Simple Partial Epilepsy and Driving?

So I recently found out that I most likely have simple partial epilepsy and I am going to go to the doctors to find out. My only fear is that they might take my driver's license away. I have never had an "attack" when driving. I only get them when I start moving too quickly, and when driving you don't move your body at all. My thing is I get a motor freeze in my face, hands, and feet. What happens is my muscles freeze up and contort. I am fully aware and concious during it and they only last about 10-15 seconds. If I go to the doctors do you think my license will get revoked? Once again, it NEVER happens when I drive and I am still fully concious and aware. I can sort of talk (more like make sounds) and sort of move but just not my fingers, feet, or face.

A lot this answer resides more in the driving laws in your state than in your doctor's opinion.

Six states (California, Delaware, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Pennsylvania) require physicians to report patients with seizures. Then, it is out of the physicians hands.

Other states require the patient to report. In these states, you are liable if you have a seizure behind the wheel and you didn't report your epilepsy.

In some states it is left to the physicians decision as to whether or not he reports your epilepsy. I guess you should hope you live in one of these states.

Check out http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/rights_... for more information and links to DMV's before going to see your physician. Know what the law is, and then plead your case to your doctor. Make sure he knows that you plan on complying with whatever treatment he prescribes, and then actually do it.

Hope this helps.

BTW: www.epilepsyfoundation.org and www.epilepsy.com are both great resources for all epileptics. (Including me)

You should not have a problem driving but I would expect them to want a letter from your doctor stating that your condition is being controlled with medication.

Uncontrolled you should not be driving. A 10-15 second partial seizure would be more than enough to end your life or someone elses while you are at the wheel of a motor vehicle

I deal with patients daily who have one condition or another that left alone would hinder their ability to drive, however when properly medicated there is no reason why you should lose your driving privileges.

Good Luck!

You sound pretty convincing here, but you need to convince your doctor. Can also ask him for medication to stop the attacks if you believe it is necessary.

I was getting a lot of Deja Vu experiences and put these down to panic attacks as I was drinking a lot of coffee. Driving home one night I had one of these attacks and I passed out. I wrote my car off and damaged four others. I came to hanging upside down by my seatbelt. I have since found out that these attacks were simple epilepsy attacks made worse by the amount of coffee that I was drinking. I get no more than slight dizzy spells now lasting no longer than half a second but I will not drive a car again until these attacks are controlled.
I could have been travelling at 80mph down a motorway (freeway).
It's not only your life that is on the line.
Go get medication and don't drive til the doctor says so.