Epilepsy Talk
Epilepsy and Driving (A Small Rant) | October 21, 2019
For three months I was “benched”. With three more months until my driver’s license was restored.
The authorities said, if I didn’t “surrender” my license by XYZ date (with the neuro and cardiologist’s report) a sheriff was going to show up at my front door and haul me away!
So, now, not only did I have epilepsy, I was a prospective CRIMINAL with epilepsy.
If I had a pacemaker, do you think they’d take my license away? Or cancer, diabetes, etc?
Would they revoke my license if I had a car accident? Not likely.
But nooooo. I have epilepsy, so I must be punished.
Because I drove my car into the back of my garage wall.
Did I hurt or endanger anything (other than my garage)? Well, I did hurt myself, when the airbag almost crushed me.
Would 6 months without a driver’s license suddenly make me a “safe” driver?
I felt like I was under “house arrest”.
Not going anywhere. Even the dreaded grocery store. Or the pharmacy to pick up my meds. (I would suggest mail order drugs, if you find yourself in the same bind.)
And even when I qualified to have my license returned, it took our blessed bureaucracy about 6 weeks to get it back to me.
One good pieced of news. I’d served half of my term from when the “incident” occurred and I was reported.
I guess that makes me only half a criminal.
To say I was furious is an understatement.
How many of you have been in the same situation? And how do YOU feel?
To see each state’s driving regulations, click below:
http://www.dmv.org/suspended-license.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epilepsy_and_driving#United_States
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Glad you’re okay, though! Can’t wait for my self-driving cars. It will remove so much stress from our lives.
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Comment by Liz Caldwell — October 21, 2019 @ 2:22 PM
Self-Driving Cars — The License to Drive?
https://epilepsytalk.com/2012/10/02/self-driving-cars-the-license-to-drive/
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 21, 2019 @ 2:35 PM
It’s repugnant how the withholding of the driver’s license can be used as a weapon so often. I have had a neurologist threaten to have my license yanked if I didn’t take meds (to which I was having a horrible reaction) back when I first started having seizures. Then recently, with my seizures under excellent control, I approached a neurologist about helping me titrate back off my meds which I now believe to be unnecessary. I was again told that, of course, nobody can FORCE me to take meds, but, if I wanted to titrate back, my license would have to be suspended for the duration. All of this for a seizure disorder that has been exclusively nocturnal for 35 years and a person who has a stellar driving record.
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Comment by paleobird — October 21, 2019 @ 2:26 PM
Why would your license have to be suspended if you titrated DOWN your meds? Isn’t that bullying and a power play by your doctor?
“If you don’t do as I say, then the penalty is going to be…”
That’s disgusting. And discriminatory.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 21, 2019 @ 2:39 PM
I HAD TO TURN IN MY LICENSE 5 YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF MY SEIZURES.THE LAW IN N.C. IS YOU HAVE TO GO 3 YEARS WITHOUT A SEIZURE.SO I STILL HAVE NO LICENSE.BUT THANK GOD I HAVE THE SUPPORT OF MY FAMILY AND THEY TAKE ME WHERE I NEED TO GO.BUT IT STILL REALLY SUCKS CAUSE I CAN’T GET UP AND GO WHEN I WANT TO.
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Comment by Angela carter — October 21, 2019 @ 3:38 PM
Would that not be considered to be a form of abuse by use of threats or threatening tactics of the powers that be? Maybe THOSE MEDICAL SPECIALISTS ARE THE EXACT REASON WHY EPILEPTICS CHOOSE TO NOT GO TO THEM FOR HELP!!!!! All they have to do is SIMPLY SLIP ON A WET FLOOR AND BANG THEIR HEADS AND THEIR IN OUR SHOES TOO!!!!!!! Then POOF THEIR AN “EPILEPTIC THEMSELVES”. Not that I would ever wish that ON ANYONE!! Just a thought. That is an abuse of authority and power!! OR IS IT EGO AND MONEY?!
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 21, 2019 @ 3:54 PM
Hi Phylis, I’m not sure if I was reading that correctly, so feel free to jump in an clarify!
“So, now, not only did I have epilepsy, I was a prospective CRIMINAL with epilepsy.
If I had a pacemaker, do you think they’d take my license away? Or cancer, diabetes, etc?
Would they revoke my license if I had a car accident? Not likely.
But nooooo. I have epilepsy, so I must be punished.
