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How Many Drive?
Thu, 09/06/2007 - 12:38I'm just curious how many people drive? I'm at the point where I am on medication, its been 4 months, and my doctor is okay with my driving again. I am just waiting for DMV's approval.
My history is I have had (2) gran mal seizures in the past 3 1/2 years. One 3.5 years ago and one 4 months ago. I am now on Tegretol. I did not have any history of seizures prior to this (at least not known to us but the doctors suspects I might have unknowingly) and I found out it does run in the family. I am 40 years old.
I am a super-busy mom. This has been so hard to deal with. I am very lucky because I have a wonderful support system to shuttle us about, but I know everyone must be getting weary although they NEVER complain to me. Public transportation in our city is not only a joke-- it is unsafe.
Part of me can't wait to get my license back. The other part of me is scared to death. I have already told my support system even if DMV does give me my license back there will still be days I won't want to drive. There are days the meds really get to me. I can handle the nausea, but there are days I feel "weak". I don't want to risk driving if I don't feel 100%. I would never risk my family-- or anyone else's.
How does everyone cope with this? How do you cope with the physical as well as the emotional part?
Thanks for any input.
~ Believe
Comments
Re: Re: How Many Drive?
Submitted by catsamu on Thu, 2007-09-06 - 14:32
I drive, but I limit myself to no more than a half hour away. That's tops for what I feel is safe for me to handle.
Deb
One more thing, I am not a
Submitted by Believe on Fri, 2007-09-07 - 12:28
One more thing, I am not a mom, but I have a nephew I am very close to. I won't drive with him in the car anymore. It freaks me out thinking what could happen to him if I had a seizure.
That is my biggest fear and anxiety. My personality is one that I don't think I could handle it if I hurt someone else because of my own condition. My family (mostly extended) keeps telling me that I am worrying too much about it and that it won't happen and its time to basically get on with life. And, if I do start to feel sick I can always pull over. I've tried to explain there isn't enough response time for that to happen. They just don't get it. My husband is much more understanding about my fears, but even he still thinks once I actually get behind the wheel I'll start to feel more comfortable about it. Although, he's okay with the idea of me only driving locally and not on freeways, and limiting my driving to just school and work. He's gotten used to running errands with me.
Re: How Many Drive?
Submitted by staciem on Thu, 2007-09-06 - 13:46
I drive. I have partial seizures, but last September I had a generalized seizure. I lost my license for 90 days. I followed it strictly and after that I gradually eased into driving again. I still do not drive as much as I used to. I wanted to go to Atlanta to visit someone, but that is 500 miles away. I may fly, but I won't drive that far by myself. I try to do most errands when my husband can drive, but of course that isn't always possible. Things I have done to make sure I drive less are combining trips, doing shopping/activities closer to home, and riding with others when possible. One more thing, I am not a mom, but I have a nephew I am very close to. I won't drive with him in the car anymore. It freaks me out thinking what could happen to him if I had a seizure.