My husband has just started having seizures and I was wondering if it is possible to go on with normal life.?

Question

I mean after they figure out the correct meds. And what about driving that is what mostly concerns him. This is all new to us so anything can help.
Thanks.

They have determined that is was from the head trauma that he had experienced last November. But it is all to scary for me.

Answer 1

Can I still drive if I have had seizures?

* Many people who have had seizures are able to return to driving once their seizures are under control. But your return to safe driving after one or more seizures depends on the following key factors:

o The cause of your seizure;
o The type of seizure you typically have;
o The laws of the state in which you are licensed; and
o How long you have been free of seizures that affect your awareness.

* A seizure may happen when someone has a severe head injury or a very high fever, or an infection of the brain, and it may only happen once. Other types of seizures are caused by a seizure disorder (also known as epilepsy), and can happen more than once unless treated with long- term medication. Your doctor can tell you about the type of seizure(s) you have had, and also can give you treatment options.

* Some states do not allow you to drive if you have had even one seizure affecting consciousness, regardless of the cause, until you have not had any more seizures for a period of time specified in that state.

How long will I have to wait before
I can get my license back?

* It varies from three months to a year, depending on the laws in your state. If your doctor has diagnosed you as having a seizure disorder, states will require that you are treated for that condition with medication designed to prevent seizures and that your seizures are under reliable control before the state will allow you to drive.

* Check with your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to find out about the law in your state, or check the Epilepsy Foundation website at www.epilepsyfoundation.org/answerplace/Legal/transit/drivelaw/.

* Your doctor may have to write a letter to your DMV stating that you are under treatment and that the medicines are keeping you from having any seizures.

Answer 2

My daughter started having seizures 8 years ago.She didn`t see a doctor for several years.I saw her have one and told her what was going on and that she needed to see a doctor.What caused them, I don`t know unless it was a spinal shot she got in the hospital right before her first one.They ran every kind of test and every thing was normal,except one brain wave was just a hair off.Any way her seizures were getting worse and she was put on med.That made her gain weight but didn`t stop seizures,she also had to take a blood test for her liver every 3 months.She was put on Topomax and then they had another med which she was alergic to.She came off that,Dilantan I believe it was called.They had upped her Topomax with the Dilantan to the max.amount of 400.When she came off the Dilantan she had a lower dose of Topomax 200 a day.She has been seizure free almost a year.And yes you can live a normal life.It takes a while to get the right medicine for you and then the right doesage.She wasn`t suppose to drive but now she has been okayed by the doctor.She couldn`t even think when she was on all the meds.She was always tired.Very forgetful.She`s her old self agan and I have my daughter back.Good luck,and don`t give up hope.

Answer 3

My thoughts go out to you, I was in the same situation myself a few years ago. Most people (though not everyone) can achieve full control of their seizures with the correct meds.

Be prepared to make a fuss if necessary, to make sure his doctors try every possible option. My partner couldn't take the most common meds because they were damaging his liver, so he was put on a new drug which didn't control his seizures at all - in fact they almost seemed to make them worse! We had to dig our heels in to get them to try a third alternative. His seizures are now controlled and he is able to drive.

The normal course of treatment is to put him on meds for 2 years, then withdraw them and see whether he has another seizure. Some people just need that period of stability, and they never have a seizure again. If he does have another seizure after the meds are withdrawn, then he will need to stay on the meds for life.

It is always confronting to be diagnosed with a chronic illness, it can feel like a lifetime sentence. Get in touch with the Epilepsy Association in your area, it will help to speak to fellow sufferers.

Answer 4

My dad is a epileptic and has been since I can remember. He lives a normal life and evrything is fine if he takes his meds. I can remember a few times maybe 6 that he has had a seizure. I can advise if you have children that you prepare them on what to do and how to handle the situation if it ever happens while there alone with him. I was 13 and my dad was helpng me with a school project when he went into a seizure. It was just me and him but my mother had prepaired me on how to handle it. Even though it was a scary moment I handled it just fine. My dad is now in his 60's he has had a few problems but nothing major. As he has gotten older they have had to reregulate his meds from time to time. If your as good a wife as my mom is to my dad then everything will be just fine. Take care

Answer 5

Most seizures can be controlled 100% with the proper medications, so eventually he should be able to resume all activities and driving too. Each state has different laws regarding driving after a seizure, so ask your neurologist.

Life should get back to normal.

Answer 6

No.

However you can lead a "relavtively normal" life. : ) And isn't that better than having cancer or some other life-threatening disease? If his seizures are controllable with Medication then wonderful, but only time will tell. He will maybe lose his license, you will have to ask his doctors.

Good luck.

Answer 7

My mother-in-law has seizures. Her doc told her she had to be seizure-free for one year before she could drive.

Answer 8

I agree with consulting your neuroligist. However, be sure to consult a 2nd and 3rd opinion. My uncle is a state bridge worker in Ohio and in his late 40's. This happened to him as well. It took them to consult the 3rd neuroligist to get the accurate dosage and several testings, but he is fully functioning on his job, as well as driving. Good luck to you both!