Heavy Eyelids While Driving and "Highway Hypnosis?"

[cheerfully]

Hi everyone.

I am a 22 year old female with no known illnesses. I have yet to do a sleep study or see a specialist.

For the past year or two, about a couple of times a month, my eyelids get so heavy while driving that fighting it takes all my energy and focus. This usually happens on drives longer than 30 minutes, but has happened with shorter drives. I don't *think* I'm exhausted, but this really only happens in the car, and can happen in the passenger seat as well, where I'm known to nap. Once I'm out of the car, I magically become aware and awake like I was before the drive.

On top of that, I often get highway hypnosis on these same length drives, where I can drive "effectively" but I don't recollect driving at all. These are usually on mundane, routine drives, but can happen on highways or long stretches of driving straight in unfamiliar places.

I have changed my driving patterns to where I do not go on long drives (more than 45 minutes) alone. That does get hard as you have to be dependent on someone, but it is much safer that way and now I don't have this problem NEARLY as much. But I would really like to know if anyone has come across something similar, since I can't seem to find out why.

[specialmom]

I think this is smart of you to look into.  It happens to some people randomly.  It happens to me every single day at 2:00.  No joke. My eyelids get heavy and I want to doze.  I have to strategize and fight not to. It happens to you driving.  That's not uncommon.  You can talk to your doctor though.  If you start to notice it outside of just that scenario, narcolepsy can present this way. I have a sister with atypical narcolepsy.  She doesn't just fall asleep like the stereotype but is fatigued.  She can not drive long distances or she WILL. So, look to see if this pattern increases.  

It's scary to be sleepy like that when driving and I'm sorry this happens to you.  Try drinking cold water, chewing gum, etc.  Let us know how you are doing!

[cheerfully]

I apologize, I realize this may not be the correct place to post this question! I didn't know if "Sleep Disorders" was the right location.

[AnxiousNoMore]

I think you are over-examining your body. There is nothing special about driving that makes people sleepy other than it can get boring, so it sounds like you were short of sleep when you went behind the wheel.