When Can I Drive.....

[Dzimy]

Just wondering....I'm feeling fine and not taking any pain meds.  It's been a little over 6 weeks since my surgery.  Do you wait until your Dr. says OK to drive.  My husband is not wanting me to step outside without someone with me.  Donna

[Boppie]

How much balance did you have when you first got up from the recovery day?
How much did you have on day 5?
How much has it improved since then?
Are you having any headaches, pains, ear or incision drainage? 
Are you still tired in the day time?
These are questions you could consider to make your own decision. 

Your recovery is a very personal and individualized process.  But caregivers have strong feelings about how much protection we need.  Maybe you could start with activity around the house to show your family how you are doing.  Maybe you can drive with your husband in the passenger seat!

I think shopping in the crowds that are coming for the holidays will be different for you this year especially with hearing loss.   

[krbonner]

I wasn't given a specific time after wich it was okay to drive.  My doctors just said I could drive again when I no longer had vertigo or severe balance problems.  You do need to be able to move your head around side to side, somewhat quickly, to be safe driving. 

If it would help you and your husband feel better, call your doctors and ask over the phone for their opinion. 

Katie

[Dzimy]

Thanks Boppie,  I had pretty good balance after surgery.  I was told because of the adjustment I had made already for a large AN.  I don't get tired in the daytime so no more naps.  No ear pain or headaches.  Balance only becomes an issue when I go from sitting to standing up quickly.  You are right about the crowds and possible mall shopping.  I know I'm not ready for that.  The hearing loss will take time for me to adjust.  I seem to never hear the cashiers any more.  Good idea I will take the old man for a spin and show him what I can do.  If I can cook dinner I should be allowed to go buy the ingredients.  Donna

[Battyp]

start small and work up.  Like Katie said..you have to be able to turn your head quickly without losing your balance.  Then again...I still can't do that and I'm driving but took me 6 mos to get there )  I did a driving test at the hospital to get cleared.  Have your husband go with your on some test runs until your comfortable or he screams 

[nancyann]

Hi Donna-  I started driving 2 weeks after I got home, but just around the neighborhood, no long hauls. 

Best wishes for your continued recovery,  Nancy

[lisa2]

I'm 4 weeks post op and I've been driving around town for about 2 weeks.  I haven't had any balance issues so I think driving has been ok for me.

[Pembo]

You'll know when you feel ready.

[kristin]

i think i drove after 3 weeks. it was a little wierd at first...like i was driving in a tunnel. didn't go far...just to the store and back and such.

kristin in montana

[Captain Deb]

My dear husband, Dr. Love, made me swap my little sports car in for an big fat SUV with mega airbags and automatic transmission to keep me safe. I was pissed! I made him opt for heated leather seats and a moon roof to get back at him. I had a small tumor and had major balance issues post-op. I didn't drive for 6 months. We live in the mountains with twisty mtn roads and it was winter. The nearest store is 1/2 hr away.
Capt Deb

[Jim Scott]

Dzimy:

My neurosurgeon gave me permission to drive at 4 weeks post-op.  Although he is very conservative in his outlook, at that point I was getting restless and so I specifically asked him if I could drive as I was recovering rapidly. He recommended that I start out with my wife along and stay on the local secondary roads before venturing out on the highway.  I did that (for one whole day) and have driven a few thousand miles since with no real problems.  However, AN surgical recovery can vary widely with each individual and, as others have correctly mentioned, can somewhat depend on prior vertigo problems and the pace of your overall recovery from the surgery.  Ask your doctor - and let him know that you are anxious to drive, if that is actually the case.  He might surprise you.   


Jim

[Dzimy]

Thanks everyone for your comments.  I decided to drive my husband all over the place the day before Thanksgiving.  I guess I proved that all things are back to normal.  I'm out of the house just in time for Christmas shopping.  Donna

[Obita]

Don't forget to buy yourself something Donna. 

Maybe a new car now that you can drive again???

[Boppie]

Good for you, Donna!  It is so liberating to be driving yourself! 

I can't imagine how hard it was for my mom who didn't learn to drive until she was 45!  She was probably thinking about running away from the five kids at the same time!