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Original poster

Fried had fit at wheel of car - discharged from hospital same day, no tests - advice please!

40 replies

Hulababy · 08/10/2007 09:30

This is posted on Katz's postnatal group and I posted elsewhere too. But still playing on my mond today and worried, wondered if MN can offer any further advice.

Scary morning yesterday for Dh and friends, well all of us really.

Dh, Katz's DH and a couple of other of the lads had a night out last night and stayed over at my place, whilst me and Mollie stayed at Katz's house. All good. Lads had had a good ight - a fair bit to drink but nothing major, two meals (!!!) and then loads of water that night and next morning. We were laughing at how sensible and old they were all getting!

So, Sunday morning one of the lads, P, started to drive Dh and Katz's DH back to Katz, with R following in his car behind.

2 minutes into journey, with no warning, P had a big fit at the wheel. DH and Katz's DH realised when car was drifting towards oncoming cyclist that something was massively wrong. P was shaking, foaming at mouth, glazed over, making funny breathing noises, etc. And with no control over the car which was no starting to swerve.

Luckily on very straight and wide road, although on downhill slope, but automatic car. Dh grabbed wheel and managed to control it, and then had to let go, get down in seat and stop car using the brake with his hands! And poor old Katz's Dh was shouting out at P to try to rouse him, and trying to guide DH too.

DH got ambulance, and Katz's DHmanaged to flag down 4 people, all of whom were doctors bizarely - good thing about living where I do! P was completely out of it, not a clue where he was or anything.

Dh accompanied P to hospital whilst other two got P's car back to our place, and then came over to Katz's house.

Managed to get hold of P's family via is ex wife, a good friend. They got to hospital after they managed to get hold of a car a few hours later. DH stayed with P until then, and passed on all details of what happened to the nurses.

And this is when I think it gets very worrying - P had no memory of this, no history, nothing to suggest it was going to happen. Hospital monitored his blood pressure and took a potasium and blood sugar level, and then a couple of hours discharged him. Saw a doctor there briefly. Doctor even just tried to suggest it might have just been him falling asleep at whelel briefly - both DH and Latz's DH know this was not the case and the symptoms presenting were definitely not indicative of this, and the doctor should have realised this from those notes! No explanation or anything, and no further tests. That's it. He had a big fit, at the wheel of a car, for no reason - and he was free to leave and drive again. He collected his car from us after leaving the hospital and went home on the motorway!

I am stunned he can drive straight away and they aren't doing any further tests or investigations. Is this normal? He could have injured (or worse) that cyclist, or himself, or the others. What if they'd been on a busier road or the motorway, what if he'd been alone in the car, or had had his 6yo son int he car, like he did yesterday, what if......? Doesn't this warrant firther tests before being free to get in a car and drive again?

Dh a bit shaken but okay. Katz's DH the same as is other friend. Must have been hard for those two as they had to just watch and couldn't do anything to control the situation - one from back seat, one from car behind. Dh didn't have time to think about it as he was the one in the passenger seat so was busy.

Very scary for all. Thank goodness they were all ok, and P seems to be ok, if no memory of anything at all. I don't think he has any sense of how serious it all was and how he could have injured himself and others, if not worse. If Dh had not controlled the car that cyclist was in direct path of the pcar to start with, and it was stone walls all along other side where golf club is.

This morning DH is a bit more shaken by it I think. At the time he was so busy just trying to control and stop the car, but now he has had time to do the what ifs, etc.

So - is this a normal discharge thing after a fit - no tests, no problems, just home and drive? P is back at work today, having driven on motorway and with no plans to see the GP!

OP posts:

3littlebats · 08/10/2007 09:35

OMG!!! I am shocked. He should definitely see his GP and get referred to a neurologist. what if it happens again when he is alone in the car. This should not be normal practice at all.

I have to go out now, but hope you manage to get some action today.

TellusMater · 08/10/2007 09:46

My mum developed epilepsy in middle age and wasn't referred to a neurologist until she had had 3 seizures. I'm not sure why.

kinki · 08/10/2007 09:53

My dad (75, but very fit) had a one-off fit. He was discharged a few hours later, but he was referred to a neurologist for tests (ct, mri and electical brain scans). Turns out there was nothing wrong and they put it down to the stress and excitment of the moment (he was with a new girlfriend in the bedroom when it happened!)

BUT the thing is, because he had a fit he had to notify the DVLA. A fit is one of their notifable medical conditions. The upshot was he had his license withdrawn for a year. He was told if he didn't fit again he could have it back after a year, which he did. I'm pretty sure it wasn't age related.

