Travel and Epilepsy

[Lainsta]

Things have been a little serious for the last couple of years trying to get stable on meds and using alternative therapies as well as a balance so I've decided to reward myself by travelling to the USA (I'm an Aussie).
Part of me is super excited and the other part is scared shitless as I still have seizures every 35 days or so.
Any suggestions on seizures and traveling. I got a dog tag made to tell people to chill out and not worry but I don't have one for me to read

 

[CrunchyFrog]

What kind of seizures do you have? I have done a bit of travel with no problems. Go to your doctor and ask whether it would be okay for you to travel and ask for a letter. The letter just states what medications you're on just in case you get pulled up at customs (I've always had one and it's never been looked at). It also depends on what you're doing? If you're travelling alone? Are you touring with a tour group like Scenic etc?
Check with your doctor, they will be able to advise you better. But, I've been travelling throughout Europe and Russia (I'm also Aussie) and had no problems. I just had my letter about my medications and informed the touring company. The only problem you could have is if you've had a seizure in the last 12 months that required hospitalisation you may not get covered by travel insurance and in some companies they may not cover you at all if you've even had a seizure. I'm currently organising a rhine/rhone river cruise at the end of the year, I had to fix up my insurance because I was refused. I'm doing it all through flight centre and they have their own insurance company. I looked through the paperwork confused because I'd never had problems before. I found that the girl who organised the insurance must have misunderstood me. She'd put I had a benign brain tumour ..... I do not. I was also a Mr in the paperwork, which I am also not.....

 

[Lainsta]

Generalised tonic clonic basically. They tend to only come around that time of the month but it's not catemenial epilepsy as I just had all my hormone tests done and they were perfect. Got travel insurance through travel insurance direct and they will insure if you haven't had a seizure for 12 months.

Travelling alone at this stage

 

[Cint]

Lainsta,

If your seizures are generalized and tend to come only around that time of month, then perhaps you could arrange your trip to avoid that 'time' so your seizures won't be so much a factor. For one with TC seizures, it's always best to travel with a companion, especially if you're going international.

I suffer from CP and TC seizures and have also done some international travel. But not alone. I wear a MedicAlert bracelet and had my neuro write a letter stating all the meds I was taking and stating that I had her permission to fly.

Here is helpful info on traveling with epilepsy:

http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/travel_types

By Airplane

While most people with seizures can travel safely by airplanes, guidelines of the Aerospace Medical Association do recommend that people with uncontrolled seizures not travel by commercial airliner. An airline may ask for a letter from your doctor that you are okay to fly. While people are not routinely prevented from flying, concerns may arise due to the lack of medical help available during a flight and safety of other passengers if a person is confused or experiencing behavior changes during or after a seizure in a confined space. The Aerospace Medical Association recommends that people who are still having seizures travel with a companion.

When considering air travel, talk to your doctor first and consider the impact of changing time zones, sleep deprivation, and long delays or travel times on your seizures and whether air travel is recommended.

~Travel with a companion – this is especially important for people with frequent seizures or seizures with a change in your awareness or behavior, or for those who are traveling long distances.

~Bring a letter from your doctor describing your ability to travel by airplane and carry a completed Seizure Plan outlining what to do should a seizure occur.

~Talk to the airline in advance – ask for special seating arrangements so you are closer to the front where you can get help if needed. If possible, ask for an empty seat next to you so you can lie down if a seizure occurs.

~Carry a supply of medicines with you (in properly labeled bottles) so it is available if you need it during the flight.

~If you (or your child) have clusters of seizures and use ‘as needed’ medicine, talk to the doctor in advance about how to manage these...

For general information on medical issues and flying, take a look at Medical Guidelines for Airline Passengers at the following link.

http://www.asma.org

http://www.asma.org/pdf/publications/tips_for_travelers.pdf