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.

[Bamadux]

I'm 35 years old and going through this now in the last three weeks.  I guess I'm posting this to help bounce out ideas of diagnoses.  I'm not a doctor but a pretty good researcher and there is so much information is available.  Also my brother-in-law is a very good doctor and he's good to bounce ideas off of, although he does not treat me personally.  My first thought is that there are several reasons to why this is causing this which makes diagnoses very hard to do.  My thought process for diagnoses is as follows:
1.) Keep it simple and ask basic questions.  Driving is my biggest challenge and most frightening but my general questions are, when do I experience it, when are symptoms worse, better, past medical history, etc.  Do you only experience it while driving?   Also try to really accurately assess your current health (diebetes, overweight, hypertension).
2.)  Be able to describe how you feel as accurately as possible.  Both vertigo and lightheadedness can be described as dizziness.  From what I can find, vertigo or motion sickness is typically caused by inner ear/neuro (head trauma, BPPV, infection, tumor, CNS issue) and lightheadness with circulatory/chemical problems (eg. blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)  Dizziness is my worst symptom and I'm guessing the worst for most of the people on this thread since it is about driving.
3.) I would try and succintly write down any information that can help a doctor.  We need to try and give them a break here. For example, if you generally describe these symptoms, well the Doctor more than likely may dismiss it as Menheires.  When I described how I felt to my brother-n-law that's the first thing that came out of his mouth.
4.)  Be thorough and document your doctor's visit.  If you weren't happy with the diagnoses, don't dismiss it but rather just use it as more information.  Also, if you were unhappy with your service, go to a new doctor.  So far I have been to three doctors.  Two have been trying to come up with what is causing the vertigo.  The Opthamologist actually found something that is not causing the vertigo but could be enhancing it.
5.)  Do your own research and if you have an idea of what it could be, ask your doctor if their is a simple test or request a test if it is a simple procedure.  For those posters who have had concussions, I read a great article (Harvard Medical) that said a large percentage of the cases may be BPPV or the calcium deposits shake loose.  Also stated about 70% of the doctors miss this or chalk it up to symptoms of the consussion.  Probably worth getting a test done or at least trying it out as their are videos on YouTube.

I really respect Doctors so I try and give them a break regardless of their bedside manner.  It is also important that the patient really tries to help out as much as possible.

If anyone actually resolves their issue, I hope they post it!  Thanks and Bless Everyone!

[jrsanders]

So good to find this site and see how many of us have the same unanswered problems.  So tired of seeing the doctor brush these symptoms off and good to know that other symptoms, such as the fatigue and tired eyes are part of what ever the problem is. I started years ago just having these dizzy spells while driving but believed the diagnosis of anxiety and left it alone, but now it has increased until it even hits me lying down. I went to a counselor who recognized that it isn't anxiety, since she contacted my doctor they have stepped up testing. slightly, all while telling me there will probably be no diagnosis. I am determined to get one myself. Please don't let your doctors blow you off. I am printing this article and it is going with me next time. Mine has gotten bad enough that I am unable to work consistently, I went from owning a small landscaping company to doing enough small side jobs to maintain my mortgage.  (My dizziness and fatigue now extend way beyond driving.)  On impulse today I googled driving and dizzy and got a disorder name. Motorist disorientation Syndrome related to a vestibular disfunction. If you would like to read articles by doctors who understand this, here is a good start..  http://www.elearningdigital.com/will/Peripheral_Causes_Vestibular_Disorders_Sensory_Mismatch_Syndromes/Peripheral_Causes_Vestibular_Disorders_Sensory_Mismatch_Syndromes_print.html

For those of you who pull to the left it is consistant with this problem. I don't pull to the left. in fact, worse when I am on the left and def. worse when others are driving. I have noticed a few truck drivers on this forum and have to say that I am horrified. It is frightening enough to do this in a small vehicle and I feel guilty after my episodes because I feel like I am endangering lives. If you have this problem and drive a semi- get a new job.

[gypsey007]

Have you had any success with this Epley treatement for BPPV?
I read your posts and you could not have expressed what happens to me any better.  My symptoms are exactly the same.
I really would love to hear how you are making out.

[Rooster78]

Hello to all
I'm another person who has the same problems as the rest of you.I just found you all, I had began to think I was going crazy.I hope we find a cure soon.

[mike1969111]

How much sleep is everyone getting per night?

[toughguy1161]

Did any one actually looked into the situation of the car. because I have been having the same problems such as dizziness while driving and after a very long time I have realized that it is due to the seating position when we are in the driver seat.