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.

[Jefferp]

I am so glad that I am not alone.  It started happening to me at the end of Summer 2014.  I was driving along a familiar highway, and all of a sudden I felt like I was on a roller coaster; very dizzy, almost losing control of the car.  weeks before that incident, I had just driven 12 hours for a family trip, and did just fine.  I loved driving and could drive anywhere, now I have a hard time just driving to my job which is only 10 minutes from my home.  I went to the eye doctor, and found that I needed glasses for driving in order to see clearer, so I thought that wearing them would help, but it hasn't.  I do have plans to see a Neurologist, with the hope that it will help, but will it?

[samgibson4113]

I think I know what you're talking about when you mentioned "road hypnosis", with regards to your dizziness.  My sister-in-law had mentioned something similar to what you described.  I believe she's looking into neurological services to try and help with her current condition.  It's amazing at how much more we're learning about the brain.  http://www.neurologist-losangeles.com/Neurology_Center_Los_Angeles_CA.htm

[bubbysbubbe]

Hi everyone,

I've been suffering from this sort of disorientation for about a year. I thought it was only during highway driving but I noticed the dizziness occurs when I'm stopped in traffic too. Forget trying to pass a tractor trailer. That leaves me sweating and unable to think. It's an absolutely terrifying sensation. I shake for several minutes afterward and assumed it was anxiety. I've tried to regulate my breathing with not much improvement. I've noticed some trends within the comments here and wonder if hypothyroidism is the common offender. I do have a couple of beers each night and have coffee every morning. I can stop doing both. My doctor told me it was anxiety and put me on Prozac. I d/c in a month because it wasn't improving enough for me to counter the poor side effects. When I'm at work, alone in a room with a patient, I'm sitting on a swivel stool. If there's any sort of movement in the stool, I get extremely dizzy, extremely fast. I feel as if I'm falling. If I stand, I'm okay. If I'm watching a movie with a lot of action and stimulation, I get the same sensation but it's less severe because I'm cozy in my bed. My worst fear is passing out at work in front of patients. I'm going to follow this group to see what else is suggested.

I'm thinking of all of you.

[Kimsraven]

I used to be a ROAD WARRIER, however more than 12 years ago I had a panic attack while driving on a long distance trip.  It landed me 3 days in a hotel unable to gep behind the wheel.  My aged mother had to come to my rescue, thank god.  Anyway, my issues tend to come and go and I have linked them to my menstral cycle, I think it has to do with estrogen and testosterone levels, however, my blood work cannot confirm.  My driving is such a problem for me, as my main office is far away.  Anyway, I cannot drive over bridges, wide open highways etc.  I feel as if I am falling and become very nervous.  I bought some spray from Dr. Oz show, but accidently sprayed it in my eye during an episode, which forced me to pull over.  I do better on back roads but do not like when there is no shoulder It has put a damper on my life and wish it would go the heck away for ever.  I want a cure!!!!  How about driving school?  Any suggestions?

[cg76fde]

I have had the problems described in this thread for years now. It doesn't happen all the time but enough to worry about it.

This is a real problem that deserves some attention for medical research as it is dangerous because it is really happening to people you are sharing the roads with.

[janedoe74]

Any luck??  I have been having the same issues for almost 2 years now.  I have had every test known to man done and everything comes back good.  I have been thinking it has something to do with antidepressants, as this all started shortly after being prescribed one, but dr has changed to 2 others and I am still having the problem.  I never even considered the clindamycin gel but now that I think about it I was prescribed it the same visit as the antidepressant when all the symptoms started and still use it.