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Driving and Seizures

Fri, 03/25/2016 - 17:39
I recently had my very first seizure the end of November 2015, went on medication and was fine for about three months. About two weeks ago, I had another seizure (that was not nearly as big as the first one). My neurologist relates the second seizure to stress, lack of sleep, and sickness. She also reported my first seizure to the DMV. Will the second seizure affect my driving timeline, do the conditions I was under when I had it? Thanks for you help in advance.

Comments

Hi Meghan!  Unfortunately,

Submitted by wildclover on Fri, 2016-03-25 - 22:26
Hi Meghan!  Unfortunately, this more than likely will impact your ability to drive.  In most states, I believe you have to be seizure-free for at least six months before you are cleared to drive again.  I would check with the DMV in your state and see if this is the case for you.  Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!  :(

Your neurologist was doing

Submitted by just_joe on Sat, 2016-03-26 - 10:40
Your neurologist was doing what the sates require. A person can have 1 seizure and not have another the rest of their lives. Mainly because many things can cause a seizure. Two seizures and you can be diagnosed with epilepsy. There have always had laws concerning driving and seizures. THe laws are written to protect the people. Most states today have 6 months to go seizure free and your license will again be valid. Think back and use some common sense. If you had been driving when you had either of your seizures could you have had an accident? In that accident could you or someone else have been injured or possibly killed?Today they have made advancements in many ways. When I was studying for my license the time without a seizure was 2 years. While studying I had a seizure. I still have seizures now and then but they are nothing like they were back then. I can have one and did while in a visit with my regular doctor and he didn't know I had it. The few second delay in my sentence he though was because I was making sure of the words I wanted to use. He was amazed to find out it was a seizure since I had some in his office a few years before.Each person has triggers and they do need to think about them. Lack of sleep and stress are 2 of them. However I used to sleep and had been doing it since I was 13 about 5 hours a night. Stress I handled and I was in a position at work that handled the executive appeals for AT&T. In other words you can do anything you want just take things as they come and work with them. Use common sense.While your license is revoked if it is then there are other ways to get to and from work or other places you want to go...  I hope this helps and you get seizure freeJoe

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