Epilepsy and driving

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Fedup

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I had been down when I seen the news sunday night 21st October and it made me sit up and think. I drive and this is not about me. A family was destroyed when 2 year old Katie and her 12-week old sister Grace were out walking with their father when all three were struck by a car. The reason I am writing this is, it is bad enough something like this should happen but the fact that it is suspected the driver had a seizure while driving which caused the accident. I do not live very far from where this happened and I know some people from there. The driver was in his mid 20's, diagnosed with epilepsy and I am not sure if he was allowed drive or not. I normally stand up for anybody with epilepsy but how do you stand up for this and the things being said about epilepsy are not good. I have tried to say not all epileptics are like this and are very careful, and if what is said is in anyway true the damage that has been caused to people who have epilepsy is enormous and all because one person did not take care and worst it is believed he was told not too. I realise that just about everybody does and have done the correct thing but just in case there is one person who thinks they can. So please use common sense, if you are told you cannot drive then do not drive.
 
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I gave my licence in nearly three years ago as I was obliged to by law. As my seizures are and have always been nocturnal, I can ask for my licence back next year. :)
 
nicholasscott21 is one of many who has done the right thing and he can get his. To be commended.

nicholasscott21 said:
I gave my licence in nearly three years ago as I was obliged to by law. As my seizures are and have always been nocturnal, I can ask for my licence back next year. :)
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My friend just lost his last week, it's a big deal for him due to other disabilities and no local bus system- no driving pretty much leaves him home-bound. Not good in a situation like that.
 
My seizures are also nocturnal, however I've had the occasional 'weird feelings' at night while awake, it's new though and could change things next app. But, I'm currently allowed to drive.
Just curious Nicholas how long to you have to be seizure free or prove your seizures are only nocturnal in the uk to be able to get you license back?
 
You need to be seizure free or experience nocturnal seizures only for three years before you can claim your licence back in the UK.
I am conscious when I have my seizures but they occur just before falling into sleep or wake me from sleep :)
 
I haven't been able to drive for 9 years now. Here in PA you have to be seizure free for 6 months before you can drive again, in other states you have to wait a year. I haven't even come close to that yet, I think the longest I've been is 2 weeks. Even if I do make it that far I'd still be a little leary about getting behind the wheel at first, I'd probably wait a little longer just to be on the safe side.
 
I know what you mean about feeling leary Valerie, I went 21 months without one, this after totaling my truck on I-25 here in Denver. There but for the grace of God go I. Luckily when I had my accident I didn't hurt anyone else. So I'm not sure I'd ever feel comfortable driving again. And being a carpenter/contractor I really haven't been able to work without a vehicle and am pretty much penniless! Well at least I still have a sense of humour!! :)
 
It's been so long that I've driven a car now that I don't even know if I'd remember how to :roflmao:
 
nicholasscott21 said:
You need to be seizure free or experience nocturnal seizures only for three years before you can claim your licence back in the UK.
I am conscious when I have my seizures but they occur just before falling into sleep or wake me from sleep :)
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I'm usually asleep, or lately watching TV late at night. That's interesting, I only had to wait 6 months, 3 years is a long time :ponder:
 
I also have nocturnal seizures and I still drive. I will say this though...if I feel strange in anyway, I won't drive. I also won't drive after a seizure for two or three days. If I have to be in the car for over half an hour, I will have someone ride with me.
 
Um...were all three members of that family killed? When you said the family was destroyed I'm guessing so. Poor innocent babes. And the Father too. The poor Mother...I can't even begin to imagine.
 
Rocky Mountain Gemini said:
I know what you mean about feeling leary Valerie, I went 21 months without one, this after totaling my truck on I-25 here in Denver. There but for the grace of God go I. Luckily when I had my accident I didn't hurt anyone else. So I'm not sure I'd ever feel comfortable driving again. And being a carpenter/contractor I really haven't been able to work without a vehicle and am pretty much penniless! Well at least I still have a sense of humour!! :)
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I've gone years without driving and it is difficult when trying to raise two children with a husband who travels. There were times when my kids got their license that they had to do the driving. How insane is that?!

Rocky Mountain Gemini, good thing you didn't kill anyone on I-25 with your truck while seizing. I never feel safe on I-25 even when I've been seizure free for a year. Back in 2011 a woman in Thornton crashed into another vehicle while seizing, instantly killing the family of five. She was found not guilty. It can happen to anyone.......
http://abcnews.go.com/US/monica-cha...d-family-found/story?id=16584754#.UIlLWa5XxwZ
 
Thank you all. LJ-Bain the father survived, the two girls were the only family and the father is in bits, the father worked away from home and the weekend was his time with the children.
 
That's tragic. Did the driver not have warning signs? I know I did. I was driving one time, had warning signs and was able to make it home. Like home and in the front door. However, I have been without a driver's licence for some time and it really frustrates me. I mean I used to be able to drive and my seizures no issue but now they are. >:( Well lately most of mine have been when I got no sleep the night before. It gets frustrating to not be able to drive or go somewhere on my own.
 
I crashed my car due to having a seizure at the wheel.

I was so stupid. I could have easily pulled over and had the seizure, but I was so close to my house that I thought I could make it there before the seizing began. I was wrong and I crashed into a tree. I wasn't wearing my seat belt at the time and dislocated my hip in the crash. It was the worst physical pain I have ever experienced in my life.

After the accident, I did everything I could to hide my disorder and state that I was just tired and fell asleep at the wheel because I did not want my license to be taken away. Alas, it was and I have not driven since. I could get it back now if I wanted to, but I am now living overseas and have since sold my car. So, no incentive to get my license back at the moment.
 
I am going to have to give up my license now. Which means I will also have to give up half of my business. And with us both out of work, things are going to to get stupid tight.
 
Thank you everybody. I drive but I did give up my license as I did not feel safe to be on the road. As a lot have said it is not easy, especially the loss of Independence. Over the years though it was the right thing to do. So to all of you, thank you so much.
 
i've stopped driving on my own almost a month ago. i would hate to get in an accident and cause pain to someone else. i tried driving a few blocks away to do something important and it was very stressful.

If I ever get a diagnosis, they'll probably pull my license since i get them during the day
 
I have never been able to drive, and it may or may not be any use to anyone. But in the uk if you have to give you license up for medical reasons you can claim a bus pass which allows you free travel on local busses anywhere in the uk.
 
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