"No working/ driving after seizures!"

Re: "No working/ driving after seizures!"

Submitted by 3Hours2Live on Fri, 2011-05-20 - 00:07

Hi ShoGir11212, I stopped driving on my own accord about 24 years ago (at age 34) because I started biting my tongue too often, and a few tmes during times I was otherwise awake. Oddly enough, the State Rehabilitation made the initial contention that that didn't limit my ability to drive at all, involving gainful activities. Regarding driving, one list I like is: Can I drive if I have epilepsy? Each state has its own requirements for people with epilepsy to drive. Generally, your physician will okay you for a license if the following criteria is met: Completely controlled on medication Have seizures only at night Have seizures which are focal motor Have only auras Have long auras before seizures which allow you to pull off to the side of the road Have predictable seizures that occur during fever, sleep deprivation or another time when you can predict when the seizure will happen Check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles for the rules that apply in your state. Currently listed at: http://www.epilepsyandbrainmapping.com/en/what-is-epilepsy/faqs.html One major problem is the intense prejudice against people with epilepsy. There are many news stories where a person with epilepsy is given much more severe penalties (even when not at fault in an accident) simply for having a record of epilepsy of having very minor seizures that do not interfere with driving, but trying to meet such prejudice head-on with facts often doesn't work. Drunk drivers in similar accidents frequently receive much less severe penalties than a driver with well controlled epilepsy because of this prejudice. A recent forum (at epilepsy-dot-com/discussion/995090) cited a news article where a driver told not to drive by a neurologist about 5 years ago was involved in an accident with fatalities, and the driver is threatened with up to 30 years in prison. Then, a couple days ago, the local news reported that a driver, illegally texting while driving, hit, and killed, pedestrians in a crosswalk, was charged with a misdemeanor, with a maximum possible year in jail. The word "epilepsy" is a word that often ignites tremendous official prejudice also. Tadzio

Re: "No working/ driving after seizures!"

Submitted by ez064662 on Mon, 2011-05-23 - 13:04

I've had 4 seizures total, starting with my first grand mal in 1998 (age 20). I was on Tegretol for 12 years with only 1 breakthrough seizure due to pill supply shortage, stress, lack of sleep, drinking-all the things that would invite a seizure, so I never blamed the drug. I recently had my 2nd seizure in 6 months while on lamotrigine (switched to it for starting a family). One could have been explained with stress and drinking (bridesmaid at a friend's wedding in another state, not much sleep, some champagne at the reception). The other was out of the blue and scary with it's lack of an explanation. I actually had some small indicators with these two (which I'd never had before) but only 1-2 minutes before the seizures and only noticed retroactively. My doc just keeps upping the dose, though I've been within the proposed therapeutic range this whole time. I've been given the ok to drive, but only if "I feel like I'm comfortable with it." Really? I don't have enough indication to know one is coming to feel comfortable with that. In fact, I'm pretty paranoid about it in general and can't bring myself to drive on the freeway. I feel pretty trapped at home, though I feel okay enough to go around town (groceries and whatnot) as I figure I'm most likely only risking my own safety on side streets instead of risking others on the freeway. I've taken a leave from work until I can see my doc in person, but I'm incredibly lucky that we don't require my salary to get by. I know your doc said not to drive for 6 months, and I agree that it's not feasible for almost anyone. It seems especially harsh if you seem have them almost exclusively at night when asleep (mine have all been in the early morning, but when awake). If you get caught driving, the DMV may yank your license altogether. But that's only if the DMV is notified of your condition and your doc's restriction. The DMV is usually notified when you have a seizure (like if it's recorded at an ER). My first one was reported and I had to be cleared by my doc before I could resume. I don't know how you can check this though. But if you feel safe and know well in advance that one is coming, you should probably be okay. Can you drive side streets to work?

Re: "No working/ driving after seizures!"

Submitted by techgeek on Mon, 2011-05-23 - 19:55

You should check for yourself what the laws of your state are . Likely your DMV has a website that explains the regulations specific to your state . My state allows driving when the seizures occur at night Hopefully yours does as well.

I am pretty excited my doctor says that when the results of my blood test come in I will most likely be cleared to drive again...... please please say yes