Wonkiness and driving---4 weeks post op

[kedge369]

I'm just at 4 weeks post op and have the wonkie's 24/7.  When will that get better so I can drive???  I live in a small town, but carpool my kids 45 min away.  I've driven around the block once or twice, but I don't think that compares and I'm getting really stressed about this.  Doing PT, body feels like it is ok, but head just keeps bobbling!  Help!

[pmcollings]

Hi I am 5 weeks post op and dealing with same thing.  I think it is too soon.  Are you doing any kind of rehab ?  I just started mine and they are having me do this 'tracking' thing with my eye that will help with driving.  I guess my right side doesn't do what it's suppose to do.  I do hear all this will get better - eventually. lol

Pam

[lrobie]

I am five months post-op and still have the wonkiness.  It's not as bad as it was initially.  I was going to a regular physical therapist initially and it wasn't helping.  I think a regular physical therapist tends to focus more on balance because it was your vestibular/balance nerve that was cut.  However, I have good balance.  It's my eyes and head movement that aren't in sync yet (vestibular ocular reflex).  I found a certified vestibular therapist(CVT) who I went to last week.  I discovered I was doing my exercises wrong and the wrong ones.  I would suggest you find a CVT.  Driving is still a pain, but I work through it.  I have trouble looking both ways.  I also have trouble when I'm on a bumpy road.  It makes me feeling like I'm bouncing even more.  I posted a couple of other posts previously.  One is showing a video of what it feels like...helpful to share with others so they know how you feel.  The other is describing the exercises that I do now. 

Please don't get discouraged.  I know it's hard when you read of others who have had surgery around the same time and are already back to normal.  I have to remind myself that everyone is different.

Stay strong!

Lisa

[kedge369]

@Irobie, how do I look up your attachments?  are they under this same topic of post-op?

[jaylogs]

Well guys, I know it's frustrating that these things aren't happening fast enough.  Even after 3 years I still sometimes while driving and get onto really curvy or bumpy roads I get a little out of it.  I don't think it EVER goes away.  The brain will compensate for most of it, but there's just no set time.  So all I can suggest is keep walking, doing your PT and really work that all out.  If it gets into several months down the road and you are still having the same level of wonky head, maybe discuss it with your doctor.  Hang in there though, it WILL get better!

Jay

[kedge369]

Thanks so much guys.  I'm going to talk to my PT today about vestibular therapy and the ocular reflex.  I live in a small town, so seeing a specialist would take me 2 hours away.  I bet the therapist here will at least read up on it to work with me.  Sounds like the driving is still a ways away.  I guess I need to mourn that too .  Is it me, or what?  The doctor seems to have no clue, is it not a normal side effect?

[lrobie]

Kedge369 ~

To see my posts, you can click on my name.  The screen that pops up will have a list to the left side that you can click on to read my posts.  Let me know if it works.

Also, I forgot to mention that I didn't start driving until 7 weeks post-op. 

Lisa

[pmcollings]

My Vestibular therapist is not as far as yours but still far for me since I can't drive.  She gave me some exercises to do at home and I only have to see her every 2 weeks.  So that's not too bad.  She is having me look at this eyechart and shake my head back and forth for 15 sec and it is suppose to help with the eye tracking.  I am hoping this will help me with my driving.  I'm not walking like I should but I tried to rake the leaves in my yard today - there are a billion and a half- lol.  I think that kinda counts, but I am paying for it now with major headache.  -- Take care !  ~~~ Pam

[millie]

Hi everyone-
I don't have a PT-my translab was Oct. 17-my doctor said we could discuss exercises when I see him Jan 7.  I am not driving.  I tried it once, just to and from the grocery store on a fairly busy highway,  and it went all right, but that feeling of having had two glasses of wine but not having drunk anything is the feeling I get all the time, and  every day I wake up to see if I feel more connected.  I don't know if this is dizziness or wonkiness or what it is.  Fullheaded feeling on the AN surgery side?  I hope it lessens.
I'm afraid to drive unless it does. I am getting really tired of being stuck in the house and depending on my poor husband.
Thanks.
Mil

[lrobie]

I had to push through it at seven weeks as I didn't want to rely on someone else to give me a ride to work.  It was difficult, but is slowly getting better.  As far as looking side to side, I tried to teach myself to move my eyes first and follow with my head.  It seemed to help.  Hitting bumps on the road is another story.   

Lisa

[millie]

I think "push yourself" are the right words, Irobie.  Maybe walking outdoors more will make my head clear enough to drive; this dependence on others is very hard. Today I  made excuses by baking cookies  doing cookies and wrapping  presents.  I should have gone out to walk.  It really is an effort. I admire your strength and determination and your returning to work so soon...how is your wonky/fullheadedness at worl?

[Peter325]

I found the only cure for me was to get out walking, and while walking I would move my head from side to side. At first it feels terrible but you force your brain to adjust to it. I even find that I backslide, if I stay home and don't move my head much for the day my wonky head gets worse - it almost seems like I have to retrain my brain every day. On work days when I'm out of the house at 6:30 and doing stuff I find that by the end of the day I almost feel normal. Having said all that everyone's results will vary, there are so many differences in tumour location and size and so on. Good luck!

Peter

[cherrypiper]

well, i had my wife drive for 1st 5 weeks cause i was still "wonky"

now 5 yrs later? i can if i get tired or worn down by doing too much or sick, then i still lean to the left when driving.

My An was on rt side.

i'd suggest taking it easy and driving a bit farther every day with someone else who can drive with ya in car just in case.