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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 Melissa Baker on Sat, 2008-02-09 - 08:34
I am 25 years old and I have been having seizures since I was age 9. I have never had my drivers license, but would love to have them. I have a CT Scan and a EEG this comming week, they are trying to do whatever they can so I can get them. I "Only have my seizures in my Sleep"! I understand that I am an epilesptic, but I should be able to drive. Not being able to drive hasn't ever really bothered me before because whenever I had to go somewhere I would just call a cab...well we just moved to a beautiful little town on Prince Edward Island and there aren't any cabs in our town. I feel like I am stuck to the house. I have a 2yr old and a 4 yr old. I always worked before we moved here, I just called cabs everyday,  But here I can't even do that! I love staying home with my children, but right now I haven't got a choice either. I only worked part-time before and I really enjoyed "Getting out" for a couple hours a day. I guess what I am trying to say is I wish I had my license and didn't have to depend on my husband so much. He has to take work off at least once a week to bring me our one of our children for appts, he waits in the car while I go in and get some groceries..even checking the mail, I can't do that without someone bringing me to do it. I am so young but at the same time I feel so old. 

Re: can people with epilepsy drive?

Submitted by rikorikojie on Mon, 2008-02-11 - 13:15
epi_help I feel very sorry for you

Re: can people with epilepsy drive?

Submitted by twin01 on Thu, 2009-01-22 - 09:40

Take it from someone who's older and stranded - I can so relate to how you feel!  I have had epilepsy since I was 2 yrs old, and I finally got my license when I was 24, starting a new job.  I am 42 now, and I teach in a very rural town (approx. 80 people in the town limits!) so getting around is crucial.  A few yrs ago my neurologist and I tried to wean me off one of my meds to get me onto only one.  Three years and 6 seizures later we decided to get me back to where I had been prior to that.  For 3 yrs my husband and family carted me around!  Talk about humiliating for a 40-something year old.  Once we got me stablized, I was able to start driving again.  For 2 yrs.  Then a month ago I had another seizure.  Back to being carted around. 

I tried commuting by bicycle in order to maintain my independence, but we live 4 miles from town up a mountain pass.  Getting to work is easy, but you can imagine what getting home is like.  Anyway, Nevada only wants a letter from my neurologist, and he says he'll wait 6 months before he'll consider it.  I think my family would like to see me quit driving altogether, but like you say, independence is so important for people of all walks of life!

-Heather.

 

Take it from someone who's older and stranded - I can so relate to how you feel!  I have had epilepsy since I was 2 yrs old, and I finally got my license when I was 24, starting a new job.  I am 42 now, and I teach in a very rural town (approx. 80 people in the town limits!) so getting around is crucial.  A few yrs ago my neurologist and I tried to wean me off one of my meds to get me onto only one.  Three years and 6 seizures later we decided to get me back to where I had been prior to that.  For 3 yrs my husband and family carted me around!  Talk about humiliating for a 40-something year old.  Once we got me stablized, I was able to start driving again.  For 2 yrs.  Then a month ago I had another seizure.  Back to being carted around. 

I tried commuting by bicycle in order to maintain my independence, but we live 4 miles from town up a mountain pass.  Getting to work is easy, but you can imagine what getting home is like.  Anyway, Nevada only wants a letter from my neurologist, and he says he'll wait 6 months before he'll consider it.  I think my family would like to see me quit driving altogether, but like you say, independence is so important for people of all walks of life!

-Heather.

 

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