Because I drove my car into the back of my garage wall.”
Ok, 1. did that prang with the garage wall happen during having a seizure behind the wheel at the time? if so, then translate that to being driving out on a public road.
2. Actually, I know people with brittle diabetes, heart conditions and types of cancers (especially metasticised with the risk of secondary brain tumours, ie risk of szs) and a variety of other medical conditions who DO get their licence revoked. In fact, any condition where there is a high risk of losing conscentration, consciousness, or slow reflexes. It’s common sense.
I do NOT understand how people consider driving a human right, it’s a privilage, and in all the epilepsy circles I’ve been a part of, the only time we’ve never been sympathetic is towards people who carry on driving after they know full well they’ve been medically banned. We’re not unsympathetic to lousy public transport and just how devastating the loss of a licence can be, but there’s other people out there on the roads, and people who continue to drive knowing full well they are a danger, then they ARE a ‘prospective’ criminal’ as you put it, because they are making the deliberate decision to undertake an act where there is statistically an increased risk of crashing the car. In fact, when said people do end up killing innocent people they are often charged with manslaughter.
And yes, I did drive briefly, many years ago under an very old system in my country, the driving age coinciding with the onset of my epilepsy. It was 2 year medical ban back then. I did my 2 years, got official clearance and was just about to start professional lessons when it came back and that was the end of driving forever, and it was devastating at the time. So maybe I was lucky, no licence to lose, but enough to give me a bit of empathy and I still have the occassional frustration rant when I’m stranded.
I think being threatened by authorities like that isn’t the way to go and that’s not on, but having to surrender your licence to make sure you can stay fully seizure free for a minimum period of time is not an attack on your human rights. It’s for the safety of you and everyone around you.
End of my rant 🙂
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Comment by Katie — October 21, 2019 @ 4:11 PM
Point well taken.
Yes, I did drive the car into the garage wall having an absence seizure. Or at least I thought I was having an absence seizure, because I don’t remember anything until the air bag slammed me in the chest.
I agree with your point of the dangers of someone having epilepsy being on the road. But I had been seizure-free for 25 YEARS. (Ya just never know when that beast is going to sneak up on you, do you?)
And if I hadn’t had a seizure for 25 years, what good is 6 months without driving going to do me?
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 21, 2019 @ 5:33 PM
“And if I hadn’t had a seizure for 25 years, what good is 6 months without driving going to do me?”
It’s going to make sure your epilepsy hasn’t returned, that’s what. You wouldn’t be the first to be seizure free for decades and it suddenly comes back out of the blue for no reason. It’s the nature of the beast 😦
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Comment by Katie — October 21, 2019 @ 9:07 PM
Just to clarify, I loved your post Phylis. I was responding to Katie’s comment saying I found her response offensive.
Your post hit home in so many ways. I’m currently not able to drive either and sometimes you just want to put a hole in your wall.
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Comment by Sierra — October 24, 2019 @ 10:35 AM
Whew. I was hurt when I thought your post related to me.
Very relieved now.
Thanks for the clarification.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 24, 2019 @ 10:51 AM
I was very shocked to read at the end of your response that you have epilepsy. Your comment came across as very harsh and offensive in my opinion. We all have common sense. We understand why we can’t drive, or why we need to go through X amount of months before obtaining a license again.
But I feel that you are taking her post too seriously. Those of us that lives with epilepsy and read her post can see that a big part of it was venting. Most of us have been in that same position and have our own stories to share. At the end that was the point of her post. For us to share our experiences with each other. Your lack of compassion was incredible.
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Comment by Sierra — October 21, 2019 @ 10:30 PM
Sierra, I don’t agree.
I was only trying to say that although I had epilepsy and haven’t had it for 25 years, I didn’t see why 6 months without a license was suddenly going to make me a “better” driver.
Of course everyone is allowed — and encouraged — to vent. That’s part of the reason we’re here. And if you found my post offensive, I’m really sorry.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 22, 2019 @ 10:59 AM
I am SO RELIEVED TO HEAR YOU ARE ALRIGHT PHYLIS!! House arrest YES ALONG WITH FEELINGS OF BETRAYAL AND INCAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF!!!!! There have been points in time where even I had no choice FOR THE LOVE OF MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN when even I had no choice but to get them into emergency in my town!! TO STOP OR PREVENT THEM FROM POSSIBLE MAJOR HEALTH ISSUES!!!!! What if all we have/had is our loved one who needed to be in now and there was no other way but to take them ourselves in order to keep them alive? Makes me wonder what the powers that be would do? Or WILL DO WHEN ITS THEIR TIME TO NEED ONE OF US TO GET THEM HELP? Thank you for the courage to share you life experience with all of us. 😘
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 21, 2019 @ 4:17 PM
Well, in a health emergency situation, I’d probably call the police (who, hopefully wouldn’t call an ambulance).
