Driving Tips?

[Mama R]

I recently started driving after AN surgery and am doing pretty good...EXCEPT... when having to look back and forth
to pull out into oncoming traffic. I get that disoriented imbalance feeling. Any suggestions (other than the obvious..being cautious)
OR is this just one of those 'Going to Take Time' issues.

[Boppie]

Take caution.  This will settle down with time.  Freeway on-ramps were the hardest for me.

[oHIo]

Ohio Also..I'm jealous that you are driving already.   Good to hear you are driving.  That is the one thing I miss most.  I do not believe, even if I could see out of both eyes, that I could drive due to the very issues you mentioned.  Are you doing any vestibular rehab exercises? 

Glad to hear you are doing so well.  I believe it will take time.  Hang in there.

[Catflower]

I'm one year post AN surgery and I still have the looking back and forth problem.  It is better than it was though.  I try to avoid situations where I have to look back and forth if at all possible.  I try to use intersections with stop lights instead of stop signs if I can and when shopping I try to park where I can pull out instead of backing out.  Sometimes this means walking quite a distance, but that's good for the balance as well.

Linda in WV

[leapyrtwins]

In my experience, this is a "going to take time" issue.  You've probably heard this a million times, but have patience 

I had similar problems, plus I had difficulties parking between the lines in parking lots.  I'd think I was directly in the middle of a spot, but upon exiting my car would find that I was parked on an angle instead of straight.  I started paying more attention to this and got into the habit of backing up and pulling into a spot numerous times before I exited my car.  However, I'd still find myself parked on an angle.  My kids thought this was hilarious; I found it very frustrating.  Thankfully with time, it did get better.

Hang in there,

Jan

[Jim Scott]

Ohio Also:

As has likely become obvious by now, this particular issue will simply take some time to abate....but it will.

I started driving again two weeks post-surgery (with my neurosurgeon's approval) and had the same problem: a slight disorientation/dizziness when swiveling my head back and forth to check traffic when pulling out or, sometimes, changing lanes on the interstate.  I compensated by moving my head more slowly and determinedly ignored the momentary sensation of disorientation.   It probably took at least six months but eventually, this passed and is longer a problem.  I trust it won't be one for you for much longer, but in the meantime, try moving your head slowly and try to resist the sensation of disorientation as much as possible. 

Jim

[Mama R]

Thanks All...at least I'm not alone  Freeway I guess will come in a bit.

Leapytwins - Funny you would say that about the angled parking as I did that exact thing yesterday and never even
associated it..... Come to think of it I made two attempts at un angled parking on Friday too!!

Debbi - You are sooooo in my thoughts and prayers.

[leapyrtwins]

Leapytwins - Funny you would say that about the angled parking as I did that exact thing yesterday and never even
associated it..... Come to think of it I made two attempts at un angled parking on Friday too!!

At the time this was happening I remember starting a topic about it and I found it was happening to others postop too.  So you and I are not alone    I think the topic was titled something like "Parking between the lines".  Very original title, I must say LOL

Jan

[Boppie]

My tip:  Don't even try parallel parking for a meter.  Most regular folks can't do this anyway.

[Debbi]

Oh, one more thing to plan for!  I am ecstatic that in a week, I should be home from the hospital!!!

Debbi - Boogerectomy minus barely 1.5...

[Kaybo]

Ohio Also~
When I was learning to drive, my daddy really stressed using my mirrors (which I did) but now I use them ALL THE TIME!  I still turn around & look, but I think that I am even more aware of every car around me b/c I use my mirrors  so much -- I'd be LOST w/o them!!
Just like everyone said...give it time!!   

K

[satman]

I agree,time will solve the issues you speak of,it took me 7 months before I could drive.
Vestibular therapy solved a lot of problems for me,The good thing is your driving,thats awesome,hang in there it will get better.

[marymomof3]

Hi.  I just started driving the other day also.  Almost 6 weeks post op.  I sonetimes feel disoriented also, but my Dr tells me that will pass with time and I need to remain patient.
Mary

[leapyrtwins]

Hi.  I just started driving the other day also.  Almost 6 weeks post op.  I sonetimes feel disoriented also, but my Dr tells me that will pass with time and I need to remain patient.
Mary

Mary -

in my experience, your doctor is absolutely correct.  You will see improvements in time.

Congratulations on reaching the "being able to drive again" milestone 

Jan

[cmp]

I agree with Kaybo, those side view mirrors are lifesavers (literally!)

Because the tarrsorraphy on my right eyelids reduces my field of vision on that side somewhat, an issue for me has always been my super-sized "blind spot" on the right when I drive--because I can't turn my head as far over my shoulder to see all the way back as I'd need to (I would still risk a feeling of almost-vertigo, 20 years after surgery!), I do a combination of glance back and glance in my mirror. And the only accident I've been in in my life was well BEFORE the surgery!