Driver`s License and diagnosis?

[minky55]

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If I am diagnosed with any kind of seizure disorder..will my driver`s license will be taken away from me? I haven`t even thought about that! I live in California. What about in other states?

Thank you
Minky55

 

[alivenwell]

Each state is different on how long a license is suspended. I am not sure how California works, but it's wise to keep a state id card in case you need a picture id.

 

[Sandylu]

Each state is different, but after I started having my seizures, I was told by doctors/hospital I couldn't drive for three months after my last seizure. (Somebody else told me it has to be a year, but I trust the professionals know the law.) Nobody came and TOOK my license, and I don't know if it gets reported to the DMV, but I do know when you apply for a renewal, you have to fill out a little health section on different things that could affect your driving. In my state (Utah) and I suspect most others, it is a sworn statement. I know one of the big things they look for is seizures. It stinks to not drive, but it is better than killing or hurting yourself or someone else.

 

[minky55]

Thanks. Yes, I agree. I willl have to find out the law. I have not had a seizure but the doctor said my Sleep Deprivation EEg is abnormal and I am in the lower end of the realm. He said the EEG did show that I had a seizure during the test either. But I am on topamax for 8 weeks and then i go back to him. I wonder why he didn`t order a Cat Scan or MRI. I just have been having these speels...near fainting but not fainting. About 6 weeks now. I was in the hopistal for 4 days. The cardiologist did all kind so tests and everything cardiac is ruled out. I also have been going to an Endocrinologist and everything has been ruled out. I am confused.

 

[Sandylu]

I know the confused feeling, all to well. I was in the hospital for a week (Christmas right in the middle, no less) with continuous eeg monitoring to be told that I have pnes, when my regular neurologist has done two sleep deprived eegs and had them turn out abnormal. The seizure activity that she found was in the same area as an old stroke and at first she said I had epilepsy, but now she has taken me off all seizure meds, except clonazepam, "for anxiety." On the other hand again, she has asked me, just two days ago at my last appointment, if I can tell the difference between my psychogenic and epileptic seizures. I don't get it either. I hope they figure you out soon. I know from this and past med experiences that one of the hardest things is the not knowing. On the driving thing, if they haven't told you not to drive, I would assume you are safe to do so, as long as you feel safe yourself. If you are not sure, ask your doctor. They should know.

 

[johnbear]

Every state will have different laws, so it will be your decision as to when you drive or not depending on when you think it will be ok. I went 3 years without any problems seizure free and then one Sunday had one and blacked out completely. I totaled my truck when I hit a tree and was not hurt, but more importantly I didn't hurt anyone else. That was the last time I drove at all and that was my choice and fortunately have a support system that can take me wherever I need to go. To this day, I can go for months and months without seizures and than get hit with 3 or 4 in a day for no reason at all, so guess I'm destined to be this way forever since the Drs. can't figure it out. I hope you are able to drive again because I know how it feels to have this taken away. Good Luck and I hope you remain seizure free!

 

[RobinN]

In CA the requirement is 6 months seizure free.