driving question (for Allen & others) - Fibromyalgia Message Board

Creeping Crud · 01-15-2002, 12:15 PM

I noticed that in one of his posts Allen mentioned that he rarely drives anymore & I was curious as to how many others of us don't drive anymore and the reason why.. I can barely ride in a moving vehicle without getting extremely dizzy to the point of almost blacking out & the last few times I actually drove, I had to keep pulling over, pinching myself and holding my head out of the window just to make it back home in one piece.. I finally stopped driving altogether because I knew that I was seriously compromising my safety and the safety of others when I was behind the wheel..

sujenke · 01-15-2002, 06:01 PM

I had a period in my life several years ago where the dizziness made me afraid to drive. A good ENT (ears, nose, throat specialist) helped me out, and now I almost never have dizziness. I don't know if the dizziness was because of FMS, but the ENT definitely helped me. Please don't be shy about seeing specialists- your life and QUALITY of life is worth whatever it takes to get you back on track.

Also, don't assume that the dizziness is FMS - an inner ear disorder, calcium deposits in the ear canal, sinus pressure, and other things can cause the same symptoms, and they are treatable!

Let me know how you progress, and good luck!

God Bless,
Susan

Allen · 01-16-2002, 08:54 AM

My main problem with driving was the sedating effects from my meds. I get a bit nervous sliding behind the wheel, when my brain is disengaged

I am now taking Provigil and it MAY be making me more alert. People with Fibro do have lots of fatigue, so I too had some times returning from an appt afraid I might get in a wreck!! Al

Creeping Crud · 01-16-2002, 09:40 AM

Susan: I've always wondered if I would benefit from seeing an ENT (even though all the other doctors I've seen basically poo-pooed my dizziness as a symptom of FMS or asked me if I was pregnant which I wasn't).. I've actually wondered if an ear problem caused the FMS because I began exhibiting symptoms after contracting viral labyrinthitis 4 years ago and finally got a diagnosis of fibromyalgia about a year ago.. What did the ENT find and/or do when you went?

Allen: Thanks for the reply!!

sujenke · 01-16-2002, 12:01 PM

Hi!
The ENT did lots of tests (non-painful) on my ears and first determined that I DID have an inner-ear problem. He then prescribed some heavy-duty decongestants (basically the same medicine as non-drying sudafed, which contains guaifenesin, but stronger), experimented with different antihistimines, and did a few things inside my ear that were uncomfortable but not painful.

I probably saw him every other month for about a year, and then less frequently afterwards. He was quite sure that something in my environment was causing an allergic reaction, and he didn't "poo poo" chemical sensitivity.

All that he did worked for me, and I didn't need anything further to be done, but I know that some people have something similar to an ultrasound done to their ears while the ENT manipulates their head position, and this moves the calcium deposits that are floating around in their inner ear fluid. I've heard that it's really effective.

I think my doctor was really good and "up" on the newest research. He was on staff at the teaching hospital (University of Missouri). He really wanted to avoid surgery at all costs, which I appreciated.

In order to get a family doctor to take me seriously and get me an appointment at the ENT, I went to his office, had a dizzy spell after standing up,fell down, threw up and cried in his office. He took me seriously after that!! LOL!

If I take my allergy medication, take decongestants at the first sign of either congestion or dizzy spells, use a humidifier and air purifier at night, then I never have real dizzy spells anymore, but if I start having them like I used to, I'll get into the ENT"s office ASAP.

It was so miserable being dizzy all the time. It made me have a headache, get sick to my stomach, and feel like a freak. I'm so thankful that I found a solution to my problem, and I'm sure you will too.

Try going to your family doctor and TELLING him to get you an appointment with an ENT. IF he won't do it, then find a doctor who will. If that doesn't work, just call an ENT (they are also called otolaryngologists) and find one who'll take you without a referral. It won't hurt, and it can definitely help!

God Bless,
Susan