I have a question. If you have a small seizure and tell your doctor, are they required to suspend your driver’s license for a time?
Ramon, That's a good question...For me, I have small seizures and my neuro-epilepsy doctor has never talked about reporting it to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Depends on what state you are in I believe. Most states it is an honor thing. But if you get in a wreck wether it is your fault or not and they find out you have seizures your insurance will be null and void. I have had small and big ones. Hoping to be able to drive again in January. I have had a small ( what I call episode ) in between the last big one in July of this year. I am supposed to follow up with my doctor to clear me for driving again, but I am worried that the episode might keep him from releasing me. I know small ones can turn into big ones. I don't want to injure anyone else, but I can feel those "episodes", what ever they are, coming on and pull over if needed. The symptoms include, can't speak, know what I want to say, but can't form the words, get a really weird feeling, some weakness, and always start crying after a few minutes have passed. He is aware of these episodes, but I don't know if they would come into play as far as being released to drive. Look up your state and see what the rules are for reporting. Hope this helps.
Hi Ramon, YES that is exactly what happened to my daughter, she has very small roller coaster sensations in her stomach that is all and has had to wait a year to re-apply for her driving licence. She is re-applying next month so fingers crossed.
Thanks everyone.
Just had to weigh in. The episodes I was having were what led me to the ER and eventually a long overdue correct diagnosis. The neurologist was the one who called these episodes seizures. I still have a hard time using that word for what I have (tingling, feeling like I might pass out but know I'm not going to, a sensation of falling backward if I happen to be standing when it happens).
Are you on medication? Does it help? Did you lose your drivers license?
Hi. I live in Canada and it is very clear, if you have a seizure, you lose your licence. Last August I had a temporal lobe seizure out of the blue around midnight. nothing bad, very aware of the aura, feeling , dread, panic, ect.... - but very alert even enough to discuss should we really go to the hospital. at first they thought I had a mini stroke. Nothing of the sort came out of that diagnossis. turned out it was a seizure. Yuck
Antways my Doctors had to report it and couldn't drive for 6 months. I was once again without a licence. I guess I have come to accept that they must know what they are doing because I have argued to many times saying.... I have been seizure free for..... x amount of time and sure it won't happen again because my levels are good. Well it can happen even when in range of your med's but what we don't really know is when we become to acustome to them and one sneaks up on you as it did last year to myself. Sometimes things happen for a reason, like a seizure appearing out of the blue or just having one. this may be a time to look and see if something is trying to tell you something . Driving is a privledge for all of us so I had to change my tune about trying no NOT let anyone know for the fear of loosing the right but I ask you to think of . How would you feel if things changed and harm came to someone else . ofcourse not because you ment to but it can happen. Us survivors have enough to live with . you would never want to add any more to your plate I'm sure
Thanks
In the uk you should surrender your driving licence to the dvla if you have a seizure and need to be 12 months seizure free to get it back. You are entitled to a free bus pass for the disabled for as long as you would be denied your license.