ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Mama R on April 28, 2008, 08:57:19 am
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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.
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Take caution. This will settle down with time. Freeway on-ramps were the hardest for me.
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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My tip: Don't even try parallel parking for a meter. Most regular folks can't do this anyway. ;D
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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...
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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!! ;D
K
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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.
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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
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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
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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!
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the rehab exercises i was given after my surgery also helped me - as these invovled moving your head from side to side. I actually pushed this up a notch by doing the head exercises while I am walking, not sitting or standing. I don't have a copy of the exercises, but here is a website which lists similiar vertigo exercise. Hope this helps!
http://www.umm.edu/otolaryngology/balance.htm
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chocolatetruffle - Wow..What awesome excercises..Thank you!
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I'm glad chocolatetruffle thought to mention vestibular exercises - for some reason I always forget about them ::)
Once I decided on surgery my doc had me doing exercises 2x a day both pre and post op. He said if I started doing them pre op it would be that much easier to do them post op - and he was right.
The exercises really helped me with my balance and my vision.
I'm somewhat surprised all docs don't recommend them.
Jan
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I am somewhat surprised all Docs don't mention the vestibular exercises, also. Mine did not. I did a lot of footwork prior to my surgery and
found a Team of Docs who have done tons of these surgeries. I think because they have done so many, and it is such
an ordinary surgery for them, they take some of these details for granted (as if we already know them). If I have any complaints about my
Team of Docs (& I highly recommend them) that would bethe only one..BUT I have learned from the past that this behaviour is not uncommon with
good Docs. Plus, it's probably part my fault too as I really didn't & still don't ask them a lot of questions. Questions are just better & easier answered
from the web and this website. What better group to ask then those who have experienced it!! Thank you All!!!
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I think someone put a link to vestibular exercises on another post - you can probably find it by searching the forum. I'm not sure they are the exact ones I was given by my doctor, but I'm sure they are just as good.
I know I still have a copy of the ones my doctor gave me. If anyone would like, I'd be happy to mail them a copy. Just PM me with your address.
Thanks,
Jan
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Hey Jan,
In follow up to your post, much noted in the "Balance" forum (http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?board=12.0) as I saw threads/posts there for "Vestibular Exercises"... I follow it as well for my own personal benefit.
Thanks for giving such terrific support!
Phyl
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I started the vestibular exercises about 2 weeks ago, my surgery is on abotu 9 days.....I'm so glad I started early on. They have really helped and the more you do them, the better things seem to get. At first though they were a bit rough for me, I fell over a few times. Balance and dizziness are big issues for me right now. I highly recommend these exercies for all, esp. those with blanace issues prior to surgery.
Melissa....9 days, excuse me while I look for the nearest bed to hide under!
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Melissa -
keep in mind that the exercises will most likely be very difficult post op - they were for me. But if you keep doing them you will see improvement over time.
Oh, and get out of from under the bed - you'll be fine :)
Jan
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Hey! We are always missing a shoe...Melissa, do you any strays under the bed?? :D
K
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No shoes, some loose toys from the kids and dog....a few dust bunnies......boy do I need to clean!!
Melissa....scurrying to get the broom, whoa....slow down....I'm a bit dizzy today.... :)
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Melissa~
I should be doing LOTS of cleaning right now but am sitting here instead!! My MIL is coming Saturday -- all my friend's say I "Wanda Clean" instead of "Spring Clean" (& I do!!)!!! LOL!!! :o
K
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it took me about 5 weeks b4 i coould drive. my only problem seems to be when im tired at nite. i find myself leaning to the left in the car just like i do when i walk at nite.
my surgery was on rt side. Dr. says its like only having one gyro scope now causes me to lean to left more.
and its worse when im tired and at nite cause my eyes cant correct enough for me.
but it hasnt "stopped" me from driving i just have to be more careful. my surgery was 12 /08 so im still new at this
Steve W. Seabrook Tx