TellusMater · 08/10/2007 09:54

Ah yes, my mum surrendered her licence before she had a firm diagnosis of epilepsy I think.

TellusMater · 08/10/2007 09:56

Might that have been to do with his age kinki? I know other people who have a single 'episode' and kept their licence.

kinki · 08/10/2007 10:00

could well have been.

wotsits · 08/10/2007 10:02

Several years ago, my dad had a mini-stroke whilst driving. Luckily my uncle was in the car with him. From what I remember, he lost control, drooling, unable to speak. At hospital he was tested extensively and diagnosed with having had a mini-stroke. After that initial attack, my dad was fine, recovered speech and control of his limbs almost immediately. This wasn't in the UK, by the way. I think your friend needs to see another doctor - at the very least have a scan or something. Thing is, I don't know if a GP would refer him fast enough, or whether he's better off going to A&E.

susiecutie · 08/10/2007 10:08

It is not normal or usual practice to have a fit with no history of fitting, and for it to not be investigated fully.

He needs to be seen by a neurologist. the fastest way would have been to have been admitted on that day...

His GP should refer him urgently. and he should be advised not to drive until he has been seen.

The fact that he has no memory of it is normal for a fit. but also indicates that he may have been having them and not knowing, such as nocturnally.

Its very important this is checked out... it is deemed 'ok' for every one to have 'one fit' in their life time... but only when its been thoroughly checked out. when i say allowed i mean before a diagnoses of epilepsy is made...

sorry if this has sounded harsh I think it so imprtant that a cause is found out. it is not 'normal' to just have a fit or to start fitting at his age, without there being a cause for it.

I would also consider making a complaint to the hospital about hte doctor who suggested he may have fallen asleep at the wheel.. given the symptoms and signs that were reported by your DH at the time! P needs to make a thourough note of what was witnessed to be able to give an accurate account to the GP and then neurologist...

I hope this is some help, and not too alarming.
sorry if it is...

flowerybeanbag · 08/10/2007 10:09

Hulababy he mustn't drive again, and he must go to his GP and get referred to a neurologist for tests.

I am epileptic and this sounds similar to fits I have, including no memory of it, my worst ones I lost memory of up to a week prior to the fit, although it came back later. I am on medication which controls it and I can drive, but I have previously had a fit when I forgot to take tablets, fortunately I wasn't driving at the time, but my GP advised me I had to report it to DVLA and I had my licence taken away on medical grounds. You usually have to be fit-free for a year before you can have it back and they are quite strict as my pleading letter than it was only because I had forgotten my medication fell on deaf ears!

He must go to his GP and get referred, he may well have an EEG, which is lots of electrodes stuck to his head while they do various things to him (not painful!) and look at his brainwaves, and maybe other tests as well.

Hope he's ok and gets it sorted.

Original poster

Hulababy · 08/10/2007 10:30

Thanks all. You are all saying exactly what we ourselfs think. I know Katz has spokjen to doctor friends who feel the same.

Is it true that the A&E will automatically call his GP about this? Will the GP then ask to see him?

DH has emailed P (or text?) to see how he is. Waiting for reply. I have emailed him too telling him about him needing to notify DVLA and telling him to see GP. Don't really care if he thinks I am interfering or anything - really worried about it all.

P uses his car for work all the time. I think he will be terrifid of having his license revoked. But if he has to it's just one of those things. Better to be safe.

Dh is feeling really quite shaken today I think.

OP posts:

MissInvisible · 08/10/2007 10:34

my dp's estranged mum had a fit in her sleep a few weeks back, no previous experience of them..she was let out in a day or two(they DID keep her in) and has now had about 3 scans, even though they have said it IS epilepsy, they are still monitoring it, he def needs to go see his gp for refereal

twentypence · 08/10/2007 10:43

If he drives again after this it and it happens again he will be buggered insurance wise - which if he damages property or worse could get a little expensive for him (it's not just the car but the liability aspect which is so valuable).

MissInvisible · 08/10/2007 10:47

heel have to check if his insurance will still cover hima s if something did happen and they found out he had already had a fit at the wheel they prob wouldnt pay up for him

Original poster

Hulababy · 08/10/2007 10:50

I have sent the info about DVLA to him. I was so stunned that the hospital GP specifically said to him that he could drive. He drove yesterday, just hours after it all happened - on the motorway too, and alone! I was so worried, had to have him call us when he got home.

I still can't believe the approach the A&E docor has had TBH. Seems so laid back, but this was serious. He could have killed someone, including himself!

P is a solicitor - doesnt deal with anything like this though - and I know his car is essential to him as part of what he does. But nothing is worth risking it happening again surely.

