Epilepsy & Seizures Support Group

i have had seizures trigged by lightes(photosensetive(sp?) seizures) i have to be extremely careful when driving at night(headlights).

If you feel its a new type, definately check with your Neuro, and be sure to have your meds checked.

However the type of seizures I have are mostly always the same. I had one triggered by classical music, but mostly they all just happen however they want.

I have found my seizure activity to be a ever changing part of my life. I have recently noticed that my favorite video game can trigger a seizure if I play too long. Even my seizures can and have changed. I make my little notes and keep my neurologist advised of these changes when I see him. I suggest you do the same.

Mine were triggered by stress, lack of sleep and concentrating (using my hands). I've noticed that the quick blinking of lights, strobe lights, police car lights and when the TV goes haywire (when the pictures lost), I feel really strange. I always get myself out of the situation right away.

Yes, yes, and yes. If there were that many questions. I've been pulled over by the police for speeding and had to turn my mirrors away so the lights didn't hit me in the eyes. I felt my heart beat go up a bit when that happened--and it wasn't because of the ticket. Now around here they're installing automatic traffic cameras--they catch people going through red lights. How do you think they get the license plate number? Flash right out of the sky, on top of a pole, out of the darkness.

booked for an eeg to see about a new lot of strange things going on. I have found over the years to my DH's horror, the words, May I see the manager please? Do you have certified trained first aid people every hour of the day including breaks on duty who know how to care for an epileptic properly due to your flashing lights which discriminate against us? works so very well when you ask nicely but with meaning. Not they they like to hear it, but the implications for them make them think fast. Traffic lights, emergency vehicles, etc and indicators of course are not an option.

I also have complex partials, but I get the auras more thatn I ever get seizres.

The only lights that both me are strobed at a bar or concert.

Or.....lots of spinning lights on toys (I have 3 kids) so we steer clear of spinning lights on toys.

The more I read of these things the more it disturbs me.
Why would anyone who is PRONE to seizures get behind the wheel of a car? It makes absolutely no sense to me.

No matter what type of seizure you have had it is a distraction from the road. Most of all though, you put everyone else on the road in danger. Sorry, I just don't get it.

I know how difficult it is to try to set your life up so you don't have to rely on driving yourself. But it can be done.


We make our own choices in life but I don't think it's fair to choose to drive with a condition that can NEVER be 100% controlled. Nothing is 100%, except death and taxes.There is always a chance for a seizure. Seizures can be managed but not 100% controlled.

I don't understand. Think of it this way....if one of your loved ones, maybe a wife, child, mother, whatever.....if one of them got killed in an accident by a driver that had had a seizure, what would you think then? Would it take that for you to see?

This really scares me. I'm not trying to cause a debate on this, to me it's common sense. What am I missing? I had to move to where public transportation was so I could function in my life. I had to move closer to work so I didn't have to take 5 buses, instead I took 4. I was a single parent and all the duties fell on me including childrens ball games and scouts and camps etc. It can be done. It's just harder.

Can you please just think about that? All our loved ones are on the road and we don't want anything happening to them. Thanks for listening. Didn't mean to rant but here it is.

Over the years I have noticed my triggers have changed some. For a while MIRRORS where triggers. Every time I tried to look into a mirror I had one a little hard to do your hair! Or brush your teeth, you don't realize hiow often you look into a mirror until THIS happens.

SO if you were looking in the rear view mirror you were driving?? According to your profile your seizures are not completely controlled. You should not be driving.

What are seizure triggers?
For most people with epilepsy, there is no single thing that triggers a seizure. However they can occur if the person gets very tired or hungry or forgets to take their medication.

Stress and alcohol can also bring on a seizure, but again this differs from person to person.

About 3-5% of people with epilepsy are photosensitive and may have seizures in response to flickering lights, such as strobe lights or a computer screen.

Does everyone get warning signs before a seizure?
Some people experience an unusual sensation, an odd smell or taste or a feeling of fear or sickness before they have a seizure. This ‘warning’ can last long enough for the person to move away from any potential danger or out of the public eye and lie down in a safe place.

This ‘warning’ is in fact the start of seizure activity in a part of the brain before it spreads to other parts. Sometimes this seizure activity does not spread and all that happens is an unusual sensation.

If the seizure is generalised and involves the whole of the brain from the beginning, there will be no warning.

What can I do if someone is having a seizure?
This depends on what kind of seizure a person is having. If they have an absence seizure, simply wait for it to pass and repeat anything they may have missed. If you are a parent or a teacher, you should keep a record of the occurrence and let the child’s doctor know about it.

If a person has a simple partial seizure and remains conscious, simply wait for it to pass. Reassure the person.

If the person has a complex partial seizure and is wandering around in a confused state, you may need to guide them away from any potential danger. Remember they may appear as though they are drunk or drugged. It is important to be gentle and reassuring.

If the person has a tonic-clonic seizure or a major convulsion, there are a few things you can do to protect them from injury:
Put something soft under their head to cushion it and prevent it from being damaged or cut
Remove anything they might injure themselves on, such as furniture
Help their breathing by turning them on the side and ensure they remain in this position until they come around

There is no need to move the person unless they have fallen in a dangerous place, such as at the top of stairs or against a hot radiator. Never put anything in their mouth as this may damage their teeth or jaw.

It is important that you remain calm and remember, seizures usually do not last beyond a few minutes. You only need to call an ambulance if:

The seizure lasts for longer than five minutes
The seizure lasts longer than is usual for the person involved
The seizure follows another seizure, without the person regaining consciousness in between
If the person has injured themselves.