Since my surgery in Dec 2010, I have noticed that I have become very uneasy as a passenger in a car. I find myself very anxious, nervous and at time feel like I’m gonna crawl out of my skin. I have to take deep breaths to gain control of myself and 85% of the time I keep my eyes closed. At times I would try to look out the side window to distract myself with the scenery, but find the quick movement of the trees makes me go batty. When I first started driving right after my surgery it was weird for me with the movement of the car, but that has mainly subsided, now it is mainly being a passenger, has anyone else experienced any of this. At times I think I’m going crazy
My Neurosurgeon advised me not to drive until I was comfortable being a passenger. I don’t drive much. Sunlight through trees really bothers me as does the sun shining into the front windshield and headlights.
Sunlight and headlights bother me, but I'm not sure if it's aneurysm-related. Probably just aging eyes. I'm 70. Doesn't sunlight bother everyone? Especially when it reflects off of a car ahead of you? I have no motion issues, either as passenger or as driver. I do have what my neurologist says is ocular migraines which appear as visual disturbances - no pain and doesn't last more than a minute or so. New since burst aneurysm 6 years ago.
My husband still has not been able to drive. His brain anuerism surgery was in 2011 of November. He has extreme anxiety. I was driving home from his neurology appt about 4 months ago and we were stuck dead stop in traffic. My husband was banging on the door to let him out he was in pure panic. He never had this behavior since his surgery. He loved to drive he was a police officer for 22 years.
I had a problem the first year, I kept getting sick, actually vomited at times. That has passed thank the Lord! Only as a passenger. Movement was a big issue until I started horse riding therapy. Also talk to dr about anti depressant. I am on them for the hot flashes, but certainly has calmed my down, I take it 2x’s a day.
It is like a moderate brain contusión or a subaracnoid haemohrrage, the senses are dummy and slow, with some intolerance to the light.
I make a terrible passenger but I always did, sunlight bothers me especially driving near trees since I had my clipping.
I was a bit unsure when I started driving after the clipping but I took it one day at a time.
I can relate. I had coiling done and with the 6 month checkup it is still in good shape.
But, when first driving the movement of the trees was overwhelming at first. It seemed like the trees were moving past me rather than me going past the trees. It is much better now and I don't notice it
as much. I do get very anxious at times ~ example, riding with my husband on a unfamiliar back road,
I kept asking him to slow down, even though he was only going 40 mph. I actually was on the verge of crying.
Oh wow! I'm not crazy! Or at least, I'm not the only one who has that feeling!
Before I had clipping surgery for an unruptured anuerysm and then some really severe post-surgery seizures, I was a bit of a nervous passenger....I like a lot of following room and certain friends I don't always think pay enough attention when they drive.
But after my medical incidents, I had a terrible time being a passenger. Every car in front of us was too close, every car passing us was too close, it seemed like we were always going too fast or being reckless, every parking manoeuvre or lane change was a crash waiting to happen, etc. We went on a couple of family road trips and it was torture for me.
Even when I couldn't see anything bad happening, I just had this feeling of impending doom and panic. And my family and friends had to drive me places, because I'd had seizures and couldn't drive, and they were insulted that I was pressing on the imaginary brake and screeching in terror at random moments, treating adults who've been driving thirty and forty years like they didn't know what they were doing. I coped by trying to reason with whatever part of my brain was clearly a little out of whack, spending car rides looking at my phone or some distant horizon out the window, and clenching my fists. But it was always very uncomfortable, and no one seemed to understand.
The funny thing is that once I started driving again, six months later, I had no problems driving myself, and I'm also a much better passenger, basically back to like I was before. It may have taken a few weeks/months to settle down, and I still get nervous sometimes, but there's not that feeling of panic/terror/doom that I was having.
I don't have a good answer, except to be the driver whenever you can, but no, you're not crazy! Or at least, not alone. You don't know how relieved you just made me.
Overstimulation still bothers me after almost 11 yrs clipping. Deep breathing helps. Good luck.
I’m also more nervous as a passenger now. I think it’s post traumatic stress to some degree. Plus I don’t want to die in a car accident after I survived an aneurysm, ya know? 
Driving myself took a while - I have some right eye vision loss plus light sensitivity. But it’s gotten easier. Coming up on two years since my SAH so I assume things will continue to get a bit easier, but might never feel as I did before.
Wow, I haven't had a problem with driving, but I have had a problem with being a passenger. I hold on very tightly and trucks beside the car make me feel like they might fall on us. The nail marks in the handle are probably permanent. LOL My husband does realize it and knows not to get upset, but whoa I am quite the back seat driver even in the front. It is much better when I am in control. I have gotten better this year. My aneurysm was in April 2013. It was 31mm and a fusiform. Sunlight does bother me with it going in and out like others, but it always did due to my 23 years of headaches. Snow too is really tough. It is so nice to know that I am not alone in this. Everyone, we all have our things to show that we are still here, now that is a good thing. Thank you all for sharing.
I get headaches in the car every time whether I am a passenger or driver. I was coiled Dec 16, 2014 so still pretty early in recovery for me. I have headaches every day still.
Good luck to you in your recovery and be kind to yourself,
Lisa
I’m ok as long as I am driving but very disturbing to be a passenger. Grip the handle as if on the Autobaun and put on brakes. Annoys everyone I’m riding with. I am 5 years post surgery and recently had a minor stroke after having Tia’s since surgery. Having severe headaches daily and even awaken with one. Seeing brain surgeon tomorrow after being tested by heart doc and neurologist. I had invasive clipping. Lost short term memory and not sharp mentally anymore. Think now that coiling is better way. Good luck but think it is definitely related to aneurysm.
When I first got in a car, even the ride home from the hospital, I was immediately nauseated. The first time I drove wasn’t pleasant either. It took a while for the nausea to ease up and I still have problems 3 years later. But as a passenger, forget it! Doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle I’m in, car, SUV, plane or train I feel like I’m turning green. It’s awful!! If I catch some movement in my peripheral vision then I really get crazy and sick. Three years post coiling and this still happens. No end in sight!
How long was until you started driving
Jennifer said:
I’m also more nervous as a passenger now. I think it’s post traumatic stress to some degree. Plus I don’t want to die in a car accident after I survived an aneurysm, ya know?
Driving myself took a while - I have some right eye vision loss plus light sensitivity. But it’s gotten easier. Coming up on two years since my SAH so I assume things will continue to get a bit easier, but might never feel as I did before.
My clipping was July, 2013 - non-ruptured aneurysm and AVM with minor bleeding. I've been on seizure med (Keppra), now at max dosage daily. I drove for about 14 months, though I really wasn't supposed to. Now I'm not driving, my companion does not like to drive but wants to take care of me. It's a very stressful time - I've given up a lot of independence though I have many friends who will drive me. Today went out for a few errands with my companion which would have previously been a breeze for me. This time was, again, stressful for both of us and we are concerned for each other. I hope to see a seizure specialist soon to see if there is something we can do to eliminate or control these petit mal seizures. I shouldn't be "whining"!! I'm alive, enjoying the rest of my life, very active - but, reality does set in and bring me down time to time. Chilly Girl
I find i am a really anxious passenger. I am actually driving my family crazy. I am not sure why this has happened but it stresses my husband and kids get nervous just having me in the car. I am trying bery hard to
Sorry hit reply by accident. Meant to say i am trying very hard to overcome this anxiety, especially when my grandchildren are in the car. Very stressful!
I found myself getting more motion sickness after my rupture.