Community Forum Archive

The Epilepsy Community Forums are closed, and the information is archived. The content in this section may not be current or apply to all situations. In addition, forum questions and responses include information and content that has been generated by epilepsy community members. This content is not moderated. The information on these pages should not be substituted for medical advice from a healthcare provider. Experiences with epilepsy can vary greatly on an individual basis. Please contact your doctor or medical team if you have any questions about your situation. For more information, learn about epilepsy or visit our resources section.

Headaches, Epilepsy & Car Travel

Thu, 02/05/2004 - 16:31
For a year now I have been getting bad headaches whenever I drive or travel in a car. OTC pain relievers don't work on these and neither did any of the migraine medications I tried. My current Neurologist did an EEG and diagnosed Epilepsy. Apparently they are ictal headaches, where the headache is the only symptom of a seizure. Now we are in medication trials of anti-seizure drugs with all the joys of side effects I remember from back when I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar disorder. I just wanted see if there was anyone else out there I could talk to who has ictal headaches or anyone who has headaches or seizures that are triggered by being in a moving car. Am I alone in this bizarre condition that confounded the doctors for so long?

Comments

RE: Headaches, Epilepsy & Car Travel

Submitted by TroubleCat on Thu, 2004-02-05 - 16:31
The headache is the ONLY symptom of the seizure that I ever get (I suppose I should consider myself lucky?). That is why it took a year for a dr to diagnose it properly as epilepsy. Until a few weeks ago, they all thought I had migraines. No wonder none of the migraine medications did anything for me. For months I took Midrin (just a large dose of Tylenol) and tried to drive around normally and just cope with the headache pain, having absolutely no idea they were actually seizures! I seem to have developed a tolerance for Midrin/Tylenol as it no longer works for me. I have nothing to relieve the headaches now. They are currently trying anti-seizure drugs on me to prevent them.My Neurologist didn't exactly explain all of this very well to me at my last visit, nor did he address the driving issue. Probably since it only showed up on an EEG and I haven't actually ever had a standard seizure. I only started putting all the pieces together and understanding the meaning of his diagnosis from reading articles on this website. Once I understood that the headaches were actually seizures, I decided on my own that it was better and safer for me to stay home for a while until we found the right drug. And I just got sick of feeling awful all the time. Getting into a car whether I am the driver or a passenger, just isn't worth the pain anymore. So now I'm staying at home now, but I am miserable anyway from drug side-effects!

RE: RE: Headaches, Epilepsy & Car Travel

Submitted by classy1g on Sat, 2005-04-30 - 07:30
Trouble,My headaches come after a seizure, or even an intense aura. It feels like my whole head is in a vice grip, and the pain is excuriating, voiding all of my other senses. My neuro thought that perhaps they were migraines, but I told him I have had migraines in the past, even cluster migraines, and these were NOT migraines. The pain lasts anywhere from 5-30 seconds, and then it dissipates, as fast as it started. I had had several sharp pains for years in my left temporal, and at the base of my skull on the right side. I do have a pituitary tumor, which I think is the cause of the epilepsy, and the headaches...but I'm sure the endocrinologist will either confirm or deny my suspicion.In the meantime, take good care of you..and don't drive! I have found that I seize alot behind the wheel. I never understood the correlation, but don't have to worry now, since my neuro yanked my license for 1 year. Each state varies with the laws pertaining to driving and E. So, please check into that, not only for your own safety but for other's on the road.. :-)Wishing you the best...and keep safe always!classy

RE: RE: RE: Headaches, Epilepsy & Car Travel

Submitted by danny on Mon, 2005-05-02 - 16:41
i dont understand this people on this site say there D.R or neuroligist jerked there liscense how does this happen?i thought only the DMV could do this how does this work?????

Sign Up for Emails

Stay up to date with the latest epilepsy news, stories from the community, and more.