feeling faint while driving

[tam31]

I have had some scary symptoms while driving that have begun within the past 3 years.  I often get dizzy feeling, like I'm going to faint, my vision seems to narrow in, I get pressure in my head, my hands get cold and clamy, it's almost like I'm losing consciousness and have to constantly refocus.  When the car stops, the symptoms seems to alleviate.  Sometimes when I stop the car, it looks as though I'm still moving.  Sometimes this happens when I'm tired, but sometimes not.  Also, it seems to get worse the faster I drive.  It's so bad that I can't drive on long road trips for fear of passing out.  Interestingly, it doesn't happen when I'm a passenger, which my doctor says rules out motion sickness.  I've only been on an airplane one time, but it happened then as well, just in a milder way.  My doctor says I am having anxiety attacks, but I don't feel anxious at all until it begins.  I have BPV and Meneires (diagnosed about 10 years ago) and my question is, could it be the Meneires triggering these sensations, thus causing anxiety, or could it be anxiety triggering the Meneires, which triggers these symptoms?  Or is it the BPV, all of the above, none of the above?  Help!!??
Thanks

[Craigm45]

There are probably several conditions that cause this highway driving problem.  My problem started many years ago, and got more frequent over time.  The last couple of years I just avoided highways and tall bridges the best I could.  I discovered if I shifted my line of vision from “way down the road” to something very close, like the instruments / mirrors, for just a split second the condition improved immediately.  Or if I slowed the car to under around 50mph I’d be fine.

I saw three MDs and had a bunch of tests with no real improvement.  Then, last month, I read about (and watched several YouTube Videos) concerning “Binocular Vision Disorder”.  Sounded exactly like what many of us are experiencing!  I got referred to a REAL eye doctor, not just an optometrist, and she ran several eye tests that confirmed I had a type of Binocular Vision Disorder.  The first step was simply putting a tiny piece of tape on my glasses.  I’ve made three 100+ mile highway drives since then and only had 2-3 very short/minor twinges that I easily coped with.  She also ordered me new glasses that have some sort of prisms embedded in the glass that are suppose to be even better.  I’m currently out of the country and haven’t tested the new glasses while driving, but I discovered that some of the icons on the iPad / iPhone are in 3D:  I never saw those icons in 3D with my old glasses!

Note:  many of the internet sites that talk about Binocular Vision Disorder talk about very young children, or folks who have had a brain injury such as a concussion.  I’m 73 years old, and never had a concussion.

Good luck.

[tururut]

Guys, I have the same weird feeling when driving above 40 mph. It is a really a strange sensation that makes me pull over or reduce the speed up to 40 mph, gI o thru local roads if possible , makes me grab the steering wheel harder from the top of it and a fainting sensation as well. I have no issues with my vision, all my health numbers are within the normal parameters BUT, like to booze a lot, daily Th. It happened few days ago that I needed to quit drinking for few days and voila! Those symptoms are 80 % gone. I hope it helps you guys. I know that feeling!

[espadrilles]

I just came upon this post yesterday during a stopover on a long drive on the freeways.  I too am partaking a little too much and wonder if that's the problem as I've NEVER experienced this before.  The past year when I'm in a stressful driving situation, multi-lane expressway driving, high speed and high traffic situations, all of a sudden the walls are closing in, my ears ring, my skin crawls and I'm positive before I'm going to crash before I can get out of the fast lane.  This happens out of nowhere, at least once or twice during a regular drive of about 300 miles of expressway driving.  And ALWAYS in that nasty Chicago traffic with the trucks stacked in like sardines.   Gotta quit too, I''m hoping it will help.

[Ballgame17]

All ears.

[Ballgame17]

I'm reading this old thread about feeling faint and .difficulties driving , Concisely, do not rule out dysautonomia / POTS -postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Often misdiagnosed for anxiety, vertigo, hypotension, and others. read the websites.

