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Losing a driver's license w/ simple partial epilepsy?

Thu, 01/11/2007 - 17:06
I may have simple partial epilepsy. Has anyone who has this lost your driver's license? The dr. suggested I have a VEEG test in the hospital. But if I get a dx, then what happens? I already take Tegretol so it is pretty under control. I have never felt that my driving would be compromised even if I did have a short episode because I'm fully conscious. Feedback anyone? Elsea

Comments

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Losing a driver's licens

Submitted by 32chris on Mon, 2007-02-19 - 22:14
I know close only counts in horse shoes, but I did ALMOST lose mine, and I have complex partials. Back in I think it was either 1990 or 1991. This, after a car accident that WAS NOT caused by a seizure. My case was continued time, after time, after time. In the process, with the stress getting to me, I had a seizure at school in the cafeteria. After the case was over, I got my medical report from NC DMV to be filled out by my doctor. NC law says that I have to maintain being seizure-free for 1 year in order get / keep a driver's license. Because of that seizure being so close to the date of that report, the DMV ruled that I should turn in my license. My attorney and I filed an appeal with the Medical Review Board, and presented our case. Based on my doctor's notes, the last seizure prior to my latest one occurred 3 years prior to my last seizure. Which prompted the board to over-turn their original ruling, and reinstate my license. I recently found out that there's a loop hole to NC DMV's 1 year seizure free policy. They give exception if the driver is STARTING a new medicine. If they're in an accident caused by a seizure while just starting a new medicine, they're responsible for the accident, but won't lose their license because of it. John C. Tillotson

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Losing a driver's licens

Submitted by dannyboy on Fri, 2007-03-02 - 14:40
elsea, how are you ? You are not alone. I have partial seizures. I was driving because i wanted to. What a mistake. My neurogist found out that i drove without her knowing it and told the state NO i cannot drive even thou i have partial seizures. At least for about a year after being seizure free. Have not got there yet. Still having seizures 5 times a month if not more. One is one too many. Anyways, yes i was a tegretol, as a matter of fact i still am, and also on lamital, they work ok, but i still have seizures and still cannot drive because my neurogist does not want me to hurt or kill anyone else as well as perhaps myself. Even thou they do not accure a lot, they do accure. And you could seriously hurt yourself if not others also. Not trying to down you elsea, but i am going threw the same thing. My seizures are under control not totally but under control better than they use to be, so why cant i drive ? Thats what i said to my neruogist, parents also. They told me, even if you feel better and your seizures have stoped happening for a long period of time the reason is because we are taking the medicine like we are soppose to. If you were to stop taking that med, you would probably start having seizures again. Please do not stop taking it. The matter of the fact is that we will have to take meds for the rest of our lives to live. So elsea, believe me you are not by yourself. Hope i have helped you out a little. god bless

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Losing a driver's li

Submitted by elsea on Tue, 2007-03-06 - 15:31
Thanks to everyone who responded. Everyone's comments have been much appreciated. I'm doing pretty well. I did not get the VEEG but will be seeing my neurologist in the next month or so. If I feel tired or if I'm symptomatic with the paroxysmal dystonia that I also have, then I get someone else to drive. I am still on Tegretol and plan to keep taking it as long as the doctor allows. He may have another plan next time I see him. I hope the doctor will be able to help you be seizure free. Take care!

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