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Tunnel vision feeling while driving

Every so often while driving on motorways I get a weird sensation that can cause me to pull over as my sight is affected and I feel as though I could be a danger to others.  Generally it happens on a straight section that is fairly fast moving and not too busy, the fast moving white lines and crash barriers seem to put me into an almost hypnotic trance feeling and I start to feel as though I am in a 1980's computer game and that I am sitting still and everything is rushing towards me, the only way to describe it is that it's like being in spaceraiders where the stars (while dots on a realy old screen) are buzzing towards you. Often I can sense it's going to happen and by looking around I can stop it, but if not I lose sense of speed, I am in 100% control of the car though.  Weirdly it happens less when I'm driving alone, i think because I'm more nervous with a passenger  

I am 33 years old who and I have Hyperprolactinaemia which is controlled with Carbogoline, I know my levels are normal (was checked 2 months ago) but I have not had an MRI for 2 years so have to assume there is not associated tumour.

I have mentioned it to my optician, but she looked at me as though I was mad and didn't understand, so I'd like to know if anyone out there has had something similar and can offer advise

THanks
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Avatar universal
Hi everyone,

I am 26 and have now been following this thread for 4 years. I noticed the described symptoms about 3 months after a concussion (this one causing me to lose consciousness) that I did not allow myself to properly recover from.  I’ve gone to eye docs and regular practitioners, and all have said it’s just anxiety.

Triggers I’ve noted are;
1. Snow fall
2. Long roads lined with trees or tall barriers making everything feel more tunnel like
3. Seeing moving objects in my peripherals (like the road moving in a large side mirror)
4. Too much caffeine
5. Lack of sleep

Symptoms have increased too;
1. Worsening anxiety
2. Inability to stay asleep through the night
3. Symptoms now as a passenger as well as a driver
4. Change in outgoingness, adventurousness, self worth.
5. Occasional migraines after a long drive or eyes feeling like they’re spamming (I’ve been checked twice and I have 20/20 vision)

I have not been diagnosed with anything, so if anyone finds enlightening info please share. Below are things that have helped me. I went 1 year barely driving, completely avoiding the highway. In the last two weeks I have now done 6;  300 mile drives!

1. Wearing polarized sunglasses (switch between taking them on and off if symptoms start to occur)
2. Chewing ice and having cold water near.
3. Getting really comfortable pulling off the side of the road carefully and breathing steadily during panic attack’s. I used to go numb and black out during an episode.
4. I switched to a car that was higher off the ground, and position my seat in a way that my shoulders are just above the steering wheel and my immediate straight ahead gaze is in line with the horizon.
5. I have 6 designated points across the view of my windshield that I oscillate my vision between (straight ahead, 4 corners of my view, and the dash board).  I also blink really hard and try to refocus my vision occasionally.
6. I took a small does of lexapro which helped with the panic attacks that result from feeling out of control. This actually really helped for about 1 year to avoid the racing heart and panic feelings.
7. I do not do any spontaneous driving. I plan my route, make my friends aware of my condition to ensure they are comfortable driving us. Break the drive up a lot (I pull over between 4-7 times in a 300 mile stretch), and above all I give myself a solid amount of extra time to ensure I can still be punctual.
8. I exercise regularly, and leading up to a big drive sometimes excessively.


Going forward I’m going to go in for another eye exam, start supplementing the lexapro (I didn’t like the side affects of it) with a daily CBD pill, as well as look into vision therapy.

Please keep me updated with anything helping you all. All but one Doctor has treated me like I’m psychotic when I explain the symptoms, saying car anxiety is normal as we get older and try to prescribe an antidepressant.  Summary; I’ve tried it, antidepressants definitely help with the anxiety symptoms, but don’t do much for the vision issues.

Please reach out;
Simone.r.thornton (at) gmail dotcom





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Avatar universal
This is exactly what happens to me. I just left I Eye dr and had them specifically test my  binocular vision and eye levels for Vertical Heterophoria and my eyes are great. No presence according to her exam of that condition making this happen for me. Uhhhh. I guess I’ll give the ear dr a chance. My grandmother did have vertigo so maybe that’s it?
Have you gotten any answers yet?
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Avatar universal
What is this??? I have the same symptoms and I get so bad when I drive, please help
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The condition is called Vertical heterophoria. You'll need to see a binocular vision specialist because regular optometrist won't find it. Look up the condition it will lighten the anxiety. This condition sucks! Hope this helps!
Avatar universal
Hello,
I may have found a solution to this driving issue.

