Hi, I finally went to see a neurologist after having episodes of intense Deja Vu with a rising sick feeling for around 5 years. The consultant believes that they are focal aware seizures. I do not lose consciousness and am able to respond if I have to. She is recommending I start treatment. I guess I have 2 questions, the first is driving - the consultant said she needs to check if I’m ok to drive and is going to let me know. Does anyone have any experience with this?
And secondary, is it necessary to have treatment since the effects on my life are minimal?
Thanks.
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Squishy1234
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Hey 👋 I’m having the same since my medication was reduced by my neurologist, I have a diagnosis of epilepsy though, I’ve had to stop driving because of these, medication/treatment affects us all differently, I don’t like mine but I’ll stick with so I can get driving again.
I hope you hear from others on this platform, as sharing information and experiences can be a good idea. Can I just check you also know about our other services?
We have lots of information on our website that you may find helpful epilepsy.org.uk.
You will need to report your seizures to the DVLA. But if you have seizures that don’t affect your awareness, you might be allowed to drive even if you continue having seizures. The driving agency would need to be satisfied that:
You remain fully alert and able to react during your seizures and
Your seizures don’t affect your ability to control the vehicle and
You have been having this type of seizure for at least 12 months and
You have never had any other type of unprovoked seizure
Deciding whether or not to start epilepsy medicines can be a difficult. And everybody feels differently about this. But we have some information about epilepsy medicines that may help you with this decision epilepsy.org.uk/info/treatm....
Finally, please feel free to contact our helpline team. You can either email helpline@epilepsy.org.uk or phone the Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050. Our helpline is open Monday to Friday 8.30am until 5pm and Saturday 10am until 4pm.
Following your diagnosis of epilepsy, if you haven’t already, you need to make the DVLA aware. You would do this by voluntarily surrendering your driving licence.
Once your neurologist agrees you meet the driving regulations for your type of epilepsy you can reapply for your licence back. You may wish to use our driving online tool to check if you meet the regulations
It can take a few months before you hear anything form the DVLA. The driving agency will need a detailed description of your seizures before they make a decision about when you can drive. However, you may be allowed to drive during this time but only if you have voluntary surrendered your licence.
If you surrendered your licence, you may be able to start driving again as soon as you meet the epilepsy driving rules and have a valid application in with the DVLA. While you're waiting to receive your new licence, you could drive under section 88. This would be possible if:
• The driving agency has received your application and
• There are no other medical or legal reasons why you should not be driving
Full information about this is available in the leaflet INF188/6 - Cepilepsy.org.uk/info/drivin... I drive while my application is with DVLA? (England, Scotland and Wales). Information for drivers in Northern Ireland is available on the NI direct weepilepsy.org.uk/info/drivin...
If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact our helpline team directly. The Epilepsy Action Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050 is open Monday to Friday 8.30am until 5.00pm and Saturday 10.00am until 4.00pm.
I started having deja vu, for years , thinking nothing of it. Then 5 years ago I had full seizure, and have had them on and off since , while being on prescribed medication. I went 6 months with nothing, and then the deja vu, started and within a couple of days I had another seizure! Now I have weeks with nothing, then deja vu, loads for weeks or a few days or just a few, I never know . And having had a seizure 2 weeks ago I am still having multiple deja vu events every day , always ending with me sweating a lot , and feeling sluggish and in a bubble. Fed up with it now ! Hard to see a way forward.
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Nighttime seizures advice required
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