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Posted 8/18/2005 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi board.

 

I've had EP since 1979, only had ONE (1) grande-mal seizure since then, all my EEG's showed seizure activity in my lower left tempral lobe.

In in Dec.2002, I pulled in to a Wal-Mart parkinglot and just as I pulled in to a parking spot, Someone must have been looking out for me because I just came off the highway.  I must have passed out because all I can remember is the front bumper of my car (brand new) was "kissing" the bumper of the car in front of me, my car was still in drive with the motor still running. The lady in the car in front of me just happened to be a nurse and she opened my door to see that I was OK and then turned off the engine. She told me to stay put as she had called an ambulance after she noticed that for a moment I couldn't speak and she noticed my medic alert bracelet. I noticed that I was also foaming at the mouth.

 

Since the police were called and a report was filed, I had my licence suspended for an indefinate length of time.

Now I have to get my blood checked once a week so it can be closely monitored before I can get it back. I have to go seizure free for 2 years (controlled by medication).

 

It's like having my freedom taken away from me.

Do you know how humiliating that is especially when you've been driving your whole adult life?

 

That just goes to show you that it stays with you your whole life but can stay dormant in your system and cad hit you at any time when you leaste expect it.

 

This is one main reason why you should stay on your meds. even if you think it's gone.

 

Randy

Posted 8/19/2005 12:55 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Randy,

   I was reading your post and was wondering how long it has been since you have had a seizure of any kind? I know you said the accident happened in 2002 and you would have to be seizure free for 2 years before you got your license back.

  You also said you had a medic alert bracelet on. Did the neuro give you the bracelet, but say that you could drive? Sorry for all the questions, but I'm just trying to figure out what is going on with me. I started having seizures this year and they stopped, but I was never given a medic alert bracelet, but was told not to drive for 6 months. When I went to the seizure clinic and had no seizures while I was there the Neuro said I could drive and didn't need to take the Keppra anymore.

  I guess I'm just afraid I will have another seizure while driving and hurt someone else. I would never want that to happen. I have never had a grande mal-seizure, just complex-partials and simple-partials.

  I know how hard it can be not being able to drive when you have driven for so long. I'm sure it is especially hard for you as a man. I have only been driving short distances since I was told I could drive again, but I'm not sure that I should drive at all after reading your post.

  Thanks for any answers you can give me. Take care and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                      Babs

Posted 8/19/2005 4:15 AM (GMT 0)

Mom46 (babs)

To answer your questions,

1) Medic alert bracelet - I didn't get it from my physician but rather through the Medical alert foundation in California about 10 yrs ago.

2) I had my drivers licence all along, even after my first (AND ONLY)seizure in 1979.

3) The incident I spoke of in 2002 resulted in me losing my licence only because the police were called and a report was filed. It wasn't really an accident, It was an INCIDENT in a Wal-Mart parkinglot. I pulled into a parking space, felt a seizure comming on so I thought that I would just shut off the car and wait it out but it happened so fast that I didn't have time to put the car into "park" and I passed out, the car just kissed the licence plate of the car in front of me (no damage) but it just so happened that the woman in the other car was a nurse, she noticed that I was passed out so she opened my door and turned off my car, noticed that I was wearing a "Medic alert" bracelet so she stayed with me after she called the ambulance.

4) It's an ego downer - having your freedom stripped away.

My 2 yrs has past but now I don't know if I would want to take the chance of possibly having a sz while driving and risking lives. (I think that is the most responsible approach)

PLUS my insurance rates would be sky high (if they covered me at all)

Randy


Post Edited By Moderator (MandiAnn) : 8/18/2005 11:36:32 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/19/2005 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Randy,
While I myself cannot speak from personal experience- I have seen what "losing" his license has done to my boyfriend Mitch's esteem. Mitch suffered three grandmal seizures in one day( Which was life changing- he had never suffered from seizures prior to July 6, 2005), and was hospitalized and released on dilantin...his doc told him he had to be seizure free for only six months, and then he could resume to drive again. In Virginia it is only a six month period required, and physicians are not required to report seizure patients to DMV..basically they leave it up to the patient to be responsible and Police themselves. We have the same discussion at least once a week....."I'm fine, I can drive as long as I take my meds.", and I say "True you have not had another serious seizure, but obviously the doc is still concerned because he keeps upping your meds." (He has now been instructed to take 600 MG (6 pills ) a day.) I tell him he should at least wait the six months to be sure,,he gets mad, and sulks around the house for a couple of hours. I worry what will happen when he does start driving again. You were lucky Randy, that you were in a parking lot, and not driving down the highway at 60 mph - I can only imagine how hard it is to not drive after doing it so long-- I applaud you for being responsible, and considering other's safety in addition to your own.
Posted 8/19/2005 7:29 PM (GMT 0)

