Cycling and Epilepsy

[rugby bloke]

Any other forum members fortunate to be able to mix cycling and the Big E ?

For me it was the way into cycling when Epilepsy came out of the blue and I lost my driving licence. Now I'm fortunate enough to have my licence back and can just ride for pleasure and I'm amazed how different my attitude to cycling has changed now its an option rather than a necessity.

 

[classic33]

Never had a driving licence due to epilepsy. Personal transport has always been two feet or two wheels. More in the last 10 years.
Always "advised" against cycling, but I've ignored them. I'm at a greater risk walking(more time spent walking) but never been told to stop walking. Odd given that they agree with me.

More damage done whilst just sat down, than whilst cycling(epilepsy wise). Peoples attitudes need to change towards it.

How has your attitude to cycling changed now its an option though?

 

[Dave Davenport]

I had a seizure on Christmas eve, first one in 18 years and only the third one in my life. If nothing shows up on a more detailed MRI or ECG and nothing else happens the consultant will ok me to drive again in six months.
It's not really a problem for me, I live in a town centre five minutes walk from a railway station & shops and hardly drive anywhere anyway. My cycling mileage will probably go up from about 200 to 250 miles per week so looking on the bright side I feel able to justify a 25% increase in my curry/beer consumption.

 

[rugby bloke]

Never had a driving licence due to epilepsy. Personal transport has always been two feet or two wheels. More in the last 10 years.
Always "advised" against cycling, but I've ignored them. I'm at a greater risk walking(more time spent walking) but never been told to stop walking. Odd given that they agree with me.

More damage done whilst just sat down, than whilst cycling(epilepsy wise). Peoples attitudes need to change towards it.

How has your attitude to cycling changed now its an option though?

I think its because I control the situation. I can go for a ride when I fancy it, rather than having to get on the bike to get somewhere. I'm a bit of a wuss so riding in the rain / wind / snow / dark or all at once is not really my thing. Although in fairness my mileage has dropped considerably now I can use a car so I guess I just need to be more self disciplined.

 

[classic33]

I think its because I control the situation. I can go for a ride when I fancy it, rather than having to get on the bike to get somewhere. I'm a bit of a wuss so riding in the rain / wind / snow / dark or all at once is not really my thing. Although in fairness my mileage has dropped considerably now I can use a car so I guess I just need to be more self disciplined.

There's plenty of people that won't ride a bike in anything other than dry conditions. Cycling actually meant I got one & kept one job, no local transport early in the morning, 4-5am. Whilst there, 250 miles a weekend was normal, to & from work.

I think the main reason I've continued to cycle is basically to give the "two finger salute" to those who say "I can't do it", well the big c only stopped me for a short while due to its location.

 

[ColinJ]

I was on a cycling training camp holiday in Spain about 15 years ago on a very warm day when we tackled a 1,000 metre climb. I saw a commotion ahead of me and rode up to find a bunch of other riders gawping at a cyclist lying having a seizure in the middle of the road! Fortunately, there were a couple of forces riders in our number who had obviously had training in dealing with stressful situations like this. They made the guy comfortable, made sure that he wasn't choking on his tongue or thrashing about, and somebody ran up the hill to a Spanish army base gatehouse. They managed to explain to the sentries what was going on and a van came down from the base and took the ailing rider to hospital.

It turned out that he hadn't taken his meds that day and nobody knew about his history of epilepsy. Perhaps it was the combination of no meds, a long hard climb, and heat that triggered the seizure. He was ok after treatment. I think he had a couple of quiet days and then started riding with us again, but took his meds after that episode!

 

[HLaB]

I had a fit the day after my Scottish Higher exams and then endured a period of black outs and translucent states all through College and Uni. Thankfully my so called expert retired and things returned to normal (well normal for me). Got my driving licence but moved to Dublin where it was better to live without a car and I got into cycling there and things have taken off from there. So yes I had a lower epileptic threshold which led to blackouts and fits but more recently I've never been susceptible to a fit and hopefully my thresholdsis now higher.

 

[classic33]

Anyone else actually had one whist cycling? Only ever had the one.

They say your chances of having one lessen if you are doing something you enjoy. Or they used to.

 

[ColinJ]

Anyone else actually had one whist cycling? Only ever had the one.

They say your chances of having one lessen if you are doing something you enjoy. Or they used to.

A stallholder from the market in Hebden Bridge had a seizure while driving his van back to Leeds on the M62! It caused a multiple pile-up but (amazingly!) nobody was badly injured.

He hadn't had one for decades. He is now on stronger meds and banned from driving!

 

[rugby bloke]

Never had one whilst cycling, even when I was uncontrolled. Not sure it helped reduce the seizures but a good ride would certainty take your mind off your situation. It was one of my biggest fears when I did the RideLondon last year, I has only trained up to 70 miles so there was an element of the unknown. As it was the only medical issue was the sugar imbalance through the 20 mile after overdosing on energy drink and jelly babies !

 

[rugby bloke]

I had a fit the day after my Scottish Higher exams and then endured a period of black outs and translucent states all through College and Uni. Thankfully my so called expert retired and things returned to normal (well normal for me). Got my driving licence but moved to Dublin where it was better to live without a car and I got into cycling there and things have taken off from there. So yes I had a lower epileptic threshold which led to blackouts and fits but more recently I've never been susceptible to a fit and hopefully my thresholdsis now higher.

That's really great to hear, long my you remain seizure free.

 

[Dave 123]

The last time I had a fit was when I was 11. Came off medication at 13-14yo.

Now at the ripe old age of 46 a low winter sun flickering through a hedge while out riding is dreadful. If the sun is coming through the hedge on my left shoulder I have to look to the right( and vice versa) then take the occasional glimpse in front of me to scan the road.

No wonder I wasn't allowed to school discos until I was 14!

 

[ColinJ]

The last time I had a fit was when I was 11. Came off medication at 13-14yo.

Now at the ripe old age of 46 a low winter sun flickering through a hedge while out riding is dreadful. If the sun is coming through the hedge on my left shoulder I have to look to the right( and vice versa) then take the occasional glimpse in front of me to scan the road.

No wonder I wasn't allowed to school discos until I was 14!

I don't think I have any hint of epilepsy but I still find that kind of flickering and strobe lighting a problem.

 

[classic33]

I don't think I have any hint of epilepsy but I still find that kind of flickering and strobe lighting a problem.

Find it annoying, but it's never caused any problems.

It seems to be a bit more common, whether actual or not, than many seem to think. 14 years ago I "upset/unerved" many where I was working at the time by being open about the condition and its effects on me. So much so that a quiet word was had from from my team leader. It was nothing I'd done, nor failed to do that caused it(born with it, test awaited), so how was talking about it wrong?

I'd been the first person to be so open about it and the impact of the condition on me. Many didn't like it. Maybe if more talked about it, and its effects on them, it would be less taboo.

 

[Dave 123]

I don't think I have any hint of epilepsy but I still find that kind of flickering and strobe lighting a problem.

Its horrible, makes my head feel awful and strange like it did back then.