Driving after a seizure

DragonSpells · 2025-01-27T13:31:56+00:00

A year ago, my husband had a grand mal (tonic clonic) seizure. It was his first and it was really scary as it came out of the blue. He fitted for nearly five minutes and was out of it for quite a while. Anyway, he had loads of tests and thankfully they all came back clear. The neurologist was unable to find any cause, which is obviously good news, but also quite unsettling as we just don't know why it happened. Possibly fatigue, but he says he felt absolutely fine before it happened. Apparently one-off seizures are not uncommon and for many a cause will never be found. Now that a year has passed, he's been declared fit to drive. But I have to admit, I'm going to be quite anxious as his passenger - and the same goes for our three kids. Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 27/01/2025 17:37

My DH had his first tonic clonic then nothing for nine months. After that frequency increased til they got his meds sorted. He gets an 'aura' before a seizure (can still feel these sometimes even medicated) which is a good warning sign. I would want your dh to be really careful and self aware. Must be very scary for you both OP.

Original poster

DragonSpells · 27/01/2025 17:50

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 27/01/2025 17:37

My DH had his first tonic clonic then nothing for nine months. After that frequency increased til they got his meds sorted. He gets an 'aura' before a seizure (can still feel these sometimes even medicated) which is a good warning sign. I would want your dh to be really careful and self aware. Must be very scary for you both OP.

Thanks for replying and sorry your husband went through this too. That’s scary he had nothing for 9 months.

Did tests reveal anything during that period? Could they see he had epilepsy I mean? My husband has had an MRI, EEG and sleep-deprived EEG, which have shown nothing.

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thearchers · 27/01/2025 17:57

My DH drove after a seizure caused by a brain tumour, it took 15 months to get his license back and he was able to drive for several years until a more recent second seizure. He is on anti seizure meds and has received treatment for his tumour, so we are hoping he can get his license back again after being seizure free for a year.
Yes it is scary but the loss of independence is so hard and I knew he would be sensible and would know he wasn't feeling right if a seizure were to be coming on. You have to have faith in the medical professionals, they are very reluctant to approve a driving license unless they are as certain as they can be that it is safe for the person to drive. A year of being seizure free is really good, he would have almost certainly had another one by now if it was an ongoing issue.

YesThatsATurdOnTheRug · 27/01/2025 17:58

No, unfortunately not. They still can't see anything on any scans etc, they've tried to induce a seizure while he was wired up to see what was going on but nothing showed. He was diagnosed in the absence of any physical explanation.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 27/01/2025 18:30

I'm astounded he's got his licence back after a year, it normally takes months.

Original poster

DragonSpells · 27/01/2025 18:33

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 27/01/2025 18:30

I'm astounded he's got his licence back after a year, it normally takes months.

The DVLA says a year is normal? Dependant on being seizure free obviously, and without an established cause. What are you basing this comment on?
I have to admit, I am anxious about it.

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Original poster

DragonSpells · 27/01/2025 18:36

Actually, it’s six months! But depends on various conditions, as above.

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Original poster

DragonSpells · 27/01/2025 18:41

thearchers · 27/01/2025 17:57

My DH drove after a seizure caused by a brain tumour, it took 15 months to get his license back and he was able to drive for several years until a more recent second seizure. He is on anti seizure meds and has received treatment for his tumour, so we are hoping he can get his license back again after being seizure free for a year.
Yes it is scary but the loss of independence is so hard and I knew he would be sensible and would know he wasn't feeling right if a seizure were to be coming on. You have to have faith in the medical professionals, they are very reluctant to approve a driving license unless they are as certain as they can be that it is safe for the person to drive. A year of being seizure free is really good, he would have almost certainly had another one by now if it was an ongoing issue.

Sorry to hear about this. Was your husband’s tumour spotted after the first seizure?

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ThinkAboutItTomorrow · 27/01/2025 19:10

I had a seizure about 15 years ago. No cause found, they think it was a viral infection.

I've been fine ever since, no sign of anything.

So it can be a fluke one off. Hope that's the case for your DH.

thearchers · 27/01/2025 19:41

Yes that's how they found the tumour

thearchers · 27/01/2025 19:42

12 months seizure free is the norm

JoyeuxNarwhal · 27/01/2025 21:21

DragonSpells · 27/01/2025 18:33

The DVLA says a year is normal? Dependant on being seizure free obviously, and without an established cause. What are you basing this comment on?
I have to admit, I am anxious about it.

Show quote history

Possibly they meant a similar experience to us - ddad was able to apply for his license back after 12 months, but it was at least another 3 months faffing with DVLA after that until he actually physically had it.