But the feeling of helpless in not being able to HELP someone you love in a crisis is just crushing.
That certainly is hell. Worse that being under “house arrest”.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 21, 2019 @ 5:41 PM
The problem is not everyone has a phone or a cell. It too can almost be considered a luxury in certain segments of society. It just appears as though I’ve come to become content staying safely at home lol.
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 21, 2019 @ 5:56 PM
What a person does in an emergency is either walk, or call the ambulance. I’ve walked a child with an ear infection, called the ambulance for (usually) me or anyone else . The kids were taught what to do. I have never driven due to financial reasons and, even when I was seizure -free, the side effects of the seizures and the meds for them. I also ask myself the question: if I were in the vehicle beside me and knew about my condition, would I want to drive next to me? I think about the things that I know, the side effects, the lack of focus and poor motor control, the right ankle I broke in five places having the Mother of All Seizures, and decide, Uh…nope. I’m still stuck inside. But I’ve mastered the art of ordering nearly anything online. Right now, there is a box of cat necessities, 50 pounds’ worth, on my porch. I’ll open that baby and bring it in…one piece at a time.
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Comment by catsissie — October 21, 2019 @ 9:39 PM
Catsissie, I applaud your persistence and attitude.
I also order everything online. And as a matter of fact, I have 50 lbs. of kitty litter in the garage, waiting to be dragged in!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 22, 2019 @ 11:11 AM
Hi Folks – well, over here in the UK, you have to surrender your license the moment you are diagnosed with “proper” epilepsy – not just the first seizure itself. Then you have to go 12 months without any kind of a seizure before you can apply to have it returned. As I appear to have a degree of drug resistant epilepsy, I have kind of accepted that I am highly unlikely ever to get it back (aged 71!!). You’re right, it is a huge restriction on my liberty – we even had to move back to our original home in the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh which, although I love it greatly, is a far cry from the beautiful cottage we lived in in rural France for 20 years. Without a license, I just couldn’t continue to stay there where there was no form of public transport and I had to ask someone every time I wanted to go anywhere at all. I felt like a prisoner in my own home and my husband felt like a taxi driver!!! So, a year ago, we took the difficult decision to sell up and move back to Scotland. In France the law is the same – 12 months without seizures of any kind. Would I have the confidence to drive again after all this time – I just don’t know!
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Comment by Margaret Hay — October 21, 2019 @ 4:27 PM
It’s sad when you have to surrender your independence — and even your lifestyle — to epilepsy.
But, it looks like you’re being a real good sport about your very difficult decision.
If something happened to Arthur, I’d probably move into town or the city because, not only am I reluctant driver, I can’t drive at night either.
Ever since I got my license back (and this was years ago), I’ve been a very skittish driver and drive only close to my house.
Driving is no adventure. It’s a means to an end for me.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 21, 2019 @ 5:49 PM
Well Phylis lol we’re both almost in the same boat. COURAGEOUS 😊🦅🙏🏼😘
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 21, 2019 @ 6:07 PM
Goodafternoon Margaret 😊. Well there are a lot of thing shake our confidence and foundation sometimes. However not to sounds (too rebellious) lol I figured whatever anyone can do I can TRY MY BEST to do better. Honestly sometimes I win and sometimes I lose, but at least I tried. Even if trying meant not necessarily trying (or driving), but at least having or recovering my own form of independence. Just as a form accomplishment 😊💗 P.S. lol 😂 doesn’t mean I would drive though!! Lol 😂
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 21, 2019 @ 6:15 PM
Hi Phylis and Kathy – thanks for your support and encouragement – as always, Phylis! As I’ve said before on the Forum here, I’ve always tried to look for “something” positive out of the bad things that go with having epilepsy. In this case of having to move back to the “big, bad city” of Edinburgh(!!), I tell myself that at least I have Marks and Spencer and John Lewis (our UK equivalent of Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, I suppose) at the end of a short city bus journey: in France, I had to do everything by mail order – mind you I spend a lot more money this way which doesn’t make my husband quite as happy!!!!!!
