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.

Just diagnosed and sooo confused! how is it legal to be driving?!?

Tue, 01/30/2007 - 16:57
Hi everybody, I am a 24 year old mother of two little boys ( 4 yrs old, and 5mths old ) I started having "episodes" about 5 to 6 years ago, 2 to 3 times a year... Then out of nowhere this past month I've have had 15. after an MRI and a EEG my doctor dx me with epilepsy (simple and complex partial seizures) and a slight Chiari 1 malformation. After I broke the news to family and friends just about everyone asked if my drivers license had been revoked..my doctor did not mention anything about it. This baffled me, why everyone had asked until that night when I loaded my kids up and headed home, half way there i realized i was driving in someones yard (along it, not through it thank god!) I had no memory whatsoever of even getting into the car, or driving to that point. I live in Maryland where the doctors are NOT required to report epilepsy to the MVA, I find this to be horrific! Thankfully My kids and I are safe, and so is everyone else that was driving on the road that night. IS there anyone that can explain how this makes sense? I attempted to contact my doctor multiple times, but it has been to no avail, I think theres communication problems between the receptionist and the doc. I so scared to go anywhere alone now, and if it was'nt for my 4 year old knowing my husbands phone number i'd be afraid to alone with them... if anyonea on Topamax, please let me know how long it takes to start kickin in. I feel like i'm losing my life rather quickly. Thanks for the time and I'll take any advice I can get :)

Comments

My province is the same..

Submitted by solis on Tue, 2007-02-06 - 14:00
My province is the same.. one must be seizure free for a year. Moreover, considering the vast # of people who only have seizures once per year, IMO that's a 'far better' safety rule for driving, than just nixing 6 months.

Re: Just diagnosed and sooo confused! how is it legal to be dri

Submitted by gitgirl on Tue, 2007-02-06 - 19:47
Tabby, Hello. I'm 40 yrs old and I've had epilepsy for 20 yrs. I've been on every anti-convulsant there is (Tegretol, Depakote, Dilantin, Keppra, Neurontin and I'm currently taking Zonegran) and I also had partial left temporal lobectomy 9 yrs ago. It's going to take awhile for the Topamax to kick in and changes are your neurologist may change it. As far as driving goes--DON'T!!! Driving a car isn't worth risking your life, the life of your children or a complete stranger. Why do I say this? Because in 2001, I was driving my car down 1-95 in Maryland (over the Susquehanna River) when I had a complex partial seizure. 2 men saved my life. Nobody else on that highway stopped--they were too busy going home. Luckily for me those 2 men noticed my license plate (it was from PA) and thankfully for me, the State Trooper liked the fact the my brother did what he did in NY State and he didn't give me a ticket. Needless to say, I stopped driving after that. I waited 2 years until I was completely seizure free until I got my driver license again. All good things happen for people with epilepsy; St. Paul had it. It's just that it happens in God's time! Peace, Julie

Re: Re: Just diagnosed and sooo confused! how is it legal to be

Submitted by Tabby on Wed, 2007-02-07 - 16:14
I really appreciate your feedback, It helps to hear from someone who also has complex partial seizure, whos been in the same boat as me. I finally talked to my doctor and she acts like since im conscious during a seizure ( you know besides my surrondings are disoriented and cant move!) I should be fine driving... yeah I think I'm going to find a new doctor.. besides work, (7 miles away) no driving for me. So far.. knock on wood. 2 days seizure free :) ~ Tabby

Sign Up for Emails

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