Driving with epilepsy

Re: Driving with epilepsy

Submitted by schnorbits on Tue, 2013-02-19 - 22:25

I've been told by my neuro that the first 12 weeks after a tonic clonic are when you are most likely to have another one, so that's why the three months. I felt ready to drive after 1 month, however didn't because if you have a seizure while driving here and cause an accident you lose your licence for good. I never drive if I am tired, or over stressed because these are my triggers. Stick with the law, they are there for everyone's safety, and if you have gone past this time then drive when you feel ready too. Sarah

Re: Driving with epilepsy

Submitted by PPryor on Wed, 2013-02-20 - 14:05

I have focal seizures.  My neuro sucks too.  He tells me I can't drive 6 months after a seizure.  The way mine happen, about the time I get close to my 6 month period I have another seizure and that adds another 6 months.  I have had one wreck because of a seizure.  I wasn't hurt and I didn't hurt anybody thankfully.  I ran off the road by some railroad tracks.  I hit a sign.  Minimum damage to my car.

I have to drive to go buy groceries, pick up my prescriptions, or go to the doctor.  I only drive when I feel good and not feeling the side effects from my meds.  I take Keppra 1000mgs twice aday and Neurontin 300mgs every 8 hours.  These make me drowsy and dizzy so I just drive only when need be.  

I have only been having seizures for almost 3 years so I'm still new to this.  I had a stroke 2days before I turned 50.  The scar tissue from my stroke on my brain is causing this.  I have plenty of warning when a seizure is coming on.  My left arm and hand are numb all the time from nerve damage from my stroke.  My warning is is like an electrical shock feeling in my arm and hand.  I have a seizure about every 4 months.

It sucks not driving.  I sometimes feel like a prisoner in my own home.  For the most part I just stay home because I'm scared to drive now after having my wreck.  I get nervous when I drive now.  My son goes with me everywhere in case I start feeling too nervous to drive.  He doesn't have a DL but he can drive good enough to get me home.  I normally drive good because where I live the traffic is not too bad, small city.  Everything I need is 15 minutes from my house.  I know a lot can happen in 15 minutes but I try to be as careful as possible.  

In my opinion,  I would say only drive when you feel good.  Short distances are a good start.  Work up to longer distances slowly.  I am not up to long distances yet.  Right now I don't trust myself for say a 2 hour drive.  I have drove a 1 hour drive but my son drove back.

I hope you feel comfortable driving again soon.  Drive 5 miles under the speed limit if need be. Its helped me to do that.  If it makes the other drivers mad  OH WELL!!  They will get over it.    

Re: Driving with epilepsy

Submitted by GF70 on Sat, 2013-02-23 - 14:34

Izzy, I respect you for going above and beyond the legal requirements in order to be safe. In my case, my doctor has allowed me to drive because I have been able to recognize when a seizure may be coming on and/or when I am more likely to have a seizure. Is there anything you remember about what was happening before your seizures started? For me, I always get this sense of deja vu. It's this feeling like "I've been here before and I was doing the same thing that I was doing before (ie watching TV, sitting at the computer at work, etc)" although I'm never thinking "this it was what it felt like before I've had (grand mal) seizures in the past". Whenever that happens, I immediately pull over, take the keys out, and set the parking brake and just sit there by the side of the road for a long while. It something happens, it happens. If a seizure doesn't happen, I try to find a safer place to park and call to let someone know I'm running late and/or need a ride home. To answer your question, I'd try to get a good sense of when you know a seizure might be about to happen and (like you are already doing) to err on the side of caution when deciding whether or not to drive on a given day.