Driving with Epilepsy

[KAM]

Your really need to hear everyone on the forum, we will help you get through everything but you must respect our conditions and not put yourself in a compromising position. I will talk to you tomorrow as soon as you wish, have a great night. A DL isn't that important, please reeavluate?!

[Joe]

Don't quite know how to respond to this one...

I've been driving since 17 (I'm 36 now), and have only just been diagnosed - which has given a name and explanation for many of the feelings/problems etc that I've been having for years (in honesty, I cannot remember when they started) - which would mean I have been driving for a long time when uncontrolled (albeit unawarely) - borrowed time you might say!

My diagnosis came after my second car accident in 2 months...the first I just absenced on a bend and went off road, rolled the car and slipped two discs amongst other knocks!! I walked away (this was a very quiet road). The second, I absenced again and hit a concrete post at 90kph (55mph) - wrote off the car, twisted chassis, broke 4 ribs...but still, got out a walked away...

a much busier road...my car hit the post, went into a spin, and basically continued along the road, spinning, crossing the carriageway, for 150m before coming to rest in a stone wall, on the wrong side of the road facing the wrong direction. The police were very surprised at how the car ended up where it did and how I was out and about. It was they who took me to A&E and it was there that my story came out and the diagnosis got underway.

That could have been very bad...I'm not worrried about me, but how would I feel if I hurt someone else??

Still cannot answer that...but...I'm still driving...I live in the middle of nowhere and I've got to work...I'm scared and I know what I'm doing is wrong...

But please, for the sake of a few more months, don't take unecessary risks...

[BuckeyeFan]

HH,

I have to say that it is just not worth it. I know it feels unfair and that the world is against you. However, if you wreck due to a seizure, THEY WILL FIND OUT. If from nothing else, you will probably still be 'out of it'.

Please take the frustration out on us here, not on the road.

[Birdbomb]

I posted this before.

When I was diagnosed, my doctor had me sign a statement which said I would PROMISE not to drive before I left his office. He then reported me to the DMV as per his requirement BY LAW in the state of Nevada.

I have been driving since I was 15 years old and not had a ticket since age 18, never had an accident, basicly a perfect driving record for over 30 years.

I relinquished my license voluntarily because I knew and understood the connotations and responsibilities that came with the diagnosis.

I too felt stripped of my independance, I HATED not being able to drive. But I could not put my family or others in a known path of danger. If I got behind the wheel and had a accident which killed some innocent person, I don't think I could live with that.

In spite of no license, I got a job, rode the bus to work and later got a bicycle and rode that. It wasn't easy. But it was a responsible choice. Now my seizures are controlled and I have my license back, but should they return, I will give them up.

If you have an uncontrolled seizure disorder, NO MATTER when the seizurers occur and you drive, let me know when you are in Vegas, cause I sure as hell will be staying home. I see enough drunk/DUI/crazy drivers daily, I don't need someone having a tonic clonic come barreling at me 120 MPH.

I'm finished. Thank you.

[epileric]

I have to agree with a lot of the others. I know you've gone 3 months without a seizure but up here you legally have to go a year without a seizure before you can drive. That still didn't help someone who had gone over a year without a seizure, gotten his license then had a grand mal, swerved off the road into the water & drowned. This was in a very rural environment with no public transit but it's still not worth it.

Also, remember that most peoples seizure. patterns do change & we can't always predict those changes. I never used to get them in my sleep now I do. Besides, just the fact that you've had any seizure while awake shows a probability that you will have more when awake.

[hungry hippo]

Just to update you guys, I have decided not to go through with this and get my license this weekend. I am going to wait until I can legally do so, which is three months from now.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Bernard]

[Mr. Pibb]

You are much better off playing by the rules. Here's my situation June 19th seizure from out of the blue loss of LIC. 6MO. 2mo. later I end up with another that put me at getting my LIC. back this weekend 2-24-2008 I waited even though my seizure are nocturnal for the MOST part I have a couple during the day and that makes driving under the law out of the question. I live in the country I yes it was a pain in the ass But wait.
Jerry

[Birdbomb]

[KAM]

I think you made a great decision!

[brain]

I too like Birdy did, I surrendered
my license and I had been driving
since I obtained my Learner's Permit
before there was "dust"! (Ok I lied)


I surrendered mine last year, early
June; I couldn't drive anymore, I just
knew my driving days were over even
though I had spent decades with the
DMV (now DHSMV) in compliance to
whatever they wanted and needed in
order to continue to drive; had a flaw-
less record. I've posted this in several
places in CWE and EF (Epilepsy
Foundation forum).

I couldn't risk myself putting other
people's lives in danger nor mine
either. Do I miss driving? Sure I do,
but I don't regret surrendering it.

My Doctors never asked me to give it
up, I did it all on my own, then I told
them. They were very supportive of
my decision.

[Dianne 43]

Hi I'm new to the forum. My name's Dianne and I live in England. I have epilepsey but haven't had any seizures for over 3 years now. However my head feels strange and I'm exhausted, it seems most of the time. I am due to see my Consultant next week. I need to discuss with him about the way I'm feeling although I do not want to jeopardise my driving licence and you yourself are well aware of how important driving is to us. Obvioulsy I would not consider driving if I have another seizure or de ja vue, I would report it to my doctor straight away. I have been banned from driving twice now. Once after a Grand Mal seizure in 2000 for 2 years and once after mini seizures (de ja vue's).
If I was you I would wait a while longer and try and put it out of your mind for a while and concentrate on being well and after you have been seizure free for a YEAR I would re-apply for your licence.

Take care. Dianne43

[Georgiagirl88]

Hi there,

Welcome! I have had nocturnal seizures for yrs. and finally diagnosed just recently. My Neurologist said I absolutely cannot drive for 6 months..only after seizure free. It really is tough...I know! I am a young Mom. Just turned 41. I have heard some people with only Nocturnal seizures may be permitted to drive with special permission. My Dr. said "no means no.. too dangerous. It is the law." I could have one at any point and not realize it. It really does stink though! I'm going bonkers!!!!In Georgia it is 6 months waiting period and varies between states I guess. Best of luck and take care..be safe!

Michelle : )

[RobinN]

An epilepsy sufferer who admitted causing the death of a motorcyclist by careless driving has been disqualified from driving for life.

Life ban for death crash driver