Dizzy and Blur Vision while driving

[Jai38]

I am a 43 yo female who recently started having major problems with dizziness while driving.  I recently started driving 2 hours to and from work.  I am having a difficult time explaining the symptoms.  I was driving home from work and began to feel like everything was moving too fast but I was sitting still.  My vision became blurred and I began  to be unable to focus.  I feel like my car is not touching the road and I have no control.  Medical History: Diagnosed w/fibromuscular dysplasia w/renal artery stenosis 7 years ago; gastric surgery 5 years ago;plastic surgery in July (breast reduction and tummy tuck; high blood pressure and I am hypoglecemic. My PCP states he heard something in my neck and has ordered a Caritoid Ultrasound but I am concern that this is not my problem and it is something we are missing. I am having a low grade headache;some low grade burred vision; dizziness when turning over in the bed and some facial pain behind my eyes.  Please tell me if we should be looking at other things.  I have to drive back and forth to work so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[mustangmomma]

The dizziness and driving the car thing is definitely keeping me from a normal life.  I can't even drive down the interstate for 2 miles.  I have to take the exit and go the back roads.  It makes me feel totally out of control. I have got to have my life back!  I too use a CPAP and take thyroid medication.  I wondered if all that pressure was part of the problem.

[parames_wary]

Hi all,

I normally feel like Im driving a car on a walking machine. I felt like I was playing video game. Im stationary but the world is moving towards me. Its really scary especially when Im driving alone. This is elevated when Im driving long distance and its raining. It hurts my eyes a whole lot as Im trying to concentrate. I tried looking elsewhere (to re-calibrate my eyes) just for a second and looking back to the road but it is still the same. I will get terrible headache and irritated at the end of the journey. I will also feel extremely sleepy and tired.

Anyone else has the same symptoms? :(

[alcopops2011]

Hey havent been on for a while. Been feeling great. still visiting the chiropractor, every 2 months now and everything seems to be back to normal. Hardly think about dizziness now. Went back to the hospital and there has been a major improvement. I do not have to attend anymore. My confidence is back i feel really good. Thanks for the advice everyone has given. And i hope that everyone on here finds a cure. Good luck and best wishes xx  

[javajulie]

Well, today I was officially diagnosed with BPPV (Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo) and instructed to do the Epley maneuver.  The short version is this:  crystals become dislodged in your ear and can roll around; as they hit certain areas, they trigger the vertigo.  Vibrations, such as those experienced while driving, can cause these crystals to move around.  As for the light sensitivity, I was told that the light patterns could exacerbate the effects, so if you're already experiencing mild vertigo, flashing lights could make it feel even worse.  The Epley maneuver is basically a way of playing Labyrinth with your head - you shift around and try to move the crystals into a position where they can't cause trouble.  I'll post back when I know whether this has helped me.  Just thought I'd update those of you who are keeping an eye on the thread.

[Tempott]

I'll just say, I've had dizziness for over 25 years now. I'm 41. And been to neurologists, ENT specialists, allergy specialists, and no help. I get different types of dizziness. The worst kind is where I am dizzy and any movement of my head position gets me dizzy. Then I get the other type of dizziness, where I am fine for the most part, but If I go walking outside or driving, there is just too much visual stimulus and I just don't feel well. I end up getting panicky. I feel like I can't concentrate and too much is happening visually. I am currently going through this right now, and it's been like this for almost 2 weeks. I'm just find walking around my house, but as soon as I go out driving or walking around I get dizzy. I have no clue why it's not going away. But I've had this before and its lasted up to a month, and then just like that, it's gone. And who know when it shows up again. Obviously there is something wrong, but it seems like a problem that is so rare that there really isn't any studies to find out about the problem. It ***** because it definitely affects your life. I've heard it all. Some think Anxiety, well, I've never had anxiety or panic attacks until this all started. And if it's anxiety, why does this happen at any time and last for so long regardless of how you feel. I don't live a stressful life, and all is good in my life. Yet I still get these episodes when I'm just hangin around doing nothing, or having fun, or just not even thinking about anything. It just comes out of nowhere.  I feel like it's something more to do with some type of chemical/vitamin imbalance in our bodies. Every test that I have done has always been while I was feeling fine. All these blood tests should be done when your having the episodes. I used to tell my doctor, why test me when I'm well. Anyways, I still feel it all comes down to getting the right doctor who is willing to really listen, and willing to try everything and refer you to anyone he can think of. I'll post back if I come across anything helpful.

[Jester99]

The recliner "experiment" seemed to work somewhat.  Again, though, the problem with the recliner is that I can still sleep in a bad neck position, but maybe not QUITE as bad.  My first appointment with physical therapist is Wednesday.  We will see if it helps.  I am optimistic.