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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 - Partial Complex Seizures
Submitted by Susumarie on Tue, 2009-10-06 - 07:52
Stacy: I too have Partial Complex seizures: what that means is the seizures can be "partial", so there is not a loss of consciousness, but really alters your sense of reality and motor abilities; or "complex" where there is a loss of consciousness. I'm sure you don't mean the way the wording of your question sounds, because if he is actually having a seizure, definitely no, don't drive. If he is diagnosed with this, he can drive, but if he has a seizure where he loses consciousness, depending on what state you are in, there is a time limit you are not to drive. I have had a few times when I've had a seizure driving, but they were partial seizures and I was able to stop safely. However, I ended up sitting in the car awhile until I could manage to put the car in park and turn it off. One time I had just pulled into my driveway and sat for awhile til I could get the car off, but then couldn't figure out how to open the garage door, so I was stuck outside until it all passed. Unlike the others here, I have been VERY lucky to only have partial while driving. I'm on my 4th type of medication, which seems to be holding. Your boyfriend needs to make sure he doesn't miss his doses, and if the meds aren't working good enough, talk to the doctor, lots of choices, different ones work for different people. I have a doc that says you shouldn't med hop, should stick with one -- which is hooey. If you get that, find a new doc.
Stacy: I too have Partial Complex seizures: what that means is the seizures can be "partial", so there is not a loss of consciousness, but really alters your sense of reality and motor abilities; or "complex" where there is a loss of consciousness. I'm sure you don't mean the way the wording of your question sounds, because if he is actually having a seizure, definitely no, don't drive. If he is diagnosed with this, he can drive, but if he has a seizure where he loses consciousness, depending on what state you are in, there is a time limit you are not to drive. I have had a few times when I've had a seizure driving, but they were partial seizures and I was able to stop safely. However, I ended up sitting in the car awhile until I could manage to put the car in park and turn it off. One time I had just pulled into my driveway and sat for awhile til I could get the car off, but then couldn't figure out how to open the garage door, so I was stuck outside until it all passed. Unlike the others here, I have been VERY lucky to only have partial while driving. I'm on my 4th type of medication, which seems to be holding. Your boyfriend needs to make sure he doesn't miss his doses, and if the meds aren't working good enough, talk to the doctor, lots of choices, different ones work for different people. I have a doc that says you shouldn't med hop, should stick with one -- which is hooey. If you get that, find a new doc.
Re: Seizure While Driving
Submitted by stacyr97 on Sun, 2009-08-02 - 22:00
Hello, I have a boyfriend that has Partial Complex Seizers....I was wondering if anyone is familiar with these type of seizures?? I was also wondering if he can get into a car while having this type of seizure and drive??? Please let me know and I appriciate all of your time.
Thank you
Stacy
Hello, I have a boyfriend that has Partial Complex Seizers....I was wondering if anyone is familiar with these type of seizures?? I was also wondering if he can get into a car while having this type of seizure and drive??? Please let me know and I appriciate all of your time.
Thank you
Stacy