The whole driving issue?

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jax22

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Hey, so I've been on meds for almost a year now. I did the whole no driving thing for 3 months, retook my drivers test. However, after my last EEG, my doctor adjusted my dose and told me I shouldn't drive again but he didn't say for how long.

I'm worried that I will permanently lose my license? Has this happened to anybody or can anybody give me some insight?

Much appreciated!

Peace
 
I've had seizures all my life so I'm used to the fact that I'll probably never drive (though at times I might curse that fact). I know in most places in Canada & the US if someone loses their license due to E it's usually for 6 months to a year. You might want to ask the department in charge of driving.

There's been a few discussions on driving, maybe these threads will give you what you need.
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f21/driving-epilepsy-564/

http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/forums/f36/my-license-7841/
 
Yeah, in CA it's a combination of the doctor's decision as well as the DMV. Since I had a medical probation period already and I continue to have minor seizures fairly consistently, I'm really concerned.

The public transportation system in LA is pretty bad. I got a bike, but still, I really can't take it everywhere all the time.

It's frustrating because I was just re-diagnosed this year after being taken off my medication for 8 years and driving and living a relatively normal life.
 
We also live in the L.A. area. Rebecca is 18 and at the moment, driving is not in her future. She has been seizure free for almost 4 months, but I have asked her to wait until it is a year without seizures. There is just too much at stake.

We moved to an area where she has access to the metro. It has made life a bit more manageable for her. She can at times feel independent, and is getting use to riding the bus home from school at times. I am hopeful it works when she heads off to take college classes. I am also hopeful that she is on her way to full health.
 
i'm in a state that is non-reporting. In other words, the docs don't send your name to the DMV. but they do tell you if you can drive, and when, and it's up to you to do as they instruct. Also in my state the rule is 6 months without a seizure, but my doc tells me its 6 months without a seizure with altered conciousness. Based on this I'm all clear starting may 1. I have simple partials all the time, but I don't feel that affects my ability to drive. Who cares if I will smell something weird, or if I will feel a fear seizure coming on? It doesn't affect my ability to drive, or if I felt distracted by it, I would pull over.
 
As long as you're having simple partials or less you're OK by most states. Complex or more and you're off the road for at least 6 months. I've been back on the road since Nov. and not really liking it, man they're a lot of butt heads on the road and I must admit I feel very stressed behind the wheel, well I guess stressed in all parts of life. It was easy being home full time and having no one expect anything from me. Heed you're Dr.'s advice the last time I drove while going through diagnoses I had an aura and thought that would give me enough time to pull over. Apparently I was having complex partials and didn't know it and I hit a mail box. It could have been someones child.
 
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I keep coming back to the driving issue. My husband and I just talked about this yesterday. I always feel like a burden to him and everyone else because I'm always getting my driving privileges revoked and/or its pretty much a given I'm not driving any distance.

I lost my driving privileges permanently in the state of Indiana. My neuro refused to give them back to me. Indiana doesn't take your other state license from you though so I did the "bad" thing... I lied to keep my other state license valid so I could work overseas (no valid license= no work).

I lost my driving privileges in NC when I first started having seizures
I lost my driving privileges in Kuwait after having two seizures
I've now lost my driving privileges in OH :paperbag:

Losing your driving privileges truly sucks. It is associated with freedom, normalcy, need, work, financial attainment, social interaction, etc. I REALLY had to wrestle with it in the beginning and I WOULD take off in my car just out of pure spite and frustration. I like sports cars...I like to drive fast, with the windows down and the radio blaring...just me, my car and the road :)

But...in the end it isn't about me. A car is over a thousand lbs of powered machine on wheels. They can do a great deal of harm and could cause someone else to have E. I've been hit by a car, I've been told that it sent me flying about 10-12 feet in the air. There is a good possibility that it may be the cause of my E. I could never wish that on someone else. Since my seizures are completely unpredictable I have to be responsible and proactive. No matter how much I miss it or how inconvenient it is, I don't drive unless absolutely necessary...even if the doctor says it is ok.

If a doctor advises against driving there is a reason...it isn't because they are out to get you or make your life difficult. It is because they have to consider the safety of everyone, not just the individual.
 
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Something I do wonder about, and wonder if there is any research... If a person has both simple and complex partials, with complex partials very far apart. Is there a correlation between having the simple partials under control as an indicator of having the complex partials under control? In other words, if the complex partials are usually many months apart anyway, how can you tell if they are under control???? This affects when a person would start driving again.
 
Seizures are known to morph and change without notice. As long as you are having difficulty with any serious health issue, it would be best to not be behind the wheel of a vehicle.
 
Robin is definitely right. My case is a good example of that. If the doctor is correct, I have been having seizures at least 30 years instead of the 12 I originally thought. I went through a chunk of my life oblivious to what was going on...I served in the military, drove, worked, did all the "normal" things. Somewhere along the way those little "eccentricities" changed, generalized and WHAM...turned everything upside down.

I can say this too...even with my generalized ones controlled to an extent, the more mild ones still break thru. Little tiny sparks vs a veritable electrical storm???
 
Just to play the devil's advocate for a minute...

Well, if we look at it that way, NO ONE with epilepsy would ever drive, just in case they have a breakthrough seizure. People with a heart condition would never drive in case they have another heart attack, same with stroke victims, etc. In fact, people may have to pass a physical to get a license, like pilots do. Because why should epilepsy be treated differently from other types of disabilities?
 
Hi, I think it is just finding the right medicines and dose that will get you back on the road. I do say just because it is just. It did take quite some time for me to get "fixed" to where I am able to drive. I think if your current medicine and dose are not working you must fix it. The only two permanent things in life are death and taxes.
 
I've pretty much decided not to even take chances. I haven't been completely seizure free for any significant period of time since about 05. It seems like I have one every few months or so.

It annoys me to no end. It's even worse because I was used to having my freedom for years but my epilepsy got worse and I had to stop driving. I don't want to hurt or kill myself or anyone else so I'm stuck.
 
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