Driving

[shevonne]

I have noticed lately that whenever I drive I began to get very sleepy to the point where Im struggling to stay awake.  Im always tired anyway but this is different.  Anyone have this problem?

[Jellyb]

Hi Shevonne,
Before I was diagnosed, the sleepy driving was one of the symptoms that made me realize something was seriously wrong. I could sleep t night and still feel like I was going to nod off behind the wheel any time I drove. I am better than I used to be. But I know how frustrating it is.

I drive with talk radio on and the window slightly open and the fresh air helps.

[CMNK12]

Have you had a sleep study? Please be careful? Maybe discuss this with your doc? Take care. CK

[Scottietottie]

I found that when I went hypothyroid. As well as thyroid meds I found that Plaquenil helped with my fatigue.

[jazzlover]

Been checked for narcolepsy too?

I'm wired all the time. Not enough sleep.

[Suslew]

I second getting a sleep study and getting cozy with a sleep medicine doctor!

[eyeamdry]

With me, my eyes get dry and tired and want to close.  I can't drive more than one hour and have not done that in a very long time.  Lucy

[Karen13]

I have been like that too. I find that putting drops in my eyes a couple minutes before driving can help and stopping to put more drops in as needed. For me it is a combination of fatigue and the eyes just so tired from staring and getting dryer (same effect as watching tv, computer or reading for me). I agree with the other posters advice to look into it more for sure.

Do take care!

[MaryBee7]

My driving concern is spaciness, reaction time and fog.  I don't get sleepy.  Rarely have anyone to drive me anywhere, so just try and focus the best I can and limit my trips out.

[Luna]

I get drowzy if I am in a car more than 30 minutes... Driving or not... I do on plains also. Been this way sinse I was a kid...

Luna

[Autoimmunity]

I was diagnosed in the last 5ish years with narcolepsy by my endocrinologist (symptoms, labwork).  At any rate, I was put on nuvigil and it helped keep me awake for work.  On my way to one of my doctors appts in the next city (30 miles away) I actually passed out just for a moment as I had not taken the medication because it made me so wirey/nervous for my appt and always sent my blood pressure sky rocketing.
This has NEVER happened to me in my life~  I urge you to discuss it with your doctor.  In that split second I could have killed myself or worse yet, could have killed an entirely innocent person!  Driving is not something I take lightly anymore and even though someone may think they are playing loud music or cold air blowing on them and that will keep them awake, all it takes is that one split second.  Think about that.  It's pretty sobering.