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Original poster

Vaccine, Seizures, GP and DVLA

67 replies

koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:10

Hello, I'm looking for some advice on behalf on my partner, who has had a really rough year. 10 years ago, he was diagnosed with cortical dysplasia, a condition which causes him to seizure when he has a high temperature. This was originally found after he smoked weed (he was 16 at the time).

After his first COVID vaccine, he had an incident whilst on site (he is an engineer). Originally, it was thought that this was a collapse was due to syncope.

After his second vaccine, he had a seizure whilst asleep which I witnessed, which went on for about 8 minutes. Because he was frothing at the mouth and choking, I was terrified and called an ambulance. He went to A and E but was not seen and discharged himself about 7 hours later as he desperately needed to rest. We now believe that the first incident on site was also a seizure, but it wasn't witnessed by anyone.

Today we have had a letter from the GP as he (GP) noticed this on his (partner's) records whilst writing a letter to his employer. They want him to arrange a telephone appointment to review the situation.

My partner is terrified that the GP will want to inform the DVLA and his license will be revoked. His career and independence depend heavily on him being able to drive. I know that his mental health would take a massive hit if he were not able to drive.

Could anyone suggest what might happen going forward and if there is anything we can do to ensure he can keep his license?

OP posts:
FleasInMyKnees · 09/10/2021 20:13

What do you think he should do. How would you feel if he had a seizure when he was driving and caused an accident.

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:14

@FleasInMyKnees

What do you think he should do. How would you feel if he had a seizure when he was driving and caused an accident.
I can say with absolute confidence I don't believe he will have another seizure. Both times were 3 days after each COVID vaccine, and he has not had one in the previous 10 years or since. He has only ever had a Sigurd as a result of drug use (of different types).
OP posts:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 09/10/2021 20:15

He really can’t drive until he’s got the seizures under control. You must realise this.

Interested in this thread?

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General health
Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:16

To clarify, in his lifetime he has only ever had 3 seizures.

The first was 10 years ago, and was due to drug use.

The other two were due to the vaccine.

There have been no other seizures before or since.

OP posts:
Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:16

@Bigeggsinapackoften

He really can’t drive until he’s got the seizures under control. You must realise this.
How are they not under control? He has only had seizures as a direct result of the vaccine.
OP posts:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 09/10/2021 20:18

Are you medically trained? Is that what the doctors have said?

HungrySausage · 09/10/2021 20:18

I can say with absolute confidence that I believe I will win the lottery tonight. It doesn’t make it true.

Talk to the GP and go from there.

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:19

@Bigeggsinapackoften

Are you medically trained? Is that what the doctors have said?
I would suggest common sense must prevail - three instances of drug use, three seizures, plus a diagnosis of a condition which causes seizures with a high temperature. This isn't a situation where seizures will happen randomly.
OP posts:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 09/10/2021 20:19

Yeah what sausage said.

I can say with absolute confidence all sorts of things. But this is a notifiable medical condition for a reason.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 09/10/2021 20:20

www.gov.uk/epilepsy-and-driving

Your partner should inform the DVLA himself about the seizure(s) and their medical experts will advise him on when he can drive again. He has a responsibility to inform the DVLA himself.

This link says: "You must tell DVLA if you’ve had any epileptic seizures or blackouts.

You must stop driving straight away.

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result."

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:20

I hear what you are saying, and I would agree if there was anything random about the seizures, but there hasn't been.

OP posts:
Asdf12345 · 09/10/2021 20:21

The GP will consider how the history compares to the public guidance from the dvla. The dvla offer clear guidance which you and he can read and also provide their own assessments where required for more complex or contested cases.

I would be hopeful that if all three seizures were clearly provoked he will keep his license. That said if he knows a temperature or a jab can make him fit he probably shouldn’t have been at work for the second one…

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:21

@HopelesslydevotedtoGu

www.gov.uk/epilepsy-and-driving

Your partner should inform the DVLA himself about the seizure(s) and their medical experts will advise him on when he can drive again. He has a responsibility to inform the DVLA himself.

This link says: "You must tell DVLA if you’ve had any epileptic seizures or blackouts.

You must stop driving straight away.

You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA about a medical condition that affects your driving. You may be prosecuted if you’re involved in an accident as a result."

Thank you, I don't know where we stand as these aren't epileptic seizures.
OP posts:
TheCanyon · 09/10/2021 20:22

I was in a&e a few months ago and the Dr looking after me told me they would be reporting me to the dvla as unfit to drive, I'm not driving at all anyway as I don't feel safe even sitting down never mind in control of a potential killing machine but I totally understood their position.

Losing a license is better than losing a life.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 09/10/2021 20:22

I would suggest common sense must prevail.... a diagnosis of a condition which causes seizures with a high temperature

That is a decision for the DVLA medical experts to make - your DP still needs to inform the DVLA.

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:22

@Asdf12345

The GP will consider how the history compares to the public guidance from the dvla. The dvla offer clear guidance which you and he can read and also provide their own assessments where required for more complex or contested cases.

I would be hopeful that if all three seizures were clearly provoked he will keep his license. That said if he knows a temperature or a jab can make him fit he probably shouldn’t have been at work for the second one…

Thank you, he wasn't, the second seizure was at home whilst he was asleep. We didn't know the COVID vaccine would cause his temperature to spike before he had it unfortunately.
OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 09/10/2021 20:23

So no doctor has said this is related to the Covid vaccine?

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:24

@HopelesslydevotedtoGu

I would suggest common sense must prevail.... a diagnosis of a condition which causes seizures with a high temperature

That is a decision for the DVLA medical experts to make - your DP still needs to inform the DVLA.

With the current condition of the DVLA and their dire waiting times I do worry that it will take us months to be able to communicate with them properly.
OP posts:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 09/10/2021 20:24

You have no idea if it’s related to the vaccine. You’re not a doctor!

StillUpSpooking · 09/10/2021 20:24

Unfortunately OP I think he’s very unlikely to be able to keep his licence. Occasionally it’s possible where a seizure is considered provoked, however I don’t think this is likely to apply given he already has a diagnosis of cortical dysplasia/epilepsy.

No one can give you a definite answer here though as ultimately it is up to the DVLA with advice from a consultant.

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:25

@MyDcAreMarvel

So no doctor has said this is related to the Covid vaccine?
He was diagnosed with cortical dysplasia, which causes the seizures with a high temperature. The vaccine caused the high temperatures.
OP posts:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 09/10/2021 20:25

But he hasn’t been seen by a doctor relating to the recent seizures?

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:26

@StillUpSpooking

Unfortunately OP I think he’s very unlikely to be able to keep his licence. Occasionally it’s possible where a seizure is considered provoked, however I don’t think this is likely to apply given he already has a diagnosis of cortical dysplasia/epilepsy.

No one can give you a definite answer here though as ultimately it is up to the DVLA with advice from a consultant.

Thank you, I appreciate your honesty and what you are saying. I am trying to gather as much information as possible in order to be able to support him as well as possible.
OP posts:
canary1 · 09/10/2021 20:26

He is legally obliged to tell DVLA himself now anyway. And his insurance is also invalid as he hasn’t declared this. It’s already on his medical record. So if he has an accident, even if no one is hurt, his insurance is invalid.

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:26

@Bigeggsinapackoften

You have no idea if it’s related to the vaccine. You’re not a doctor!
No seizures for ten years, then a new drug in his system and he seizures the same amount of time after each dose? Seems quite logical to me.
OP posts: