Got my license back but am too afraid to drive

[girlwithadog]

Ok so a bit of background info... As far as seizures go where I lost consciousness... Twice in 2008 (once in June and the other in August) a confirmed tonic clonic in august 2011, a confirmed drop seizure in May 2012. Now the first two I'm not sure if it was a drop seizure or not but going over it with my neuro he believed it was. The one in 2011 was provoked by me taking a drug. The ones in 2008 could have been provoked since I was not very bright and was battling with anorexia at the time. The one in May 2012 I was only lacking sleep and under a lot of stress. So I started seeing a neuro after the confirmed seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy after my EEG which confirmed the diagnosis.
I am not currently medicated. I have a fear of medication and my husband and I are trying to conceive and I want to wait until I have the baby before I start meds. But in May I was able to get my drivers license back since its been a year since my last seizure. But I do have simple partials most days. Would those count toward not driving?

Before my 2011 seizure I was in a bad car accident and got PTSD. Then my drop in may was when I was in the car (not driving) so I have my license back but am afraid to drive.
So I got my license back now but I haven't driven since I got it last month. It's hard because we have no public transportation here and lots of long winding roads so its almost impossible to go and do anything without the help of my husband. So I have my license and want to use it but am concerned and really. Don't know what to do. What would you do and what do you think I should do?

 

[jenbayly17]

Girlwithadog
I am close to getting my license back as well. I have to make it to the end of July. I know it is hard to depend on others to help or to go completely different schedules to what your normal was but if you are having simple partial seizures often I would wait. you can check with your state driving restrictions or ask your doctor as my doctors are usually the first to remind me of the laws in my state any time I have complications. I always consider that if I am controlling my seizures and the laws consider me legal to be primary but when it comes to getting in the car I am not only responsible for what happens to me but what happens to someone else if I were to have an accident. It would be a guilt that I wouldn't want to experience if I knew I was not confident about how I was feeling to start. Definitely get the terms that apply to your laws for driving. If someone were to get hurt and you weren't within the laws it would be a legal battle you would not want to deal with as well. sorry to carry on so much. I have just thought a lot about this myself. My parents have driven it into me that is not just a privilege to be able to drive but also a responsibility for your own safety and that of others. I hope that you have people in your life that are helping you with your daily schedules of where you need to be. Stay safe and have a happy 4th of July.:yippee:

 

[Janus]

I understand the drawbacks to not driving. With my seizures in March, the State doesn't know and i have my license but do not use it. I bus and walk and bike everywhere. I love it, biking is my prozac. I wanted to give up driving for environmental reasons (and money) but now I LOVE it. My dog comes with me.

 

[Janus]

Oh yes, i love public transportation so much. I even dream of moving to a more urban place for better public transport. But its cool here, I just have to deal with the fact that the buses stop at like 10 pm, some at 7 !!! Small town doldrums..

 

[BIGMAN131307]

I've had my license for almost 20yrs, and I've only driven a couple times. Since my seizures weren't under control I decided not to drive. But I kept my license, no reason to
turn it in. I studied for it, paid for it, got it, it's mine. I've kept it up to date. When my
seizures are under control, I'll drive again. I will go to a driving school to get some confidence behind the wheel. You should try that, it will help ease your fear.

 

[Janus]

Hey Bigman, I too kept my license and do not drive. It is too much trouble to get it again so I'll just keep it even though I do not drive at all. It works as I.D. when needed.

 

[nicholas:)]

I'm close to getting mine back - all nocturnal seizures and practically under control. I handed mine in back in 2010 - sometimes I regret doing so but if I were to have kept it and later in time have used it and caused an accident, it is possible that my medical history would get me into trouble.

I badly want mine back because I had only been driving for five years and I was so chuffed to have passed my test and it cost me so much money to learn and pass. I am likely to get mine back in a few weeks, fingers crossed. I too, initially, feel anxious about driving again - it's a matter of getting one's confidence back.

I agree with Janus - I love public transport even be it not ideal where I live. It's so much cheaper than running a car. I'm not working at present, but I think my job prospects will be far enhanced if I have a driving license.