For Those Who Drive….
How long has it been since you had a seizure? Have your Doctors said it was okay to drive?
I was fortunate enough to be able to drive, as my seizures did not cause me to lose consciousness. But that changed 6 years ago, so I talked with my neurologist, we increased my meds, and I voluntarily surrendered my license to the DMV...laws do vary by state, so look it up for your state and also talked to your neurologist to see if they think you can drive or should not drive.
Mine point blank told me, if they ever felt that I should not drive, they would notify the DMV if I failed to. Understand this was not a threat or scare tactic: If I had a seizure while driving, and had an accident, and my doctor knew I had seizures that cause loss of consciousness, there are ramifications.
You must be completely honest with your neurologist AND YOURSELF about your seizures.
As I said, I surrendered my license and did not drive for 2 years. I could have gotten it back sooner (at a year), but I wanted to be sure I was stabilized again, as this was a big change in my seizures. I was having quite a lot occur that I was losing consciousness (or not aware of what was happening), and more tonic-clonic ones. Once I was no longer having loss of consciousness, I went another year because of the tonic-clonic.
When my seizures improved, my neurologist cleared me to drive, providing me with the necessary documentation.
Let me say it is also best if you voluntarily surrender your license versus a doctor notifying the DMV that you shouldn't drive. And there is no shame in not being able to drive. Sure, it is hard (and I live rural so there are no buses or cabs), but if it comes down to safety, I would rather be safe. My father ridiculed me for not being able to drive, but I would rather not jeopardize my daughter's safety, or anyone else I may hurt or kill due to an accident caused by a seizure.
Sorry to paint such a harsh picture, but let's face it, epilepsy isn't easy!
My epileptologist made me stick to the rules. He'd give me a date six months after the day I said I had a seizure. He'd say, "I can't keep you from driving but I won't support you if you drive and something happens before this date." Even after my surgery in December, the surgeon told me I could drive right away but my epileptologist told me I had to wait until April. While I had the time, I ordered a personal license plate with OTRA 4 on it. I was On The Road Again in April.
It has been over 6 years since I had a seizure. Yes, I got permission from my Neurologist before I got my license!
I had my license before my diagnosis, and then I spent 14 years not able to drive. Finally, I had brain surgery, and I had to really fight to get the license back. PennDot kept saying no, you had epilepsy. That is a life sentence. I even had to pay their fees for an accident that had happened 14 years before, thinking this would deter me. I have now been driving for almost 10 years (2026 is when they need to be replaced and the official mark). For me, at three years post-surgery, it was suggested to get the license back by the doctor. I was already down to the one medicine, and I had had the VNS implant removed. This was considered the last remaining thing to get back.
It's 12 months seizure free where I am. I was almost 2 years seizure free when I got my license back because I had to have testing to confirm it.
Do You Get More Or Less Nervous Riding With A Certain Person Compared To Another? Or Do You Just Not Let It Bother You ?
I Might Of Asked This Before But Has Anyone That’s Epileptic Considered Of Having A Handicap Window Tag Or Plates For There Car?
After Not Being Able To Drive Like Back In The Day, Do You Find It A Bother Doing It, Curious About This ❓