I found my way to this community because of my supisions that my husband might have Petit Mal Seizures. The first one I witnessed was on Tuesday. He was trying to park his van into a spot and then all of a sudden he sat in the seat and looked like he was in a trance. (For lack of a better word)
I kept asking him what was wrong but he wasn't answering me. I got very frightened because I thought he was having a stroke or a TIA. My husband and I are both 62 and retired. He seemed to snap out of it and then parked his van. On the way home I did not mention it to him but I did that night and he told me that it was only dizziness. Dizziness, my foot! My husband NEVER admits anything but when I asked him if this has ever happened before he said YES. I read that people with these seizures sometimes have "auras" and I think he was experiencing it one night when we driving home in the dark. He never had problems driving at night, he has very good vision. He told me that he doesn't want to drive at night anymore because the darkness bothers him. I asked him to tell the doctor about what happened and he said "Are you out of your mind"; if I do that then the doctor will contact the Motor Vehicle Dept. and I will lose my license! He then said "Do you want to have to drive me all around"? I told him I wouldn't mind it but I would have to put my foot down in one instance as he drives to another state every few months to get "something outlawed by the government"! Since he retired he has been drinking many, many beers and he won't slow it down even though I pleaded with him! I am at my wits end here as I just don't know what to do. If he won't tell the doctor and I tell the doctor and should the doctor ask him to come in for some tests, then he will know I opened up my mouth! However, I definitely don't want him behind the wheel of the car if he REFUSES to take any medication. Thanks so much for any comments on this subject.

You're in a very tough position, but for the safety of ALL (him, yourself, and anyone else on the road), you should tell the doctor immediately. If it can happen while parking a car, it can happen while driving down any road and it doesn't have to be (and likely won't be) in the next state. He will not be permitted to drive for a while to ensure medicine works. It's never easy to give up the independence of driving, but neither of you will never forgive yourself if he has an accident and hurts or kills one of you or someone else.

I would try talking with him again about the potential harm/damage that could come from him ignoring these. His health is a risk as well...not knowing what's causing them.

Good luck to you and him.

Happy to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. There are great and caring friends here to assist you. Our shoulders are here for support in many ways.

If he does have epilepsy he need to be tested for it, I myself have epilepsy. I will say that anytime an epileptic see bright flashing lights, especially at night, can develop a seizures. I have had epilepsy since I was 10, but when I had a surgery back in December of 2009 I haven't had one. Check the following forum for some assistance.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum11.html

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Darlene

Hi, and welcome to NT! This is such a great place with many friendly, caring, and helpful people.

We're so glad you found us!

Welcome and I'm glad you found the site. My 19 almost 20 year
old son has epilepsy. I can say for a fact that once you have had
a driving license its very hard to be told you can't drive for a while.

But its from the mouth of my babe at 19 that I see a wise young man.
He states when asked why he doesn't drive. That he has epilepsy,
and he doesn't want to be the cause of someone getting hurt or dying.

I also have a now 26 year old son. Who at the age of 18 had been
driving for I believe about 1 year. He had two seizures behind the wheel
of a car. And ended up in a ditch. He was very lucky, no one was hurt.
Just the car. But he knew that it had to be reported to his neurologist,
he had or has migraines. A nd the neuro told him no driving till the test
were over. And then maybe for at least a year.

It turned out he was put on depakote, got rid of most of the migraines,
all the seen seizures. And he was allowed to at drive at 9 months.
He now is so glad that he listened. He has one handsome 4 1/2 year old,
and 3 step daughters, and 2 college degrees. He might not have any
of this if he hadn't let me drive for those 9 months.

So please give your husband some stories. And visit the epilepsy room
here, if you need more help. Go to the efa and listen.

Donna

WELCOME TO NT

THIS IS A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR RESOURCES AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT, A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS YOU AND YOUR HUBBY ARE 1GOING THROUGH. I HOPE HE GETS THE HELP HE NEEDS SOON.

IT'S NOT EASY BEING THE CAREGIVER. HERE'S SOME HUGS FOR YOU.