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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 converselover01 on Mon, 2009-07-06 - 04:32

My mother has seizures and has since she was about thirty.She wouldhave three month periods with no seizures and then have one week with many.She's currently 36 and I'm 14, since my mother cant drive my father had to work 2 jobs to support our family,leaving him at work from 7:30 in the morning to almost 10 at night.because my mother cant drive(because of her seizures) me and my brother are not able to do normal "kid" things such as sports,drama programs,and other activities that most kids are doing.It extremely hard on my family but its been almost 5 months without my mom having a seizure and in a month or so she legally will be able to drive again.

 I'm looking for opinions to try and figure out if it is safe for my mother to be driving.I'm just a concerned child i guess,I dont want to be worried everyday that my mom will have a seizure while driving and be severely injured or worse.

your advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

My mother has seizures and has since she was about thirty.She wouldhave three month periods with no seizures and then have one week with many.She's currently 36 and I'm 14, since my mother cant drive my father had to work 2 jobs to support our family,leaving him at work from 7:30 in the morning to almost 10 at night.because my mother cant drive(because of her seizures) me and my brother are not able to do normal "kid" things such as sports,drama programs,and other activities that most kids are doing.It extremely hard on my family but its been almost 5 months without my mom having a seizure and in a month or so she legally will be able to drive again.

 I'm looking for opinions to try and figure out if it is safe for my mother to be driving.I'm just a concerned child i guess,I dont want to be worried everyday that my mom will have a seizure while driving and be severely injured or worse.

your advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Re: can people with epilepsy drive?

Submitted by heayacap on Thu, 2009-07-16 - 19:10
Conver - Your concerns are oh-so valid! I have had epilepsy all my life, and I'm now 42. A far cry older, but I have had to deal with your concerns for many years. Speaking as a person who has to deal with the issues of driving, though, I have always been happiest when allowed to be independent. My biggest concern is hurting someone else in a wreck, and causing great injury. I rarely drive with anyone else in the vehicle (we live in a very remote area in Nevada.) I had a seizure just a few weeks ago, so I am currently driving - which really sucks! But I know my husband and family really break out into a sweat when I get my license back. I always do pre-trip check - did I take my meds? On time? Is it a necessary trip? When I have break-through seizures, though, I don't drive for at least 6 months, to see if any alterations to my doses have any adverse effects. Do you live in an area with public transportation? When I was in college, that was how I was forced to get around. I wasn't able to get my license until I was 24. Asking for a ride from friends can get old, I know, but I find that usually people are willing to help. Can your friends take you to/from sports, drama programs, etc.? My friends were great that way, if I asked. That is the hardest part, but necessary to achieve what you want. I know it is hard and scary, but people need to feel independent. I'm sure you feel that as a 14-year-old without your license. Now think about how a grown woman must feel, especially if she had that freedom before she started having her seizures. I know this doesn't make you feel better, or put your mind at ease, and I apologize for that.

Re: can people with epilepsy drive?

Submitted by rikorikojie on Tue, 2009-07-28 - 12:08
I hope I didn't concern you to much now that this was a question from a few years back.

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