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Comment by Margaret Hay — October 21, 2019 @ 6:32 PM
LOL! I “tithe” to Amazon!!! 🙂
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 21, 2019 @ 6:39 PM
Goodafternoon Margaret 😀. I think in this case we both need to WHOLE HEARTEDLY THANK PHYLIS!!!!! So thank you Phylis 😘. However from me “Kathy” thank you as well Margaret 😊💞. My husband and I actually had an exchange student from France way back in the year 2000. I REALLY ENJOYED the teachings and learning we all were able to give eachother for that summer 😘😘💝💝😘🙏🏼🦅💞. Sometimes we just take things and eachother forgranted and never TRUELY take the time to get to know eachother simply as people with their own gifts and appreciate the learning experiences we have to give eachother good and bad 😘💝💕
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 22, 2019 @ 3:55 PM
I can think of much worse things to tithe to!! Happy shopping!!
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Comment by Margaret Hay — October 22, 2019 @ 3:26 AM
I lost mine for a Year when I was first diagnosed, but living in London makes things a lot easier, also you qualify for a free pass for public transport while you are without a licence. Touch wood I haven’t had a seizure since, but if I do it will be 18 Months without a licence…Such a pain..!
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Comment by Shelly — October 22, 2019 @ 4:12 AM
Let’s hear it for public transport.
Wish I could say the same. 😦
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 22, 2019 @ 10:53 AM
Hi Shelly – I do so sympathise – it’s rotten to feel “dependent” on others no matter how willing they are to help. As I said, I’ve kinda had to accept that I’m without it for good but I still hate it. Fingers crossed for yours being returned.
Like you, Phylis, I say 3 cheers for our public transport over here – it is overall just great. As an “oldie” (but goldie?), Edinburgh Council gives me a free bus pass anyhow so I’m OK regardless of the epilepsy but the availability of the service itself has made a huge difference to my life. I feel I’ve some control over my own life for the first time in years.
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Comment by Margaret Hay — October 22, 2019 @ 12:49 PM
Sorry Shelly, I just realised that you already have your license back – so I just hope you can keep it – not least because it will mean that these stupid seizures are behaving themselves.
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Comment by Margaret Hay — October 22, 2019 @ 12:52 PM
I am SO HAPPY TO HEAR THAT FOR YOU MARGARET 😘. Lol I come from a TINCY TOWN in Canada with a “BIG HEART!!” ❤️❤️. More like a “hamlet to yourself Margaret 😘”. But I am also in your boat as to feeling “DEPENDANT ON OTHERS” and I completely agree with you “IT CAN BE AWFUL!!”, but on the other hand every time you do go out it’s a milestone simply because YOU HAD THE COURAGE TO GO OUT!! Alone!!!!! That’s the courage and strength of NOT ONLY TEACHING BUT SHOWING THE WORLD YOU BRAVENESS WITHOUT LIMITATIONS!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!! 😃🦅💞😘😘😘😘😘
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 22, 2019 @ 4:03 PM
Hi all if been epileptic for 35yrs now. I’m Nocturnal epileptic & so have to be 12months clear before driving. Iv had my licence emitted & revoked over the years but have always voluntarily given up my licence when iv had a seizure. At the end of August I had 3 Nocturnal seizures & was admitted into hospital. They found out the reason why they happened ( Diarrhea, Dehydration!! ). My GP suspended my driving licence for only 6month as there was a specific reason why it happened. I surrendered my driving licence & got a Disabled train card & bus card too. Just to say thaty thought I had a viral infection that gave me diarrhea but the test were all clear & we realised it was the herbal tea I’d recently started taking that done it.
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Comment by Leroy — October 22, 2019 @ 1:41 PM
Wow. Herbal tea (either directly or indirectly) was the reason for your seizures? And I thought herbal teas “helped”. Just goes to show.
But, in light of things, it was smart of you to surrender your license, when you did.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 22, 2019 @ 1:55 PM
My daughter just miraculously walked away from her second car accident with a broken sternum and back. Each time she has waited double the amt of time VA requires. I dont think she should ever drive again….its not worth it. She agrees!
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Comment by Lynn — October 22, 2019 @ 3:52 PM
Boy. What a sacrifice, just to drive. 😦
Glad you both agreed on no more car keys for her!
