Nighttime driving!!!

[kathleen anna]

Is it just me, or is nighttime driving a little challenging?  I have been doing ok during the day, but nighttime was a little scary!!!    Anyone else feel this?   Thanks...Kathleen Anna

[CHD63]

Kathleen Anna .....

I do not like to drive at night, not only because it is more challenging, but also because I am absolutely lost trying to walk by myself in the dark (especially uneven surfaces and in and out of partial light) when I get to where I am going.  But remember I have no functioning vestibular nerves on either side so I am not a typical AN patient.

I have learned how to navigate our bedroom in the semi-dark, with the use of nightlights and touching dressers, walls, etc.

Clarice

[sterry]

Yes, it is harder to drive at night, good thing cars have lights or I wouldn't make it anywhere.  And I hate to admit it but driving is easier than being a passenger.

[Lizard]

I didn't drive for a long time after my surgery and only during the day at first.  I began driving short distances at night and did get used to it after a while.  I feel like I still can't see as well at night and always wear my glasses, but the disorientated feeling I had where it seemed like the world around the car was moving too fast for me to process it is virtually gone.  Unless I'm really tired...

I'm sure as you challenge yourself at night more you will get used to it.
Liz

[deheisel11]

I didn't drive at night for 4 months.  One night I went over to a friend's house for cards.  I didn't pay attention to how dark it was getting.  The drive was fairly long and I was petrified.  The night definitely made driving more difficult.  I don't know if I have been driving more but I have no problems at night anymore (6 months).  Just wanted to let you know that it gets better.

[pjb]

You are definitely not alone it is harder driving at night but it does get better...

Best Wishes,

Pat

[Brewers7]

Kathleen Anna,
     I did not drive at all for a long time and then I started on the golf cart.  Later I graduated to daytime driving locally.  Although I swore that I would not drive at night, I now drive anywhere anytime.  For me it was a matter of building up my confidence.

[Jim Scott]

Kathleen Anna ~

As you can see, I think the majority of AN patients have some level of difficulty driving at night.  Although it's a relatively minor problem for me, I limit my night driving to locally only and avoid long drives after dark.

Jim

[kathleen anna]

Thanks so much for the responses!   I will definately keep my distances short at night for a while!  But I will continue to do it.........just another obstacle to overcome!!!!   Thanks for letting me know there is light at the end of the tunnel!!!    Kathleen Anna

[opp2]

What difficulties are you all experiencing at night? I may have missed it, but a lot are saying they don't want to/won't drive at night. For what reasons I wonder?

[jaylogs]

I do a lot of night driving, as I work night shifts...I am almost a year postie now and it's not too bad, but I do notice the more tired I am the worse it is, but those times are getting fewer and far in between.
Jay

[leapyrtwins]

My surgery was in May 2007 and I still find nighttime driving challenging at times. 

I also found that parking between the lines in a parking lot was very challenging for many months post op.  I'd think I'd positioned my car in between the lines, only to find once I exited my car that I had actually parked on an angle    I've gotten better at that as time has gone on, but I still can't park like I used to 

Jan

[Kathleen_Mc]

Night time driving continues to be difficult for me, 20 years after the fact! Many people have difficulty with "night vision" for various reasons, my eye on the AN side doesn't react to light/dark as quickly as the other.....needless to say this causes "night blindness" with on coming cars etc......don't "look into the light" lol ( don't look directly at oncoming headlights)
Kathleen

[Syl]

And I hate to admit it but driving is easier than being a passenger.

I second that.

I had a bad experience recently. I was the passenger in the back seat. We were headed in circles down a parking garage to the lower lever & the driver was going a bit fast. I almost made a mess in her brand new car. Luckily, I recovered soon after we parked.

When I'm a passenger, my neck ends up soar. I seem to be much more sensitive to the acceleration, deceleration, or braking of the car than I was pre-surgery. It's harder to hold my head balanced. I turn into a bobble-head.

When I drive, there's the advantage of knowing when I'm going to accelerate or stop & I can brace myself for it. I can't see myself ever riding rollecoasters again if this is what I go through daily in my car.

Syl

[cecile k]

I try avoid driving at night as well - especially if it is raining. Somehow, things just appear 'unstable' and I have a hard time judging if the car is far enough from center line or the ditch! And, no, I don't touch alcohol lol

Cecile