Brain Fog & Driving With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Has brain fog ever struck while you were driving? A lot of people in my Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome forum have stopped driving, believing that it's just not safe for them to be on the road. Some have had accidents, some have had close calls, and others are frightened that their inability to concentrate means it's only a matter of time before something bad happens. Most of the people who've given up driving have chronic fatigue syndrome, but at least one is a fibromite.
I've had occasions when I was unable to drive because of fibrofog, but fortunately only a few. Back when I was a TV news producer, after especially stressful days I'd have to call my husband and have him come pick me up. First my pain would ramp up, then my brain would shut down. A couple of times, I could barely form a sentence or dial the phone. I'm lucky that it hasn't happened since I left my job, more than 18 months ago.
Do you drive? Have you ever had problems? How do you get around? Take the poll, and leave your comments either here or in the forum (under Newsletter & Blog Topics.)
Suggested Reading:
- Living With Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Learn to Pace Yourself
- The Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire
Comments
Hello
I do have brain fog, and stopped driving years ago, my brain fog has got considerably worse since my granddads death a few months ago.
Miriam
I have both CFS and fibro. I drive on a limited basis, local driving only. I am no longer able to do long distance driving. Even 45 minutes is too long. I am most comfortable with no longer than a 20 minute drive. Since I am the only driver in my household unless there is another driver with me I have to be super careful about having enough energy and focus to drive back. Some days I simply do not drive as I know I am too fatigued.
I am considering giving up driving. In the last 6 months I’ve had four incidents which concern me. I’ve lived in my small town for almost 20 years, yet have (a) driven the wrong way on a one-way street (b) waited and waited for a traffic light to turn green only to realize I had pulled all the way over to the side of the road and was sitting behind a parked car (c) backed into a parked vehicle in a parking lot and (d) left the car in neutral when I thought it was parked. After I got out it began to roll backwards. I didn’t notice until someone started yelling. Fortunately, no damage. And I’m only 55!
I have ME and FM and still drive. If I’m overtired, I don’t drive because my eyes start slamming shut. I stay off of local Interstates because the traffic is too fast.
I drive mostly where I know where I’m going. My husband has had a couple of minor strokes so he has similar problems. We try to go together so that between us we can find our way around town. We live in a somewhat large city so it gets difficult to find a new location.
All our doctors and dentists are nearby. I always take slow moving streets thru town rather than the expressways. I don’t care if it takes longer. At least I’ll get there in one piece.
Long distance driving is something I’ll start to do more of but again my husband and I will take turns and we may have to start driving half way, stay in a motel and finish the trip the following day.
So far I’m doing ok and thats with having neuropathy in my right foot. I wear shoes with thin soles so its easier to feel the gas pedal and brake.
But when the day comes that I feel I’m a danger, I’ll stop. My grandson is 12 and very bright, so he’s my navigator. He looks to the right as I’m looking to the left when we have to to across lanes of traffic.
Life is a challenge indeed!
I drive but have had occasional times where I suddenly didn’t know where I was or where I was going. After fighting the panic, I just decided to keep driving until something looked familiar (after a prayer or two). After a few minutes I realized where I was & made it home. It does seem to happen after a day of stress or when I am extra sleepy. I am a fibromite. I’ve learned that if I feel ‘fuzzy’, I just need to call for a ride.
Much this sounds very familiar. I have not totally given up driving, but I don’t drive if I am feeling fuzzy or tired. I drive around town but I live where it is rural and town has one main street and 2-3 lights. I live near stores etc. My doctor is about a mile away. I am retired so that’s not an issue. If I am having a great day, I may drive 20 minutes to the larger grocery stores. Hubby takes me wherever I want to go otherwise and comes in with me or waits patiently. I am realizing I had fibro probably back in 2001 or 2002. My parents had passed away and it was very stressful. I was driving one day out in the countryside with the radio on and suddeny realized I did not know where I was or where I was headed but like one of you above, I thought I will just stay on this road a little longer and see where it takes me. In a few minutes, I recognized it. But it is scarey. One morning on way to work, I suddenly felt extreme instant fatigue like I had taken a drug; but I wasn’t taking any medication. THAT was scarey… I made it to work safely. And talking! I’d forget my point, words, names, foggy big time. It was embarrassing at work. And when I would write words, they would have letters missing. Even now, when I read somethin, I often see one word and look back and it’s a different but similar word. Rest helps. As does reducing stress. Thank God for my wonderful family who “get it” and care so much. Hang in there, fellow fibromites.
I have been sort of avoiding a diagnosis of FMS for a few years now, even though that is what all the signs and symptoms point too. My pain level is manageable compared to so many other people but the brain fog is starting to worry me. Last week I locked my keys in the car with it running and just today I rear ended somebody. Both times I was with my daughter. I am going to have to seriously reconsider if and when I drive.