Making the decision not to drive...

[AndrewIrish]

I hope I don't offend anyone with a second post so soon....

Anyways, something that's been floating in my head for awhile, felt like putting it down.

For years have had JME, this year it developed into TC's(Grand Mal.)

I'm fortunate so far. I have horrible jerks but full-blown Grand Mal's are limited.

Since May, I've only had three of them, most of that time I've been untrated.

Ever since the first one (Was reading some original fiction on the internet at the time, fell backwards out of a computer chair...) I was weary to drive anymore(I'd had to do so for a living... got restricted driving as a salesman after the first, which helped.)

Anyways, since then, it seems just about every three months is the spacing between them. Jerks are annoying and have had a few brush ups while driving... nothing overly horrible though (Though at times, when at home, I have horrible jerks, which if those type were to occur while driving, I'd careen off the road...)

Basically, I've a bit of a guilt complex. In my mind, the 'huge' seizures, as I call 'em, aren't so horribly re-occuring as to deter me from driving, yet I feel fortunate that I haven't hurt myself or someone else due to some really twisted myoclonic jerking.

Since May, I've kind of stopped my all-time role as 'driver' when myself and my wife or anyone else goes anywhere. She pretty much drives all the time unless it's an extreme circumstance.

I can tell it's finally wearing on her, at least as an annoyance - I don't think she'd ever say anything. Still, I feel at fault. I know 97% of the time, when I get behind the wheel, I'm most likely to be fine with it and do so perfectly. It's that little, teeny-weeny other 3% though, that scare the crud out of me.

I feel caught - should I just risk it and resume driving again... or pretty much be 'chauferred' everywhere?

I know the answer - just doesn't make it feel better. My mind is telling me that if I have even the slightest inkling that if getting behind that wheel at any time is dangerous - I shouldn't do it.

Another part of me says though - I've never really had a big problem driving. Nothing to scare me off from it.

Am I being too cautious here? Maybe driving just isn't a trigger for me? Maybe... I don't know, the act of driving isn't something that bothers me to that 'enth degree'?

I'm confused. It feels like a cat and mouse game or Stratego.

Any suggestions?

 

[TempusFugit]

I feel you pain - truly I do.

I also can't drive for at least another year (and that's being extremely optimistic). Legally, you know you can't drive. You will be uninsured and should you have an accident (whether it was your fault or not), you could face some serious problems.

I also went through the "do I, don't I" stage - but personally, I just couldn't put myself, children or anyone else at risk. That 3% chance of you having a seizure is perhaps (in my most humbliest of opinions) 3% too much to risk driving.

Living with epilepsy has it downsides and the loss of independence is a cross we all have to bear - it impacts not only on us, but our family too. It is a tough cookie - but only you can make the decision that is right for you. But remember, every action does have a consequence.

I truly wish you well *hugs*

 

[AndrewIrish]

Thank you!

I heard what I was thinking I ight, but trust me, I appreciate it.

I don't know.

I'm sort of old-fashioned, I guess.

Have this opinion that a woman driving a man around all the time doesn't speak huge volumes. Just one of my little quarks.

I have a wonderful wife, though. I truly thank you. Great help!

 

[Billyboyboo]

I don't drive either, for one, the meds I'm on prevents me from driving, I'm on allot of meds, for two, I haven't drove since 1999 at least, for three, I always panicked behind the wheel, I'm sorry to hear about this. I lived in NYC for a long time and I had no need to drive, Subway, Taxis &c.
I never had a seizure behind the wheel, but I can't drive, I couldn't ride a bicycle until 13 years of age.

Good Luck, Billy.

 

[Cint]

For years have had JME, this year it developed into TC's(Grand Mal.)

I'm fortunate so far. I have horrible jerks but full-blown Grand Mal's are limited.

Since May, I've only had three of them, most of that time I've been untrated.

I feel caught - should I just risk it and resume driving again... or pretty much be 'chauferred' everywhere?

I know the answer - just doesn't make it feel better. My mind is telling me that if I have even the slightest inkling that if getting behind that wheel at any time is dangerous - I shouldn't do it.

