Epilepsy and driving

[PhoenixAngel429]

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.

Wish it was that easy here in the US. I could do so much if I even just had access to basic public transportation.

 

[lucycherish]

i had to give up my license by law after being diagnosed, but it took 12months to diagnose me in which timei refused to drive anyway as the thought of having the smallest seizure terrified me and i could never forgive myself if i caused an accident, i got my license back after being seizure free for 12months, can i just ask one question nicholas without sounding rude, how come you had to wait three years yet i only had to wait one? im assuming its to do with a difference in the epilepsy itself? And Cherriuz you said what i was thinking about the public transport x

 

[RunningGirl85]

I'm in NY right now, and it's six months. I'm dropping off my DMV form at the neurologist's office to start driving again today (hooray!!!!) I'll tell you what though, no transportation here in upstate is awful. Until I was comfortable asking some of the people around here for rides, I was pretty much bound in my place. My medications are also doing a decent job of controlling everything thus far it would seem. I've hardly had any partials the last few weeks... and I've only had two tonic-clonics, and those were two years apart before I was on any medication because I wasn't diagnosed.

However, despite everything, I know if I"m not feeling right, I don't plan on driving. Or if I get an aura, I"ll be pulling over. I'm lucky in that I get really long auras before my seizures, and they progress from a small aura to a large one (the good thing about having simple partial with secondary generalization I suppose - it starts in one spot and progresses everywhere else).

 

[Nakamova]

Congrats on getting your license back! Hope all goes well with the driving. (And with the upcoming marathon running!)

 

[Vickymch]

Hi I've recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and can no longer do my job as it required driving, as stressful as it is, I am glad I can not do any harm to anyone else whilst driving even though I do miss it.

 

[Crash]

I've never driven,had my first seizure at seventeen.That's when your able to start driving over here,i've gone the required amount of time tonic wise,one year but still have abscences from time to time so i still can't drive anyway.I'd love to be able to drive but to be honest im pretty much used to walking,hitching and public transport now anyway.

 

[highway man]

I was told back in March of this year not to drive until October until I see the Dr.I had a tonic clonic seizure in September and told not to drive for 6 months and then even after the 6 months are done.I don't think I'll drive to me it just not worth hurting someone .

 

[Chelsea]

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.

Foremost, I LOVE your hair! You really rock the style **no sarcasm**. Your pic looks cool. I sympathize. On the flip side, I just got a purple mountain bike. Alternative transportation. Technically, too, I could drive a backhoe or a tractor because you don't need a driver's license here for those. I think I'd look good on a backhoe. :banana:

 

[Chelsea]

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.

All, there was a similar case in Florida. A woman with epilepsy was driving and she struck a college-aged man and killed him. It was in the newspaper. She wasn't supposed to be driving, but was anyways.

My neurologist hands out the newspaper clipping when he suggests no driving. Here, the duty is on the motorist to report seizure activity to the DMV. The MD doesn't do the reporting.

I try to see the best in everyone in all circumstances--it would be more difficult if that was my family. We are all one poor decision away from losing every thing we have, including our lives. Someone told me that recently.

 

[Fedup]

All, there was a similar case in Florida. A woman with epilepsy was driving and she struck a college-aged man and killed him. It was in the newspaper. She wasn't supposed to be driving, but was anyways.

My neurologist hands out the newspaper clipping when he suggests no driving. Here, the duty is on the motorist to report seizure activity to the DMV. The MD doesn't do the reporting.

I try to see the best in everyone in all circumstances--it would be more difficult if that was my family. We are all one poor decision away from losing every thing we have, including our lives. Someone told me that recently.

I am so sorry to see there was a similar case in Florida. Ireland is such a small country, that if it happened the furthest end of Ireland it would be very close to me so the damage caused is enormous. Unfortunately I decided not to drive myself as I do not want to take a chance, the following day my mother is admitted to Hospital and I still will not drive.

 

[CalvinDurden]

dumbest question ever

I called the DC DMV and asked about how to give my driver's license in and the woman had no idea what I was talking about. How do you do it? My doctor said I have to tell them but I wonder if the doctors at the ER told them.

 

[Vickymch]

I'm in England, but you will need to speak to the medical department? And they will send a form out to you

 

[Nakamova]

I called the DC DMV and asked about how to give my driver's license in and the woman had no idea what I was talking about. How do you do it? My doctor said I have to tell them but I wonder if the doctors at the ER told them.

Calvin, according to the DC DMV, "if you have a medical condition that may impair your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, even temporarily, you must provide a Medical and/or Eye Report from your physician." The form is found here: http://dmv.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/dmv/publication/attachments/Medical_Eye_Report.pdf The completed form can be mailed or faxed to the DMV.

 

[LMReggcellent]

*confession: I haven't read this entire thread, just a few bits and pieces.*
In Utah it's been six months without a seizure before you can legally drive, but I was recently told it's been changed to three months. I've never seen such a change in writing, I've never looked. I'm almost thirty years old and I've never carried a driver's license. The closest I got to driving was a learner's permit and a few stick shift lessons from my dad. That was after brain surgery in that small window when the lobectomy worked.

I think you have to be cautious about the topic of driving and epilepsy around me, but only since this past year. Since becoming a board member on the epilepsy association I have met lots of people with epilepsy that can legally drive. And then those are those two I know of that drive even after having seizures in that same week. It's a combination of jealousy and anger because my life is so incredibly restricted even after trying everything to control my seizures. I want to follow the rules.

 

[nicholas:)]

2013 and I will ask for my driving license back after three years of experiencing nocturnal seizures only.. Yippee!

 

[jemsister]

Fedup--How sad. =( This is exactly why I don't drive. Like you said, it's not just about your own safety, but the safety of those around you. =(

 

[dmnckvrs]

This is probably the biggest worry on my mind since my last 'yet to be diagnosed episode of unconsciousness'. While I still don't have an answer, I feel my choice to drive to work and school, although its not much of a choice, I need to, is completely reckless and I feel guilty/worried every time I get behind the wheel. I just don't know what to do.