Feel dizzy and unbalanced while driving on the highways

[honestmale]

I am 44 years old and being driving for years but unfortunately, for couple of years I started to feel dizzy and unbalanced while driving on the highways for long time at a speed higher than 90 km/h (55 ml/h) specially at night.  It starts by feeling flashes at my head and then the difficulty starts. This problem does not occur while driving in the city.  I visited the EN&T doctor sometimes ago and he said I do not have an inner ear infection.  I visited eye doctor and no problem too.  Then I thought of it as driving phobia and started to take anti depressant drug but unfortunately, the problem still.  This issue is irritating me and I do not know what to do?!!!

[Sigma999]

Hello BIGdude & all, I am 66 and mine was the same as all above except that it did not happen to me during night driving. I became DIZZY and BREATHLESS whenever I was in a supermarket for more than 20 mins. There were times I had to run out of the supermarket to get fresh air even when I had reached the cashier.  On highway driving, I became breathless and had stiffness in my legs when I was descending and when I was on a straight road. I had no problem ascending or climbing and driving within the city. I was driving a very good car but could not travel at even 20kph (12mph) when I and had to park. Other drivers would be surprised why I was driving so slow in a good car. So I used to park and rest - at times even drink alcohol. After rest, I will drive for about 15 minutes and the problem would come again. No problem  when ascending or climbing a hill on a highway.  I thought it was something to do with my heart but a cardiologist checked and found nothing wrong.
It was until I had a swollen neck and doctor said I had a trapped nerve in my neck (spine). I had a minor surgery to 'free' the trapped nerve in 2009 and felt alright after operation.  I have had another major (spinal fusion) surgery again in 2013 and now I can shop in supermarkets or shopping centres for hours without experiencing any breathlessness or dizziness.
I recommend that sufferers of this ailment should have X-ray of the neck or MRI of the whole spine to check abnormalities.
I am 66, never smoked and now do not drink and can now drive average of 100kph/62mph on highways without having those attacks. Do not take medications you don't trust.

[scottums]

Wow how interesting, I have had the same dizzy...anxiety while driving on the highway for the past  few weeks...really scary and weird. I do have allergies but sometimes do not realize my sinus system in my head are inflamed. Clear but can feel a little pressure in the forehead area. Well I always have taken claratin D generic for years almost everyday... ran out for the past two weeks, no claratin D... dizzy driving. I was worried like all of you but today I finally took some Claratin D not really knowing if I needed it (thought it may help)???? Wow absolutely like a new person and no dizzy floating while driving... It may be that you are inflamed in your nasal or head and not really realize it. Take some Claritin D and try weather you think you need it or not. It was amazing I feel great now and driving is perfect. I just really did not think I was having a sinus problem but now I know I was..... (It really was that)

[rpwoodard]

I've had symptoms similar to what's been described here.
Diagnosis & treatment: I had an issue with "tracking" (how my eyes & brain work together).  I saw an opthamologist who diagnosed me with convergence insufficency, and gave me exercises to help my eye muscles respond to my brain's commands.

Also, I was helped by a chiropractor who specializes in adjusting the upper cervical spine, C1 and C2. It's a gentle adjustment, which I hardly feel.

[ChipH]

Hello. I stumbled on this thread last year, suffering from the same symptoms as many of you. My problems while driving had been getting worse for years.

Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with something called MOTORIST'S VESTIBULAR DISORIENTATION SYNDROME.

You can read more about it at: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/cami/library/online_libraries/aerospace_medicine/sd/media/MP-086-13.pdf

My doctor informed me the only way out of it was rehab. Anything that got my vision back in line w the rest of my senses. Ping pong, tennis, and juggling were all mentioned as good activities.

At the moment, I'm unable to drive because of my condition. However, I'm confident I will get my ability back. I hope my note helps you, especially if you've had the same symptoms but could not figure out what you suffered from.

[bluejames]

I stated in a recent post that I would be visiting doctors and now have an answer.  I'll share my diagnosis with the hope that you find an answer as well.  I have suffered from a variety of symptoms for many years and have continually been diagnosed with panic attacks.  However, I went to a great doctor who was genuinely interested in hearing what I had to say.  She referred me to a cardiologist who did not find anything wrong on the surface, but based on the symptoms that I was experiencing, he recommended that I take a tilt table test…….and finally a test that revealed something.  I am somewhat relieved to have been diagnosed with dysautonomia.  There is no known cure for this, but there are many daily habits that one can instill to improve life.  Doctors may also choose to medicate.  Interestingly enough, most people with dysautonomia are first diagnosed with a panic disorder.

Many on this and other boards have complained of similar symptoms to me.  Dysautonomia presents differently in each person, so if you don't have an answer yet, I suggest that you do some research and see your doctor.  Good luck!

[bluejames]

I am a 42 year old male and have suffered from this same situation for 8 years now.  I recently stopped driving highways altogether:  the movement of oncoming traffic in both directions, bridges, concrete barriers and guard rails have become too much.  I feel completely drained as a driver and a passenger and driving on all roads has become more difficult.  I know that fatigue, stress, caffeine, and driving on an empty stomach make my situation worse.  About five years ago, I had success with a therapist who used EMDR therapy.....driving returned to normal for a short time, but relief was only temporary, suggesting that this therapy did not resolve the true core issue here.  Recently, I started riding a bike for the first time in many years.  I have the same feelings of imbalance and floating.....cannot ride faster than 10 mph.  For many years, I have believed that this issue was purely psychological in nature.....it was isolated to driving alone.  The recent development makes me feel that this may be a vestibular disorder.  I have found that I have become very fearful of heights over the past eight years (which is new) and that motion is tough to take (such as rollercoasters).  Dramamine and other motion sickness remedies have not helped....this issue is not that simple.  I am resuming doctor visits and hope for some answer here.  Will post again with any information that can help us all......there are a lot of us.

[stoneabba9999]

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