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 22, 2019 @ 4:14 PM
Funny how a “drivers license” can be a RIGHT OF PASSAGE to some and to others “A MILESTONE OR A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT WE NEVER WE COULD EVER GET!!”. In essence it’s a luxury (or trophy) to people such as ourselves. To others it’s a cough up of money and to us we almost ARE OVERJOYED IN HANDING MONEY OVER!!
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 22, 2019 @ 4:12 PM
Yes I believe it about the herbal teas!! I’ve just always made it a first to learn what I can and can’t consume at all!!!!!!! Especially because I was an epileptic who liked LOTS OF sports!!!!! My thing that SHOCKED ME was we can even fall DANGEROUSLY OW ON SODIUM!! Lol and CHLORIDE!!!! Not even vitamins are safe sometimes!! Just a thought
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 22, 2019 @ 4:16 PM
A sodium level in your blood that is too low is dangerous and can cause seizures and coma.
That’s because a lack of sodium causes your body’s blood volume to decrease.
This, in turn, will lead to a corresponding decrease in your blood pressure level.
Low blood pressure can also cause your heart rate to increase, as well as light headedness and sometimes shock.
Low blood sodium levels can also affect your brain, which is highly sensitive to changes in sodium levels.
Losing sodium quickly is a medical emergency. It can cause stupor, unconsciousness, seizures, coma and even death.
Unless the cause is obvious, a variety of tests are needed to determine if sodium was lost from your urine, diarrhea, or from vomiting.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 22, 2019 @ 5:10 PM
Maybe from simply drinking too much fluids a day?
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 27, 2019 @ 1:23 PM
You really can’t drink too many fluids a day, unless you really overdue it. And then, you’ll dilute the effectiveness of your meds.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 27, 2019 @ 1:56 PM
Lol yes I FOUND THAT OUT THE HARD WAY!!!!! But what people DOCTORS AND MEDICAL FIELD DON’T REALIZE is exactly how much all that medication MAKES OR MADE ME NOT EVEN THINK OF EATING PERIOD!!!!!!! therefore I was told “not to sweat period!!”. I lost CRAZY WEIGHT in just two weeks. Please understand to short/long term effects of medication on your bodies!! And THE IMPORTANCE OF WHAT YOU ARE CONSUMING!!!!!!! 😘🙏🏼🦅💗
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Comment by Kathy S.B — October 27, 2019 @ 2:14 PM
Dec. 2016 was my daughter’s last seizure. Just received a letter from the FL Dept Motor Vehicle requiring the following to be completed & returned within 45 days…or else…her license will be revoked?. They want a 5 page medical form completed and signed by her neurologist, a copy of her last EEG results, and lab work results for proof to show her keppra levels are maintained and she is compliant. Is this even legal? Feels way out of line and discriminatory.
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Comment by Jill Sassone — October 24, 2019 @ 9:45 PM
OMG. I would say that’s more than a little discriminatory. Remind me to never drive in Florida.
And all of this was to KEEP her license? Not to restore it? (As if THEY could even read an EEG!)
“All” I had to turn in was a neurologist and a cardiologist’s report. Of course it took them 6 weeks AFTER the due date to get it together enough to process and restore my license. (And no sheriff was threatening to break down their door!)
But that was after I lost my license. It wasn’t to maintain it! 😦
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 24, 2019 @ 10:03 PM
I don’t even know where to begin with that. Twice, the ER and my neurologist told me not to drive until I had their approval, and both times I complied. I suppose if they thought I might drive they would have reported me, but instead they trusted me. I guess I’m one of the lucky ones.
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Comment by Marlyn — October 25, 2019 @ 6:29 PM
I guess luck is always a good thing to have on your side! 😀
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 25, 2019 @ 9:43 PM
When I was first diagnosed at 33, my license was taken away for 1 year of being seizure free. I was FIRED from my job for being unable to perform all of the necessary task of my job even though friends and my husband were driving me to and from work.
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Comment by Jennifer — October 28, 2019 @ 10:20 AM
Jennifer, I’d call that discrimination of the first order.
As long as you are able to perform your job, or one similar to it, employment should not be denied.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 28, 2019 @ 10:23 AM
I’m with you Phyllis! I have auras giving me a warning, mine are just at night, and I never had one behind the wheel. And every state has different laws so I’m VERY restricted in my new job requiring constant driving in new states. I ended up moving and not disclosing with my new job.