[lolcott]

Oh my, I'm not the only one experiencing this. Mine started after I had my brain surgery April 7 2015. I had DBS(deep brain stimulation) device installed for my Parkinsons disease. I can drive in town during the day time and if I take it slow at night in town. But soon as I get up to speed on highway bam there it is. My vision narrows my body stiffens arms stiffen up and I grab the steering wheel tightly. Then a semi passes me and bam worse yet feeling.  I used to drive the highway with no problems. Then one day I started having these attacks. I was gonna wait and see if my eyes are causing this. I have astigmatism and really bad eye sight. Corrected with glasses. But also I now have been diagnosed of having cataracts 15 to 20% loss of sight. I can't see at night. I can't see the corners to turn. I'm having eyes looked at in April. The soonest I can get in with the VA

[themairt1]

Hi. Im also experiencing this dizziness/feeling like im going to pass out feeling behind the wheel. I know this is an old thread but has anyone came up with any answers yet?

[JennyJ776]

Please read my comment. You have a hope. I almost gave up. But I think I found the cure! It is a true story.

I am 40 years old now.I used to love driving. My weird dizziness started on November 2013 when I was in a passenger seat while my friend was driving. It was very sudden but very obviously the dizziness were there.  
I used to drive fearlessly for 23 years but all of a sudden I became disabled. Even when I drive 30-40 miles per hour, it was struggling for me and made me so dizzy and I had abnormal visual feeling like a tunnel vision. Driving became a nightmare since then. I stopped driving highway for over one year and six month.

I went to ENT(Ear, Nose and Throat), eye doctor, brain MRI, blood work, acupuncture, Korean traditional medicine, chiropractor and neurologist.
Everything was normal. No doctors couldn't figure out.
On Thursday(June 4th, 2015), I went to a different ENT doctor in a big hospital in the downtown hoping for an answer my ear is the problem but got out with disappointment. Nothing was wrong the doctor said. I am a single mother. It was so devastating to experience this crazy symptom not knowing the cause or clue. On the same day, I researched internet out of desperation and found interesting comment above. That was new. I went to a book store and bought the book "Trigger point therapy workbook" by Clair Davies. I watched several youtube video of STERNOCLEIDOMASTOID (SCM) trigger point massage.

I had nothing to lose and was going to try anything to be better. I tried the SCM massage(Please search google where to find SCM in you neck) right away several times a day very diligently for four days. Since the next day, I felt more than 50% better and today I accidentally went into high way and drove for 4 miles without stopping. I couldn't even imagine to drive on highway before because even for local road with 40 miles per hour was struggling for me for long time. Today I can excitedly say my dizziness for one year and six months were gone more than 90%. I felt normal for the first time.

I was so excited and so was my son. I really hope many of you can be cured like me. It was so simple and so easy to fix it. Current medical system was far beyond to find a cure or cause easily which is sad. However, thanks to some brilliant doctors like Travell & Simons and therapist like Davies, the author and her father, and someone like a normal person who took time to write a comment for other people, I think a lot of people will be relieved from this confusing dizziness.
I am so happy. I feel like I am reborn again. Try this massage today and if you got cured, please write a comment and spread the words for others!!!

[jj4110]

Thank you, JennyJ776. I think this is the cause of a lot of my issues, including feeling faint when driving. I will definitely check into the resources you mentioned

[sarnac]

I just came across this string.  Don't know if it is still active, but thanks to everyone.  To one degree or another, most described what I have been experiencing.  Like many of you, I am dealing with lightheadedness that presents itself  while driving at speed on highways.  Have had a number of tests including EKG, EEG, MRI,  BPPV, etc, etc.  My neurologist now believes I have mild epilepsy and the lightheadedness may be at least partially a manifestation of seizures.   Have a followup appointment next month.  In the meantime, he has me taking Lamotrigine.  In any case, I have picked up some good suggestions after having read your comments. Again, thanks to you all.