Jenn&Mitch,

Re your comment about physicians not having to report:

physicians are not required to report seizure patients to DMV..basically they leave it up to the patient to be responsible and Police themselves.

In Canada, Doctors have a legal obligation to report all patients that have a drivers licence and a known seizure condition.

If the Doctor fails to report this info to the Ministry of Transport, they could lose thier medical licence.

Randy

Posted 8/19/2005 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I live in NY. This is a non mandatory reporting state. So It is the Dr.'s choice whether s/he reports it or not. I had the grand mal, had and abnormal EEG and then was put on meds. The neuro who treated me in the hospital for the first grand mal is now my neuro. He didn't report me, but did strongly advise that I did not drive for a minimum of 3 months, but preferred 6 months. I would have never been able to live with myself If I knew I was advised to drive, then drove, got in an accident and hurtsomeone or myself. It is hard. Very hard.

This is very frustrating with many illnesses. My mother has had chronic neuro lyme for 8 years now and hasn't been able to drive for at least the past 6 years. So I know off hand a little what it was like to not drive for 6 months, but it is so hard when it is indefinate. Take care. Just thought I would share :) Tracy
Posted 8/20/2005 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Babs Dave z here.     I got a medic alert bracelet for my mother-in-law at our local pharmacy.  You fill out a form what you want printed on it and they send it in for you.  When it is completed the pharmacy will get it back and you can pick it up there.  The pros and cons of whether to drive or not have been presented very well in this thread.  It comes down to a very personal decission in light of the NEURO saying that you could drive and did'nt need to take keppra anymore. 
Posted 8/20/2005 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Dave,

  Thank you for that info on the medic alert bracelet. I think I should get one just to be on the safe side and I agree about the driving, although the doc said I could. That is a tough decision to make. I do want to drive, but I would never want to hurt anyone else if I did by some chance have another seizure and it be while I'm behind the wheel of a car.

  Thanks everyone for your advice on this matter. Take care and God Bless You All!!  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                     Love,  Babs

Posted 8/21/2005 7:38 AM (GMT 0)
I recently got my license back after 2 yr seizure free. When I first lost it I felt the same as you, but since getting it back I am very uneasy driving. When I lost it I had a seizure driving about 60 mph, thank God my brother was in the car. He was calm enough to get my hands off the wheel and let it coast to a stop on the shoulder. Another reason is I drove tow truck about 15 yrs ago and developed a high respect for the responsibility involved with driving.

just my two cents.
*plink plink*
Posted 8/26/2005 9:18 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone, this is something of interest re driving with epilepsy that I happened to find on amother web site:

Quote:

Police officers Anita and Paul Rowland, both 27, lost their two-year-old son Jet and their other son seven-year-old Bailey was rendered a paraplegic, in the crash on February 28, last year.

Mrs Rowland was taking the boys to their grandparents' home for a swim when a car crossed the median strip on the Logan Motorway, south of Brisbane, and crashed into their car.

Another car then hit them from behind, causing their car to roll and catch fire.

Deputy State Coroner Christine Clements today opened an inquest into circumstances surrounding Jet's death.

Today, the court heard the driver of the vehicle, Ian Alexander McLeod, crossed the median strip because he had an epileptic seizure.

Police officer Sergeant James Thomas Hickey said Mr McLeod told him he was on medication for epilepsy, but had been cleared to drive by a doctor.

He has no recollection of the crash and told Mr Hickey the last thing he remembers was paying a toll on the motorway.

Sgt Hickey told the court that doctors should be required to inform Queensland Transport of those motorists that had epilepsy and whether or not they were considered fit to drive.

The above pragraph is a legal obligation for all Doctors up here in Canada, to report or they could lose their medical licence.

