Epilepsy and driving

[ParusMajor123]

I'm new here. I am 22 and live in the UK. I was diagnosed with epilepsy back in 2015. I used to before I was diagnosed have absence seizures most days, I have tonic clonic seizures. After having a seizure on holiday in Canada, we had been travelling for 2 days, I had the seizure, because it was so bad I ended up in hospital. Since then I have had 3 other seizures, one of which did require hospital treatment, the other two happened at home. I have been seizure free now for 3 years and 2 months, I was wondering if you have any advice for me as I would like to start to learn how to drive but my Mom won't let me. I understand the risks associated with it but I feel so lost and stuck and reliant on others or public transport to get around. I don't like that feeling. I've felt it even more so since I've been diagnosed. all my friends around me can drive and some do go on about it a lot, which is hard to listen to.

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear this mate, I’m 41 had my 1st seizure last September and now lost my licence after 25 yrs driving, buses are frustrating n it’s horrid feeling to be reliant on others. Seizure free for 3 years is brilliant congratulations 👍🏽 I understand your mum I have these feelings about if n when I can drive again but at 22 I feel it is your choice, maybe just start off with lessons and reassure your mum that for your lessons the car would have dual controls so if any problem occurred your instructor will be able to stop the car and give you the help you need, going forward as n when your test ready maybe see GP or epilepsy nurse with your mum so they can also reassure her, it’s so hard isn’t it mate, I asked a mate the other day what’s worse never driving when you want to or driving for years & then being told you can’t? 3 years is a long time seizure free DVLA only ask 12 months free & then I can reapply for licence 👍🏽🤓

[Tenor49]

Hallo. Sorry to hear your seizures were so serious but its is great that you have been seizure free for over three years. M1977's suggestion that you point out to your mum that the driving instructor's car is dual control is a good one - at least you can get to learn how to drive, even if she won't let you go out on your own once you have passed your test, and the longer you are out in the car the more she might be able to come to terms with the idea of your driving, especially if the instructor says he is confident in your ability. i know the buses can be difficult - so can the trains. I haven't driven for nearly fifteen years, because I am too nervous now, although I could apply as my seizures are sleep seizures (I am nearly 70 and had two three-year stints without a licence because of seizures, before having four in a fortnight, which made me stop driving altogether). If it is any consolation, a friend of mine from school had an accident when he was in the sixth form (as it then was!) which damaged his eyesight. He has never been able to drive, but he can get around most of the country on public transport better than most of us can manage by car. Remember that we aren't the only guys who can't drive.

[Kiera49]

Hi go for it 3 years is brilliant, I drove for 13 years and it was great so much reason, I was seizure free for 21 years but then got cancer now its playing up a bit no seizures but some absences so cant drive anymore but always treasure the years I could drive and got bus pass. I wish you all the best

[ParusMajor in reply to Kiera49]

Hello. I can’t anymore i had a seizure out of the blue about a month ago. So devastated. I was in Tesco near where I live, i remember i was at the till about to pay and then I woke up on the floor with 2 paramedics picking me up, I went to A&E I’ve been told by someone who was there the seizure lasted about 8-10mins. I’m just so upset with myself now. I was 3 weeks off being seizure free for 4 years. But now I guess I have to start all over again. I’ll never be able to drive or even get a license.