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Driving and Epilepsy
Wed, 08/14/2013 - 17:26Topic: Community Issues and Chat
I was diagnosed with JME a little over and month and a half ago. My neurologist said I can't drive for 6 months (based on the province's laws that say you have to be seizure free for 6 months). I have never had any type of seizure (absence, grand mal etc) therefore I have been seizure free for 17 years.
I was just wondering if anyone else had never had a seizure, been diagnosed and then told that they weren't aloud to drive or that they were aloud to drive?
Comments
Re: Driving and Epilepsy
Submitted by Jack8309 on Thu, 2013-08-15 - 14:48
Hi, my name is Jessica and I've been diagnosed in 2009 with focal epilepsy due to an infection. Funny you should mention the JM seizure. I read about that awhile ago. That's how my seizures start whether it starts at my left eye or my hand. Medicated or not.When i describe my seizures to both my neuro and my epilepiologist, they said yep, it's a seizure. I have not driven on my own since I was 24 and and I will be 30 in october. I have tried after my neuro giving me a 1 year waiting period even though the waiting period for ohio is 6 months. I take 2 meds and i have considered driving therapy since I get extremely nervous. I had a tiny seizure yesterday in the corner of my eye. I have to see my epi on wednesday. maybe it's back to square one, maybe not. I am going back to school in the fall. I noticed each time, (16 months, this time 14 months) the seizures get smaller and smaller. Yes, I am frustrated, I cried for a good hour afterwards. hopefully he will solve it this time. Keep your heads up, you will get there.
Re: Driving and Epilepsy
Submitted by bella0809 on Wed, 2013-08-14 - 21:22
How were you diagnosed with JME if you never had a seizure? Also, in some states in the US the fainting episodes you mentioned would suspend your license. I don't know Canada's laws, so I can't comment, but the first thing you should do is talk to the MD about definitions of epilepsy and seizures.
Re: Driving and Epilepsy
Submitted by mamatiger05 on Wed, 2013-08-14 - 18:44
Yes, and it stinks really bad!!! I was diagnoised @ 31 years of age after being married and 3 kids. I couldn't drive, talk about feeling awful but, the timed passed and I struggled with it because of the challenges of not being able to complete all my usuall duties as a wife, mother and career person. Timed passed all went well, this passed summer I had 2 seizures and spent a week in the hospital after being almost 4 years seizure free. Once again I am unable to drive when my work is 2 1/2 hours one way for a 4 day week. So, overcoming challenges as a wife, mother, and career women is definietly hard. Just keep your head up and use your resources. Don't be afriad to ask for help, pride is hard to swallow sometimes.... I can speak from experience, I have always been a strong, independent women and to suddenly be told what I can or cant do was devastating. So, keep your head up!!!!
Yes, and it stinks really bad!!! I was diagnoised @ 31 years of age after being married and 3 kids. I couldn't drive, talk about feeling awful but, the timed passed and I struggled with it because of the challenges of not being able to complete all my usuall duties as a wife, mother and career person. Timed passed all went well, this passed summer I had 2 seizures and spent a week in the hospital after being almost 4 years seizure free. Once again I am unable to drive when my work is 2 1/2 hours one way for a 4 day week. So, overcoming challenges as a wife, mother, and career women is definietly hard. Just keep your head up and use your resources. Don't be afriad to ask for help, pride is hard to swallow sometimes.... I can speak from experience, I have always been a strong, independent women and to suddenly be told what I can or cant do was devastating. So, keep your head up!!!!