Does anyone fall asleep while driving?

Sandi

Debbi

I have thought about narcolepsy-I mean one minute I am in conversation and the next one I am asleep. The other day, I got a headache and layed down and went into a deep sleep and my family couldn't wake me up. I talked with the doctor and they think it is the increased lyrica. I also take carbatrol (seizure med). lexapro, utram 300mg/day, and flexeril if the pain is bad. I agree, I am afraid to drive and avoid it if I can. Sandi

So I've gotten in the habit of looking at least twice before I pull out into traffic, change lanes, etc. even on my good days. I try to stay on familiar roads as much as I can. If I have to travel someplace new, I map out the route on my computer and rehearse it over and over in my mind so I won't be too distracted to drive safely because I'm trying to figure out where I am. I try to only drive in the daytime if I can. And I refuse to be behind the wheel for more than an hour, maximum, because the longer I'm driving, the worse I get.

Driving scares me. I do it as little as possible. I wish I could get my family to understand why I can't just drive down to our family get-togethers. They can't see any reason why I just don't hop in the car and go! If they can do it, why can't I?! I'm just too lazy to go anywhere. I love my family dearly, don't get me wrong, but I'd like to smack each and every one of them upside the head! Driving too much in my condition isn't just gambling with my own life. It's gambling with the lives of every person on the road with me. I just won't do it.

Sorry for ranting. I guess I really needed to vent!

No, I've never fallen asleep while driving. But boy, I can relate to heatherchelle, especially not understanding what I'm looking at. On top of everything, I have OCD, so on those days I look at keys in my hand, it's like a brain disconnect that says, "are they really there?" so I have to check over and over to make sure I really have them in my hand, and still don't believe it. My dog has to be very patient with me. He's all harnessed up and ready to go while I do my 6 count.....harness handle, pooper scooper, bag for his droppings, cell phone, sunglasses, keys. I have to keep to this routine for my OCD or I can't leave the house. On those days when my fog is thick and I don't believe what I see, this could go on forever. I've learned to stomp my foot, say "stop it!", do one more count and walk out the door.

Writing a check and getting it in the envelope and sealed can be nearly impossible. LOL

heathercelle....I totally "get" looking twice (for me on some days, more), mapping routes, driving in daylight, and how people don't understand that you can't "hop in the car and go". I've lost friendships over it.

It's also scary when I'm driving familiar roads and suddenly snap into consciousness and I have no idea where I am for a few seconds. Driving on autopilot is "normal".....our brains can only focus on one thing at a time, so everybody drives by habit, switching back and forth between other thoughts, conversations, listening to music, etc., but getting "lost" in your neighborhood is a whole different ballgame!

I can see someday that I'll be out walking my dog and be on the opposite side of the street and will be standing there for hours until my hub comes home from work, looking one way, then the other, for the "phantom car".

Post edited by: hypedujour, at: 03/14/2008 11:16