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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:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 09/10/2021 20:28

But you’re not a doctor.

Anyway. He has a legal obligation to inform DVLA ASAP.

HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 09/10/2021 20:28

I imagine this could count as a provoked seizure?

"Provoked seizures
To be considered a provoked seizure, the seizure must be attributable solely to a recognisable provoking cause and that causative factor must be reliably avoidable. It should be clear that the seizure has been provoked by a stimulus that does not convey a risk of recurrence. Driving will usually need to cease for 6 months (group 1) or up to 5 years (group 2) following a provoked seizure. For Group 2 driving if evidence can be provided to show that an individual is at a less than 2% annual risk of having a further seizure before 5 years DVLA would be pleased to receive and consider this."

www.gov.uk/guidance/appendices-assessing-fitness-to-drive#appendix-b-epilepsy-and-seizure-rules-and-further-guidance

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:29

[quote HopelesslydevotedtoGu]I imagine this could count as a provoked seizure?

"Provoked seizures
To be considered a provoked seizure, the seizure must be attributable solely to a recognisable provoking cause and that causative factor must be reliably avoidable. It should be clear that the seizure has been provoked by a stimulus that does not convey a risk of recurrence. Driving will usually need to cease for 6 months (group 1) or up to 5 years (group 2) following a provoked seizure. For Group 2 driving if evidence can be provided to show that an individual is at a less than 2% annual risk of having a further seizure before 5 years DVLA would be pleased to receive and consider this."

www.gov.uk/guidance/appendices-assessing-fitness-to-drive#appendix-b-epilepsy-and-seizure-rules-and-further-guidance[/quote]
Thank you, this is really helpful.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

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General health
FleasInMyKnees · 09/10/2021 20:30

I would read up about cortical dysplasia. He and his g.p have a duty to inform the DVLA. Did he need to declare this to his employer too for his own safety. I dont think anyone here will tell you ways he can keep hus license. That is for his doctor and the dvla to decide.

Becca19962014 · 09/10/2021 20:30

It's twelve I months seziure and syncope free now for a reason. It's no longer only epilepsy you must be clear from.

That reason is the bin lorry crash in Glasgow. I have the same condition as that man and can say with absolute confidence that the DVLA would indeed have allowed him to drive knowing he had the condition if he had told them - they even said so at his trial. Because I was bullied to get a driving licence despite collapsing in all manner of ways for decades. Some there's a reason, some there's not and its impossible to distinguish between the two sometimes. The DVLA argued BEFORE that accident that syncope was only possible when standing, therefore safe to drive (I still have their letter declaring me fit to drive) and that was medically incorrect. I even had a specialist explain to them after the DWP demanded I got a licence to enhance my job prospects and the DVLA still said it was fine and I got sanctioned for it.

They're no longer taking risks with syncope like they once did (and in my opinion never should have).

He must let them know, surrender his licence and will get it back in twelve months after being free of loss of consiouness for any reason. There is no way around it.

I collapsed in a road due to my condition causing a traffic accident that resulted in someone being paralysed and I've never forgiven myself, even though the police said it wasn't my fault.

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 20:33

Thank you all for your stories and advice. He will be speaking to his GP in the coming week and we will go from there, I just wanted to be able to help him prepare.

OP posts:
Bigeggsinapackoften · 09/10/2021 20:34

He needs to also inform DVLA.

ArnoldBee · 09/10/2021 20:35

He must let Dvla and his insurance company know. My hubby can't drive due to medical reasons and it does contribute to his poor mental health and lack of job options. More importantly he understands that it's not about him and about the safety of others.

nocoolnamesleft · 09/10/2021 20:38

He needs to contact the DVLA himself.

Becca19962014 · 09/10/2021 20:38

@koalaroobear I just wanted to let you know from my point of view. Best to go into it (appointment) looking for their professional advice really. Im sorry if I came across judgemental. I do get its difficult for him.

StillUpSpooking · 09/10/2021 20:48

The important point regarding provoked seizures as quoted in the post above is the word “solely”. In your DP’s case this doesn’t apply as he has another factor - the cortical dysplasia. Also, while the vaccine may well have triggered the seizure, it’s highly unlikely the chemical itself that caused it, but the immune response. Being unwell, high temperature etc are known seizure triggers, so it’s not impossible that he won’t have another without the vaccine.

StillUpSpooking · 09/10/2021 20:49

Sorry could, not won’t

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 21:04

[quote Becca19962014]@koalaroobear I just wanted to let you know from my point of view. Best to go into it (appointment) looking for their professional advice really. Im sorry if I came across judgemental. I do get its difficult for him.[/quote]
Thank you, he will do, I just feel guilty because I feel like I've caused all of this, I feel like I should have never rung for help and like ultimately I've ruined his life, not due to him or anything he has said, he has said the opposite, I just feel so sad.

