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Seizure While Driving
Sat, 01/10/2009 - 00:00I am 17 years old and about 2 years ago I was diagnosed with JME. On New Years I spent the night at my friends house and got only 2 hours of sleep. I didn't take my medicine that night (Keppra + Lamictal), or the next morning. As I left her house (only minutes after waking up) and began walking to my car I had a few blackouts and even shook a little. This happens to me if I don't take my medicine/don't get enought sleep but I didn't think of it as a big deal. I was just thinking about getting home and going to bed.
As I drove home, which was only 5 minutes away, I felt a little tired but that was all. That was the last thing I remember because the next thing I know I was being pulled out of my car onto a stretcher and into an ambulance. I immediately knew I had one of my grandmal seizures. I was so confused, and so scared. Later I learned that I had a seizure, run off the road and crashed into a light pole going 45 MPH. My car was completely totalled but I thankfully was fine and was left with only a few bruises. I'm not able to drive for a while (and being 17 that feels like it's the worst thing in the world), but I understand that I should not be allowed behind the wheel of a car right now. I had been seizure free for about 6-8 months before the accident. This past week has been so hard for me and my family but I'm trying my hardest to move on. Anyway.... I am just wondering if anyone else has ever had a seizure while driving?
Comments
Re: Seizure While Driving
Submitted by Gatesy on Mon, 2009-03-02 - 19:25
This is how we found out that I had epilepsy.
I would always get a tingling in my right hand that would radiate up and to my shoulder and lead to disorientation. The problem was it happened the most when I was running, so I (and my PA) shrugged it off as running too much. This was when I was 21 or 22, I'm 23 now.
About a year or so later, I was driving down the road and lost conciousness left the roadway and struck a house. The passenger thought I was passing the car in front of us so didn't realize what was going on until it was too late and we were lucky. We went between 2 utility poles then went about 100 yards through a field and knocked out the corner of a vancant (thank God) house.
The last thing I remember was getting off the phone with my sister which about about 2-3 minutes before the house and the next thing I remember was 2 men trying to help us out of the car.
I was still disoriented, bascially trying to figure out what happened.
I had glass lacerations on my hands and bruised knees (because my legs were locked up) and the passenger had a few glass lacenrations on her hands and face and a fractuared metacaple.
About 6 months later I was diagnosed with epilepsy in my left frontal lobe.
I was diagnosed in October and I should get my license back in a week or two.
This is how we found out that I had epilepsy.
I would always get a tingling in my right hand that would radiate up and to my shoulder and lead to disorientation. The problem was it happened the most when I was running, so I (and my PA) shrugged it off as running too much. This was when I was 21 or 22, I'm 23 now.
About a year or so later, I was driving down the road and lost conciousness left the roadway and struck a house. The passenger thought I was passing the car in front of us so didn't realize what was going on until it was too late and we were lucky. We went between 2 utility poles then went about 100 yards through a field and knocked out the corner of a vancant (thank God) house.
The last thing I remember was getting off the phone with my sister which about about 2-3 minutes before the house and the next thing I remember was 2 men trying to help us out of the car.
I was still disoriented, bascially trying to figure out what happened.
I had glass lacerations on my hands and bruised knees (because my legs were locked up) and the passenger had a few glass lacenrations on her hands and face and a fractuared metacaple.
About 6 months later I was diagnosed with epilepsy in my left frontal lobe.
I was diagnosed in October and I should get my license back in a week or two.
Re: Seizure While Driving
Submitted by rikk on Mon, 2009-03-02 - 23:05
hi, to answer your question. yes. i have not been able to regain control of the seizures since. The best thing you can do, is to kick yourself in the tail. In this case the reason is you. fix the problem. if it works get to drive, and get the best life you can. I know that is harsh, but it is the truth. having seizures sucks. complying with the things that work is the best thing to do. Expect and except the consequences for non compliance. I broke the rules, and driving has not been possible for the last 8 years. i hope this helps. rikk
hi, to answer your question. yes. i have not been able to regain control of the seizures since. The best thing you can do, is to kick yourself in the tail. In this case the reason is you. fix the problem. if it works get to drive, and get the best life you can. I know that is harsh, but it is the truth. having seizures sucks. complying with the things that work is the best thing to do. Expect and except the consequences for non compliance. I broke the rules, and driving has not been possible for the last 8 years. i hope this helps. rikk
Re: Seizure While Driving
Submitted by speedyfly45 on Mon, 2009-03-02 - 17:35
Also, don't listen to anyone who tells you to wait 2-3 YEARS. That is absurd. Depending on your condition the laws are for each seizure you have you have to wait 3 months to 1 year until you drive. Again, follow your judgement. I suggest reading the article on the main page of epilepsy.com, its called Driving, or my perspective on driving by the editor in chief.
Also, don't listen to anyone who tells you to wait 2-3 YEARS. That is absurd. Depending on your condition the laws are for each seizure you have you have to wait 3 months to 1 year until you drive. Again, follow your judgement. I suggest reading the article on the main page of epilepsy.com, its called Driving, or my perspective on driving by the editor in chief.