[lsmith60]

HI All,
Not sure where my driving anxiety attacks are coming from. I had a hysterectomy in June and have been depressed and lethargic since then. I have been having driving anxiety attacks for about 2 weeks. I don't feel like I'm necessarily stressed about anything, but for some reason, every time I drive on the interstate I feel the panic start happening. It's especially bad at night...the highway is dark and the white lines seem intense and magnified. I get lightheaded and my skull seems to tense up. When I look to either side and look ahead again, it takes a second before my vision catches up, which makes me dizzy and disoriented. When I pass a bridge or overpass, the fast movement freaks me out and feels overwhelming and surreal like a 3D movie. It's like my mind's perception of objects is out of my control, and I truly feel like I could pass out and wreck my car. I don't know how to deal with the thought of driving long distances any more. I'm just find driving in town but as soon as I get on the highway I know it's a matter of time before the panic sets in. I haven't sought medical help yet since this has been within the last 2 weeks. I don't even know where to start. I hate to depend on drugs for something that maybe could be helped with therapy. I wish there was clear answer for this strange condition.

[mazymotion]

Without going into all the details I have also experienced many of the symptoms referred to on this forum, most notably the dizziness while driving. I have been getting acupuncture targeting my parasympathetic nervous system and it has been working wonders. I have had no attacks or symptoms since.

Good luck to all in finding what works for you.

[bhuloka]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
I started to have these attacks recently and got panicked. Somehow, your post has relieved me a bit.

[JessyBleistein]

Thanks Guitarguy89 for your post. I suffer everyday with all of the same symptoms and problems. I am 26 years old. It is so debilitating and exhausting. I have spent the last 10 years of my life trying to fight this disorder...it is a comfort, although I wouldn't wish this on anyone, to know there is other people out there that suffer with the same anxiety and have gotten through it. I work full time and trying to get through every day at work is really hard. I could relate to your post 100% so thank you.

[Guitarguy89]

Joe,

Sorry for the late reply my man. I was under the impression that by default MedHelp E-mails me when users message me here. Note: They do not! :(

Yes, the 7-11 method is indeed reactive and not preventative. However, it's still helpful to have a quick little cure than nothing at all right? :)

As for the medications --- yes and no. The Klonopin (1 Mg) did kill the anxiety about 15-20 minutes after I took it. Mind you, I was prescribed as-needed and not daily dosages, perhaps daily dosages would prevent attacks. But I just hated the way it made me feel. So zombied out --- emotionless. I remember not even being able to laugh or get excited if my life depended on it. Plus it would make me forget my entire day or night whenever I took it. Benzo's (xanax,klonopin) are infamous for their tendency to make you forgetful. But the worst part was I noticed when they wore off, the anxiety would come back 10x worse than it was before I took it. So in short, I stopped taking those unless it was a REALLY bad attack.

As for the Lexapro (an SSRI, anti-depressant), yes that did work to an extent. The anxiety was still there, but not as frequently and intense as it once was. I wasn't waking up in the middle of the night having attacks anymore, but I wasn't exactly walking around with a smile on my face either. Started out at 10 Mg daily, then got bumped up to 20 Mg after a while. Same results really. It just dulls the blade of the anxiety knife, but it's still there.

The truth is you really have to handle these naturally and without medications. Although, the lessening of anxiety from the medications does make it easier for you to gradually be able to fight it on your own.

The biggest thing that helped me (as silly as it sounds) is just being familiar with it, identifying it when its coming on, and reminding yourself it CAN'T kill you. Once I was able to recognize when an attack was coming on, I got it through my head that it can't hurt me and just kept telling myself "you can beat this, it's just stupid anxiety." My biggest trick is the 7-11 breathing that I've mentioned. Again, it's responsive and not preventative. But once you understand you can conquer it when it comes on, it makes the fear of having an attack diminish over time. And truthfully I believe that most attacks come from the fear of having an attack and how badly they suck, as I just mentioned in a PM to another user on this post.

I truly hope that 9 months later you have fully conquered your anxiety, or at least have it under control. You can do it! It's all in your head, just keep reminding yourself that :)

Good luck!

[Wolf26er]

I had these symptoms years ago, dizziness driving above 35-40 mph, not being able to look away and back.  No problem as a passenger.
I had been taking Allegra tabs for years for hayfever.  I discontinued the med and switched to Flonase spray.  The problem went away.  
It seemed I had built up an intolerance over the years.

