The problem with epilepsy

[resaebiunne]

Half the reason I have SSDI is because I can't drive because of my diagnosis. However, with an upcoming appointment at a much better hospital that isn't 6 months from now, I actually have hope of getting a drivers license. This is good because, I am dependent on Uber to get around even to work. I turned down a job several weeks ago because I would have had to commute two hours by bus to get to the job site. However, I am in a good position to get my drivers license if the doctor will understand this. I can buy a good car with a new job I'm interviewing for tomorrow and hopefully things will go well. If I can get a car, it will be a pain to drive but so much faster to commute and cheaper that it will help tremendously. My epilepsy is pretty tame. I think the problem that I can't explain to my doctor is that while I have epilepsy, I don't have seizures. I have convulsions only. The thing about that is, the medication doesn't help my convulsions and I have simply stopped taking my depakote because I am starting to reject it with diarrhea and gas. It's so unpleasant to take my e meds that I don't anymore, and it has been months now. If I can't get a drivers license soon I am not going to be happy. I'ved lived in Pittsburgh now for 1.5 years and never had a seizure, yet, I was treated rudely at the DMV last year by the door greeter. Anyway, I want to get my PA license because I still have a Florida license! How ridiculous is that. Here's hoping.

 

[Sabbo]

I would like to tell you that getting a license just IS NOT WORTH THE RISK. I CHOSE not to get a license while in high school--at that time I ONLY had simple partial seizures, which I can feel coming on, & last usually about 5 minutes max. I STILL remember the day I had my final behind the wheel practice--I had a simple partial right before class. Right then and there, I decided to NEVER drive--WHAT IF ONE OCCURED WHILE I WAS BEHIND THE WHEEL?? Now, I often realize that what I did WAS the right decision. About 10 years after I graduated from high school, I began having complex partial seizures as well, which have made many aspects of life VERY difficult. These seizures occur without any aura. I ONLY know that I've had one by a few things: 1) a witness tells me what they saw/it's length, or if alone, 2) I "come to" in an odd place of the house and maybe note some injury to myself. My body is COVERED in scars from third degree burns I've given myself during complex partials. I have even had situations where I've changed my clothes during them!
I attempted to work shortly after the birth of my son, but these seizures placed me in SUCH DANGEROUS situations that I gave up. For example, once, I nearly fell onto the tracks at the commuter train station. Thankfully, another person who was there caught me before I fell onto the tracks. Another time, I exited my office in downtown Chicago & collapsed on the sidewalk, "coming to" at the hospital!

 

[BuckeyeFan]

Due to a medication change, I have not been driving since Feb 1st and will not until at least the end of July, could be longer. Hopefully I will be able to then for at least short trips, though I still am drowsy much of the time. I was also off work for 3 months which made me feel very isolated and dependent on others. Even before this time, I had voluntarily reduced my driving due to E issues I was having before the medication change.
In the end, I have been OK with it because the new med seems to be working better. My state does not have legal restrictions; it is up to the doctors.

 

[Porkette]

I know the law in PA. is a person has to be seizure free for 6 months and have a Drs. written statement saying it's
safe for a person to drive if they have epilepsy. Personally I wouldn't take the risk. I would take the bus, an uber,
or a train back and forth to work because if I had a seizure while driving I could injury someone if not myself and
the auto ins. would be sky high.

I worked for 35 yrs. and what I did is get a ride back and forth to work and pay the person for transportation and
gas and that was how I got back and forth to work. You may want to think about doing it that way instead.
I wish you the best of luck and May God Bless You,

Sue

 

[Sabbo]

Even here in IL state law requires a person to be seizure-free for ONLY 6 months to get a license. IF a person's seizures aren't the type anyone can easily notice/recognize OR their doctor doesn't inform the DMV, a person who's NOT seizure-free COULD BE DRIVING!! A neighbor of ours (who has now moved away) WAS epileptic, AND drove.
Yes, the inability to drive has made life a MAJOR PAIN--there is a constant dependence on others from it--not being able to work, though, has been the greater pain. After I began having complex partials (especially since mine occur w/o any aura), I was TRULY HAPPY that I never risked it.

 

[Anne B.]

Half the reason I have SSDI is because I can't drive because of my diagnosis. However, with an upcoming appointment at a much better hospital that isn't 6 months from now, I actually have hope of getting a drivers license. This is good because, I am dependent on Uber to get around even to work. I turned down a job several weeks ago because I would have had to commute two hours by bus to get to the job site. However, I am in a good position to get my drivers license if the doctor will understand this. I can buy a good car with a new job I'm interviewing for tomorrow and hopefully things will go well. If I can get a car, it will be a pain to drive but so much faster to commute and cheaper that it will help tremendously. My epilepsy is pretty tame. I think the problem that I can't explain to my doctor is that while I have epilepsy, I don't have seizures. I have convulsions only. The thing about that is, the medication doesn't help my convulsions and I have simply stopped taking my depakote because I am starting to reject it with diarrhea and gas. It's so unpleasant to take my e meds that I don't anymore, and it has been months now. If I can't get a drivers license soon I am not going to be happy. I'ved lived in Pittsburgh now for 1.5 years and never had a seizure, yet, I was treated rudely at the DMV last year by the door greeter. Anyway, I want to get my PA license because I still have a Florida license! How ridiculous is that. Here's hoping.

Wow, I understand, I live in WI and after any seizure they take your license for 3 months. It was embarrassing for some reason having my 75 year old parents take me to the appointments I had. Then I got used to it and now I dont want to leave the house much anymore, I feel not confident in being alone anymore out in public. This entire thing just messes with the head (no pun intended) and people dont realize that once your version of normal is disrupted no matter what happens, license or no license the hard part is life changed and it wasn't your fault even! I hope things get better soon for you re this.