Epilepsy & Travel: Managing Symptoms Away From Home

Epilepsy should not prevent you from trying new things locally or abroad. Preparation makes travel stress-free. Traveling by vehicle or plane with epilepsy requires seizure management and passenger protection rules.

Two Federal Civil Rights Laws protect disabled travelers. The ADA covers bus, train, cruise ship, and airport travel (before boarding the flight). The Air Carrier Access Act protects disabled airline passengers. Both laws include seizure-free epilepsy patients. Epilepsy patients may have other disadvantages under these rules.

To ensure a good journey, consider the following before leaving:

• Travel with seizure first aid-certified people. They should also know your seizure strategy.
• Medical aid. Certain travel techniques may better handle seizure emergencies.
• Diet, movement, and seizure-recovery accommodations. To be comfortable, bring adequate food and drink.
• Travel conditions and flexibility

By Car

Epilepsy complicates driving. State and national driving laws vary. Driving requires seizure-free periods for epilepsy patients. Driving may be limited to certain times or conditions. Location and seizure type determine this. 

From our partner

People 16+ years old struggling with lupus: Find out if the PHOENYCS FLY Study may be for you. Study-related care provided at no cost.

Check your seizure control before driving with epilepsy. Can you travel with a driver? When driving, remember:

• Take pauses, and don’t drive if you’re exhausted, out of medication, or in danger of seizures.
• Avoid night driving if you have photosensitive epilepsy, particularly on highways. Opposite-direction headlights flash. Take pauses, and don’t drive if you’re exhausted, out of medication, or in danger of seizures.
• Avoid night driving if you have photosensitive epilepsy, particularly on highways. Opposite-direction headlights flash.

RELATED: Natural Remedies For Epilepsy

Air Travel

Airports and planes make up air transport. Flying with epilepsy involves different regulations. Airport ADA applies. Once aboard the aircraft, the Air Carrier Access Act applies (ACAA). Important factors include:

• If you have epilepsy, you don’t have to travel with anybody. You don’t have to reveal epilepsy, either. The US Department of Transportation webpage specifies which assistance dogs may fly. Preparation is needed to fly with a service dog.

Traveling by flying with medicinal marijuana to manage seizures requires some planning. Marijuana is Schedule I. Consider carefully traveling with it. Traveling to a state without medicinal marijuana while living in one is possible. Airplanes travel in federally regulated space. TSA may detain and contact local police, but they cannot arrest you. You should carefully consider the risks of using medicinal marijuana abroad. TSA’s website has information regarding medicinal marijuana travel and legality.

Consult your doctor before flying. The Aerospace Medical Association advises seizure sufferers to fly with a partner, although it’s not required. In this situation, wear a medical bracelet, necklace, or other epilepsy identification. Plane travel considerations include:

From our partner

Join a Study, Help Future Patients. Researchers are studying a potential treatment for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer. Find out if you may qualify

• Consider how time zones, sleep loss, and extended delays affect your seizures and if plane travel is advised.
• Find a nearby drugstore. This may help you avoid missing prescription doses if you lose or don’t have enough.
• Travel with a partner, particularly if you have regular seizures, seizures that affect your consciousness or behavior, or long-distance travel.
• Bring a completed Seizure Action Plan and a doctor’s statement stating you can fly.
• Ask the airline for reserved seats so you can obtain aid if required. Ask for a vacant seat next to you so you may lie down in a seizure.
• Bring medications in labeled bottles in case you need them during the travel.
• Talk to the doctor before using “as needed” or rescue drugs for clusters of seizures.
• The Aerospace Medical Association’s Medical Considerations for Airline Travel and Health Tips for Airline Travel provide basic medical advice for flying.
• When traveling, consider your health. Traveling may cause anxiety and worry. Mood swings may cause seizures. Before a vacation, practice anxiety-reduction tactics to have fun with family and friends and manage your seizures.

By Cruise Ship

The USDOT contains cruise ship rights information. Each major cruise company has its own rules. Early communication with the cruise company is beneficial. Boarding day benefits from a written agreement. Complex medical demands need greater forethought. You may require:

• An accessible cabin
• Use of a service dog
• Dietary restrictions that can be met 
• Use of medical marijuana or other Schedule I drugs while onboard

RELATED: What To Do If Someone Is Having A Seizure

By Train or Bus

Non-drivers or those who can’t fly may choose rail or bus travel. Seizures should still be considered whether traveling alone or with a friend. Train or bus travel allows greater flexibility in reaching aid after a seizure or cluster of seizures. If you need aid, you can get off the train early.

• Train platforms are dangerous for seizure-prone or fall-prone people. To avoid falling into railway tracks during a seizure, have someone accompany you on and off trains and stations.
• Ensure train or bus staff know about your seizures and what to do if you experience one.

Many individuals can travel safely with seizures, but others require special preparation. Plan vacations and business travels around transportation. This may help you anticipate issues and brainstorm solutions! Planning early may reduce travel stress and make it more pleasurable for everyone.