Question
About 2 years ago I developed an unknown condition which causes these symptoms:
Extereme Head pressure (while driving)
I become weak very fast (while driving)
Can't drive over an hour
Can't drive over 40-50 mph on highways due to anxiety
I become Sweaty
I do not believe I have developed a phobia.
I have been a professonal driver for about 15 years, and eversince 2 years ago i have been unable to drive. When I would drive for over one hour on the road, all of those symptoms I mentioned beforehand would cause me to immediatley pull over to the side. I could not drive over 40 mph on major highways, because of this horrible head pressure and I would become extremely weak and tired.
At home, I have not been able to drive my vechical for extended amounts of time as well. I have seen several doctors which perscirbed several medications including:
Imipramine 10 mg
Amitriptyline 10 mg
as well as a few others which I don't recall their names.
None of the doctors can tell me what's wrong, and they even perscribed me a breathing machine.
None of these has helped. In adition, when I developed this inablity to drive, my feet have also felt very extreme cold, but to the touch they are warm.
Has anyone ever experianced this sort of inablity to drive? Please, someone with similar circumstances tell me how you got over these problems. This disease has ruined my life, all I want to do is drive. Please, if anyone has heard of a condition like this, direct me to a link or tell me the story. I am desperate to figure out what is wrong with me.
Answer
As much you might not want to think it, your problem may very well be psychological in nature.
I strongly suggest that you consult with a psychiatrist that specializes in phobias/anxieties.
Answer
Was there an accident prior to these symptoms?
Answer
no. there was no accident. It just happened one day.
Answer
What kind of cars/trucks do you drive?
Do you think that if i gave you keys to a ferrari F-40 and told you to deliver it to california you would still have these problems?
(NOt trying to be sarcastic with the above two questions; I need to know as much as possible about you and your condition.)
B) Have you tried portable oxygen? Not full time, but when you start having these symptoms, just take a gulp or two of it. Perhaps you should try this.
C) Describe your diet fully. Especially include what you are drinking.
I suspect something may have gone awry with your equilibrium of something; You may want to ask your doctor about anti-motion sickness medication, but I think there's more to your story. Please tell more.
Answer
I do not want to be your doctor but if your doctor hasn't done a complete blood work up you are being cheated on your doctors visits. I went through several doctors until I found one that would really help. He did a blood test, everything was normal except my B-12. The body maintains a certain level and when it is gone your in trouble, big trouble. Diesel exaust contains over 100 chemicals besides carbon monoxide. One or more of them caused my B-12 to completely disappear and now I am perminantly disabled. Demand your doctors check out every avenue to detect what's going on and don't allow them to make you feel your going nuts. You know something is happening to you, now make them find out what it is. One of the best doc's I know is one trained in Toxicology. They know what your dealing with the best. Best Wishes.
Answer
sulfur
I sounds like anxiety to me, I also suffer from this. Check out the links for more info.
http://www.anxietybc.com/
http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/mhd/
http://medlineplus.gov/
The last time I drove a truck was 2001, but with all the help I got, I can drive again. When they say it's all in your head, there right. But it takes time.
Answer
It has been almost a month since "Sulfur" made his posting and hopefully he is still checking his post, if you are, then please make another post and tell us what has happened since then. We have only been guessing what may have happened to you but only you or your doctor can tell us and your doctor ain't talking.
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Thank you all for the advice, and I will certainly be looking into the B-12 thing. Thank you.
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It would make me very happy that from my disability and knowledge from having to deal with it, you will have found some help for the problem you have had but without seeing a Toxicologist you have not resolved the problem. The B-12, if that was the problem, had to have a reason to be missing, which would mean you have probably had poisoning from the diesel exaust either over an extended period or one heavy dose (like I had). I would advise you to contact Dr. Marable in Ft. Worth because he is a Neurotoxicologist (the only one in the state that I know of) and has handled many cases like yours and mine. You'll have to get his number through information, I don't have his number, my wife does and she's asleep right now. My wife handles all that stuff, I would probably lose it and forget my appointment dates if I were to do it. You are very welcome to any assistance that I may be able to provide. Good Luck and God Bless
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I have generalized anxiety, this is something a doctor labels one with when they can't put a finger on it, it is in your head but that is the problem. I have searched high and low to find a cause and cure for mine, including thyroid testing and sleep studies. I've been given xanax but don't like a pill. I want a cure not a cover up. I have been on and off the road due to this, but sitting home is the pits, so I keep heading back for more, and keep pushing on. Good luck to all with this problem, it is more popular than people will discuss.
Answer
Yeah, it sounds like a panic attack or an inner ear problem. My cousin had this disease and I can't think of the name for it but it messed up his inner ear and equilibrium. I had a similar bout with what you are going through and my doctor just had me take dramamine for motion sickness. I also used to take alka-seltzer plus all the time for just about everything like a headache or indigestion. While the dramamine helped, my problem continued until I had a stroke at age 30. It was the Alka-Seltzer. It was pulled from the shelves and reformulated because people all over the country were having strokes. So I would definitely look at the toxicology angle as well. After I stopped taking the Alka-Seltzer I never had a problem again.