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.

[skimordiegirl]

I have been getting this since January 2013. Lately it's been even when driving on the highway at 45 mph. I feel like everything is going so fast. When I look at a car going in the opposite directing or I pass a sign, it looks like it's flying past me. :(

[Sharonset]

I have the exact same condition. The jolting feeling like you are falling asleep is scary, especially considering I am not tired!

[Ahmad72]

It's the coffee

[Roldi]

I'm exactly like JavaJulie with the same activities on computers a day. For medical story I've been treated for tension headache 7 years ago with FIORICET. I also have a strong headache after getting drunk from beer oe any other alcohol type drink. I don't eat meat if that may count.

[Dizzyteacher]

Thank you for so succinctly explaining what has also been happening .
Some additional info. I would like to share that may help give some clues to others is: The first time this happened I had inadvertently overdosed on caffeine by drinking large amounts of soda and taking a vitamin packet I bought at a gas station. It turns out the "herbal energy" tablets have major amounts of natural cafiiiene! I had to pull,over several times because I had the sudden feeling that I was about to black out. The next morning I woke up, splashed water on my face, and couldn't tell where my hands were. I later found out this is a common experience just before you pass out. I instinctively went to the floor and put my head between my knees. I then called 911 because thought I was having a stroke. As the paramedics were questioning me I told them about the day before and said thenonlynthing I did different was large amounts of caffeine and the vitamin packet. BINGO! They told me about the largemampuntsmof caffeine in the "energy" pill. I don't remember which tests the ER ran, but they did everyone to check for signs of a stroke. All tests came back normal.
After this valid "caffeine overdose" explanation, I thought the problem would never happen again, but it has on random occasions.
Here are the common criteria:
Driving for long periods of time
Night
Worse white oncoming lights, and or breaks in patterns
Dirty windshield and/or glasses ( happened once during the day)
Tired
Possibly related to caffeine intake, but not enoug episodes to generate enough data

Background on possible contributing medical issues:
Female
48 years old ( first episode approx. 12 years ago)
Treated for TMJ wear night appliance for grinding and jaw forward
Approx. 30 pounds overweight
Surgery for deviated septum, polip and swollen turbinate did help some with apnea and snoring issues
Never had panic attacks
Once I started teaching middle school in a high crime area, I went on antidepressants to help deal with the stress Paxil first, last few years switched to Lexapro ( you would be surprised how many teachers in southern CA are on antidepressants to deal with the stress of the job!!!)
Noticed memory issues once taking antidepressants, but acute stress can
also exacerbate this problem

What

[Dizzyteacher]

Thank you for sharing your experience, but most of the posters are NOT experiencing panic attacks. They do panic, but only because they suddenly feel like they are going to pass out while driving at high freeway speeds.