Does a seizure always mean losing your licence?

[mummynoseynora]

I will try not to drip feed but not had the best day so might not explain myself well...

There is a bit of a backstory so better get that out of the way quickly! When I was 17 (or just before) I had a seizure, in the middle of a pub resteraunt.. not a huge one - but full on blackout / rigid / no memory, staid in my seat. Was with my family, mum panicked, sis was scared, dad dealt with me. Went to the docs the next day and got referred for testing for epilepsy... after 18 months of tests (CT scan / EEG / sleep deprived EEG) they decided that they couldn't decide if anything was wrong but as I hadn't had another I was probably fine

roll forward umm.... 14 years. Nothing since, officially anyway - have had occasional moments where I have had tunnel vision if I have eaten a little too fast - but not progressed beyong that. Today we went out for breakfast, all going fine until,

suddenly I got a feeling like food was stuck in my throat- not choking, just wasn't going down - then felt tunnel vision / weird background noise in my ears that wasn't there previously (place was dead), next thing I know my DH is sat next to me with his arm around me

apparently my eyes had rolled back, hands rigid, and was starting to fall sideways. When he called my name apparently I snapped out of it and said 'what?'

Have had a stonking headache all day and been exhausted for a week (DD - ear infection = no sleep for mummy) so it may well be linked to that?

Am I going to lose my licence when I go to the docs?! - Any advice would be hugely appreciated

Op I have epilepsy and have recently got my licence back.

It is worth being totally honest with the DVLA - I have always found the medical licensing(?!) department to be very helpful over the phone. Other depts, not so brilliant!

Also, it is a pain not to drive but it really isn't the be all and end all if that is what it turns out to be. I have a bike and for errands I just use that, it is just a way of life now. I only get seizures when I'm ill/sleep deprived/low blood sugar now, I manage my epilepsy through my lifestyle.

Obviously your blackout may not be caused by epilepsy but it's an inconvenience rather than a disaster to me.

thread hijack how long does the DVLA take to process applications to have licences returned? Finally seizure free and have been waiting a month already. Would love to get licence back before mat leave ends

My DH had his licence revoked after a sub-arachnoid brain haemhorrage. He got it back 7 months after reapplying, and that was with us chasing and chasing. DVLA were absolute crap in dealing with it and lost the first round of medical reports - which had taken 3 months for them to ask for in the first place after receiving the reapplication! 'Quick, efficient turnaround' is just not in DVLA's vocabulary.

"how long does the DVLA take to process applications
to have licences returned? "

I been having brain Complex Partial Seizures and been told to re-apply in October if I want licence back in January.
It takes 3 months apparently as they need GP and hospital reports to confirm seizure free for a year.

mummy and kidding could you say more about the tunnel vision and migraines ?

I've had surgery for cancer I have a shortened digestive system and since then I've had a number of episodes which I really struggle to describe .They start with visual disturbance -at first just a fuzzy ,unable to focus properly sensation but quickly progresses to what feels like either flashing ( sort of like an overwhelming bright light flasing into alternating eyes ) or my focus suddenly zooming in out .

Then I get what feels like massive muscle jerking and a weird feeling of everything shifting around me and a sort of miniscule absence for a nano second which makes me call out/grunt as I come back .But I've never fallen down ( I sit down ) or lost consciousness .

I don't have any pain .

Does any of the above sound similar to your symptoms ?

And I've had one episode of a shape with rainbow zigzags round it moving across my vision .

I'm struggling to get the clinic I attend for follow up since the surgery or my GP to understand or take me seriously ,they say "oh ,so you feel weak and a bit dizzy " and the GP ( who now finally has a letter from said clinic requesting he refer me to a neurologist ) "I don't know what you're here for ." So who knows if I'll be referred .

A relative recently got his licence back after a year seizure free, it took about three weeks and was dealt with very efficiently by the DVLA.

DVLA returning licence estimated 6 weeks, but from previous posters 3 weeks to 3 months suggest it quite variable depending on demand.

Good morning,
I presume I do still have to surrender my license?
I had a seizure last week, the first one in 7 years 😥
Shortly before me having a seizure I was ill with sickness and diarrhea.
Consequently there were approximately 4 lots of medication that hadn't stayed in my system 😞.
I haven't worked for the last 6 years as it is due to being diagnosed with fibromyalgia....and having a seizure after all this time is such a blow as driving has been one of the only thing's that keeps me going these days.

Good morning,
I presume I do still have to surrender my license?
I had a seizure last week, the first one in 7 years 😥
Shortly before me having a seizure I was ill with sickness and diarrhea.
Consequently there were approximately 4 lots of medication that hadn't stayed in my system 😞.
I haven't worked for the last 6 years as it is due to being diagnosed with fibromyalgia....and having a seizure after all this time is such a blow as driving has been one of the only thing's that keeps me going these days.

In 2015 just sitting in front of pc my left arm starting shaking,couldn't do anything to stop it not even try n grab it with right arm,I thought what is happening ,just thought it was muscle spasm,same next day then day after that I had it twice and my left leg came up a bit,I had no blackouts or falls as I'm in a wheelchair due to paraplegia from a rta,on the 4th day in a row same again arm shake then tightness un all limbs that I can feel like rigid feeling ,must of passed out briefly ,my mother said I had wheeled from my bedroom to the kitchen which I roughly 30/40 ft which I can't remember,then called for nhs 24 doc came done all checks then was writing letter for hosp docs,I must of had a slight fit I knew she was there n talking but I couldn't reply ,once at hosp had all the tests ct n mri etc nothing showed up ,but they still said it was epilepsy ,focal seizures with some generalisation focal seizures.was devastated as had to give up driving for 12 months,when you rely on your car to get out n about was so annoying ,eventually got licence back in 2016 thank god no more seizers/fits since those 4 days in may 2015,I was originally on LAMOTRIGINE which still am ,for anyone reapplying for licence you can apply to your licence 8 weeks before your year is up,if youj have had a photo licence before you din't need a new photo or have to pay for your licence ,I hope fir those waiting you have a seizure free and happy motoring ,

Yes Steve4209 you prob would have to return your licence ,but you could call the medical line of DVLA,to get this verified good luck 🍀

There are a lot of assumptions here about this being a seizure. I do think you should probably see your GP but I wouldn't rush to "sell" this to him/her as a seizure.

If it is found to be a seizure then you should inform the DVLA and your licence is likely to be removed, although this would not be permanent. DVLA rules.

I would refer you to a decent neurologist via the first seizure clinic. Where I am this takes about a month. Don't drive mean time but don't tell the DVLA until you have seen the neurologist. A good history with witness statements will help establish if this was a seizure. I'm not convinced by the story, especially how fast you came round.

I think OP probably got this sorted back in 2012, and Steve4209 some six months ago.