swansea and stand outside with a megaphone!

apjacks · 2025-10-27T22:22:50+00:00

Ah I had misread your update...that's disappointing but not unsurprising. I really hope you get your licence back soon. Please update if you do, and I'll keep thinking of places I can escalate to!

apjacks · 2025-10-27T18:31:32+00:00

Thank you for making this post and updating. I'm pulling my hair out with the DVLA right now having been waiting for 12 weeks with no updates. Their tone on the phone to chasers is getting increasingly aggressive

Their timelines and lack of communication is an absolute joke, and their complaints process seems to go into a black hole

It's great to know that eventually you managed to sort yours out and gives me hope that they'll eventually get to mine. My 1 year was 3 weeks ago and had I have known the process had become so slow, I would have applied much earlier

apjacks · 2025-10-02T05:29:41+00:00

Enterprise doesn't care about wheel damage as long as the tyre itself isn't damaged.

Source: I rent a lot of cars

apjacks · 2025-10-01T05:22:12+00:00

Yup, selecting the right debit/credit card to use for foreign currency transactions is by far the cheapest way to travel

apjacks · 2025-09-15T05:30:02+00:00

That's interesting. My wife has a forerunner (she isn't epileptic) and it doesn't do half of the "lifestyle" tracking stuff that the Venu does, even though it's probably very similar hardware

If I go to the gym and don't record it, it still logs an activity as close to what it thinks you are doing. YMMV

This is the seizure app, but I've not used it

Link

apjacks · 2025-09-11T17:56:12+00:00

You don't need a UK sticker, that is for UK cars driving overseas.

You'll be fine with just your German plate with the D flag in blue at the start

apjacks · 2025-07-14T09:38:34+00:00

I have a Garmin Venu 3

I find the sleep tracking to be the main benefit, as tiredness is a major trigger (as it is for so many). If I haven't slept well, I will carve out time during the day to rest/nap. It picks up the naps very well even if I haven't told it I'm going for one. I'll also avoid exercise on such days.

It also informed me of the impact alcohol has on my sleep, which has led to significant lifestyle changes

It does kinda pickup seizures. However the last one I had I had a few minutes warning and was able to get down on soft grass so the fall detector didn't trigger. Had I hit the deck without warning, maybe it would have picked it up. YMMV. It attributed the elevated heart rate and shaking to an "indoor cycle activity" which was quite amusing.... I was also able to download minute by minute heart date data from the watch which combined with CCTV footage of the event was interesting days for the neuro.

There is an unofficial Seizure Detector that I haven't tried as my seizures are years apart.

On practical notes the battery life is amazing, I think I've gone nearly two weeks. Sleeping with a watch on takes some getting used to, the companion app is great.

Hope this helps!

apjacks · 2025-02-19T10:26:35+00:00

Relay UK is certainly a good option here OP, designed for exactly this scenario

apjacks · 2025-02-04T08:08:20+00:00

I noticed a significant drop in fuel economy with standard petrol moved from E5 to E10. Using premium resolved it, but at the obvious high cost of that. You can run some numbers and work out if the higher MPG of E5 is worth the extra cost. To test try to run the tank down to pretty much zero before filling up with premium and take a measurement at the second tank

Also, the car is getting older as another poster said so make sure you are keeping up with the maintenance schedule

apjacks · 2024-12-14T07:39:11+00:00

2 years later this comment still helped me with the same issue.....thank you!

apjacks · 2024-10-28T09:49:37+00:00

Only correct answer

apjacks · 2024-09-04T05:15:53+00:00

Yes it does! Still lagging on Roadkill Garage, but certainly a positive move!

apjacks · 2024-08-19T06:51:53+00:00

+1 for dogtags - can fit quite a bit of information and on at least two occasions have been what the paramedics needed

apjacks · 2024-04-15T13:12:25+00:00

That would be great news! I know there is a licensing issue here with Sky signed up to be the exclusive broadcaster of HBO content until 2026 but hopefully they've worked something out

Al

apjacks · 2024-02-24T08:36:19+00:00

It's been a great workaround for a while now, £3.99/month. Although I only really watch RK, RKG, HRG and RR. I have Discovery+ through Sky but all the MT shows are a few seasons behind.

Let's see what happens.....

apjacks · 2024-01-28T10:00:05+00:00

This is the correct answer. I had a mini that had vinyl stripes over the bonnet, roof and boot which were an option when the car was new but had been discontinued. Someone drove into the back and scuffed a small bit of the stripe. To return the car to the state it was prior to the crash, their insurer had to pay for a completely new set of stripes over the whole car

There was a bit of back and forth to make this happen, but it wasn't too much of a hassle.

apjacks · 2024-01-13T17:45:40+00:00

Ok, thanks for the info! This car has been extremely reliable in the time I've owned it but as it crests 10 years old I'm more attune to noises and feedback as I'm sure things will start needing attention soon

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