Driving with epilepsy

Re: Driving with epilepsy

Submitted by binkey16 on Fri, 2013-02-22 - 21:02

I am 44 and in June of 2012 had an accident in my new car, I would have owned it for a year in July 2012, I had worked night shift, instead of going home like I should have, I did some errands after work, somehow I managed to drive on top of one of those rope guard rails, someone must have been watching over me because another 20ft was a 60ft drop, I thank god every day that I am here and I didn't hurt anyone else, my friends say ts because I am the only one who can  handle my husband and my daughter.

I am now known as Miss Daisy, thankfully, I was able to change shifts at work, which enables me to get more sleep, which is a major factor  with my seizures. I have changed meds, am getting proper sleep, and doctor says I can drive again in March and I am scared as hell,  but I am going to keep my mothers advice that she gave me at age 16 when I was first diagnosed, "it is an illness, we will get through it, and don't let it stop you" As far as being behind the wheel  again, My nephew said it best the other day, life is a chance Aunt Linda, go with your gut.

Re: Driving with epilepsy

Submitted by kathyberry04 on Tue, 2013-02-26 - 14:19

I was diagnosed with tonic-clonic epilepsy at age 9, it started with nocturnal seizures. At 16 I had my first day seizure, my Dr at the time never discussed driving restrictions. I am 40 now, I have had several day seizures all reported to my neurologist where I lived. It wasn't until I had major accident in Mississippi while driving, (alone thank God and no one else was injured) that my license was taken away for a year. I easily could have died or killed others, I was driving on a long bridge(or causeway) that had nothing but low concrete barriers between drivers and the water. I believe it was a wake up call for me, to start taking better care of myself. Better sleep patterns, minimal time on the computer and computer games(little to none), since I am photosensitive. When I started working I requested a screen dimmer for the work computer - to protect my sensitivity. I was diagnosed with partial-complex seizures a few years ago. I seem to be evolving, if you will. Most recently, tuesday, the 19th of Feb, 2013, I became confused in two different stores, the last store, I had a prominent starring spell, not sure of the length of time. However, I have now lost my license for 6 months. It is based on the Dr filling a form and me sending it in to DMV. Retroactive to the event, my Dr has made it clear, this isn't about my freedom to drive, it is about the safety of my life on the road as well as everyone else. I could easily hit a small child, an elderly person, anyone, can I live with that? No. I am working on bus, hospital shuttle services, friends, neighbors, husband, husbands' co-workers-wives, Pharmacy delivery, Social Services. Everything is changing - I was never educated as a child or teen or young adult about some of the precautions of Epilepsy. How can you grow up with Grande-Mal epilepsy and never be told the do's and don'ts. Today, we are becoming informed and prepared. Take this serious my friends please. I have also had to be revived once. Listen to your Dr. If the state law says you can drive that is one thing. If your Dr is changing your medicine around seek his or her advise. Regarding when it is safe to drive, each medicine takes time to adjust in a persons system differently. Consult your Dr. they are your go to person for advise. Stay safe!