100PercentFaithful · 27/01/2025 21:31

I had a seizure in the past. At the time I had low blood pressure (I always have - was prone to fainting at school), had 4 kids under 4 and a virus tipped me over the edge into a seizure. After lots of investigations they said my seizure was due to hypoxia from my BP dropping so low because of the virus and dehydration.
I think I got my licence back after about 9 months but I can’t exactly remember.
I felt terribly ill just before the seizure - there was no way I would have even considered driving at that point in time.
After assessment, doctors and DVLA felt there was no risk as I wouldn’t be behind the wheel in that state anyway.
I still have to drink lots and add salt to my meals, my BP remains low but not very low anymore. I haven’t felt that ill since and I haven’t had a seizure since.

SauvignonBlanche · 27/01/2025 21:44

The DVLA are very cautious about allowing people to drive after a seizure, I waited ages to get mine back.

I’m still on a temporary bloody licence after having a seizure following surgery for a brain tumour 10 bloody years ago!

My first seizure was 20 + years ago when the benign brain tumour was discovered following an MRI.

You say your DH has had an MRI so that’s good.

It’ll be hard for both you and your DH but getting your independence back is fantastic. I’m sure he’ll be careful and avoid triggers such as tiredness, stress and alcohol (obviously) before driving.

Original poster

DragonSpells · 27/01/2025 23:24

SauvignonBlanche · 27/01/2025 21:44

The DVLA are very cautious about allowing people to drive after a seizure, I waited ages to get mine back.

I’m still on a temporary bloody licence after having a seizure following surgery for a brain tumour 10 bloody years ago!

My first seizure was 20 + years ago when the benign brain tumour was discovered following an MRI.

You say your DH has had an MRI so that’s good.

It’ll be hard for both you and your DH but getting your independence back is fantastic. I’m sure he’ll be careful and avoid triggers such as tiredness, stress and alcohol (obviously) before driving.

Yes, I’m glad they’re really cautious. Losing his independence has been really tough - but he’s ecstatic to have his license back (nearly… yet to see the actual document!) It’s me who’s nervous about it, and our kids.

Sounds like you’ve had a long road with your health but hope you’re doing well now @SauvignonBlanche

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beingmefinally · 29/01/2025 20:09

I have Epilepsy and have had all sorts of seizures. I can't start to learn how to drive until I have had a year without seizures. I understand the concerns about your DH driving. A year without seizures is amazing. I'm sure if he wasn't confident in himself he wouldn't get behind the wheel. He wouldn't put anyone in danger. I would trust him. He's only had the one seizure and the neurologist has said that there is no known cause for it and (I assume) that DH is clear of any neurological problems. I would be happy that there is no cause for this. Sometimes people have one seizure with no explanation and that's all. I do understand that you have your worries about getting in the car. I would maybe suggest talking to the neurologist to see if they can reassure you. Have you spoken with your husband about this? He could help too. I think it would be worse if your DH did have a reason for the seizure. That would mean he had something wrong with his brain functioning. Having Epilepsy for 26 years and counting, you don't want a reason. I hope your DH continues on the up trajectory and that you can get past this fear xx

Original poster

DragonSpells · 29/01/2025 23:04

beingmefinally · 29/01/2025 20:09

I have Epilepsy and have had all sorts of seizures. I can't start to learn how to drive until I have had a year without seizures. I understand the concerns about your DH driving. A year without seizures is amazing. I'm sure if he wasn't confident in himself he wouldn't get behind the wheel. He wouldn't put anyone in danger. I would trust him. He's only had the one seizure and the neurologist has said that there is no known cause for it and (I assume) that DH is clear of any neurological problems. I would be happy that there is no cause for this. Sometimes people have one seizure with no explanation and that's all. I do understand that you have your worries about getting in the car. I would maybe suggest talking to the neurologist to see if they can reassure you. Have you spoken with your husband about this? He could help too. I think it would be worse if your DH did have a reason for the seizure. That would mean he had something wrong with his brain functioning. Having Epilepsy for 26 years and counting, you don't want a reason. I hope your DH continues on the up trajectory and that you can get past this fear xx

Many thanks for your post and sorry about your epilepsy. It must be really tough dealing with the unpredictability of it - and not being able to drive.

Yes, I’m sure you’re right - there’s just the anxiety about why my husband’s seizure happened in the first place, so out of the blue and unexpected - and with no discernible trigger. I don’t know how I’m going to relax in the passenger seat!

I hope you can get a year seizure-free and start learning to drive! All the best.

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