Author Topic: night driving?  (Read 5513 times)

mattsmum

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 101
night driving?
« on: March 09, 2011, 12:08:20 pm »
hi - i was wondering if others can help me
i had radiosurgery last july. i had some balance issues before, and have had a whole pile more since and am having vestib rehab. i think i am getting more used to my (im)balance though not necessarily less dizzy.
am i likely to be able to drive at night again at some point? i could not contemplate it at present. and if so - when?
my job involves driving at night; so i am rather concerned about my current level of function. i am not at work at present for other reasons, but should be returning in september this year.
thanks,

vikki
LINAC radiosurgery july 2011 for 1.5cm tumour (uk)

Brendalu

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1286
  • Smile..it makes everyone wonder what you are up to
Re: night driving?
« Reply #1 on: March 10, 2011, 05:12:14 pm »
Vicki,
Everyone heals at a different rate.  I am not allowed to drive at night, by the State of Texas, even though I do short distances on occasion.  It really isn't safe for me or other drivers on the road.  My surgery was almost six years ago.  I know lots of "ANers" who drive at night successfully and I hope you will be one of those sooner than you think!
Brenda
Brenda Oberholtzer
AN surgery 7/28/05
Peyman Pakzaban, NS
Chester Strunk, ENT

nftwoed

  • Guest
Re: night driving?
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2011, 09:06:39 pm »
Hi;
 
   Yes, depends upon the person and in some states, the law. Physicians in some states are required by law to report those whom they deem hazardous to drive. I doubt many do though.
   But, changing lanes, or passing cars day or night, does take extra precaution.

Suu

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 407
  • Better out than in.
Re: night driving?
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2011, 03:55:48 am »
G'day Vikki
I agree with the others too.  Our laws in Aus are the same and we're usually guided by our own ability. ie: If we feel that we can actually drive safely then we do.

Balance and eye problems have stopped from getting behind the wheel as I'm sure I'd have to drive down the middle of the road so I don't run off the road  :D

Good luck and best wishes,
Suu xxoo
4cm Left side AN Translab August 18th 2010
Facial nerve not working
Nerve conduction Jan '11 Repeated 23rd May '11
SSD left side
5 ops in 6 weeks to fix CSF leaks
Tarsorrhaphy 9 Mar '11 Extended 26 Aug '13
Sling Thur 16 June '11
12/7 nerve graft 9 Feb '12

mattsmum

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 101
Re: night driving?
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2011, 01:10:04 pm »
thanks all - it is a roller coaster isn't it?
having thought i was improving i then got much worse again. and in the last 2 days better again! i have even been out without my stick!
my docs have not told me not to drive (but i haven't asked them...) - i have told them i am only doing short, easy, well known daylight drives as i know i would not be safe to do more.
i am in uk, and looked at our dvla rules re ANs. we are supposed to tell them if dizziness/vertigo is 'seriously disabling' but that is not defined.
best wishes,

vikki
LINAC radiosurgery july 2011 for 1.5cm tumour (uk)

suz

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 76
Re: night driving?
« Reply #5 on: April 09, 2011, 02:16:28 pm »
Hi Vikki,
I was very concerned about night driving because night WALKING is really challenging. But for me, driving is 100x easier than walking at any time of day. I avoided driving at all until about 2 months post-op, then when I felt comfortable I ventured into  night driving. The difference for me is that when I am walking, I need all 3 parts of my balance system (eyes, feet, and vestibular system). But when I am driving I feel like I am primarily using my eyes. I am fine driving everywhere but the faster  highways - feels like too much processing at once!
So many adjustments to make when thnking about returning to work; keep reaching out for support from this forum!
Suz
Tumor 1.8cms x 1.5 cms x .5 cm;partially removed 7/14/10 by Drs. Friedman & Schwartz of House Ear Clinic in LA. Moderate SS hearing loss.
Re-growth approximate 3 mm per year; GK planned for 12/2017.
Philadelphia, PA area

mattsmum

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 101
Re: night driving?
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2011, 04:24:08 am »
hi - thanks for sharing your experience. i find walking in the dark nigh-on impossible! the last time i tried to  drive in the dark i found the sensory overload made me really panicky and i knew it was not safe.
but september is still a way off, so lots can change in that time.
vikki
LINAC radiosurgery july 2011 for 1.5cm tumour (uk)

Kathy M

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 317
  • Kathy
Re: night driving?
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2011, 06:01:37 pm »
Hi vikki!

I drive a lot for my job and while I am sometimes a tad uneasy driving at night, I am generally dandy. Walking at night is a whole other story. Be patient and kind to yourself. Healing takes it's good time!

Kathy
AN diagnosed 11/14/08, 3+cm, Retrosigmoid 1/13/09, Univ. Hosp., Cincinnati, Drs. Tew and Pensak
no facial nerve or eye issues!
3 more surgeries related to staph infections & osteomylitis over next 13 months.  New diagnosis of breast cancer.  Treatment completed 08/27/10.  Moving on!!!

CHD63

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3235
  • Life is good again!!
Re: night driving?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2011, 07:06:21 am »
Vikki .....

I would have to agree that driving is a whole lot easier than walking.  In my unusual case, I have no vestibular function on either side so walking in darkness is totally impossible ..... sensorineural response is simply not enough.  However, driving at night only uses vision for any of us, because we have headlights and street lights, so it is a matter of being careful with quick head movements for lane changes that can be disorienting.  By all means, do not drive until you feel ready ..... not only for your safety, but for others.

I did not drive for a long time after my surgery three years ago because I mistakenly thought "If I cannot walk straight, I surely cannot drive straight."  Wrong assumption.  When I did finally venture to try it in a big empty parking lot, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was.  Now I drive without giving my balance issues much thought.  I do not drive very often at night, simply because I would be stuck in the car when I arrived at my destination, unless someone was with me to assist with walking in the dark.

Clarice
Right MVD for trigeminal neuralgia, 1994, Pittsburgh, PA
Left retrosigmoid 2.6 cm AN removal, February, 2008, Duke U
Tumor regrew to 1.3 cm in February, 2011
Translab AN removal, May, 2011 at HEI, Friedman & Schwartz
Oticon Ponto Pro abutment implant at same time; processor added August, 2011