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Seizure While Driving

Sat, 01/10/2009 - 00:00

I 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 skillefer on Tue, 2009-03-03 - 14:45
I have.  I ran into a gas main on a house going about 10 miles per hour.  Took out the gas main.  But luckily everything else was fine.  That's the day I found out that I'm also hypoglycemic.

Re: Seizure While Driving

Submitted by Patman on Tue, 2009-03-03 - 19:32
I had a seizure that made me blackout the last time I drove, back in 2000, and like you I was very fortunate that I didn't hurt or kill myself or someone else. My sister was driving behind me, and I said that I veered into the oncoming lane, and I hit somebody head on. Luckily, it was a 2-lane road at rush hour, so both of us were only going about 10 to 15 mph. So neither of us were hurt, and I thank God that it didn't happen later when I would have been on a bigger street going 45. For about 4 years I have only had simple partial seizures, but as long as I have them there is a possibility of a major one, so I don't drive, and you shouldn't either. I know that it's very hard at your age, but you may not be so lucky if it happens again. You should definitely be dilligent about taking your medicine also. One time years ago I wasn't taking mine every time, and a friend found me just wandering around my dorm because I had a blackout, when I should have been in class. I really miss driving sometimes, but thankfully I have a wife who doesn't mind driving me to work and other places, so if you can find a reliable ride, you should be able to manage alright. I wish you well, and hope that you can get over your condition.

Re: Seizure While Driving

Submitted by TooShy20 on Mon, 2009-03-23 - 22:11

I remember when I was that age and I ask my doctor could I drive? He told me no I cried and cried everybody my age was driving except me! I got my driver licence when I was 21 for the first time! I'm 23 now and had a seizure last Sunday this hurts so bad now! I don't know what I'm going to do now

I remember when I was that age and I ask my doctor could I drive? He told me no I cried and cried everybody my age was driving except me! I got my driver licence when I was 21 for the first time! I'm 23 now and had a seizure last Sunday this hurts so bad now! I don't know what I'm going to do now

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