[Ali_P]

I want to say a huge thank you to all of you that have posted on here.  Like many of you, I too thought I was the only one who suffers from dizzy spells whilst driving.  I am a 40 year old woman from the UK who has always been very independent, being able to drive myself and/ or my family from one end of the country to the other.  But for the past 5 years I have had dizzy spells that have meant that I no longer drive on any road where speed is involved.  My husband is very understanding and drives long distances for us, but I feel very frustrated.  It is interesting that many of you mention ear related problems, as I have suffered extremely dry, itchy ears for a number of years but the Drs have always said I have no problems.  Breathing slowly through the diaphragm does help the symptoms but I am yet to find a cure.  It's good to know I am not going crazy, and that there are other people in a similar situation.  

[Cancunsterdan]

i know this is an old post but this is a New Issue to me.I have all of these symptoms and I drive for a living. What ever became of this please?

[speedybright]

Thanks Luke, I'll try that!

[speedybright]

A good reply which has put my mind at rest a little.  I have recently started to suffer from that very thing.  It is most similar to a severe panic attack on motorways or busy roads, usually in traffic jams where I do not feel in control and must pull over or get myself out of harms way.  I am not a nervous person and have been driving buses and coaches for a living for twenty years before I got a job in the office.  I am having problems with my ears, my left one in particular, I have hissing in it all the time and I am booked in for syringing with the doctor in a week or so.  I hope this is what is causing my sudden problem, which is very similar to what tam31 describes. I'll keep you informed!

[joe784]

Hello,
Wow I got my first panic attack as well after a night of drinking and I too was a smoker at the time. Yes it is a symptom of alcohol withdrawal. I have tried the 7 - 11 method but isn't this more of a reactive solution? It doesn't seem to help me to prevent them. Did the medication actually succeed in helping you prevent them?

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.  

[INK1291]

I feel our ears might be clogged with ear wax. And when driving on the fwy the pressure from being that high in the mountains makes your head stuffy. Which makes it hard to concentrate
You might even forget to breathe because your so unfocused from all the pressure in your head. And when you don't get enough oxygen to the head you're gonna yawn and feel sleepy. Maybe this can be fixed with an ear wax removal solution. Also I know I'm not the only oe who skips a healthy breakfast and then come lunch time I'm to busy to eat so I convience myself I'm not hungry. I hardly get any sleep and I know that non of this helps when I'm on that freeway and my head feels stuffy. MAYBE
All we need is...
MORE SLEEP
TO CLEAN EARS OF WAX BUILD UP.
TO EAT BETTER/HEALTHIER

[elusionz]

Thanks to Guitarguy, lukeh, and others for sharing their stories. I too am a driving anxiety sufferer from Canada, and my condition has been with me the past 6 years. I truly believe it all started after a scuba diving incident where I almost lost my life due to not receiving enough oxygen (or at least feeling that way). I was rushed to the surface (from 30 feet below) and was so happy to be alive. But ever since, whenever I would get on the highway, BAM, the symptoms would come on. Early on, I clearly remember the first symptoms were only related to swallowing and breathing. I felt as if I couldn't get enough oxygen and could not swallow which caused me to panic. I was even woken up from my sleep a few times by not being able to swallow properly.

A few years went by and my life changed dramatically. I had moved back home (after being in the US for two years alone) and I during this time I was able to cope a lot better with my anxiety. I was able to drive on the highway just fine, as long as I had COLD air blowing on my face, or the window open. Can anyone relate to that?? I took roadtrips with my friends where I drove, and everything was just dandy as long as I had my conforts -- cold air on the face and a bottle of water nearby.

In early 2012, things changed once again. Life became more stressful, and the driving anxiety became a real problem that prevented me from doing the things I needed to do. It got to the point where I was pulling over on the highway because I was so disoriented and scared that I would kill myself and others. My symptoms were (and still are) identical to what you guys describe - face going numb, heart racing, narrow/blurry vision, lightheadedness, pressure around head.

In the past year, I was determined to get to the bottom of this nonsense. In my teens, I was completely fine on the highway. I could speed, pass trucks, have the music blasting, etc...and it didn't phase me, so I knew that my fear was not a fear of driving...it is a fear of the symptoms of panic disorder and panic attacks.

