Nocturnal seizures
Hi, my friend had a nocturnal seizure (while asleep) last september 2023, wasnt allowed to drive for 6 months from the date of the seizure and after mri’s on heart and brain all come back clear so got licence back in the march (6months later). Roll forward this week she has had another nocturnal seizure 14months after the first one. Does anybody know how long she would have to wait to drive again once she has informed the dvla etc?
Thanks
So far, that's all I've had, 2 seizures in my sleep. The first one happened about 6 months ago, I rolled over on top of my husband and started seizing, bit the hell out of my tongue. He took me to the ER in the morning, they did a CT scan & didn't find much. Scheduled all my Dr's appointments, hubby didn't let me drive for a little bit, but I think after about a week or 2, I slowly started back in. Then it happened again, this time when I bit my tongue, it didn't puncture, just bruised & swollen, woke up on the toilet throwing up into the trashcan. My husband took real good care of me. This time didn't go to the ER because I had my neurology appointment coming up a few days later. Doctor scheduled my EEG that day, & prescribed Topiramate, so I've been on that for a few weeks now, & haven't heard back about my EEG yet. I'm still driving & haven't had another seizure since August. Still learning about things.
we’re glad you found our community! I hope your new medicine helps control your seizures. Please reach out anytime with any questions you have, we’re here to help. Best wishes, Julie (team member)
Hello! I've had nocturnal seizures and they are definitely no fun. When it comes to your drivers license, that can change a lot state to state. In the state I'm in, it's simply having to go 6 months without a seizure before you can drive again. Regardless of whether you've had them in the past, if there isn't a big barrier, like the doctor not approving it, then you can get your license back after 6 months. Though like I mentioned, I know some states are more strict and harder to navigate.
On a random note, nocturnal seizures can be so hard in many ways. I 100% knew I'd had my tonic clonic ones during sleep after waking up. My body felt awful. However, I've also had lots of partial seizures and never knew how many seizures I was having in my sleep until I did my longer EEG. It was like 4 days long and they said I had a lot of seizure activity during my sleep. I had no idea I was having one until I woke up and saw tons of nurses around me. My parents that were with me, didn't even realize I was having a seizure until the nurses came in. Nocturnal seizures can be so, so hard in that way. I really hope your friend is doing well and finds options that keep them completely seizure free for a long time!