OP posts:
Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 21:04

@StillUpSpooking

The important point regarding provoked seizures as quoted in the post above is the word “solely”. In your DP’s case this doesn’t apply as he has another factor - the cortical dysplasia. Also, while the vaccine may well have triggered the seizure, it’s highly unlikely the chemical itself that caused it, but the immune response. Being unwell, high temperature etc are known seizure triggers, so it’s not impossible that he won’t have another without the vaccine.
Thank you, this is a good point
OP posts:
HopelesslydevotedtoGu · 09/10/2021 21:08

Oh I see - sorry op @StillUpSpooking is absolutely right, and this doesn't count as provoked. That will teach me to Google whilst distracted putting kids to bed!

He is going to spend some time not being able to drive, which may be difficult for him.

What are the practical challenges for him with work, hobbies, life etc? What other travel options does he have? Can his job be amended so he doesn't need to drive to different sites for example?

Btw I'd tell him to stop driving and inform DVLA himself now, rather than wait to speak to GP.

Becca19962014 · 09/10/2021 21:08

@koalaroobear you did the right thing phoning for help. Don't feel it's your fault, it's not. Don't let this, however, it turns out, stop you phoning again. Leaving seizures can be fatal.

StillUpSpooking · 09/10/2021 21:09

It’s not your fault at all OP. You absolutely did the right thing calling for help, and while it’s going to be tough if he does lose his licence it’s absolutely the right thing to be honest about it. I’m sure it’ll be a difficult year without his licence but less difficult than if he had a seizure behind the wheel and injured himself or someone else. Sorry this has happened Flowers

Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 21:11

@HopelesslydevotedtoGu @Becca19962014 Thank you both for your words of wisdom and support, I have been incredibly upset and tearful this evening which I know is very unhelpful for my partner. I was so scared when he was seizuring, I was convinced he was going to die, but I can't help but blame myself now for ruining things for him. He's an incredible engineer, has the most amazing brain (obviously just a bit broken), but his job relies on him driving all over the country to client sites. Since the collapse on site he has been at home and it's had such a negative impact on his mental health, I'm so worried for him.

OP posts:
Original poster
koalaroobear · 09/10/2021 21:12

@StillUpSpooking

It’s not your fault at all OP. You absolutely did the right thing calling for help, and while it’s going to be tough if he does lose his licence it’s absolutely the right thing to be honest about it. I’m sure it’ll be a difficult year without his licence but less difficult than if he had a seizure behind the wheel and injured himself or someone else. Sorry this has happened Flowers
Thank you for being so kind. I really appreciate it. It's just a really really difficult situation.
OP posts:
tatyr · 09/10/2021 21:23

OP, I rang for an ambulance when my husband had his first tonic clonic seizure, because it was terrifying! It did start of a chain of events (no driving, major problems in getting to work, implications on family life, stress etc) that I'm sure he wishes he could bury his head and ignore.
But for the sake of everyone, and despite the inconvenience, I/we couldn't bury our heads. It would not be worth the potential consequences. He's now under control with medication, and was back driving after about a year when the pattern of seizures was established as being unlikely to happen when awake.
The stress/worry had never really left me though.

tatyr · 09/10/2021 21:39

It may also be that he needs to have further investigation to see if there had been any change /progression from the initial diagnosis given that this was quite some time ago

generalh · 09/10/2021 21:46

So you are happy knowing his inactions could cost lives?

Becca19962014 · 09/10/2021 22:11

@koalaroobear (I know this is easier said than done) but he needs to discuss the mental health side of it with the GP as well. I've been where he his when my conditions became disabling. He needs to be firm that he's struggling, I wasn't and it really effected my mental health.

Again do not blame yourself. Had you not called he could have died. I believe it's five minutes or if a seizure is unusual in nature you're supposed to phone. I had a friend at uni who died from a seizure. Don't ever let it put you off phoning again and if he's said anything to blame you, that'll be his fear at what's now happening.

darlingsweetpea · 09/10/2021 22:25

@koalaroobear look into Access to work. I lost my driving license and applied for this and had taxis take me to and from work as there was no suitable public transportation. You did the right thing calling for help, I buried my head in the sand twice but eventually I had to be sensible and seek treatment. A year sounds a long time, but I'm 5 years down the line and it's a distant memory now.

Sweetpeasaremadeofcheese · 09/10/2021 22:29

After my DM had her first Pfizer she had two seizures and a heart attack. Out of nowhere. Since then she has been out of work because she can't drive and is on anti-seizure meds. She hasn't had another seizure before or since so she's just stuck in this limbo.
Sorry that's not every helpful for you.