Anyone here with an NJ Driver's License?

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Hi! I'm fairly new here. I joined a while ago, but never really got involved. It seems like a very useful forum though! I'm a 25yo female with complex partial seizure epilepsy. My seizures start in the temporal & parietal lobes. I was diagnosed with epilepsy in Sept. 2017 at 22yo. My epilepsy stems from a traumatic brain injury. It went untreated for years because I was originally told my symptoms were just a result of brain damage and post concussive syndrome. This past summer I had 3 incidences (in a 2 month span) where I believe I had nocturnal, break through, convulsive seizures. I'm really scared about it because I've only ever had partial. My epileptologist says that many patients go through flare up periods (which is how I figured out I had more than just post concussive syndrome). He's concerned, of course, and is working on getting insurance approval to do a 2 day EEG next month. We're hoping it was just a flare up and won't become a normal thing. It's been 2 months since the last one I think I had. As of now, I have an NJ driver's license with no issue because my seizures do not caused convulsions (that we know of yet) or loss of consciousness. I can't find anything while researching online, but if I am having convulsive seizures in my sleep does anyone know if NJ will take my license away even though these possible convulsions are only in my sleep?! I'm just hoping someone on here has had experience with NJ. Thank you guys!

Comments

Hi, Thank you so much for

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2019-11-05 - 06:44

Hi, Thank you so much for posting. We are glad to hear that you’re following-up with your epileptologist for further diagnostic testing.The laws determining which medical conditions may prevent someone from driving varies from state to state. However, your safety, as well as the safety of others is most important, it’s important that you consult with your healthcare team and review the laws in your state, to determine what is best and safest for you. You can learn more about maintaining your license, the driving laws in your state and mandatory reporting for physicians here: https://www.epilepsy.com/driving-laws/2008791You may want to consider keeping a journal, or diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, managing medications & side effects, setting reminders, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers,and other personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. For more information regarding seizure safety at night please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe/safety-while-sleeping Additionally, review our seizure alert device factsheet with your doctor, to see if a seizure alert device is an option for you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdfSometimes it's helpful to connect with-other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find& give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Or contact 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi, Thank you so much for posting. We are glad to hear that you’re following-up with your epileptologist for further diagnostic testing.The laws determining which medical conditions may prevent someone from driving varies from state to state. However, your safety, as well as the safety of others is most important, it’s important that you consult with your healthcare team and review the laws in your state, to determine what is best and safest for you. You can learn more about maintaining your license, the driving laws in your state and mandatory reporting for physicians here: https://www.epilepsy.com/driving-laws/2008791You may want to consider keeping a journal, or diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, managing medications & side effects, setting reminders, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers,and other personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. For more information regarding seizure safety at night please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe/safety-while-sleeping  Additionally, review our seizure alert device factsheet with your doctor, to see if a seizure alert device is an option for you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdfSometimes it's helpful to connect with-other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find& give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Or contact 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

Hi, Thank you so much for posting. We are glad to hear that you’re following-up with your epileptologist for further diagnostic testing.The laws determining which medical conditions may prevent someone from driving varies from state to state. However, your safety, as well as the safety of others is most important, it’s important that you consult with your healthcare team and review the laws in your state, to determine what is best and safest for you. You can learn more about maintaining your license, the driving laws in your state and mandatory reporting for physicians here: https://www.epilepsy.com/driving-laws/2008791You may want to consider keeping a journal, or diary. My Seizure Diary: https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diaryis a great tool for identifying & tracking seizures, managing medications & side effects, setting reminders, recording medical history, moods, behaviors, triggers,and other personal experiences, that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with your healthcare team. For more information regarding seizure safety at night please visit: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/seizure-first-aid-and-safety/staying-safe/safety-while-sleeping Additionally, review our seizure alert device factsheet with your doctor, to see if a seizure alert device is an option for you: https://www.epilepsy.com/sites/core/files/atoms/files/DAS100_Seizure_Alert_Devices_09-2018_FINAL2.pdfSometimes it's helpful to connect with-other people who live with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, find& give support to each other. Contact your local Epilepsy Foundation at: https://www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community. Or contact 24/7 Helpline, where trained information specialists are available to answer your questions, offer help,hope, support, guidance, and access to national and local resources. 1-800-332-1000, or contactus@efa.org. epilepsy.com/helpline

I use migraine buddy. I love

Submitted by Link74 on Tue, 2019-11-05 - 10:30

I use migraine buddy. I love it! I like it better than seizure diary, but that's just me.I agree it's about everyone's safety and that comes first, but the thing is if it's not going to affect me while driving, then I shouldn't have my license taken away, but I doubt whoever is making the strict NJ laws is aware of that. That link doesn't share info on that unfortunately.Thanks for the info on nocturnal seizures and devices! I really appreciate that! Right now I just have a fit bit that tells me how well I'm sleeping, but it can't tell me anything else.