When to start driving?

[CHD63]

Denise (in MI) .....

Congratulations on clearing the obstacle of driving again ...... and in snow, no less!!  ..... and glad you are doing so well in your general recovery from surgery.

Both Denises:  as for surgical approach in driving ..... I don't think that is a major factor because many of us had little muscle involvement even with the retrosigmoid approach.  It is more a question of balance, gaze stabilization, and overall general well-being following any surgery.

Good thoughts for both of you!

Clarice

[Denise S]

   Clarice, it's actually Denise in MN (Goldie) that is the postie and dealing with snow.  Gee it will be here in MI soon enough though.   Hah, that name thing could get confusing 

Anyways Denise -MN aka Goldie.....I'm SUPER glad you're doing good.   I truley hope mine will  be a good recovery too! 

Thanks and best of luck for a super quick full recovery!!

 

[Nickittynic]

Congrats on driving again! Must feel good! Can't wait to get there myself.

[another NY postie]

Today is 4 weeks post op - one month! I drove yesterday with my husband - first an empty, big parking lot, then a crowded parking lot, then home.  All locally in my town.  I felt good and in control.  I drove today alone to my Vestibular rehab appt which is about 20 min away but pretty much a straight shot.  Did fine.  I do not know, however, when I will be able to start driving at night.  I know from therapy (they take me in a dark room and run me through some exercises) that I function much less in the dark.  Curious to know when people started driving at night?
Cheryl

[Jim Scott]

Curious to know when people started driving at night?

The same time as when I resumed driving during the day.  Two weeks, post-op.  Obviously, not everyone has the exact same rate of recovery, but I was highly motivated, which had to help. 

Jim

[CHD63]

Cheryl .....

Re:  night driving.  I still do not feel confident driving at night, but it has to do with general eyesight, which I do not think is AN related.  However, I do not drive at night simply because I would be stuck in the car when I arrived wherever I was going because I cannot walk in the dark unassisted    (I'm down to two of three balance systems to use with both vestibular nerves shot and at night I am down to one ..... not enough!).  I can drive with no problems during the day.

Clarice

[Lyssa]

Isn't it weird how something as second nature as driving becomes a whole new event post-op??

I drove w/ two crazy dogs in the car around downtown Toronto 2 weeks post-op, I probably shouldn't have but I really wanted to go to this dog meet-up St. Paddy's day thing last spring and my hubby hadn't learned to drive standard at the time.  I drive a lot now, at 8 months post-op but  long trips really tire me out. My eye is still not tearing on it's own and I live for lacrilube... the drops just don't do it for me. This makes driving a bit nerve wracking but overall I'm comfortable with it. I should mention that pre-op I drove everywhere - and loved to drive. After surgery though, I have driven probably 50% as often, but on the bright side, my husband did finally learn how to drive a stick shift LOL!!

[Nickittynic]

To add to the whole "everyone's different"...
I just started driving at 6.5 weeks postop and for me it's terrifying. I tried to drive at night (and in the rain..) tonight, at 7 weeks postop, and only got halfway before giving up and going home. Hope I can get it together in the next week, before I'm supposed to go back to work nightshift..

[ghenier27]

I had my surgery October 19th and was driving just 8 days later. I know this isn't the normal. And I had a different type of surgery than the 3 commonly used. I had 12 inch scar but I feel truly blesses that in my second week of recovery before my staples were out that I was drivng to Publix, Food Loin and getting into those electric carts and doing my food shopping in the stores and then driving home -  all by myself. I started walking my dogs 4 blocks twice a day in the 3rd week. I go see the doctors st Shands on the Nov 17th for my first posted op visit and cann't wait to see him.

I know we all recovery differently and that is something you should also keep in mind. I do get tired out in the afternoons but never enough to take a nap. I even stopped taking pain meds towards the begining of the 3rd week. But I wish you the best in your continuing recovery. Debi

[wcrimi]

I drove in a parking lot just to get a feel at about 4 weeks and was driving at about 6 weeks.

[DR]

I almost got behind the wheel yesterday, but then decided I would wait another few days.  My plan is to do a quick spin around the neighborhood this weekend.

[Goldie]

Sounds like a good plan, Dennis.  I caught up on your blog a bit and am so glad to see things went well for you.  Doesn't it feel great to have the surgery behind you?  Here's to a speedy recovery and driving again!

Denise

[wcrimi]

Today is 4 weeks post op - one month! I drove yesterday with my husband - first an empty, big parking lot, then a crowded parking lot, then home.  All locally in my town.  I felt good and in control.  I drove today alone to my Vestibular rehab appt which is about 20 min away but pretty much a straight shot.  Did fine.  I do not know, however, when I will be able to start driving at night.  I know from therapy (they take me in a dark room and run me through some exercises) that I function much less in the dark.  Curious to know when people started driving at night?
Cheryl

For me, it was about 2-3 weeks after I first started driving locally.  

This was my approach.

1. Parking lot
2. Local quiet streets
3. Busy streets
4. Highway
5. Night

I would say the whole process took about 1 month. As soon as I felt comfortable at one level, I went to the next. 

(glad to hear you are doing well) 





 

[DR]

For me, it was about 2-3 weeks after I first started driving locally.  

This was my approach.

1. Parking lot
2. Local quiet streets
3. Busy streets
4. Highway
5. Night

I went for it yesterday and covered 1-3 in a single session.  No serious issues, but I think 4 and 5 are still a few weeks away.  As soon as it was dark I handed the keys to my wife and told her to drive Miss Daisy home 

[CHD63]

Probably a good plan ..... be sure you feel safe and then you will be just fine.

Clarice