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fibro and poor driving

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 12/1/2009 5:13 AM (GMT -8)
I used to be such a sure and good driver, but since having fibro - I seem to have trouble judging where the road is, being able to drive the speed limit (I go too slow), and driving in the dark....etc... I'm 47, not 87! This has really started bothering me, as I'm making my husband drive more - even if we are going on a long trip. He says he feels very bad for me.

I never drive after taking pain pills - so I know that's not the problem. I really just don't feel comfortable driving. Are there others with the same trouble?
Posted 12/1/2009 6:30 AM (GMT -8)
Yes Yes Yes MyJoy

I have alot of trouble like u are driving.  I cannot drive well at night because the lights hurt my eyes.  I have trouble concentrating on driving and being in pain. I do not take any of my pain relief or muscle relaxers if I have to drive anywhere so pain feels worse.  I also have spine/leg nerve pain so sitting in drivers seat is uncomfortable.

But I get anxious in traffic and if i do not know where I am going well.

My DH bought me a new car in August and I probably only drove it like 10 x only for shorts janunts.  In the old days I would have driven that thing everywhere just drive because I used to love driving with my pomeranian and listen to music.  turn I would have driven up to Raleigh a few times to visit Sis by now at least twice.

Yea and I am only 41 not really old.  Do love to travel but we take hubbies Toy Sequoia for comfort and he does 90% of driving.  I guess a plus is I can see more things by not driving like the buildings and landscape like when we drive up to NY.

So the ez answer Myjoy is you are not alone. FM does affect driving so does the anxiety.

 

Posted 12/1/2009 6:40 AM (GMT -8)
Hi myjoy, I haven't been able to drive in the dark for years. The glare from the oncoming
headlights is troublesome. It looks like a blur of lit halos and I can't tell if I'm in my lane.

I too used to share the driving on long road trips, but now hubby does it all. He never complains but I feel bad that I can't help. I do miss the freedom of driving when it gets dark.

I will not drive if I have taken any muscle relaxers or if my fibro fog seems really bad.
On the most part driving during the day is fine for me unless I'm flaring.

Hugs

Robin
Posted 12/1/2009 7:33 AM (GMT -8)
myjoy, you're definitely not alone.....I told my PCP about my blurry vision and vertigo the other day and she decided to report me to the DMV and ask them to suspend my license!! :(

Oh well, I guess she's right; I shouldn't be driving when my symptoms are this bad.

I really feel for you; trust your own judgment....if you don't feel safe driving, don't drive. I'm glad that your husband is able to help you out! My husband has been driving me to work, but I think I may try the bus sometime soon.

(((hugs)))
JoAnn
Posted 12/1/2009 1:16 PM (GMT -8)
I have always had a problem w/ seeing at night. Shadows look like ppl and such. I had to drive at night for yrs, back from work, church, my children's activities and work. I also get 'lost' on known routes, nothing looks familiar, or I forget how to get to places I've been to 100 times. I like to review the route before I leave the house, so something sounds familiar to me.

I don't like the hi-way, I prefer back roads. Don't like trucks around me, fencing me in. I don't like bridges.

I don't have rx pain meds, just Tylenol and aspirin. I can't even take those and drive. So if I have to drive, nothing for the pain, but a promise of Tylenol later.

In the last 1 1/2 yrs, I've had to stop driving several times for months at a time, due to my knees and/or shoulder. My neck and back are so bad, I have a hard time turning my head to ck behind me or back up. I use every mirror I own, and pray like crazy! Most times I don't drive, but my DH's health is tricky, so I want to keep my DL to at least get him to the hospital or dr. appts.

Unfortunately, there are too many of us in the same boat.

God bless.  Alice.