I will post a brief version of my story, then the solution I found, then I will leave. (I am not much for getting involved in internet forums, what with the trolls and all.) You can take or leave my input as you see fit. I certainly hope this helps any of you.

Like many of the others here, I have had significant problems driving. Long story short, seven months ago, as I was driving, it was as though my car stopped moving and everything was racing toward me.

I had to pull off the highway and have someone come get me and drive my car home.

This problem driving continued to happen. Sometimes it happened as soon as I left my driveway, sometimes within a mile or so, sometimes 10 miles -- there was no real rhyme or reason.

Sometimes it happened as I was riding in a car as well.

I lost the ability to drive. The optical illusion was too much; I became overly anxious, panicky, terrified. Everything many of you have described, especially the original poster.

Thankfully, I had plenty of colleagues willing to help me get to work (20 miles one way) and a generous wife.

Like many of you, I went through all the steps:

1. Eyes examined (fine)
2. Doctor examined (fine)
3. Blood work for things like blood clots, etc. (fine)
4. CAT scan of my eyes (fine)
5. ENT check of my sinuses, ears, etc. (fine)
6. MRI of my brain (fine)
7. Met with neurologist -- he had the answer

My regular doctor (#2 above) said he had never heard of anything like this and that it sounded like I was having anxiety attacks, so he started me on 50 mg of zoloft. This was a horrible drug for me to get used to, but I eventually did. It had no impact on my driving, that I could tell.

My neurologist, however, said he has seen a number of these cases, even a few in December when I saw him.

Bottom line, he said it was stress. He said my body was not dealing with stress, and this problem driving was how it was manifesting. Even if I was feeling stressed, as I explained, he said that I was experiencing stress nonetheless.

I have to deal with the stress. He gave me a three-step plan. He said any one of these three things will help significantly, and all three together will be powerful. And I will be cured.

I think he's right. I drove to work and back (40 miles) each day this week with zero problems. (Plus I drove a 20 mile round trip to lunch one day.) On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being no issues and 10 being a full blown episode, I was at a 1 or 2 every drive.

Last week and the week before I drove to work only a couple days each week. Maybe between a 2 to a 4 most days. (I've only been at this for a few weeks.)

My neurologist instructed me to:

1. Increase my dosage of zoloft. He even suggested switching to another similar drug, but since I got used to zoloft, I stayed with it for now. Dose doubled to 100 mg.

2. Exercise, vigorously. It's been 10 months since I've been on my treadmill, so I am back on it this week. Just 10 minutes each morning, but I will get back to 30 minutes a day. I usually walk for 20 minutes at 70% of my max heart rate. Doctor said that is good, even harder, up to 80%.

Exercise gets rid of stress.

3. Meet with a psychologist (not a psychiatrist). This would be to learn exercises to deal with stress, and to discover what is causing my stress. I have not done this yet.

I also stopped drinking during the week. I wasn't drinking a lot, one to four a night, but I didn't know if even one beer would impact me because of the zoloft. At the very least, interfere with my sleep. Good sleep helps stress.

Anyway, that's my story. It's working for me. I'm driving more and more, and hopefully over the next few weeks or so, it will get even better, to where I stop thinking about it.

Good luck, everyone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Neuro-Ocular Vestibular Dysfunction (NOVD) or the See-Sick Syndrome (SSS). Look this up!  
I started experiencing the floating sensation when driving on the highway from shadows of trees or poles in the road.  I needed to keep my eyes on the speedometer to know how fast I was going because I couldn't feel the road. First time I experienced anything like this was one year ago. (Also sometimes when reading my eyes will start "shaking" & then re-focus - apparently symptomatic of SSS as well).
Then 2 months later, I awoke with nausea, vomiting & dizziness that lasted 24 hours. Then 7 months later I again had the dizziness & nausea upon waking. Went to the doctor finally & they diagnosed me with: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). And while that may have been, it didn't explain away or "treat" the crazy sensation I would get from driving on shadow cast streets. It now still happens from time to time, but not every day.
I did movement exercises that took care of the BPPV dizziness. From what I've read, there are non-drug treatments for SSS/NOVD. One such treatment is called: Dynamic Adaptive Vision therapy (DAVT).  Good luck everyone! There is light at the end of the tunnel!!! :)
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Avatar universal
I'm pretty sure I use this page like everyone else here. I go on this page because the driving thing has been really bad lately and my anxiety is pretty high right now. Been to many doctors and im tired of being prescribed anxiety pills when I want a cure instead of a patch. Ive been living with this since 2005 and I think I found something that might seem closer to an answer.

