Possibly epilepsy, is there any help I can get

[Haphazardhacker]

Hi, sorry for long post.

Back story - on the 17th March I had the AZ jab. From that evening I felt very rough and the next day at work I had a sort of weird deja vu feeling then felt faint. That night I had the same feeling and collapsed (ambulance was called by a friend) ,it happened the following morning again. Went to a&e and had blood tests and ecg and nothing came up. The doctor there referred me to a neurologist for possible epilepsy,as my father has epilepsy and also the fact that I had a sort of pre warning.

My appointment isn’t until mid May. I’ve already been off work sick for a few weeks as I drive for a living as my main job. My question is, while I’m waiting for either to be diagnosed (or hopefully be cleared from epilepsy) ,is there any help I can get in order to get to work as even though I can’t drive there is still some work I can do there if I can just get there. I cannot afford to go onto just SSP.
I understand I can get help if I’m officially diagnosed in order to get to work but what about while I’m waiting to be seen by a neurologist.

I had epilepsy investigations at the start of the year for deja vu episodes. My neurologist told me at my first appointment not to drive I'm afraid and that I shouldn't until I'd had all my tests.

When I had my EEGs (I had a few), the epilepsy nurse did tell me that post diagnosis depending on findings it wasn't a total no to driving but to be prepared for it to be a likely outcome at least in the short term

Have you checked out the epilepsy uk website? I found it quite useful/reassuring and I think there is a helpline you could get in touch with given you drive for a living,

Good luck. If it helps, after all my tests I got a 'we don't think it's epilepsy' outcome (ie not a definite no but more no than yes) so ok'd to drive. I always remain conscious and aware in my episodes though.

Hi Frank, thank you. Will have a look at epilepsy UK. Just feel stuck as if I am off the road for a year I want to know and get on with it, so I can just get back to working albeit in a different role. I’m convinced that it was the jab that did it, as are a few medical people I’ve spoke with. Just don’t like this middle limbo period. I hate being off work when I feel absolutely fine. Those first two days I felt terrible but nothing has happened since so I feel a fraud for being off work. Sorry to rant but also annoyed that my first neuro appointment is just over the phone so I doubt anything useful will happen then either. Thank you for your reply. Don’t feel so alone now xx