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Car Accident

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I need your help.
My son who is now 20 has had grand mal seizures since he was 12. Fortunately, his seizures are well controlled with meds. Unfortunately, since he turned 18 and basically is responsible for taking his meds, he has had several seizures. It has always been after he has "forgotten" his meds for 2-3 days and his blood levels drop. Each time this happens he swears it will never happen again.
Several days ago he had a seizure while driving and had a major crash at over 50 mph. We are so blessed that he survived an no one else was seriously injured
but I am terrified. I have tried every way I know to ensure his responsibility and we have discussed over and over the horrible things that could happen to him and others if a seizure occurred at the wrong time. He has a pill reminder box and we have discussed ways at length that would make it more difficult for him to forget, like keeping his meds by his toothbrush, etc. He no longer lives at home and is not in favor of moving back. I really need your help. Any advice?
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replied October 12th, 2004
How frightening! It is so hard when you do not have control over them anymore! Especially when he lives away from home!


The pill box is great, he can see at a glance that he missed. Does he use an alarm of some kind? I have a watch that alarms and have set my cell phone to alarm for my 15 year old daughter. If she does not take it right when it goes off, she often forgets. It is easier for us since I can still be around her to nag! (but she still ignores and skips sometimes!)


he needs to get into a habit...Sounds like he has things set to do that with where he keeps meds etc....

Did he lose his license over the accident? Has his neuro lectured him about why it is so serious to skip meds? Can you get a picture of that wrecked car? It may be that seeing that could remind him what it almost cost him. (not to make him feel overwhelmed for a major goof, but to show a reason why this is so important!!)


you deserve some hazard duty pay!!


Hang in there....
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replied October 12th, 2004
Thanks so much for the reply. The alarm is a great idea and I will discuss with him tonight.
Yes, his neuro (and i, and the emergency room doc on the last seizure before this one Smile) have all talked our heads off about the consequences.
He has seen the truck and I gave him copies of px of it, hoping the significance will stay with him. Although we have not yet received the official notice,he is not driving and in our state he will lose his license for 6 months. There were 2 people who had stopped to help him who were injured in the 2nd part of his wreck. Fortunately they were not seriously injured and will be ok. They both have expressed a strong desire to meet him, in part because they could not believe he survived. I think that would also be so good in so many ways and have him see how not taking his meds can affect others. He has not yet decided on that and unfortunately his dad does not support the idea.
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replied October 13th, 2004
I hope the time not driving helps him understand the importance of daily meds! Hang in there. So glad that you have had doctors give the lecture too. I think that can help more than mom...Sigh...Or dad, sigh...


Hang in there!
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