Had one while I was driving today...

Hey, I was diagnose with epilepsy in 2007. I am a student doing a audio documentary for my class and it is surrounding the topic of living with epilepsy. I was wondering if you would want to do a short phone interview about it? Katie Murray

I'm glad you're okay. Maybe shaken up, but in one piece and so is everyone else. Are you on medication for the seizures? I'm not saying meds work for everyone, but some help some people. It sounds like you've made a good decision, even if it's taxing on personal freedoms. Perhaps you could keep a food and general diary and pay attention to your brain, as well as remembering your doses and see if you can find patterns. If you could identify something else, besides one late dose, you might find you can regain control. I went off my medication to see if I still had epilepsy It had been over 10 years since I'd last had a seizure. For the first month, I rode a bicycle to work, but after nearly driving into someone's car door (or being hit by the truck in the road - I had two choices), I decided the ignorant and blind world at large could deal with my brain. It took about a year before the auras or warnings in my brain started and at first I thought I was getting migraine auras. When I realized what they were, I had the time to figure out a plan of attack (you know, to pull over like you did). In the end I had one close call too many that I went back on my medication that works for me. Prior to this, it was resulting in me calling my parents (that's not an option now) to come collect me as I'd come too close - I could feel the confusion overpowering me. It was terrifying trying to keep my consciousness the last time I experienced this. I do not recommend this white-knuckled driving. I went back on my medication, conceding defeat in trying alternatives. Obviously, I already knew what worked for my brain. You mentioned you 'woke up at times during one of your seizures' and you were wandering the streets. My first seizure wasn't detectable by anyone, except that I became 'aware' just before a teacher asked me what I was still doing at school. I'd lost two hours of time and none of my peers realized anything was wrong. I had complained of a headache and been told to sit down and just observe the class (it was gym class). I think I was on autopilot. A couple of times when I was younger, I had a few drinks, but was still cognizant. Went to sleep and then woke up in strange places. I had sleep walked on those last two occasions. Don't lose hope, but do be realistic about driving. In order to help yourself, an idea might be to start tracking your pattern of behavior, food, stress, hours of sleep and brain function in a daily journal might help you become more conscious of environmental triggers and also you may find there is a warning in your system that you are conscious of. You might do this for several months and nothing happens, but it's the day you don't do it, you need that reference. But either way, you'll become more aware of your body - if you aren't already. (Kind of hard not to be, right?) It took about 3 years after diagnosis (I had just turned 13) when I started to recognize the warnings. The first time, I had no clue what was happening to me, but it was odd and lasted for about 30 minutes. Not everyone gets them (warnings) and they're different for those that do. For me, I can feel a chemical shift in my brain. It's like a switch is flicked. Sometimes it's like I'm getting a migraine, or there's minor confusion that can intensify. The confusion ones for me were warnings that I was in imminent danger. The others were warning that a change was coming - I had at least 15-30 minutes, if not several hours. Even though I'm medicated and don't get seizures, I'm automatically 'listening' to my brain every day. I can't help it - and it's probably good practice. As a teenager my dad told me that if I got warnings, I should still drive even if I couldn't get my license. He trusted me to teach me to drive, even if I would never be able to legally drive. He understood the importance of being able to. I understand the importance of necessity. People will tell you not to. I actually drive for a living, but most of the time I spend walking. My employer knows. I filled out a form. I would not drive if I thought I was putting someone at risk. It not only risks others, but it risks my family because I'm the breadwinner. What am I saying? Don't drive if you don't have to. And try to make your seizures more predictable by learning what your signs might be before the seizure happen. Alternatively, you can try different medications and other things to see if you can find better relief, but there was no indication that you weren't getting relief with the meds you were taking. Best of luck - and don't lose heart. It might have been a huge learning curve, a huge shake up and a huge disheartening experience, but a diabetic can have a seizure too. Someone can have a heart attack or stroke at any moment and lose control. More risks than many people realize. Cell phones too!

Hi Michael, There is a program in many areas that serve people in need: 2-1-1. 2-1-1 provides information on health and human service programs as well as other community services and programs. You may wish to contact them for additional information and assistance. You can look up to see if there is a local 2-1-1 that serves your area by dialing 211 from your phone or visiting www.211.org. You want to check to see if there is an affiliate that serves your area. Often they have knowledge of additional programs and services that may be helpful. You can check for an affiliate by visiting www.epilepsy.com and clicking on FIND US IN YOUR AREA at the top of the page. Best wishes to you.