I hope he does see his GP and contacts his insurance/DVLA. He hasn't answered his email - work based - so hopefully he has not actually gone in.

OP posts:

susiecutie · 08/10/2007 11:17

About A&E contacting GP... sometimes, the system works properly and a letter will go from A&E to the GP. depends what the computer sytem they are on really. It is not up to A&E to contat the GP otherwise. just if they have this faciltly.

It is the responsibilty of your friend to go to his GP. they do however usually give patients a discharge summery to take to GP... though not all hospitals do this either.

He will have to follow up his GP and tell them what happened and what the hospital did.He MUST be honest about it.

so , in short.. he has to contact gp, a&e wont do it for him...

Original poster

Hulababy · 08/10/2007 11:23

Have told him to. Trouble is A&E just discharged him saying they'll only worry about it if it happens again, with nothing else said about what he should do next!

OP posts:

MeMySonAndI · 08/10/2007 11:35

I can not add much to what has already said (apart from doctor who saw him at A&E probably a student doctor or an idiot).

Unfortunately, communication between some instances of the NHS is sometimes quite patchy, ie. DS was refered to paed by GP, paed at local hospital refered him to ENT doctor in a hospital in a city 20 miles away. DS had surgery at second hospital and stayed in for 3 days. Would you think the surgery/hospital stay has made it to his notes? no, and I'm sick of doctors asking "are you sure he has had a surgery?" as they can't find anything on his notes.

So, don't even contemplate the idea of the details of A&E updating his records correctly and automatically. Besides, it seems that from the POV of the doctor who saw him, he was only someone who had possible a hangover and fell asleep at the wheel.

Weegle · 08/10/2007 11:45

I had a fit about 3 years ago. It was (I hope!) a one off. Completely out of the blue. I wasn't driving though, but I was in a public place. I don't remember it actually happening but remember before and after. I was very embaressed by it and just wanted to go home although the people I was with wanted me to go to hospital. I refused but DH took me straight to my GP who decided it was a one off and not to worry and didn't do further tests. He said he would only be concerned if it happened again. Not sure how this experience relates to your friend's other than to say maybe it's not that unusual for them to let the first one go without investigation??

Original poster

Hulababy · 08/10/2007 13:21

DH has spoken to P. P hasn't gone into work in the end and he is going to see his GP on Wednesday. He still has no recollection at all of before, during or after the fit. He will still be driving at present but Dh has told him all the car insurance and DVLA advise. So we have done our bit.

OP posts:

flowerybeanbag · 08/10/2007 14:14

Oh hulababy is there really nothing anyone can say to stop him driving? He could kill someone or himself. I know it sounds dramatic, but if something has happened to cause him to have a fit, whether it's epilepsy or something else, it needs to be sorted before he gets behind the wheel.

Sorry, I know you realise that, I just feel strongly. I was so so relieved that I wasn't driving when I had my last fit - I was at a train station. The one before that I was in the car with DH but just didn't happen to be driving, and it was on a dual carriageway, could have been v nasty

Original poster

Hulababy · 08/10/2007 14:42

I know what you are saying. It was my DH in that car. If he'd not been there in tha passenger seat....well, who knows what could have happened. I feel very worried and concerned, but really I don't see what else we can do now. He knows the deal. We don't live particularly near him, he has no partner with him...I just hope it is dawning on him how serious all this was.

OP posts:

Magicmayhem · 08/10/2007 15:20

was P taking any medication at the time.. a friend had an strange turn after taking maleria tablets...

agree he should be propely checked out

Original poster

Hulababy · 08/10/2007 15:24

No nothing.

OP posts:

katz · 08/10/2007 19:01

hi all, thanks for your input,

Dh still shaken by this and concerned by the hopitals lack of interest in it all.

glad to here P at least took the day off today, i do really feel for P as at the end of the day he is just acting on (by all accounts very poor) advice from the a and e doctor. Hopefully he will take hula's dh's advice and stop driving.

I was so scared yesterday, the phone call from DH saying 'don't worry everyones ok but.......' sent chills up my spine. i never ever want to recieve a call like that again, as for poor hula who was sat next to me knowing something was wrong but not what,

stickyj · 08/10/2007 19:15

Hi off the subject a little but need advice on this too. Young chap (17) has/had a brain tumour. Tumour taken out and chap now no chemo/radiot. Can he drive? He passed his test while on chemo, parents told DVLA etc (hmmm) and he's now driving my son around in the car. My son has to stay with him at night in case he has a seizure....so how come he can frive legally, has "insurance" and yet could still have a seizure? Sorry tpo hijack thread but this struck a chord with me..didn't sleep last night through worrying.

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