To just tell people I'm epileptic (even though I'm not)

[dilemma456]

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just say 'because I don't want to', 'it's bad for the environment', 'i don't need to'

but no,. YANBU. I don't think. although I do suspect people will tell you that you are.

for all intents and purposes, you are epileptic. Some people suffer with it more than others, people who have it well controlled don't really 'suffer' with it at all!

In other words, I wouldn't feel bad if I were you.

YABU - just say "medical reasons" and if people ask for more details just say, really brightly, "Why do you want to know?"

Don't say you're epileptic when you're not - it's a lie and lies like that always get blown out of proportion. What if someone starts asking details like what medication you're on, or if you're grand mal or whatever? Nightmare.

yabu
but then dh has epilepsy(and dd) so I would say that
just say because of health reasons

I don't really think it's too bad. I have quite a lot of little stock untruths I tell because the truth is too long-winded. When ringing for taxis I never say my actual name, because it is unusual and they always mishear it. So much easier to say Sarah instead...

Why dont you just say 'because I suffer from occasional seizures' instead?
Its not much longer winded than 'because I have epilepsy'
and its completely truthful.
if anyone asks 'oh, whys that?' or is rather nosy about it and you cant be arsed to explain then you could always say 'oh, its a long story, another time!' and change the subject!

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I find the shocked looks on nosey people's faces when I say "I don't want to talk about it" to such questions remarkably satisfying!

I no longer drive - as you don't know me, I'll tell you why. Many years ago I was rigt behind a horrendous Mway accident and was unable to save a small child in the back of one of the cars. I don't want to explain this at the school gates as you can imagine so I always say, "I don't want to talk about it". People quickly change the subject.

If you want to wind them up you could always tell them an outrageous, patently ridiculous story.... "Well, it was ever since my secret lover caught his willy in the door of my husband's Saab and had to be airlifted....!". People generally realise that you're taking the pee out of them and ease off on the questions.

I'd agree with TAFkA though, whatever you say, don't lie about an illness you don't have or you might never hear the end of it.

just say you can't for medical reasons
dp has a history of epilepsy, he no longer has seizures but it still careful with diet etc. He would not be comfortable learning to drive in case there was even the tiniest chance that he could have a seizure at the wheel. He tells people he just never bothered to learn/always lived somewhere with good public transport so never needed to learn

agree with tafka, if you tell people you're epileptic you may ending having to field questions and make up answers about that. If you really don't want to get into it you could just say 'Oh I don't want to talk about it' and deftly steer the conversation on to something else.

agree dont lie

just say medical reasons dont allow you to

Medical reasons and tell the nosy gits to sod off.

just say 'i have had seizures, a bit like epilepsy but not quite'.

I have epilepsy and don't object to you using it as a reason - you do have a tendency to have seizures which is all epilepsy is, really. It's description of certain symptoms, not a specific condition like diabetes.

No-one with epilepsy will be harmed by you not going into huge detail about your particular circumstances, so why worry?

But agree 'for medical reasons' would be simpler.

Btw, wouldn't say I 'suffer' - epilepsy is like many other medical problems, there's a whole range from very severe and incapacitating to very easily managed. I'm in the lucky position of merely having to take two tablets a day and (touch wood and thank heavens) being fine.

Actually thinking about it, epilepsy is the tendency to have repeated seizures - so you do have it as far as I can see!

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just say medical reasons, and if they push it say its similar 2 epilepsy. you dont really have to give the full details to them anyway?

Tell them to fück off it´s not their business.

I don´t drive-because I don´t want to!

YANBU, and actually if you have suffered from more than one fit in the past (however minor and rare) and those fits are caused by a neurological disorder (meningitis), you are epileptic, epilepsy covers a wide range of conditions and symptoms.Apart from that its not really any ones business.I cant believe that anyone who has epilepsy is going to be so precious over the word that they would resent you using it as a quick and clear explanation.

I agree... I have 2 Dc's with epilepsy and whilst I am not in the slightest but offended by you saying you have it, you may find that you will get asked questions about medication etc. I would just say medical reasons... if it's someone really nosy, they may ask questions but for most people, a short answer like that will field off any other questions.

I'm in the same position as edam.

I wouldn't lie, as it covers such a wide range and you're bound to be questioned about it.

DB couldn't drive for a year after suffering temporal lobe seizures. A - in his case very mild - form of epilepsy. He has never lost consciousness. He doesn't "suffer" at all, and has never suffered, yet is classed as a "real epileptic."

I wouldn't let it worry you, say what you like that'll make them shut up and leave you alone.

Don't lie about it only because god forbid anything should happen to you at work and they tell the ambulance crew/first aider you have epilepsy.

Just cheerily say 'it's a long story, another time' and give them the crush off.

Vallhala @22.37 {sad] How traumatic for you.