Randy


 

Posted 3/21/2006 5:06 AM (GMT 0)

This is a subject that I feel very strongly about.

See the attached link:

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/40929.html

Randy

Posted 3/21/2006 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
This is a very serious and scary problem. I comend you for facing it head on and thinking of those around you. I know I argue with my daughter a great deal on this subject. She has had to have the VNS Implant and is still on meds. She rarely has a seizure anymore. However, I do worry that she may and for that reason alone I have decided that I will not allow her to get her drivers license. I can't stop her when she is 18, but until then it is my choice and I am chosing life...for her and those who could end up in her path.
Posted 9/9/2006 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yes Randy I know what your going thu. I couldn't get my driver license for two years when I was 16, so I had to wait till I was 18. Now I am going thu the same thing. I haven't driven for the last year and a half, becuase my seizures were getting worse and I almost was in bad accident when a seizure came on me as I was driving. I just had brain surgery and still am waiting. I need to be seizure free for six months before my doctor will allow me to drive. I know it is no fun when your going thru it, but is for your's and other's safety. We don't want you to have something happen to you or someone else that might get involed in accident with you or something even worse. You would be missed. I hope this helps you. Just hang in there becuase if I can do it anybody can and that means you my friend. I wish you the best.

Ken
Posted 9/12/2006 5:39 PM (GMT 0)

Hi

I know how hard it is to  not have a license.  Mine was taken away in March of this year.  I had brain surgery in 1998 and even drove after that and up to March.  NO doctors to this point ever had my license taken away.  I am always able to tell when a seizure was coming on (complex partials) and knew enough to pull off the road and wait. 

I had to get another neurologist this year because the one I had wanted to work in the neurology lab at the hospital, so I got this young one who probably only had his license for about 5 years.  I think he was afraid of losing his medical license even though I told him I knew when I was going to have one.  mad   I've had my seizures longer than he has even been alive!! 

So, I sit at home with just my sisters as my way out of the house.  I was so mad when it first happened, now I'm just trying to get on with my life.  I did receive disability after trying for a couple of times and getting my congressman involved.  So, if I had to decide on my license or getting some income, I guess I would choose the income.  In time, I hope though, I get my license back.  In my state, PA, you need to be seizure free for six months and get a letter from the dr.  Unfortunately, just when I think I'm home free, POW!  But we can't give up!  Try, try, again!!  yeah

I don't want anyone to think I don't get down, because I do.  But we are more than just a license.  It doesn't define who we are.    So for anyone who has posted here, I hope I have helped some.

Take care

Barb

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"  Philippians 4:13

Posted 9/12/2006 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
i'm in canada. i don't drive. i have a licence. i was allowed to cont driving after my diagnosis at 15 cause i only suffered from anything partial or tonic while i was asleep. to my knowledge i was not reported and cleared to drive.

everything was fine till 21. i had what i thought was a panic attack while on the road. i pulled over, got out and realised i was having a partial. i didn't get back in the car for 3 years. i was housebound with uncontrolled seizures for that time.

i was cleared years later after being medicated and my seizures went back to nocturnal and i cleared a year w/o anything during the day.

i again stopped driving almost a year ago.

i suffer from insane anxiety because of the time i was completely out of control with no explination regardless of meds. i keep forgetting i have anxiety issues and partials during the day! lol i love to walk- but like i said, i'm in canada! the winter months with my schedule is nearly impossible and i cannot go on public transit alone on 'bad days' i'm completely dependant and i keep forgetting that!

it's frustrating and just plain ugh!

i completely understand what you're going through. i've resigned myself to the idea that i'll never drive again. i don't like it in the least, but i accept it. what i don't like or accept is the fact that i have epileptic side effects other than seizures! i am NOT an anxious person at all. i WAS the fun loving wandering type. i've already changed carrers and had to go back to school again for it, obviously, which is causing transport problems w/o being able to drive...lol see full circle. i rambled. sorry!

Post Edited By Moderator (HALO) : 10/25/2006 2:47:53 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/22/2006 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
Been there, done that, bought that T-shirt.

I lost my license in 10/04 and just started driving in April of 2006. It was the worst because I don't really feel all that comfortable driving anymore (which I used to love). It also turns you into a total homebody.