Another part of me says though - I've never really had a big problem driving. Nothing to scare me off from it.

Am I being too cautious here?

Maybe driving just isn't a trigger for me? Maybe... I don't know, the act of driving isn't something that bothers me to that 'enth degree'?

HI Andrew,

It only makes sense to me since your seizures developed into TC seizures that you should not be driving. Maybe there is only a small percentage of an accident happening, but the risk is still there. You're not being overly cautious.

I've had CP and TC seizures and went through hell to get them under control, therefore could not drive for years. After I had the VNS surgery and got seizures under control and no seizures for a year, I got my DL back. One evening I was driving and had a CP and had a hit and run accident, the 1st ever in my life. I lost my license again for another year and had to pay a significant fine. Fortunately, no one was injured and basically it was just a fender bender, we weren't traveling fast. Finding rides is a pain, but then so would be spending time in jail because someone else dies from my mistake. My ex got tired of having to drive me everywhere, but such is life for some of us.

 

[Meetz1064]

I understand

where you're coming from Andrew, but perhaps if you sat your wife down, and honesty, very frankly talked to her about the risks involved, then it would be easier for her to understand. She probably won't like it at first, but when you point out the possible circumstances--especially legally--then she'll be able to deal with it better.

 

[christina1926]

I'm almost 40 and have never been able to drive since, i always have a few during my cycle. I don't want to drive have a siezure and kill someone and go to jail. I have heard of cases like that. driving isn't only dangerous for you it is for everyone on the road. I hope they get them under control so, that you can have the freedom that comes with driving

 

[Nakamova]

Hi Andrew --

The risks associated with your driving may be small, but the potential consequences are huge. I've driven even when it's been illegal for me to do so. I've never had a seizure-related driving accident -- it might be luck, or it might be that driving is not a trigger for me. But it's not an easy decision either way, and if there's any doubt at all, err on the side of caution and safety. It may be hard for you and your wife to adjust --perhaps you can take on some other chore or task around the house to compensate for what might feel like an imbalance in responsibility.

Best,
Nakamova

 

[Ruth]

Hi Andrew,

I have the jerking, too. With the jerking you have a huge chance of having a car accident. I take mysoline for it.

I decided when I was 16 not to drive. I am 66 and at that time it was legal for us to drive. I thought about it. I thought what if I have a car accident and kill myself or someone else. I decided not to drive.

I take public transit, buses and walking. I live close enough to stores and a bus stop to do both. Whenever we move, those are the things I look for.

 

[flinnigan]

Sorry to say it but you absolutely must not drive, You could never forgive yourself if you killed someones child now would you. It was one the issues my husband had right before I finally saw a Neurologist. One morning I was in one room watching Good Morning America and he was in another doing the same and a story came on about a man who had driven the wrong way onto a highway and caused an accident in which he was also killed. At the end of the story his family said they feared he may have had a seizure. I walked into the other room and looked at my husband, he finally got it. We all know how hard it is in fact my not driving caused me to loose my job, but we've sucked it up and dealt with it. I am now 7 months seizure free and just started driving a month ago with all the dumb asses on the road I kinda miss being chauffeured around.

 

[Ruth]

Hi Andrew,

I looked it up and Hugo Weaving, a film and stage actor. He was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was 13 years old.

Weaving decided not to drive cars.

 

[matchu]

the hospital cleared me to drive, and I asked them what happens if I have a seizure while driving, and I sat and watched my doctor scramble for the right words. I really think that the hospital had not even considered this.

 

[Ruth]

the hospital cleared me to drive, and I asked them what happens if I have a seizure while driving, and I sat and watched my doctor scramble for the right words. I really think that the hospital had not even considered this.

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:

 

[flinnigan]

This thread really isn't named properly. We don't have the option to decide to drive or not to - its the law. here's an old thread on the subject.

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f23/epileptic-driver-who-had-seizure-wheel-jailed-6468

Here is the a search for your state laws also

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/living/wellness/transportation/drivinglaws.cfm?language=EN