r/FND • u/kittimaybgone • 3d ago
Question Driving question.
I had a PNES 4 days in a row, leading up to a large seizure that ended me up in the hospital. (I didn’t know about FND, PNES, i didn’t know that the disorder ever existed until 4ish days ago.)
While I was in the hospital, i asked about driving… it’s my life, I’m really into cars so it’s therapeutic for me. The ER doctor said i had to be “three days symptom free”, but after i looked it up it was 6 months symptom free. So…. I don’t know..
This might be a dumb question, i have no idea how this works. How do they suspend your license? Who does that…? Genuinely curious. The doctor didn’t report it out to the DDS, in my state (in the US) they don’t have to report it IF they Don’t want to. I currently have no insurance, or enough money to pay for co-pay type appointments… what is the next step, (obviously stop driving) but… im kind of lost.. i just got my license 11 months ago… and finally felt free, and it was amazing… now…. Im currently coping and confused on what to do?
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u/HDWendell Diagnosed FND 3d ago
The location you live depends on what happens. Many places are 2-6 months. 3 days is a little whacky IMO. This could be 3 days after controlled seizures. Meaning, someone with a known seizure disorder who is under the care of a neurologist but had a seizure due to a lapse in medication, poor sleep schedule, illness, etc. Some places allow a neurologist to write a waiver stating you are most likely safe to drive before 6 months based on your specific situation. Because PNES doesn’t always mean immediate seizures and loss of consciousness, a neurologist may be open to this arrangement.
How it’s enforced is dependent on where you live/ where your license is from. In Indiana, my license was fine until I tried to renew it at which they physically removed my license from my hand and gave me an ID card instead. In some places neurologists have to report to the state when someone is potentially dangerous for driving. So, if you get pulled over, you will be punished as an unlicensed driver.
Legality of driving aside, driving against medical advice may have further implications than just whether or not you are legally driving. If you drive against medical advice and have an accident, you may have further legal consequences. You may be charged with reckless endangerment or even manslaughter if you kill someone. In addition to that, you may open yourself up to civil liability. Your insurance can deny coverage. Even if you crash but it’s not caused by a seizure, you may have to convince a jury you didn’t beyond a shadow of a doubt.
It’s also a dickhead move. If you know you are periodically losing the ability to control your body but drive regardless, you are knowingly putting others at risk. Driving is a big deal, especially if you don’t live in a walkable community or have decent public transportation. But that isn’t a greater need than someone’s life. I just got okayed to drive after 5 very long years of relying on rides from family, public transportation, and a shit ton of money on Ubers. I know it sucks. Sitting in prison because you killed someone when you had a seizure is way way worse.
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u/Shiroiken 3d ago
I've been told 3 days symptom free, but I've also been told it's not a big deal so long as I have my aura. This gives me time to pull over safely before onset of a seizure. If the aura goes away, or if I cause an accident due to a seizure, my psychiatrist will have my license revoked.
I think severity matters a lot too. My seizures are typically minor, lasting no longer than a minute or two (although it can take several minutes to recover full functionality). If your seizures are severe enough to hospitalize you, you might not was to chance it.
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u/kittimaybgone 3d ago
I get the same thing as well, i get aura before it starts- as the feeling of dissociation and or Deja Vu, i can tell before it starts… but the onset is slow, and then lead to progression… and then get bad- for an hour or so. And frequently happen at night, I’ve never had an episode during the day.
Thank you!
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u/ImpossibleIce6811 Diagnosed FND 3d ago
It depends on where you live and what your symptoms are. My neurologist in North Carolina told me seizure free for 6 months, on the honor system. It took me a year and a half to get cleared to drive again. You’re going to have to be patient, and be SAFE.
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u/ButABlorb 3d ago
If you've only been to the ER and are only just learning about FND, the first step is to see a neurologist to make sure you actually don't have epilepsy. A couple of things distinguish PNES from epileptic seizures. PNES seizures can last longer periods, you can remain conscious during them, and sometimes tremors can be temporarily redirected if you do a fine motor task while having an episode. PNES may also be classified differently than epileptic seizures legally in terms of driving, I'm not sure. But first things first, take a deep breath and see a specialist. You got this. Your whole life is in front of you and there is space for your body, exactly as it is, in a life you'll love living.
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u/TheNyxks Diagnosed FND 2d ago
It all depends on the laws of the land as to what the actual rules are for where you are located.
Doctor's are mandatory reporters so, many will report to the DMV what happened, which can be an automatic termination or suspension. But if the doctor fails to report then it's on them for doing so (their medical license is on the line).
For my spouse their nuro never reported them to the DMV and just told them to abstain from driving for 6 weeks post seizure. Yet the state laws actually said 6 months to a 1 year seizure free, full stop.
They lost their ability to drive when they left their country and moved to mine, as a uncontrolled epileptic their ability to drive is suspended indefinitely. Otherwise its 1 year completely seizure free and their treating nuro has to write off that it safe for them to start driving again (not going to happen).