It happened again.....

[live4christp1]

....yesterday while driving home on the interstate I had another episode. Second time in a little over a year and half so not a real frequent thing but very scary. I really don't know how to explain it but both times I have been driving, felt fine, etc. Then all of a sudden it's like the road jumps up in front of me....I know that sounds stupid and DH just looks at me and says "the road jumped up in front of you?" It happens really fast and when I say "the road jumps up in front of me" it actually appears as if there is an earthquake or something going on in front of me that throws the road up and for a second everything kind of goes sideways. Then just as suddenly it's gone back to normal. It scares the crap out of me though. Imagine going down the interstate at 65 mph and this happening. First time it happened we (kids & I) were on our way to visit DH at Fort Gordon and it was at night with about 2 hours longer to drive. Yesterday I was on my way home from work when it happened and was coming up on an exit so I got off and drove home the side/back roads so as not to be in so much traffic. Yesterday I started shaking really bad right after it happened because it scared me so bad.

I know I need to go see a doctor about it but I'm afraid I sound like a fruit loop with "the road jumped up in front of me".

Anyone else ever experienced this?

 

[JerseyJanice]

Could it be that you were having a panic attack?

I've experienced that a few times while driving on the highway. All of a sudden, I would get inexplicably terrified. It's happened to me at the mall too, and each time this has happened, it was following an especially stressful life event.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I don't think it matters if anyone else thinks you're a fruitcake. You MUST go see a doctor and you MUST keep seeing doctors until they figure out what is wrong! If they think it might be psychological (and that's possible) then see a therapist. See your PCP, an eye doctor, a neurologist, etc...keep going until you get an answer.

If you do not, you are putting youself and your kids at risk every time you get in the car. And that's not good.

 

[live4christp1]

Could it be that you were having a panic attack?

I've experienced that a few times while driving on the highway. All of a sudden, I would get inexplicably terrified. It's happened to me at the mall too, and each time this has happened, it was following an especially stressful life event.

I don't know.......looked up the symptoms and while yes, after the initial episode I get the shaking, etc. and yesterday I felt like I needed to actually tell myself to breath......it doesn't explain what is happening in my brain/vision before hand and that's what triggers the fear....almost like I am about to black out.

 

[Green Tea]

Ocular Migraine?

 

[jfoofj]

I think you need to get your cat scanned... and by that I mean a cat scan of your brain... just to rule out anything major going on. I have had migraines where I have lost vision in my left eye (only twice, thank God) and sometimes I see sparkles out of my left eye before one, so you CAN have visual disturbances with a migraine. I have had a head CT and an MRI and thankfully everything is fine, I just get migraines triggered by stress. Is there a trigger event prior to this happening? Maybe you should write down everything that happened prior to the event... stress, food eaten, were you ill, etc. Good luck!

 

[live4christp1]

I don't think it matters if anyone else thinks you're a fruitcake. You MUST go see a doctor and you MUST keep seeing doctors until they figure out what is wrong! If they think it might be psychological (and that's possible) then see a therapist. See your PCP, an eye doctor, a neurologist, etc...keep going until you get an answer.

If you do not, you are putting youself and your kids at risk every time you get in the car. And that's not good.

After yesterday's I'm definately scared to drive. Made an appointment with my PCP, diabetes runs on both sides of my family so I'm kind of scared that might be what is going on though I've never had a problem with it in the past.

 

[ElizK]

vertigo?

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Sounds like Vertigo to me

Vertigo is a feeling that you or your surroundings are moving when there is no actual movement. You may feel as though you are spinning, whirling, falling, or tilting.

http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/dizziness-lightheadedness-and-vertigo-topic-overview

Tilting is a type of vertigo. It is usually quick. I have had this happen and resolves within a minute at the most.

 

[live4christp1]

Sounds like Vertigo to me

http://www.webmd.com/brain/tc/dizziness-lightheadedness-and-vertigo-topic-overview

Tilting is a type of vertigo. It is usually quick. I have had this happen and resolves within a minute at the most.

That could be it. Did have some issues with vertigo a while back and have some allergy/sinus issues going on right now.

Also had a headache for most of the day yesterday too though.....not bad like a migraine but it was at the back of my head toward the base of my skull.

Thanks everyone. If my PCP can't come to any conclusions I might have to look for another doctor for a second opinion.

 

[Micca]

My first thought was also panic attack, but vertigo may be the culprit. Good luck in getting a doc to help you out, and please take care on the road.

 

[Sparx]

That could be it. Did have some issues with vertigo a while back and have some allergy/sinus issues going on right now.

Also had a headache for most of the day yesterday too though.....not bad like a migraine but it was at the back of my head toward the base of my skull.

Thanks everyone. If my PCP can't come to any conclusions I might have to look for another doctor for a second opinion.

this is where your occipital lobe and cerebellum are. your occipital lobe controls your vision, and cerebellum can be related to balance.

it sounds like you're either having an occipital migraine, or vertigo.

 

[pooh4evr]

Ask for an MRI- it is expensive, but might be worth it- Dh started having vision problems a yr ahd a half ago- he thought he had a stroke - went and had and MRI and he didn't have a stroke- but MS-- not asying that you would have something like that AT ALL but when you talk to your Dr be specific and ask for tests.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

you are putting youself and your kids at risk every time you get in the car. And that's not good.

And everyone else on the road. See a doctor ASAP and don't drive until you have a diagnosis and treatment.

 

[NikitaZee]

The same type of thing happened to my aunt about 10 years ago. It turned out she had a very mild type of epilspsy (she was 60 and had never had that problem before) and she was having a mini seizure. Never blacked out, just saw things 'jump' for a second or two. She was told to stop driving for awhile - but after being on medication and not having any more episodes for a couple of years, she's driving again. Good luck to you.

 

[Disney Doll]

Several things come to my mind:

Vertigo
Migraines or migraine "aura"
Epilepsy
Vestibular (inner ear) issues--may be related to sinuses
TIA (sometimes referred to as a "mini" stroke)
Brain tumor
Blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Psychosomatic ("panic" attack)


Obviously these run the gamut from relatively minor to fairly major. Some medical intervention and scanning is in order. But you know that.

Good luck!