my 14 year old had a seizure- help! - Epilepsy Message Board

roxy1122 · 07-23-2007, 04:44 PM

Last weekend my 14 year old had a seizure, 1st time ever, she has had no medical problems at all? I have her schedule for a EEG next week, the emergency doctor or her regular doctor could not give me any answers, I am confused - Her doctor said it might have been a Grand Mal Seizure, but she is unsure - I am new to all this and very confused on why this happen to a very healthy person. Now her doctor must report it to the DMV and it might cause problems with her getting her license. Any advise on what to look for or determine if it might happen again. Any thing !!! Lisa

neurowreck · 07-23-2007, 05:39 PM

If she has epilepsy, and is controlled on meds for a period of time (different for each state), she can still get a license. It also depends on the sort of seizure- some can be from too little sleep (lots of studying), dieting severely, low blood sugar, infections,alcohol, past head trauma, etc..... not all seizures repeat and are diagnosed as a seizure disorder or epilepsy- sometimes, it's a one time deal.

catharine101 · 07-23-2007, 08:27 PM

Hi there -

I am new to this board, but old to epilepsy. I'm 34 and have had Epilepsy since I was 5.

Regarding the driving issue - I live in MB, Canada. Here the restrictions are that I must go 2 years seizure free before I can qualify for a license. Once I got the licence, I had to go for yearly Dr's certification to submit to the DMV to keep my license. I've now been seizure free for over 10 years, and they've stopped bugging me.

Here it really doesn't matter WHY you have the seizure, if you have them, you must go seizure free before you get the license. However, rest assured that once you have received a DX and seizures are under control (if that's what they are), your 14 yr old can get a license. Eventually.

SentenceDoing · 07-24-2007, 10:25 AM

Welcome to the board, roxy.
There are a lot of reasons seizures happen, and usually, doctors can't say why a first seizure might have happened, especially before taking an MRI and EEG.
My seizures started with puberty. They are caused by hormone fluctuation. So I'm a healthy person, as you said, but my monthly cycle gives me seizures.
Once they rule out anything serious on the MRI, you shouldn't be too worried. It could just be a one-time thing, or even if it's not, seizures can be usually pretty well controlled with medication.
Good luck, and keep us updated!

Travis from MN · 07-24-2007, 05:13 PM

California is 3,6,and 12 month restrictions for drivers license last I knew. Meaning IF a person already has one, your license can be suspended for 3-12 months until the state reactivates it.

For initially obtaining it; if you are found (or known) to have "epilepsy" you'll need a statement from your Dr stating last time you had a seizure. Most states have a generic page to have the doc fill out and return.

Interesting that they are reporting it to the DMV when this person is not driving yet, or not in Drivers Ed. I wonder at what age they start reporting it to the state.

As long as you have not had a seizure in that time frame stated above, you can legally drive. HOWEVER think on the side of safety.

I always had a "pre cursor" (ringing in my ear, "static feeling") to warn me before a seizure would strike when I drove. If I had one when driving I'd pull over to the side of the road just in case. Now I don't have those. As well I don't have the same control I had back then, so I can't obtain my license.

--Travis