Look up "Derealization/Depersonalization"
(or "dearealization/depersonalization While Driving")
which is tied to anxiety. A few people put up videos of them driving while they are going through it.

More importantly look up "Vertical Heterophoria" The symptoms seen really familiar. The impairment in the eyes can lead to anxiety.
https://www.nvcofny.com/what-is-bvd/vertical-heterophoria/

Im going to see a couple of specialist soon for Anxiety/ Stress Management and for Vertical Heterphoria.

I'll stay posted!

Geeno - Mark054
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1 Comments
Have you ever found out why this happens and what to do for it??? I’m at my wits end
Avatar universal
I have been dealing with this issue on and off for several months now; it's good to know I'm not alone. I was starting to freak myself out. The first time it happened, I started to have a slight panic attack. It was very unnerving. Luckily I was driving alone in my car without any passengers. Once it started though, I couldn't shake the feeling as though my car was still and everything around me was moving towards me... Almost like a scene from a movie. Hopefully someone can shed some light on this and what seems to be the cause. I was thinking maybe it's from being on our phones or computers too much and it's causing a strain on our eyes. That, or maybe it's from partaking in one too many "extra curricular activities" back in my teen years.
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Avatar universal
Did you by chance get this figured out. Your description fits mine perfectly. I'm a 23yr old healthy female and I can no longer drive as the issue has escalated to all speeds not just driving on the highway. Been to every doctor in the book and they think I'm crazy or try to prescribe mess for anxiety. Please let me know
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Avatar universal
Has anyone figured out what this is. I have word for word been suffering from the same issue. Been about 2 years and it's now escalated to where I can no longer drive and am having motion sickness even as a passage, and dizziness outside of the car. Please please help :(
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Any answers yet?
Avatar universal
I have had that too and today I just thought I'd find anyone putting this experience out there. Saw the eye specialist and everything was good with my eyes except chronic dry eyes. Might have to ask to see a Nerologist cause this is happening more offen, scary feeling.  
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1 Comments
Any answers yet?
Avatar universal
Still no answer as to why this happens to us? We need to find a cure asap!
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Avatar universal
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Avatar universal
Your description fits mine perfectly. Most of the time it triggers on a highway on a bright sunny day, it helps to look down at my dark dash for a second to temporarily stop the tunnel vision. It has a shadowy pattern which waves or flickers in my peripherals like gong through a worm hole. It upsets me to see everyone suffering from this with no answer and for years. I already suffer from an unknown ocular issue called 'visual snow'. This just takes the cake.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Find anything close to an answer yet?
Avatar universal
I have had these symptoms ever since I started driving (9 years ago). It is the most frustrating thing ever and I have to drive a lot.  I have been to several doctors and had several false diagnosis.  Too this day this issue still plagues me.  When driving on the highway I basically have to be ready to get off at each exit.  When in high school my drive was only 8-10 minutes to school and even that short driver triggered the symptoms.  One thing I have noticed is the symptoms are often a lot worse during the day and in days when the sun is really bright.  There are also some nights when the symptoms don't exist, leading me to believe it may have something to do with light sensitivity.  I also believe the consistent vibrations of the car put me in a relaxed state, even as a passenger I cannot stay awake in a car for more than 5 minutes. Someone help us and cure this!
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Avatar universal
I also have this on and off for a few years now it started when i was around 21/22 im now 26! I generally put it down to beeing tierd! i dont need glasses! Ive never spoken to anyone professional about it before as its a strange sensation to explain with out people looking at you like your crazy! It only happens on motorways and mostly at night but being someone who has to do alot of commuting up and down the motorway it would be nice to get some answers and its nice to find that im not the only person who has this!
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Avatar universal
I have the same thing. It started while driving at night on a highway @60 mph when it was raining very heavily. I remember having similar but less intense episodes while driving in heavy snow but this time is persists for almost a week now. Similar to all others stated, I use glasses, work with computers, 42 yo male who is in generally good health otherwise. I drink one cup of coffee in the morning. It mostly happens when it is dark and when driving on the highway -straight line- but can also happen at 30-40 mph on a straight lane at night. I am usually fine during the morning commute and daytime driving even on highways. It seemed sooo weird when I first had it but I told my wife and she says she has episodes like this too. May be this is a more common phenomenon than I thought it would be.  Please keep posting updates and details about your case. Has anyone had a physician (ENT, Neuro, Eye)  who told them they have heard this condition before? and if so who was that doctor?
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1 Comments
Any answers to this yet?
Avatar universal
Also I often wondered why it happened more when I was tired (with two kids that is unfortunately more common for me these days). And if muscle weakness is a cause of my cross eye that would explain why it's worse at those times.

