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Why is driving impossible for so many of us??

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Posted 3/8/2015 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
For me something weird happens to my head when I try to drive. My vision gets really fuzzy and my jaw muscles get hard and lock up. I'm not clenching them at all. It goes around to the back of my neck and down my throat. Everything around my head just gets really tight and ya.. my vision gets weird. As soon as I stop it's ok. It will make me pass out if I push too hard.

I have glasses that don't help because they don't make my pupils stay the same size. I massage my face and head muscles to try and keep them relaxed. I try not to freak out when it gets hard to breath because my throat is closing up. It gets better when I stop driving.

What happens to you guys??
Posted 3/8/2015 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Driving has become very difficult for me.

I was always a very calm driver with a perfect driving record, and I used to enjoy a good road trip every now and then.
Now I'm a wreck in the car. I get motion sick and my night vision is really lousy. Judging distance is not so great.
Not fun at all. And I don't go far. I work from a home office so no commuting but I don't see my clients often because driving for more than 20-30 minutes just exhausts me.
My vision has changed a lot and my nerves are shot. And yes on the muscle stiffness. I find it hard to turn my head.
Posted 3/8/2015 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I actually believe it has to do with the stress that it puts on the body. We have to be very aware of everything that is going on around us and be ready to respond when we are driving - that's stressful on the body, although we don't notice it much when we are healthy.
Posted 3/8/2015 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
The sun coming through the trees messes with me. I get really confused about where I'm going or when to use blinkers and stuff. I don't know. I miss driving. I used to want to be a race car driver lol. I've always prided myself on my awesome driving skills. I used to drive my fiances huge catering trailer with the big truck and could back it up no problem. Now driving my little jetta car gives me anxiety even!
Posted 3/9/2015 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter is bothered when we cross the bridge to Portland and the sun is shining through the side supports. Almost like epilepsy.

I gave up driving after losing my mom, since the stress caused me to randomly forget things, like where I need to turn or where I am, etc. It happens so fast, so I don't want to cause an accident. I seem to be doing better, but still don't want to drive. My adrenals and thyroid were hit hard from the last 3 years of her life being difficult, then going through her 3 week death process. So it will take a while to get them functioning right again...if they ever will.

I'm sorry you're having problems with that too.
Posted 3/9/2015 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
I think we have a lot in common garden peace
Posted 3/9/2015 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I remember driving was so bad it almost felt like I was driving drunk!!! I was disorientated feeling stressed and anxious and confused I was getting so concerned that a police officer would pull me over!!! I can just imagine the charge of driving under the influence of lyme disease. I was getting concerned so I just drove with all of my focus and concentration that I had left to drive as safely as possible.

Now I drive again singing to music, day dreaming, and yet I still drive perfectly safely and with little focus. My driving abilities are back to normal and I'm no longer concerned about being pulled over and getting a DUIL. (Driving under the influence of lyme)
Posted 3/9/2015 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
I sometimes end up at the library when I meant to pick up my husband from work. LOL!
Posted 3/9/2015 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
Yah driving is overwhelming to my senses.

I am not stressed just more like "too much senses to take in all at once for my brain."

Oooofff. I sound like my Grandpa.
Posted 3/9/2015 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
I never really thought of it in the sense of all the stimulation being exhausting, but that makes a ton of sense!

For me it's having to be upright for so long - the muscles in my neck and back can't really sustain that, plus I get a little lightheaded being upright sometimes. My arms also get incredibly weak holding the wheel, as if I've been doing insane amounts of heavy lifting.

Despite how physically stressful and exhausting it can be though I love driving - somehow it's the only time I feel normal - maybe it's because I don't get enough natural sunlight being home a lot, who knows. All I know is listening to music driving on the beautiful farm-view roads around where I just moved on a sunny day is like heaven :)
Posted 3/9/2015 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
'like epilepsy, stimulation being exhausting", and all of the above!
sort of glad it's not just me.
Posted 3/9/2015 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's the same reason many of us don't read anything long or technical. I really believe our eyes don't track properly. Tring to focus on everything we need to see while driving is overwhelming for us.

I know that very often when I close my eyes my world is still in motion. Imagine all that swirling going on with our eyes open and traffic. It takes a tremendous amount of energy to try and only focus on what is really visually in our paths.

It's one more thing that will eventually return to normal.
Posted 3/11/2015 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Over stimulation, cognitive problems, slow reflexes, proprioception, derealization, you name it.

This sounds stupid, but I would recommend one of those driving classes the DMV hosts for seniors, etc.

I plan on taking one. I no longer drive in cities, at least for now. I only drive in the very small town where I live, which doesn't even have a rush hour. It only gets crowded during tourist season.

Margaret
Posted 3/11/2015 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the explanation Trav. I think you are exactly right! I feel so stressed out and anxious when I drive longer distances. Short and around my city is ok.

Thank God for putting me in contact with a local Lymie that visits a LLMD that I am interested in. I will gladly pay for gas if they are willing to drive!

*Little things make me happy!*
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