Yesterday I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I'm having complex partial seizures. I've been put on Keppra & have to prove that I haven't had a seizure for 3 months before I can start driving again. I have no problem with obeying this law, but my doctor told me that according to Arizona law that I have to go to the MVD & fill out a form letting them know that I have been diagnosed with epilepsy within five days of the diagnosis. Then after 3 months of not having a seizure I need to go back & fill out a form stating that I haven't had a seizure. So here's the deal: I have no problem not driving for three months, but I have issues with the government knowing my business...especially medical related. Is it better to fill out the form and comply with the MVD's rules or not fill out the form, but adhere to my doctor's recommendation? I read somewhere that it is recommended to fill out the form because it covers me from liability. But I'm worred that my insurance will find out & stop coveraged.
2006-08-17 12:39:56 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Just to clarify, I would NEVER drive until my doctor & I have confirmed that my medicine is working properly & that it's highly unlikely for me to have another seizure. I would never want to endanger myself or anyone else. If these were to continue, then I would just not drive. I have friends & family who can drive me, therefore it is not a necessity that I drive myself. However, my issue is liability & I would prefer to hear from ppl who have epilepsy and what they did to prevent themselves from liability issues. If it means filling out the form then fine...I have no problem with that. I want to be safe, but I think everyone should put themselves in my shoes for a moment. No one likes the government medeling in their affairs. Would you like to report that you've had crabs every time you enter a bathroom? I doubt it, so just be a little bit more considerate of a person's emotions. It's been a tramatic week. I went from being told it could be a tumor to thankfully only having epilepsy.
2006-08-17 12:56:44 · update #1
I myself also have epilepsy but have not only complex partial siezures but gran mal siezures. The other day Ihad a peti mal and was told the same thing usually its the doctors responsibility to report this but it does not happen in all cases. I never reported my condition to the licencing board only because it could reflect on future aspects of your being allowed to drive in future. Make sure you dont drive as these fits can occur without warning and to wipe out some persons family because you wanted to go and get a carton of milk is inexcusable.Dont report it but dont drive .
2006-08-17 14:54:52 · answer #1 · answered by Knackers 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Filling out the forms is most likely the best thing to do. I was diagnosed with the same complex partial / petite mal seizures as you when I was 14. I don't remember my doctor or any one saying anything about forms. (I think they were comfortable with my seizures being nocturnal) I got my driver's license after high school - when stress and seizures had lessened in my life. When I did have seizures they were most always in my sleep. If any came during the day I had a pretty long aura giving me time to let the people around me know what was about to happen. I did have one 3month bout of not driving when my (California) doctor informed the dmv of a daytime seizure. After that time had passed the dmv sent me a letter letting me know I could drive again. The most dramatic thing that ever happened in the 20 yrs i had seizures was break a plate. (Other than lot's of acting strange - which always turned out to be humorous stories to tell later)
I wish you luck in finding control of your seizures. It took years of changing drugs and doses before Keppra came out and miraculously it did the trick - So just wanted to say - hope it works for you too!!!
2006-08-20 17:21:03 · answer #2 · answered by cabby912 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At least you only have 3 months, in the state of Tennessee you have to be 6 months seizure free. I had a grand-mal seizure driving and went across a 4 lane highway and by the Grace of God me nor my son were hurt. I can't drive anymore because I'm not seizure free, not for 3 months or 6 months. My answer would be yes fill it out if you want to drive, but I would think hard on that driving thing before you do.
2006-08-17 12:53:19 · answer #3 · answered by tracy211968 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your EVER have an accident and epilepsy is even suspected and you haven't done all of this, your expenses will be astronomical and you may never drive again. I know this is difficult to do and seems like an invasion of your privacy and to a certain extent it is, but . . . this is the way it's set up just now. It will be all right if you take your medicine correctly and go seizure free. You certainly wouldn't want to take a chance of killing yourself or anyone else as a result of a seizure. If you are unsure of your legal rights, contact the American for Disabilities organization. They have tons of information. The national epilepsy foundation has been extremely helpful. Good luck. You're going to be just fine if you take care of all things concerned.
2006-08-17 12:47:48 · answer #4 · answered by Teacher 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Would you rather lose your coveerage or be on the road, have a seizure and kill a family car filled with kids? I think you need to obey the law. I am legally blind, only barely past the limit to not get a liscence, and the cop who administered the test told me to Just GUESS at the vision test . I could have guess and I kind of did, got it right and all, but I couldn't let myself get a liscence on a 'guess'. What if I didn't see something and someone DIED because of it??I would never be able to live with myself!! Face it buddy, at least YOU have the OPPORTUNITY to be able to be independant, Live with the boundaries you have. At least you have some freedom-- I don't even have that much. I have to count on other people even to go to the library!! YOU want to be like everyone else and I just wish I could be Like YOU! Ironic, is it not?
2006-08-17 12:59:53 · answer #5 · answered by heatherlovespansies 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Follow the rules and obey the requirements. If you had a seizure while driving and you hit a pedestrian and killed that person, you would get to know the inside of a jail cell for a long time. And on top of that there would be a civil case against you so you will also be wiped out. It is not worth it, your condition is common.
2006-08-17 14:28:53 · answer #6 · answered by mr.answerman 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Comply with the law and notify your insurance company also. The insurance company can give you very minimum coverage on your parked vehicle during the time that you do not drive. And you will save a lot of money during this hiatus. After the hiatus is over, contact your insurance company again when you are cleared to drive to make sure insurance is reinstated. The coverage might go up - but it should not be by much.
2006-08-17 12:50:13 · answer #7 · answered by petlover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should do whats legal; fill out the proper forms with DMV, medicine may keep you free of siezures and if you were to get back behind the wheel after the three months and have an accident with or without a siezure. You could have trouble with insurance companies more than you will have now.
2006-08-17 14:49:52 · answer #8 · answered by Tias 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my son used to have epilepsy so i really feel for you not in a opity way but when i hear about it i have an automatic concern,i think you should just follow the law because all though you havent had one in three months they could have either repressed or you could have just overcome them!but it is always better to be safe than sorry because i have seen where people have had seizures and had accidents hurting themselves or others.as far as insurance goes that kinda sounds like discrimination.that something you might need to check with state insurance agency in your state!-good luck!
2006-08-17 12:51:06 · answer #9 · answered by fe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's say for a moment that you don't fill out the form ... which is witholding information ... and have a seizure while driving. In addition to possibly not being covered, you have now committed a crime, and could be held civilly and criminally liable for damages.
Driving is a privilege, and not a right ... and one of the stipulations is that you haven't had any episodes of lapsed consciousness.
I think it's not worth going to jail for.
Check out the site below:
2006-08-17 12:47:23 · answer #10 · answered by kentata 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