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So frustrated...new nystagmus and no driving
Thu, 12/28/2006 - 11:18Hi all. Happy Holidays.
I have to vent... I just started working again, and I was honest with them about some of my medical issues (possible seizures) because I will be responsible for driving other people to appointments and such. However, even though I am as yet undiagnosed, I cannot get my epileptologist to sign documentation stating that I am able to drive.
How much longer can this go on? I try to work to help support my family, then I'm told I can't drive even though no one can tell me what is wrong with me!!!!!
To top it all off, I have been diagnosed with nystagmus. This probably supports the idea that there is something wrong with my brain, but to what end?
Sooo frustrated...how am I supposed to feed my family?
Sam
Comments
Re: Re: So frustrated...new nystagmus and no driving
Submitted by slhmurphy on Thu, 2006-12-28 - 16:20
Hi Carrie.
Yes, what you are referring to is most likely nystagmus (but I'm no doctor). Since he has had it as long as he can remember, it probably isn't a big problem. That would be congenital (occurring before birth) nystagmus. If it doesn't bother him, or his vision, then it probably isn't anything to be concerned about.
Happy New Year.
Sam
Hi Carrie, Here is an info
Submitted by solis on Tue, 2007-01-02 - 14:47
Hi Carrie,
Here is an info site on nystagmus (I had to search it out and read about it myself) Some AEDs are known to cause it also
http://www.lowvision.org/nystagmus.htm
Hi Sam,
Know I wish you the best.
Generally, in the USA, if epilepsy is reported, one must be off the road until the E is completely controlled for 6 months up to a year (or a note comes from a physician decaring that the person does not have E).
I understand your not driving frustration, but as somone who ,after years of control, had a seizure while driving (unknown to me I'd become tolerant to my meds).. believe me, you don't want to go though the misery it causes.
And I was extremely lucky.. I hit no one and was wearing my seatbelt.. otherwise I wouldn't be here.
know I wish you the best
~sol
Re: So frustrated...new nystagmus and no driving
Submitted by carrieb on Thu, 2006-12-28 - 11:56
Hi Sam, This is a question about the nystagmus. My husband's eyes jump side to side very quickly. They've done it since he was a child and up until this year (he's 32), he's had 20/20 vision. He's never been to the doctor to get it checked out - not even when he was a child - because it never bothered him or his vision. When he had eyes vision checked to get glasses, the doctor just asked him if he knew his eyes jump but didn't tell him what it was or why they did it. I have no clue why the doctor didn't address it more or why my husband didn't ask. They jump more when he's tired, and he usually cocks his head a little to the side when he watches tv. Is this the same condition?