Just Diagnosed at 69 and distressed

[Grace]

I hear what you are saying. It's good that you are doing what you feel comfortable with and what you need to do to get the things you need. No, I don't think the Doctor reports us (not 100% sure though) but they do send something to the DMV to clear you to drive when the time comes so I guess it could catch up with me if I got a ticket during the time I was not supposed to drive. I had an abnormal EEG last December and a diagnosis of seizure disorder. I'm one of the lucky ones who just have partials but they are quite annoying and disruptive as all seizures are.

 

[crystalbay]

If your doctor didn't report you, then you wouldn't need to "be cleared" at all. In your place, I'd absolutely find this out. I know if I'd "self-reported" in May, I'd also need a doctor's clearance but since I refused to do this, there's nothing on my record. Have the of seizures you've had occurred while driving in the past?? As long as I have this diagnosis, I almost wish that I had some symptoms, Grace. Otherwise, the entire thing is invisible. Having no symptoms at all seems to be a one of a kind case. All the epilepsy forums I've explored haven't produce even one person without symptoms, so in early Sept., I plan to put my case in front of neurologists at Mayo Clinic. I'm lucky to live only two hours from there (MN). I'm being very slowly transitioned from Keppra onto Lamictal since the Keppra makes me so low energy and weepy.

 

[Grace]

Good for you! Mayo Clinic will help you I'm sure. Your case is very unique indeed, but don't wish symptoms on yourself. They are no fun. I know what you mean though. I hope you will like Lamictal better. It does have some side effects (don't they all?), but once your body gets use to it things get better. I learned that I have to take mine at night. If not i can't sleep which I typically have no problem doing . Good luck and let me know if you discover anything.

 

[QueenieKP]

It's just a thought because I don't know about non UK law but if your driving when you shouldn't be wouldn't that invalidate your insurance? Even if the claim was NOTHING to do with seizure related, insurance companies like any excuse not to pay out and would start digging. You know even an accidental prang in a supermarket.

Q

 

[crystalbay]

I guess that would only be a problem if it came to light....meaning that being stopped for a broken tail light, speeding, or a minor accident would not create a problem UNLESS you'd informed the DMV of having had a seizure. I really don't think that filing a claim for anything other than a major accident involving medical injuries would cause a problem with either insurance or the law. Insurance claims which are not about physical injury would have no reason to pursue your medical history, IOW.

 

[QueenieKP]

I just imagine as ageist and discrimanatory as it would be insurance company adjusters might be more inclined to check into a more mature drivers medical recorders just as they may check a younger driver for history of substance misuse because insurance companies really are more about shareholders profits.

 

[crystalbay]

In the last couple of years, I ran into a deer and went too fast around an icy curve. Both times, I filed a claim for over 2K of damage to my car and neither time did they look into my medical records. Why would they? I wasn't filing for medical, nor was the poor deer. Of course, my rates went up a bit for the next 5 years Perhaps the IK is different than the US. I understand that in some states doctors are supposed to notify the state, but fortunately for me they don't have to in MN.

 

[chmmr]

Honestly i would say you should report yourself. How would you feel if you had a sudden seizure (and epilepsy can definitely happen like that with no warning which is why the laws about driving suspensions are there to protect you and others) and you injured or killed someone else. Adults. Children. It could easily happen that you have a seizure with no warning and then you can't turn back time and erase what is done. Would you want to live with those consequences? Should someone else have to live with those consequences just because you feel like you are safe to drive outside of the law? Sorry if i sound preachy but honestly this is dangerous and irresponsible and sets an incredibly bad example for anyone to follow.

 

[crystalbay]

I'm a full six weeks beyond the legal ban period at this time. In MN, the ban is in place for 3 months - if there are no seizures during that time, driving is legal. If there is another seizure, the clock resets for another 3 months. I'm doing nothing illegal or irresponsible at this time, chmmr. The one seizure I had came with a five-minute pre-warning. I knew something weird was happening, looked around for a place to sit down, and found a chair. In other words, I am NOT "driving outside the law" as the ban was over six weeks ago.

 

[chmmr]

Ok well that's good (and i'm glad you haven't had any seizures since) but i still think it is really an incredibly dangerous (and illegal) thing to have not taken your driving ban when it was required.

I totally understand what you are saying about having the aura (pre warning). I just want you to know, that there is no guarantee you will get a pre warning if you have a future seizure. So in the event you have even a small seizure, and not a tonic clonic, those can impair you enough to cause an accident, and would make you ineligible to drive again.

 

[crystalbay]

It's water over the dam many weeks ago. I did stay house-bound the first month, then made a handful of 3-minute trips to get food and prescriptions. I live alone in a rural area and had no one to do these survival things for me. Having had only one seizure in my life and having plenty of pre-warning that time, I didn't feel then and I don't feel now that there was any risk.

 

[QueenieKP]

Well I hope you remain seizure free x