Oh my gosh, sunlight through the trees is the worst, whether I’m the passenger or driver. And my anxiety as a passenger has sky rocketed. My husband recently told me that it’s recently worse. I’m 9 months out from a SAH coiling, and I’m noticing a lot of changes lately.
I am a horrible passenger! I would much rather sit in the back than in the front, because my visual perspective isn't as wide. Normally I always have my Kindle with me and I am able to keep distracted by playing many of my downloaded therapy games. I'm much better at being the driver, but I don't drive in a lot of crazy traffic. I am a few months shy of having my aneurysm clipped after it ruptured in 2013. I waited 5 months before I started driving.
Yes and I scream!
I don't have problems with the sunlight but am unable to drive a car myself due to concentration issues, for example, it would be too difficult to concentrate on pedestrians, street lights and paying attention to other cars, all at the same time. I would be a hazard for others on the road. I can sit in the passenger side with some adjustments of the driver. he/she has to drive slowly in curves and hit the break very slowly or I'll get very nauseated, dizzy and have also thrown up. my aneurysm was a ruptured one in July 2013with 4 coils put in place, another aneurysm, non ruptured, in June 2014, 2 more coils put in place.
My 4 annies ruptured July 2014 and Im the same - still have headaches every day - not driving myself yet but Im pretty relaxed being a passenger now but wasnt before surgery - I do sometimes feel like my perception of space/distance has changed and isnt so acurate any more
I love this site for all the questions and answers
Thanks everyone for sharing
Lisa Eriksen said:
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
Sunglasses are an absolute must for me to go outside anymore. If the glare gets me it's a headache for sure. Driving at times I just don't and others, driving or as a passenger, have occurances for a better term, that effect both my vision and hearing. It has been 10+ years now since my clipping of the R sub-arachnoid. Grateful to be here and thanks for your share. Every day is a new day is the way I look at it. Hopefully time will help with your ajustment to it and as you mentioned various techniques like deep breathing and recognition really help. God Bless ! John
Omg see this is why I love this site. I can not wait to show my husband the responses. I try to keep quiet in the car, but I know I’m not very good at it. I know I drive my husband crazy with all the imaginary break pressing, grabbing the door handle, my 15 yr old son makes fun of me telling me I’m funny to watch. I am sorry you all experience this as well, but am very relieved that it’s just not me, I am not a wack-a-do. Thank you everyone for sharing. I wish all the very best. Stay well
Hey Jo-Anne,
I’m almost five years post clipping and it took me fours to figure out (with professional help), I have PTSD. My therapist says it is very common for people who have brain injuries.
Riding in the car is still difficult but it is better than it was. Hang in there, and seek professional help if necessary.
Laura
I too have a diffucult time riding as a passenger in the car with others.I am four years post aneurysm clipping. I also have difficulty hearing and with loud noises it gives me so much anxiety, I get angry more quickly because there is no control of some of the things I go through. I am grateful to be alive even through all of this.
Thank you for sharing that you have headaches every day still, Lisa. I was coiled November 3, 2014, and have headaches every day. They are manageable. Certainly not like THE HEADACHE I experienced with the rupture. It's as if they are reminding me to "slow down - you had a brain injury - you are still recovering."
God bless,
Margaret
Lisa Eriksen said:
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
Wear very dark sunglasses…year round. Get the yellow night driving glasses to reduce glare. Use the sun visor to block as much light as possible. Yes, the flashing of sunlight through trees is awful! I have become a terrible ‘back seat driver’…not good. I jump easily at movement. The bouncing of cars is not good… We just rented a Chevy Impala…perfect. It is comfortable and the seat seems to ride with you…I don’t feel the bounce for my body or my head. Our around town vehicles are not. Will definitely rent one for long trips. Not sure any of this helps with your trepidation. Hope it gets better…
i too have to keep my eyes closed sometimes. quick movement in a car and even tv bothers me. i had c oiling in 2010.
I find the same, but not as bad. Had coils dec 2014. Went with my son to get coffee yesterday. About 8 miles each way. It was not fun. Got anxious and just wanted to be home. Felt car sick as well. When I drive I don't get it. Only as a passenger. Mark
Yes, really helps a lot so thx!
Susan said:
Wear very dark sunglasses…year round. Get the yellow night driving glasses to reduce glare. Use the sun visor to block as much light as possible. Yes, the flashing of sunlight through trees is awful! I have become a terrible ‘back seat driver’…not good. I jump easily at movement. The bouncing of cars is not good… We just rented a Chevy Impala…perfect. It is comfortable and the seat seems to ride with you…I don’t feel the bounce for my body or my head. Our around town vehicles are not. Will definitely rent one for long trips. Not sure any of this helps with your trepidation. Hope it gets better…
The oncoming lights at night are what get me. When passing oncoming traffic I have to have my eyes looking at the white lines on the right so not to get hit with instant migraine
yes the strobbing sun thru the trees!!
I had two annies rupture and one clipped in 2002. It took sometime to get use to driving and being a passenger. However, 3 yrs. ago, I started having panic attacks while driving and had to pull over on highways. A very dangerous situation, particularly the uncontrollable shaking and trying to use the brake pedal. Today, I no longer drive due to the anxiety attacks. My husband drives me everywhere and someday's, I think he is just going to pull over and throw me out!!! LOL!
You are not crazy, and this posting has made me feel better, knowing that I am not either..God Bless all of us.
There are too many replays and fill up my page.
I still am not driving at 10 months since flow diverter op on 24mm aneurysm. i am a terrible passenger as few have told me. my problem seems to be that i watch tthe edge of the road and i think and feel like we are going to lose control and crash. my husband says i am going to cause an accident by my panic. the optoneurosurgeon said it is illeagal for me to drive. i would hate to cause an accident so i am fine to be a passenger.
Neurologist who I saw for headache says motion sickness is a migraine equivalent. I always preferred driving to riding. Good luck