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Driving with epilepsy

Tue, 02/19/2013 - 19:48
I 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 Sun, 2013-02-24 - 09:22
I find this really interesting because that is what I have read and yet on two different occasions I have been advised by my neurologist to take Benadryl. Once to help me sleep and once because I was sick. I was taking it quite regularly to help me sleep and during that period of time had quite a few seizures. Then I researched it online, stopped taking it, and haven't had another seizure.

Re: Driving with epilepsy

Submitted by Fawn1981 on Thu, 2013-02-28 - 10:50

I've been told the same thing as Sarah.  And before I was told, I took cold meds that made me feel really bad, dizzy and like I was going to have seizures.  

 

Fawn M. Fox

I've been told the same thing as Sarah.  And before I was told, I took cold meds that made me feel really bad, dizzy and like I was going to have seizures.  

 

Fawn M. Fox

Re: Driving with epilepsy

Submitted by tcameron on Wed, 2013-02-20 - 22:46
I had a one-car collision and it scared me out of my car.  I don't know if you believe it or not, but I believe it happened for a reason.  My car ran into a bush, right in front of a driveway to a preschool!  I could have murdered a child!!!  I never would have forgiven myself.  Its not fun, or easy.  However, it might have been your sign that its time to get some real help with an epileptologist (a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy) to get the best medical help you can get.  Don't decide to drive just because you feel good.  You felt fine when you drove the day you had your accident, didn't you?  Find out the laws for your state/country and follow them.  Get down to the epileptologist...they can help you.  Good luck. 

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