Posted 12/1/2009 1:33 PM (GMT -8)
I have also had trouble driving at night for around 5-6 years now.  Head lights coming out of darkness really does a number on me, makes everything a blur.  I don't drive at night anymore unless it's a complete have to and it's not too far.  Even during the day I have problems with sun shining through shadows, which someone on here told me was called picketing and this could be due to Meniere's Disease.  I can't seem to handle much speed anymore either so I do not get on the freeway unless it's just totally necessary.  Makes me very nervous.
Posted 12/1/2009 2:03 PM (GMT -8)
Count me in -- I could always drive for hours on end until several years ago -- started with sensitive to head and tail lights on other cars that blurred together. For some reason I am better (not great) with my contacts rather than glasses. So I keep my contacts in if I have to go retrieve teens at night.

I'm still ok during the day -- but I don't like bright sunlight coming in the windows -- bummer because for the first time I purchased a car that has a wonderful sunroof -- been constantly closed and shaded for the past year!
Posted 12/2/2009 5:53 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks so much for your responses. I thought I was the only one with this problem. Thanks for the reassurance.
Posted 12/2/2009 10:50 AM (GMT -8)
I too have trouble turning my head to back up and such. So I know how that feels, I use to have trouble getting in and out of the car.

I am doing a lot better now and can drive myself places instead of asking my husband to do it for me. That makes me feel a lot more independant. I hope that something works out for you.

My glasses are glare proof and that helps a lot.

Best wishes for a wonderful day.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 12/2/2009 12:41 PM (GMT -8)
I have always had trouble driving at night on highways with the lights coming at me but not in town. I went through many years of having anxiety when driving but kept driving til it went away. There are days when I feel so foggy I don't drive and I don't drive long distances like I use to but for the most part I go where I want.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

Posted 12/5/2009 3:06 AM (GMT -8)
Myjoy, driving used to be the love of my life! I used to get in my car and drive three hours in the middle of the night to New York City so my friends and I could get hot dogs and shakes at Papaya King, and then drive home to catch sunrise at the beach. No kidding. I love, love, love to drive, day or night. Or, I once did. I've driven from New England to Alaska 3 times, and the West Coast to Alaska as well.

I am SO uncomfortable driving at times. I can't drive at night very well because the oncoming lights hurt my eyes. I am easily distracted, and any kind of traffic gives me stress. And it hurts when I turn my head. My relfexes are not as good now either. I am only 41. I am determined, though, that when I move to my warmer climate in spring, I am driving all the way!
Posted 12/5/2009 3:24 AM (GMT -8)
Littleneck - I understand the reflexes not being as good. I really feel that for me too. I drove home in snow the other night, and what usually takes 30min, took me and hour. People were passing me all over the place. I felt like they were nuts....
Posted 12/5/2009 2:58 PM (GMT -8)
Myjoy...I used to be a long haul driver. I teamed with my husband but had to quit this year and now I find I am very leary of driving myself anywhere. Part of it is my blood sugar but alot of it is my fibro. I too miss my turns and get lost in places I should never get lost in. Or get turned around just going out of a parking lot. Im older than you but not so old that it could be excused as age. Just a grand part of the fog..
Posted 12/6/2009 3:20 AM (GMT -8)
I am amazed at the amount of people this affects. Thanks for your comments, everyone.
Posted 12/6/2009 9:55 AM (GMT -8)
Well Heck MyJoy what we all need are chauffers!  Well were at it I could use a maid too. :)

 

Posted 12/7/2009 9:54 AM (GMT -8)
Hey Funnygirl...put me down on that list too. And if the maid looks like a Cabana Boy all the better :D What would a male maid be called?? A man-maid??
Posted 12/7/2009 7:52 PM (GMT -8)
I'm with Jhemi.
Posted 12/7/2009 7:56 PM (GMT -8)
Marlee, that is the classic approach to treating phobias: exposure and response prevention. You kept driving until the anxiety went away. Yay you!!
Sue
Posted 12/8/2009 4:26 PM (GMT -8)
i find that i have a hard time concentrating on driving.. i seem to get distracted by the slightest thing.. i try not to drive unless i have to.. i get my fiancee to do most of the driving especially on long trips..
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