I hope that all helps someone else. I aim to always drive safely and have not been driving. I am happy to have found my solution.
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Avatar universal
I just wanted to tell you all I've been researching this myself, same floating feeling/like a video game had me concerned, just as the first comment described but I know it wasn't really tunnel vision because that would imply I had lost my peripheral vision. Was concerned that an eye doctor wouldn't understand

I found out that while I'm not a young child (which is more common) I have cross eye (and no it doesn't look as though I do).... I had two separate eye doctors tell me the same thing. One eye doctor told me that normally glasses that address near sightedness (things far away) make it worse for most people, but for whatever reason it makes it better... for most people it's the opposite, as cross eye can be from severe far sightedness (trouble with things close up) or poor eye muscle control, which must be what I deal with.

Either way although my general vision is not horrible, the glasses make a big change on this feeling....and i have no eye disease or other diseases that have been found. It's been bothering me for some time. Thought this would shed some light on what others may read and be concerned about...they did a simple screen for me during my eye exams. Didn't even require dilation.
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Any answers to what it is or what its even called? Its been called a "Trance" which seems pretty accurate. Its hard to explain to people what we go through
Avatar universal
I'm thrilled to find this..everyone thinks I'm nuts when I try to explain these symptoms..first noticed this about 2 years ago on the highway..now happening more frequently..I'm afraid to drive on highway again, it's a scary feeling. For the record..I wear glasses..have stigmatism and near sighted..don't drink or use drugs..mid 50s..history of migraines..have had mri and testing for vestbular migraines..am light sensitive..wear polarized prescription sunglasses while driving..female..have episodes of vertigo..extreme motion sickness..but not if driving..I've been to several Drs and specialist but no one can give a definite diagnoses..my symptoms change as time goes by..I usually take several long road trips a year but now don't feel comfortable doing it..just came from D.C. and had to continually refocus, blink etc to stay out of the 'trance' if anyone has new info to help..please post!
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1 Comments
Any cures to this? Been living this way sine 04. It pretty much took over my life. It does suck trying to explain this to doctors and people around you. It is something I don't talk about cause no one will understand. I never drive long trips and still fall into this trance at short distance.
Avatar universal
hi every one,

        Had this now for 2 to 3 years and like you trying all things to sort it. I have found after all this time is to IGNORE it,  ( at the moment )is the best thing I've come up with. Yes ... ignore it. I've have found that anxiety disorder is probably the basis and with GAD and all its vast symptoms ignorance is the best defence ... get on and battle ... its not easy. Even cycling through an avenue of trees is like falling into never ending abyss but i have found focussing on smell and birdsong gets me through it. Also the company of others and conversation lessens the effect. Lets remember this  though we are human and technology has overtaken our evolution ... we are not designed ( yet )  to travel faster than running speed .... that could take a thousand years! So driving in a car on the freeway or motorway anything faster that we can run being chased by Sabre toothed tiger is going to put all of our senses into overdrive including our peripheral view! So our brain is probably saying "hey slow down I'm having trouble seeing to the sides" I have found with gad all the senses are in hyperdrive so in our head we are constantly be chased by that Sabre toothed tiger so to add  the anxiety of moving fast is going to compound things! Some tips I have found to help...
Drink enough fluids
Sleep well
NO ALCOHOL
Osteopathic top spine and skull manipulation
Swimming
The right glasses including light reduction
And ........... amble through woodland and roads and avenues and realise that these symptoms are not there!

Oh one last thing ..... tell other people around you how you feel ... you'll be surprised how many experience this!


  
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1 Comments
Any cures to this yet?
Avatar universal
Hey everyone. I've been having the symptoms you all have been mentioning as well, for about a month now. About a month ago I got back from a 28 day vacation outside of the country. During that time, I did not drive at all. Being on the road again, I noticed a feeling of being stationary even when going fast. My eyes also strained trying to focus, and would even tear up or try to close sometimes. There was a definite feeling of disconnetion and tunnel vision.

