DEAR ABBY: For 16 years, I experienced complex partial seizures, a mild version of grand mal seizure. I would have episodes where I "wasn't there" for a few seconds. My husband and others would observe me staring with watery eyes and pursing my lips as though tasting something bitter, but no one realized what was going on.
The seizures occurred infrequently and lasted approximately 15 seconds. When someone would ask me if something was wrong, I would deny it. I was afraid and ashamed to admit that perhaps I needed help.
In 1999, I experienced a partial seizure while driving on a highway. My mother was in the car just ahead of me and I rammed her. Then my car crossed the opposing lane of traffic and flew airborne into a power pole. By some miracle, no one was seriously injured.
Because I had no memory of the accident, my doctor suspected I had had a seizure of some kind. An EEG confirmed the doctor's suspicions. I was put on medication and haven't had a seizure since.
My unwillingness before the accident to admit there might be a problem nearly cost me my life, and worse -- someone else's.
Please urge your readers who may be "blanking out" for a few seconds to see their doctor immediately for an evaluation. Seizure episodes can usually be controlled with medication, erasing the potential for a traffic fatality. -- SEIZURE-FREE NOW IN FLORIDA
DEAR SEIZURE-FREE: You are very lucky to have survived such a traumatic event unscathed. I have said for years that the first and most important step in resolving a problem is admitting you have one -- and that applies to physical, emotional, legal and spiritual issues.