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Driving with epilepsy
Tue, 02/19/2013 - 19:48I could really use some advice and opinions. Months ago I had a seizure while driving. Luckily I wasnt hurt, I simply drove into the guide rail and no one else was involved. I havent had a seizure since and have been feeling great. Medicine levels are great too. My question is at what point do I drive again? I know the requirements legally and I have my license now. But at what point is it "okay" for me to drive. I spent 20 years of my life driving with epilepsy and never had a problem. But now that this has happened to me I just dont know how I go back to driving. If I go back to driving. I live in a place where the only way to do anything is to drive. Its a small town, luckily there is one very limited bus that I am able to take to at least get to the store. But this has left me unable to work or have any sort of life. So for anyone who may have had a seizure while driving or even anyone who worries about having one, how to you get to a place where you feel like its ok to get behind the wheel again?
Comments
Re: Driving with epilepsy
Submitted by izzy16323 on Tue, 2013-02-19 - 23:19
Let me also ask if anyone has had any issues or knows of people having issues with having seizures following using benedryl or any other antihistamines. I was taking benedryl to help me sleep prior to having that last seizure. Since then I have stopped taking all over the counter medicines because I found information online about it not being a good idea for people with a history of seizures to take benedryl because it can lower your seizure threshold. Has anyone else heard this or experienced it?
Re: Driving with epilepsy
Submitted by schnorbits on Sun, 2013-02-24 - 03:15
Hello again.
I have been advised by a number of different neurologists never to take antihistamines of any kind because they lower your threshold. It messes with my tegretol & epilim (valroate). Always ask the pharmacist or doctor before you start taking any over the counter meds, even vitamins.
It's amazing what doesn't 'mix well' with epilepsy meds.
Sarah.
Re: Driving with epilepsy
Submitted by izzy16323 on Tue, 2013-02-19 - 21:52
And I will say too that I just have grand mal seizures (or tonic clonic or whatever the correct term is now). I never know when they are coming. I went 9 years without one and then started randomly having them again. My neurologist sucks but I have no way to see anyone else. I need to know how to feel like I have some control of my life again.