I am unable to drive because of the sez's. I haven't driven for about five years now and have had to rely on others to take me places. It drives me crazy because I don't live around any type of public transportation, I live in the country you could say.

All of my friends live at least 30 min away, and I hate having to have them drive here so we can spend time together just the two of us.

I also hate having to wait for someone to take me to the store if I just need to run out for one thing, I feel like I'm a bother. I'll wait until I have a whole grocery list and just do with out till then.

My family is the ones who live around me and take me everywhere. I know that it doesn't bother them and they are happy to do it. Or if they are going out and I need something they are more than happy to have me come along or just pick it up for me.

I'm just wondering if anyone else is in this situation and how they deal with it?

I cheat. If I'm not feeling well, I stay home. (I've filled 3 half tanks of gas this YEAR !!!!). My drivers' license is still good, and this isn't a mandatory reporing state. I'm just really careful to only go short distances, and never go if I have any funky feelings.

I am unable to drive because of the sez's. I haven't driven for about five years now and have had to rely on others to take me places. It drives me crazy because I don't live around any type of public transportation, I live in the country you could say.

All of my friends live at least 30 min away, and I hate having to have them drive here so we can spend time together just the two of us.

I also hate having to wait for someone to take me to the store if I just need to run out for one thing, I feel like I'm a bother. I'll wait until I have a whole grocery list and just do with out till then.

My family is the ones who live around me and take me everywhere. I know that it doesn't bother them and they are happy to do it. Or if they are going out and I need something they are more than happy to have me come along or just pick it up for me.

I'm just wondering if anyone else is in this situation and how they deal with it?
HI NEUROWRECK, I HAVE REAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS ONE TOO. YOU CAN BET YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR THAT THE TIME YOU REALLY NEED A LIFT IS THE TIME SOMEONE WILL LET YOU DOWN.(NOT THERE FAULT )FOR WHATEVER REASON.BUT IT LEAVES YOU SO ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED. YOU CANT SCREAM AND SHOUT COZ THEY WERE DOING YOU A FAVOUR IN THE FIRST PLACE .BUT OH OUT OF ALL THE THINGS YOU CAN PICK THAT YOU CANT DO WITH UNCONTROLLED EPILEPSY...FOR ME A MUM OF 3 .NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE IS DEFF THE WORSE.

PINKY1

When that first happened with me, and I lost my license; I moved to the metro so I could use the bus system. Before I lived rural where there was NO mass transit what so ever.

After living in the city for a handfull of years I moved to another city that had a bus system (my first requirement). Depending on friends or family is not a good idea. You do NOT know if they will be out of town or sick. That puts stress on them as well on you. Being able to use a city transit system gives you independence. You may still need them for long drives for gatherings where transit does NOT go. However for food purchasings or other "common" needs the transit can transport you to those stores.

I hope this may help you if you are thinking of moving, and putting driving on the back burner; from one who once drove for a few years.

--Travis

Also, I always keep cab fare with me, in case I get somewhere, and can't get home, and don't want to deal with the bus feeling bad (don't use it here, so am also not familiar with it, but used it in a different city before getting a car, and it was great- excellent way to get around, especially with monthly or disabled passes at reduced rates). But having the cab fare always in my wallet hidden away gives me some security that if I'm doing ok when I leave home, but start feeling bad, I can get home, and go get the car later.

my husband is in the same situation and he hates it as i have to take him and pick him back up if he goes anywhere, but he has not been dianosed with epilepsy:confused: so i can understand how you feel as he gets so fustrated too,thinking of you!

Valeried

I have the same problem, but like the person who cheats and drives anyway is asking for an accident. I am 63 years old and when I was 18, I decided not to drive. I have seen once in a while people who drive without a license and sometimes they kill themselves and other people.

What I have done over the years, whenever I move, I make sure that there a bus stop close by. I try to be close to the shopping centers too. My husband works so he cannot always take me places. I have learned to walk 4miles. It is good exercize and my children have learned to walk long distances and they still do. They are all adults. Two of my children are epilepits too. It is hereditary in my family. Hope this has helped.

Valeriedl,

I understand how difficult it is to have to depend on others and how much it can drag you down. Driving a car and being prone to seizures is an issue that has to addressed at some point.

I went seizure free for seventeen years. In that time I got my licence and was able to enjoy all the benefits that go with that. But at thirty five I had a seizure and I decided to turn in my licence for good. I have had many since then and I it seems that I may have turned the corner on my seizures and they are starting to become less freqent these past two years.

Even if I never have another seizure for the rest of my life I will not go after my licence again. Frankly, I don't want to wrap myself around a pole and kill myself or even worse someone else. I couldn't live with that.

Sometimes when you play with fire you get burned. I believe driving/prone to seizures is playing with fire.

Only you can answer what is best for you and act accordingly. For me living in the city, close to public transit and the kindness of friends and relatives has helped me tremendously. Further, walking and cycling have been great exercice too.

I know it is hard. You have to do what is right for you.

Take Care,

tohusker

Hi, I just lost my liscence this week again for the second time. I first lost my DL in January due to a Grandmal siezure and got it back in July. I just started getting seizures again this month. It sucks, but I have to think about my safety and the safety of others. Thank God for my family and friends, they have been giving me rides to work. My husband takes me shopping on the weekends. Its frustrating though but I have to think about my safety first. Its not worth loosing my life over. You just need to make adjustments to your life as things come along.

How do you handle this?? I have had two seizures in my sleep in the past two months. My husband told the doc that he sees no evidence of this during the day. However, the doc put me on medicine and said he is required by LA law to tell me not to drive for 6 months. He says its a verbal thing between me and him - he doesn't have to turn it in. So... if I thought I could remotely, possibly harm someone, I wouldn't drive. BUT, I know there's no chance.
Fortunately, I live 3 miles from my mom and 10 miles from work and she says she's glad to take me to work and back home and anywhere else I need to go. I just hate not being able to take off and go wherever I need/want to at lunch... or any other time. I can't expect her to bring me 20+ miles (roundtrip) to work, then again to bring me home, then to come to town again during the day for lunch or other needs. My husband is very understanding and helpful when it comes to getting groceries, etc. even though he works long hours. I'm so thankful for that.
I just think to myself that my husband's doc has told him not to eat greasy, spicy foods or caffeine but that doesn't stop him. AND... if I thought I could possibly hurt someone, I definitely wouldn't drive. What should I do here??? I'd like to drive minimally and let my husband do most of the driving (church, grocery store, etc.). I'm just concerned about any legal consequences.

I find being unable to drive very frustrating. I had just started to learn to drive when I had my first ceizure a year ago, and now I have to depend on my best friend to get me to work and back. Public transport is a possiblity, but I had one on the bus once and they called an ambulance and held the bus until it came. the bus had 20+ people on and because of me they were all late for work that day. It wasn't too bad as we were in the city, but I felt really bad for everyone else when it's my problem. Now, my place of work is moving to the other end of the county and I'm going to have to commute as my friend cannot take me there and back each day. It'll be either a long bus ride or train journey. I'm living in fear that it will have a ceizure on my way there on the bus, somewhere in the middle of the country where A. other bus users won't be able to get alternative transport, and B. if an ambulance is needed it will take longer to reach us. If it happened while going by train, there's a good possibility I'll end up in London!! Has anyone else had a similiar problem while using public transport?

Even if I moved into town and used public transprotation, my family would freak out. They are parinoid that I am going to have a sez when I am out alone and end up who knows where, or in the hospital. Heck, I'm not even aloud out of their sight at the grocery store!!!

It's just a good thing that I do have family and friends that understand, even if I feel like I am a burden to them.