The other thing (and this is just my experience) is that I was taking dilantin and was supposed to be taking 6 pills a day. I was only taking 4 because something just didn't feel right. Well for once I was right because one of my blood tests came back with TOXIC nono levels for dilantin - and I wasn't even taking the dose I was supposed to!!! And, of course, I was still having seizures while on dilantin. But that is just me - I know that it is a wonder drug for some people however for me it was a nightmare.

Have been taking Keppra since last August and have not had a seizure (although I have felt "funny" twice since then but recognized it and had no seizure and was not driving).

Sorry about losing your license - it is humiliating and devastating. I think that is a BIG part of the reason that my ex and I broke up - it was too much for me and therefore it was too much for him. Please be sure and get your blood levels checked.

dammy

Post Edited By Moderator (HALO) : 10/25/2006 2:49:38 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/15/2006 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
Well, this is a hard one. I have been having seizures for 22 years and had my license taken away twice. Once for a year, once for 6 months.
I have not had a Grand Mal in 4 years and have auras about once a month. I have 1 - 2 minute warnings of the auras. honestly I do... a sort of nausea.
But, should I be driving? I ask myself that all the time. I live in the countryside, about 12 miles from my job. I could rent out my house and go live in the town. It would mean that I would drive much less.
Should I be driving? I ask my neurologist. He smiles at me and says that he has confidence in me because I always take my pills and am so in control.
Should I be driving? I ask my employer who says he would arrange rides for me every time he need me at another location.
Should I be driving? the government isn't going to stop me right now.
Only I can. And I can't take this away from myself. I just can't. I have lost so much.
Posted 10/15/2006 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
It is such a hard decision to make... we get comfortable with how well we are doing, but the thought of "what if today is the day" is always in the back of our heads... So what to do? You don't want to be a recluse and never drive anywhere, but still have to err on the side of caution also... It is a tricky balancing act... and a scary one at times...
Posted 10/30/2006 11:50 PM (GMT 0)

Hi I am a 29 year old girl from England. I lost my driving lic in April this year. I have to say it nearly destroyed me at the time. I had just bought a convertable sports car and loved it. I was on a three lane motorway and I have to say I am very lucky to be alive!!!!!!!!!!!

Up until that day all my fits had been on waking but that day things changed! I had felt fine that morning and had packed my bags to go to London to see a concert with a friend. I set out onto the motorway on my way to pick up my friend and felt fine. The last thing I remember was singing along to The Eagles and Hotel Calafornia (must remember never to sing again) when I felt sick. I managed to pull into the middle lane but couldn't get into the slow lane. I awoke to a policeman and an ambulance man stood over over me. I had appently had my fit whilst in the middle lane and had arrived at a stand still with me slumped over the wheel with cars and trucks trying to avoid me whilst traveling at 70mph+. The motorway had to be closed to get me off it and other people had to risk their lives to help me.

I know I am very lucky not to have killed an innocent family on a day out as it was a Bank Holiday weekend. I personally don't think that I could live with myself if I had hurt someone or killed somebody.

In England the rules are you have to be fit free for 12 months which I am no way near as I had my last fit on Friday just gone. I am not sure if I will ever get behind the wheel of a car again I know I was given a very lucky escape that day. All I have to say is so what if I have to get the bus or walk or rely on a lift. Its better than being dead or having someone elses blood on my hands.

By the time I got back to work one of the first things someone said was "Aghhhhhhhhhh you are supposed to be dead" it's amazing what the rumour mill can do. At least I know who would miss me and wouldn't should I go.  I just have to look on the bright side of things cos if you focus too long on the things you can't do you start to forget the things you can.

Posted 11/6/2006 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
I man do I know what you mean!!!!!! I am (was) a chauffeur until last week after going to the ER with complaints of dizziness that would last most of the day & was going on for almost a week. I had moments of "spells" that I was unaware of anything around me but my eyes were open & my body slumped a little bit. The 3 neurologist said I can not drive until further testinng. I saw The specialist in neurology who induced a spell by doing a breathing exercise infront of him. This caused me to loose my driving priv for the next 3-6 months pending the results from my EEG & MRI. I haven't even been dx w/ epilepsy! It seems unfair but I don't drive cause I love my kids & my life. I'll wait till they say it's okay to drive again. ~~~~~~Chantel
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