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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 NoMagician on Mon, 2009-10-05 - 17:55

Not sure where you got the idea that it's legal to drink and drive in Mexico. Seems the limit is the same as in most states here: 0.08. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_under_the_influence#Laws_by_country_-_Blood.2FAlcohol_Limit

 

 

 

Not sure where you got the idea that it's legal to drink and drive in Mexico. Seems the limit is the same as in most states here: 0.08. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driving_under_the_influence#Laws_by_country_-_Blood.2FAlcohol_Limit

 

 

 

Re: Seizure While Driving

Submitted by filly150 on Thu, 2009-10-08 - 11:22
I had a seizure while driving in December of 2007.  I tore and artery and broke my nose after hitting a telephone pole.  Those airbags are pretty powerful when they deploy.  One huge seizure trigger for me is sleep deprivation.  If I have too little sleep for several nights in a row, I can pretty much count on a seizure.  I do 15 minutes of yoga and 15 minutes of meditation before going to bed each night.  I am currently taking Lamictal and Topamax, which can cause problems with sleeping.  One thing I found out about Keppra, it has a short half-life, 6-8 hours, so it's gone in 12-16 hours.  Taking it on time is essential.  I was having seizures on it in the mornings after I worked out, so I was sweating too much of it out since it is processed through the kidneys.  Not a good choice for me. 

Re: Seizure While Driving

Submitted by cindylee64 on Thu, 2010-04-08 - 14:24
cindylee   I have tonic clonic..when I never drive. But I just started having new sizures that are wierd i  can't move legs or feet. I want to know...what does a passanger do if the driver has a seizure?

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