Driving & AN

[ampeep]

Would like to know whether or not you're able to drive with AN- related balance issues.  I missed work 4 out of 5 days last week because I got really dizzy and couldn't drive.

Am amazed that so many of you are still able to drive.

Keith

[Echo]

I have no problem with dizziness driving in the daytime.  My balance issues are worse in the dark so I find I limit my night driving to city driving where there are lots of lights rather than country driving in full darkness.  One thing I did notice on my last road trip was reading signs or billboards that you see at the side of the road while cruising by doing highway speeds - I can't comfortably read them anymore without getting nauseous.  I have some minor ocular motor issues with my eyes, so driving and reading signs isn't always good.  Thankfully street and highway signs are mostly in front of me which does not cause any problem and if I'm driving somewhere new I'm starting to like listening to my GPS provide the directions.

To be honest I have more trouble looking down as I walk down a flight of stairs then I ever have driving.   

Cathie

[TJ]

Ampeep

I have a part time driving job and feel safe while driving.  I just let the other drivers drive as crazy as the want, I just stay out of the way.  I do have to pay attention a bit more, but that is probably a good thing as all drivers should be paying more attention.

TJ

[KBL]

Since my surgery, I tried driving 2 times.  It left my dizzy and exhausted.  I didn't go very far and the driving was on country roads.  It has been a couple years since I have tried.

[Kathleen_Mc]

Driving wasn't an issue for me. Didn't drive for about 6 weeks post-op though, under doctor's orders, but afterwards just picked right up again. Although I have the vertigo/dizziness issue it somehow doesn't effect my ability to drive safely....everyone's different though
Kathleen

[john1455]

My AN has had only a slight effect on my driving. I get a little dizzy when I have to turn my head side to side fast but other than that I have no problems driving. I drove myself to all my CK sessions except the first one. My wife rode shotgun as a precaution. But my pretreatment disequilibrium was only a 3 on a scale of 1 (minimal) to 10 (worse). Funny thing is, I can ride my bicycle and feel perfectly normal with not a hint of any balance issues.

[SDTom]

Driving is a different experience for me. Prior to my operations I was probably driving between 20k and 40k a year. Now I probably drive a few hundred miles a year. It takes a lot of effort to drive. I'm not sure how describe it but on a scale of 1-10 before it was a 2 and now its closer to a 9.
Tom

[ampeep]

Thanks for all of your comments; appears that there is a wide range of experiences with driving!

I had to drive last week, and it took a lot more effort than before.  The hardest parts are:  1) looking back when reversing and 2) turning my head when I need to change lanes.

[Everyone1226]

I had "middle fossa craniotomy" surgery on February 13, 2014.  My tumor was small (9MM) so at age 66 I opted to have it removed and preserve my hearing.  Hearing in left ear was at 80%.  I had my left side balance nerve removed and the tumor had to be peeled off my facial nerve.  I have vision problems because of the ointment I must use and facial weakness.  I drove once to a meeting at the end of April but won't drive again until I am better.  Up until last week I thought I was doing pretty good and now have a buzzing in my left ear, very dizzy every day (but I was not at the end of April) Just wondering if anyone had any of these symptoms at 3 months post op?

[carjon0]

I had to stop driving before GK treatment due to loss of balance - things moving around/towards me cause dizziness - and I became extremely dizzy looking over my shoulder, so I stopped. That was 2years ago. I've tried driving since then a couple of times, but I seem to have lost distance perception on the left - my AN is on the left. Even as a passenger, I'm sure that our car is going to hit cars to the left....pause here for sympathy for my poor husband driving the car 
I can't tell how to park on the left either, and I used to be able to with no bother....honest!
No idea if this will settle, although as I love driving, I really hope so.

I think what all the posts and posters here show is how wide the differences are between our experiences of ANs.

[gracey79]

I have driving issues too, driving to my FP Dr. yesterday was one of the first days in a looooonnnng time since I have not had odd feelings when I attempt to drive.  I was very upset because I was late and the only thing I can think of was that the adrenaline did something which made my dizziness etc disappear.  I have never driven off the road etc but it is still enough to keep me from driving except when I have to.

Just realized this thread is for post op, I am still w&w.

[MDemisay]

Ampeep,

This is a driving regulation in NY STATE people with medical conditions that will interfere are only permitted to drive with permission obtained by a doctor sent in to NYSDMV and then must obtain documentation that it is ok to drive. That is why in 2005 (when I unexpectedly had a convulsion in my house) I had to obtain above and I could not drive for a year from my the date of my convulsion. There is a driving course taught at Kessler Rehabilation in NJ (I went there for outpatient care).

I still cannot back up and listen to conversation at the same time as a result of only being able to concentrate on one thing. This bugs my wife no end! Then I say honey, would you like to drive?

Of course, when I get no response, I grin!

Mike

[rodneyd]

On W and W for 1 year, have balance issues, especially when leaning forward or looking upward.  Also with walking on rough surfaces.  But I think my driving is fine, no hint of dizziness or any other symptoms, so I count my blessings and continue with my W and W path.

Good luck to you,

Rod

[CHD63]

Weighing in here .....  As Kathleen said "everyone is different."

In my case, I have lost vestibular function on both sides.  Following my first surgery, I was terrified to even think about driving when I could not walk a straight line.  So I waited a full six weeks, of my own choosing, before my husband said, "Let's go to a big, empty parking lot and let you try it."  I was amazed that I had no difficulty driving unless I turned my head too quickly to look over my shoulder to check lanes.  It seems as though my balance difficulties are primarily related to when I am trying to hold myself upright.  When driving, that is a non-issue, at least for me.  I am still very careful to use all of my side and rear-view mirrors routinely, as well as turn my head less vigorously than before.

I do not have trouble driving at night, but rarely do so, because I am totally disoriented when walking in the dark, so I would just have to sit in the car wherever I was going.   

Clarice

[ampeep]

Mike, that documentation sounds like what my friend was considering after his stroke.  There 's no specific requirement in Hawaii.

My balance and tinnitus is still pretty bad so was amazed that my AN shrank at my 6 month MRI.

Have difficulty in parking in "tight" parking garages - seems like there are lots of these challenges.  My biggest challenge when golfing is to keep from falling into bunkers!

I've always enjoyed driving - used to autocross.  Had a RX-7, Supra, MR-2, GS-300, and currently have an IS-300 & GS-350.  If my balance doesn't improve, my next car may have to be a "boring" people mover.