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can people with epilepsy drive?

Fri, 02/08/2008 - 13:51
can people with epilepsy drive? and Im wondering since they can have a siezure and might cuase a wreck

Comments

Re: can people with epilepsy drive?

Submitted by hnubtshiab on Fri, 2008-02-08 - 16:37

When I was diagnosed, I was not able to drive (that is, my license was taken away) until I had been blackout free for a certain period of time. What with my shoddy memory now, I can't remember that exact period time but it was quite long.  

I have not had any blackouts in seven years and have had my driver's license and have been driving for a good number of years now.  For a long time though there was a note on my license that said I had epilepsy.

I am curious to know though how stringent laws and what guidelines/rules are imposed.

When I was diagnosed, I was not able to drive (that is, my license was taken away) until I had been blackout free for a certain period of time. What with my shoddy memory now, I can't remember that exact period time but it was quite long.  

I have not had any blackouts in seven years and have had my driver's license and have been driving for a good number of years now.  For a long time though there was a note on my license that said I had epilepsy.

I am curious to know though how stringent laws and what guidelines/rules are imposed.

Re: can people with epilepsy drive?

Submitted by xgi on Sat, 2008-05-31 - 15:29

I've been in two MVA due to epilpesy and both times I was lucky and nobody was hurt. I will drive only on my hunting property but never again in public. Here in Michigan it's six months seizure free for a license. I still have small sezuires so I will not even try for a license when it is due.

However I know another person who has seizures often and his doctor knows this but he drives regularly and last time I knew he was still driving. Some people only think of theirselves till it's too late

I've been in two MVA due to epilpesy and both times I was lucky and nobody was hurt. I will drive only on my hunting property but never again in public. Here in Michigan it's six months seizure free for a license. I still have small sezuires so I will not even try for a license when it is due.

However I know another person who has seizures often and his doctor knows this but he drives regularly and last time I knew he was still driving. Some people only think of theirselves till it's too late

Re: can people with epilepsy drive?

Submitted by m-insane on Wed, 2008-07-23 - 14:25

I began with simple partials/complex partials when I was 10. It wasn't until I was 16 that it generalized into the only grand mal I have ever experienced, which was three years ago. My CT scan, along with the two EEGs were normal, which I know doesn't prove or disprove anything.

 I am on meds and currently dirve, although I drive slowly and limit it only to work and occassionally to see friends. I know my limitations. I still do have my auras, but I find that half of them are psychological, meaning to me the fear of having seizures actually induces my symptoms. But when I calm myself, I think clearly. In fact I decided to drive home from a friends house once after not sleeping well and I was sure I was having a "big one" while driving. But what I did was reassure myself and breathe deeply. The panic is really a trigger for me. Another thing I find is that when I'm feeling "odd" at work I get into my car and my brain is immediately focused. It can be scary, but I suppose if you aren't prone to spontaneous grand mals it should be ok. Just listen to your body, be smart about it and let God handle it if you believe in that sort of thing.

I began with simple partials/complex partials when I was 10. It wasn't until I was 16 that it generalized into the only grand mal I have ever experienced, which was three years ago. My CT scan, along with the two EEGs were normal, which I know doesn't prove or disprove anything.

 I am on meds and currently dirve, although I drive slowly and limit it only to work and occassionally to see friends. I know my limitations. I still do have my auras, but I find that half of them are psychological, meaning to me the fear of having seizures actually induces my symptoms. But when I calm myself, I think clearly. In fact I decided to drive home from a friends house once after not sleeping well and I was sure I was having a "big one" while driving. But what I did was reassure myself and breathe deeply. The panic is really a trigger for me. Another thing I find is that when I'm feeling "odd" at work I get into my car and my brain is immediately focused. It can be scary, but I suppose if you aren't prone to spontaneous grand mals it should be ok. Just listen to your body, be smart about it and let God handle it if you believe in that sort of thing.

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