I was recently in a horrible car accident, not my fault. The man who ran the red light apparently had prior serious traffic violations. Why don’t we go after the bad drivers.
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Comment by Jennifer — October 28, 2019 @ 10:29 AM
It’s good that you have nocturnal seizures. (As good as that can be!)
But as someone with epilepsy, you have to be vigilant about not only your own capabilities, but the drivers around you.
One missed step, and someone could be fatally injured.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — October 28, 2019 @ 10:45 AM
I have been benched twice
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Comment by Hector J Santos — November 3, 2019 @ 3:54 PM
😦 😦 😦
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — November 3, 2019 @ 3:56 PM
Hi folks – I’ve been “silent” for quite some time – mainly because my seizures, nocturnal when it comes to the tonic/clonic and absence during the day – have been playing quite a lot of silly games and causing chaos in the memory stakes!!
What I am actually trying to do here is to see if there is a thread on here relating to the problems for parents with children with seizures? I wasn’t sure how to make a search. My son’s close friend has a 3 year old daughter with horrendous frequent seizures – up to 100 of one form or another until they found some meds to reduce them somewhat!! It has left her with severe speech/learning difficulties and i mentioned this forum to him as a possible form of contact with other parents, he asked for the contact details etc. He looked really interested in speaking to others in his position. Is there a thread for this? Thanks.
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Comment by Margaret Hay — March 16, 2020 @ 11:00 AM
Margret, it’s wonderful to hear from you, but I’m so sorry to hear about your many seizures.
I hope they have abated by now.
Unfortunately, I do not have an article about parents of children of seizures, but I can direct you to a book list article that might help.
Expanded Guide to Epilepsy Books for People of All Ages
You’ll also find some very helpful pages on Facebook, dealing with this very subject.
Just start with the Facebook search bar and I’m sure threads will come up.
I’m sorry I don’t have what you’re looking for, but I think some of the books about living with epilepsy as a child, parent and family might help.
Be well.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — March 16, 2020 @ 11:16 AM
Thank you very much Phylis for your almost instant reply to my post. My stupid seizures are abating a bit but the only real problem is that i never know when they are going to rear their ugly head again! Now, with all the awful problems with this Coronavirus, life is getting more complicated by the day – but at least I haven’t lost my livelihood (or my life!) as many people over in Europe already have. It’s so tragic. I hope that America manages to protect itself from the worst.
As for my son’s friends, it was just the first time I had met the wee girl and it was so tragic she could no longer speak or stay still for longer than a few moments and she falls over SO easily it is dangerous to let her move on her own. She adores animals though, horses in particular so, because I make patchwork quilts, I’m going to make her one with fabric with horses and other animals one it! Apart from that, I just felt I had to try something to help and I mentioned your Forum as something I had found so helpful and he asked if I could give him the link. I’ll speak to him and tell him you think that these other avenues would be better placed to help his family.
Thank you yet again Phylis.
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Comment by Margaret Hay — March 16, 2020 @ 2:59 PM
I’m so sorry to hear about your seizures.
No auras? No triggers that you know of?
Here are two Facebook groups (with many members) that I think you’ll find helpful:
Parents of Kids with Epilepsy and Seizures
https://www.facebook.com/groups/761944090544935/
Parents of Children with Epilepsy
https://www.facebook.com/groups/133744053416359/
Wish your son’s friend good luck for me.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — March 16, 2020 @ 5:53 PM
Get with the program you can’t drive and your not punished you just not allowed to become unconscious at the wheel and kill someone. Now doesn’t that make more sense instead of woes is me you may never ever ever drive agian your hurt feeling don’t dlgivr you the right to kill someone. Sorry but it is what it is
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Comment by Wm soearrin sr — May 7, 2020 @ 11:27 AM
I would have never lost my license if I hadn’t reported the day’s previous seizure.
And this one had me driving into the garage.
But you do have a salient point.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 7, 2020 @ 11:33 AM
I live in Minnesota and it’s also 3 months. But it’s a self report state…..no need to have neuro report. I never reported but didn’t drive for 2 months…..only a couple times month 3.
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Comment by RonThompson — May 7, 2020 @ 1:57 PM
After I was allowed to drive, I must admit, I was very skittish about driving.
To this day, I go much shorter distances and try to stay close to home.
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Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — May 7, 2020 @ 2:02 PM