Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Re: [epilepsy] Should I drive?

 

In most states, its 6 months or more that you need to wait.  in NJ its one year

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From: elizabeth <equinn76@earthlink.net>
To: epilepsy@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2012 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: [epilepsy] Should I drive?


 

I would rather be safe, and know everyone (including myself) is ok. I am currently not driving (3 more weeks!) and it kills me-especially since I just bought a new car!

I'm able to take public transportation, but it's a pain having to ask people for rides. But I work with my doctor a lot to make sure i'm safe. I mostly have complex partials.

Definitely check with your doctor...having a month off or so may be the best.

Elizabeth

Sent from Samsung mobile

bruceroberts <mailto:bruceroberts%40yahoo.com> wrote:

>I live in a retirement home and they serve us dinner five days a week. Last Thursday I had a bad acid reflux attack and passed out for five seconds. I fell on the floor, falling backward, and everyone told me they heard a thud as my head hit the floor.
>
>I was very lucky that my head did not hit a table. An ambulance was called and I went to the ER. I was conscious, knew where I was, could recite details like my social security number and count the fingers on people's hands.
>
>I did not have a concussion or brain swelling after undergoing an MRI. Luckily, I only had a bruise. The ER doctor and my primary care doctor didn't think this should affect my driving.
>
>Some of the people where I live are telling me I should quit driving for my safety and that of others. If I paid someone to drive me or took the bus everywhere my freedom would really be restricted. There are very few places I could go being dependent on bus schedules and when someone could drive me. Plus a driver costs anywhere from $10 to $20 each way.
>
>My feeling is thus: you never know when you are going to have a seizure or lose consciousness. I take my medication faithfully and while I could have a tonic clonic or other type of seizure, I don't know when it could happen. Could happen in two hours, two years, or never again.
>
>Despite all precautions, diet whatever you can die from a seizure. You could have a seizure while driving, taking a hike, or eating dinner. Being epileptic is a risk factor anyway.
>
>So my question is: do you learn to live with the risk or do whatever you can to minimize the risk even if it means drastic cutbacks in your lifestyle?
>



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