HOWEVER, I also noticed that I had other symptoms, one of which was an over sensitivity to light. About two weeks ago, I purchased a pair of goos quality sunglasses (Ray Ban polarized mirror lenses) and I noticed a significant positive change in my vision. First of all, my eyes were able to focus without hurting or straining. Because of this, I got the "big picture" image instead of the "tunnel vision" image. The clearer vision definitely brought the "reality of moving" back. The funny thing is, I even wear the glasses when the sun isn't out, because of how much they help. I feel a significant increase in quality of vision, and psychologically am more confident. I wouldn't say it cured my vision, but it definitly made driving more doable and almost masks the symptoms. I'm by no means a salesperson for Ray Ban or trying to sell you glasses. I'm just saying, many of you could be overlooking photophobia as a cause. I'm still in search of a doctor that can hopefully provide some answer, but until then, the sunglasses will definitely work! Have hope guys!! Hope we find a definite answer soon, but please, everyone, try sunglasses.
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1 Comments
Any answers to what this is? I wear sunglasses but it doesnt work for me.
Avatar universal
Hey everyone. I've been having the symptoms you all have been mentioning as well, for about a month now. About a month ago I got back from a 28 day vacation outside of the country. During that time, I did not drive at all. Being on the road again, I noticed a feeling of being stationary even when going fast. My eyes also strained trying to focus, and would even tear up or try to close sometimes. There was a definite feeling of disconnetion and tunnel vision.

HOWEVER, I also noticed that I had other symptoms, one of which was an over sensitivity to light. About two weeks ago, I purchased a pair of goos quality sunglasses (Ray Ban polarized mirror lenses) and I noticed a significant positive change in my vision. First of all, my eyes were able to focus without hurting or straining. Because of this, I got the "big picture" image instead of the "tunnel vision" image. The clearer vision definitely brought the "reality of moving" back. The funny thing is, I even wear the glasses when the sun isn't out, because of how much they help. I feel a significant increase in quality of vision, and psychologically am more confident. I wouldn't say it cured my vision, but it definitly made driving more doable and almost masks the symptoms. I'm by no means a salesperson for Ray Ban or trying to sell you glasses. I'm just saying, many of you could be overlooking photophobia as a cause. I'm still in search of a doctor that can hopefully provide some answer, but until then, the sunglasses will definitely work! Have hope guys!! Hope we find a definite answer soon, but please, everyone, try sunglasses.
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1 Comments
Hey! I’m on the same page, I’m 26 and 4 years into this after a bad concussion that was not treated properly. A small dose of lexapro actually helped for a year with the panic symptoms that resulted from feeling out of control, but...when I do longer drives The polarized sunglasses weirdly help. I have to keep rotating taking them on and off, but this weirdly enough helps a tiny bit too.
Avatar universal
I'm 28 years old. I wear contacts. This happened for the first time the other day. It was a day after drinking and very little sleep. I went through a tunnel and it felt as though I wasn't moving but everything around me was. I had to shake my head to try and snap myself out of it. It was very scary. I thought that would be the end of it and thought maybe I'm just hungover. That was on Wednesday morning. Thursday night I took about an hour drive and same thing happened. Friday morning same thing. Friday night happened again. All happened on the freeway except for the first incident driving through the tunnel but even then I was driving at a high rate of speed. I keep thinking the worst. What if we spin out of control or something. Very scary. Idk what to do.
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1 Comments
Found any answers to what this is?
Avatar universal
I just had this start happening. It is so scary. I do not wear glasses .Don't smoke don't drink m not tired or dehydrated it us not happening at night .It is happening every morning on the parkway. I am speeding, so I m thinking maybe that if I go normal it might help. I too blink or try to focus on something else n I tried talking on the cell to see if that distraction would stop it, but it kinda crept in. I m so glad I m not alone. It is scarey n freaky n I hate it. I am on no meds I definately have no food in me when this occurs I only have 2 cups of tea/coffee n it is just a ten minute bride on parkway. I m fine in traffic n side roads n roads with traffic lights etc. Cannot believe this forum is from 2009 n no one has found a cure. I hate this feeling so so much. Tomorrow I am gonna drive in the right hand lane n do 55 n see what happens.
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