Grand mal seizure & driving question

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2008-10-16 8:26 PM

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Master
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Subject: Grand mal seizure & driving question

My father suffered a grand mal seizure on Monday from a fall he had the night before... see my blog for those details.

Here's my question.  he lives in PA... will he loose his driving license and if so for how long, do they physically take the license or what? 

cathleen

2008-10-16 8:37 PM
in reply to: #1748617

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Grand mal seizure & driving question
houston-tri-mama - 2008-10-16 9:26 PM

My father suffered a grand mal seizure on Monday from a fall he had the night before... see my blog for those details.

Here's my question.  he lives in PA... will he loose his driving license and if so for how long, do they physically take the license or what? 

cathleen



I don't know about PA - in another state, my brother has some seizure disorders and when he switches medicine, he relinquishes his license voluntarily until he goes 6mo seizure free on the new meds. I think he holds onto it (for ID purposes) but a note is made on the DMV file that he is unlicensed to drive. If he's ever pulled over then, he's in deep doodoo.

I hope your Dad is OK - sorry I'm not much help... seizure stuff can be scary.
2008-10-16 8:57 PM
in reply to: #1748617

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Master
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Subject: RE: Grand mal seizure & driving question

thanks for the responses.  i think I found my answer on the PA DMV.. it'll be anywhere from 3-6 months but the doctors definately have to report his seizure.  He just isn't going to like hearing this!!!  He's 71 and very independant and it's going to be a huge adjustment for him and my mother.

cathleen

2008-10-17 2:36 PM
in reply to: #1748781

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Master
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Subject: RE: Grand mal seizure & driving question

I had one and was told 6 months.  After I was diagnosed with a non-malignant brain tumor and had successful surgery the doc soon reduced it to 4 mon. then after recovery I was back behind the wheel in about 3.5 months.  And he was cautious because at the time I drove a Fire Truck for a living .....But I do know that in Ga. it is entirely up to the Dr.

So I think it really depends on the reason for the seizure in the first place.

Steve

ps....somebody better hide ALL of the keys...because if he is like my dad was at that age then not having a piece of plastic in his pocket won't stop him from cranking that baby up and heading down the road....and yes...I'm going to be the same way   

2008-10-17 4:02 PM
in reply to: #1748617

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Subject: RE: Grand mal seizure & driving question

Its an unfortunate situation and I'm sorry your dad had an injury.

However, it is for his safety and the safety of everyone else on the road. It might be a hassle for him, but as long as he doesn't have another one its just temporary. Remember that it could be *much* worse, he could have a terminal diagnosis. Seems like he'll be back at it soon.
And he gets to hang out with his beloved more often

2008-10-17 6:20 PM
in reply to: #1748617

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Master
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Subject: RE: Grand mal seizure & driving question

He was released from the hospital today.  No more seizures since Monday... as far as I know it was just the 1 grand mal and that was due to the head injury from the fall down the stairs.  I do not know what the docs told him and my mother... from what i read it's actually up to the PA DMV to decide how long he must not drive based on reports from his doctor.  I hope and pray he listens and doesn't even think about driving... but I'm in TX and he's in PA so there is little I can.  My brother the Army LTC who is in Virginia will have to pull some rank on him and persuade him with common sense.

Thanks everyone!

2008-10-28 12:38 AM
in reply to: #1748617

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Subject: RE: Grand mal seizure & driving question
hmm. Glad he's doing better.

I work in PA and I can tell you that if I DON"T report a seizure , I can lose my license. However, I think it is up to the treating neurologist to determine when he is safe to drive again. Since I only see seizures in the ER and am not a neurologist, I simply report an "unspecified" loss of consciousness...I can't diagnose a "seizure disorder".

So then it's up to the patient to follow up with a neurologist and get appropriate treatment and followup visits so that they can be cleared to drive again. You'd probably not be surprised at the number of obvious siezure patients that come to the ER that try to say that they didn't have a siezure...but the history and frequently physical exam makes it pretty obvious in some cases. I do not hesitate to report them, because it could be myself or my mother or my nephews in a car that gets hit by a driver who has lost consciousness.

Think of it this way...do you think there is any way that someone at the DMV would know when it's safe for your father to drive again? That's up to his neurologist. So the best thing he can do is not drive and follow up with his doctor on a regular basis to document that he's been seizure free.

Edited by AdventureBear 2008-10-28 12:41 AM
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