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

[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.