SO WHAT DID I DO, you may ask? I went for Cognitive behavioral therapy which attempted to change the way I think. Unfortunately during my 7 sessions I did not experience any relief, but I did learn some important things. (1) breathing is important, but you HAVE to practice. I was encouraged to breathe through my diaphragm and do it slowly. People with panic disorder tend to hyperventilate and take short, shallow breaths - which others have described here as a big contributer to the symptoms we all experience. I was also told to expose myself to the symptoms in a different environment so that I can learn that they are NOT harmful.  (2) I contemplated taking medication like Xanax, but I decided not to as I had a bad experience with celexa (citalopram). I want to conquor this naturally. (3) I bought a couple books: "Hope and Help for your Nerves" which I recommend, and "Rising Above Fear: Healing Phobias, Panic and Extreme Anxiety" which I have just started. The first book is good because it has taught me to realize that we are being bluffed by our bodies and we are creating something called a "second fear" which is created when we tell ourselves that we are going to die, or the next time will be worse, or WHAT IF, and other negative thoughts. The book encourages us to accept our fears (not control them) and let them float past us. It is only with acceptance that we can overcome this problem. It is about realizing that no matter how sensitized our body's have become, these fight and flight symptoms cannot get any worse than they already are and they will not hurt us. Accept (don't control) the symptoms, and let them FLOAT past you. At the very moment when your feelings seem to engulf you, surrender and accept it.

WHERE AM I TODAY? Well, after trying all these things, I still face the symptoms of anxiety on the highway. I am not discounting the ability of these strategies to help me, but I think it will take more time. Learning to face things, accept what they bring, and let them float past you will take time. I am very optimistic of a recovery though. And I think everybody on this forum should also be optimistic. Do not let your fears take over.

I welcome all comments and suggestions.

[Msrevelation77]

I am experiencing the same symtoms!  Everyone else, I believe, thinks I'm crazy but everyone knows when their body is out of order!  I've always had a problem with flying, which in the past has not hindered me.  However, it's been three years since I've been on a plane due to my fear of an uncontrolled environment and a severe attack.  I have also been prescribed Meclizine by my PCP, but I'm not so eager to take meds due to the side effects.  I prefer to take the wholistic approach, if it will work.  Anyway, I have a dr.'s appt. soon.  Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this, because I refuse to be a prisoner of fear!  And you're absolutely correct, my faith in Jesus has surely carried me thus far.  My prayer is that He will remove this condition and heal yourself and I so that we can live our lives to the max!

[lucky52198]

I am going through the same problem I've been driving since I was 15 years old now I am 30 years old and for some reason I cant drive on the hwy I feel like my heart is pounding so fast my hands sweat and my feet do also and I feel like I have to break immediately and I  just cant continue driving and now just the other day I had a anxiety attack out of know where will driving in the city { it felt like the street was to big for me}  can someone relate to this and is there any advice

[patticakes233]

OMG  I can only hope you see this message as I have never posted in a forum and have no idea this will be read...but your earlier entry was so insightful  you clearly get it!  I have been trying to explain my new onset of driving panic attacks to others and they all think I'm mental.  (which is not my typical m.o.)when on a freeway it is like i feel drugged and dizzy then panic comes!!!  it also could be described as the feeling of falling sensation very similiar to when drifting off to sleep and you do the jerk, but longer and much more severe. When this happens I cannot express the overwhelming fear beating in by body. i have had to completely stop driving on the freeway.  I do not feel anxiety until this happens.  as a passenger it does not happen and it also occurs when I am in big warehouse type stores with high high ceilings.  I have to hold a cart  I need to know what type of dr to go to, my primary has not helped at all.  any help appreciated a TON!

[jitinder91]

evening guys, I started getting anxiety when i was 19! Sounds fun, i know! I wanted to join the army so I did not tell tell the doctor of my symptoms as i was scared that they might not let me in the army if they found out about my problems! I chose to fight this by my self, anyways I am going to stop going on about my story and tell you something, breathe honestly, It doesn't stop your anxiety but it helps so much! put a hand on your chest and one on your belly. They should be level right, breathe so that the hand your chest doesn't move but the hand on your stomach moves out. I.e. you are breathing through your diagram. This should be practiced at least 3 times a day for 5 mins. And after a while it will make a difference.

Regards

Jit-UK