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Difficulty Driving After COVID-19
In 2021, I drove for miles on the highways for additional income using Lyft, GoPuff and GrubHub to provide extra cash for my family. January 2022, I tested positive for COVID-19 along with my family. I knew I shouldn't be driving while I was sick but I decided to drive to get essential medicine next door. As I was driving out of my apartment complex to go to the store I had a painful squeezing sensation in my left leg which traveled to my arm and chest. I thought I was dying so I stopped and I tried going to Urgent Care but I couldn't drive any further. I went home and waited even though I should of went to the Emergency Room. During my battle with COVID at home I would have episodes where I had difficulty breathing, fatigue, brain fog, fever, light headed, chest pain, nightmares at night and some loss of taste. COVID was the worst sickness I had experienced in my life. After I tested negative a lot of the symptoms went away but I still had difficulty breathing, palpitations and I couldn't drive for even 2 miles. I eventually went to the emergency room in February 2022 and learned my D Dimer was high but no blood clots in chest, lungs and a normal EKG. June 2022, I had a Pulmonary Function Test and learned I had intermittent asthma after my COVID-19 infection. I checked my heart as well with my cardiologist and all my tests were normal including a stress test. Fast forward to now, I still have trouble driving but it's not as terrible. There are some days I can drive for 2 hours and others only minutes. I can't find any patterns other than my symptoms are worst when I drive on the highway. I get shortness of breathe, tingling in my hands along with feet, squeezing in my legs, squeezing in arms, light headed, feeling of fainting and chest pain. I was told it's just anxiety and I've been to the ER many times but these symptoms are very real and terrifying. I thought I could overcome this and took a job as a Field Technician but I was fired because I had an episode on the highway where I had to go to Urgent Care. This is ruining my life because as of lately my recent job offers involve a lot of driving and I struggle to drive. It's extremely difficult to get a remote job as it's extremely competitive. I'm hoping for a desktop tech job nearby so I don't have to drive too far. I wanted to know if anyone else has experienced the same issues with driving after COVID-19? What did you find and how you've over came it?
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As I was getting better from round two of COVID, I wondered, googled and found this thread which got my attention as I haven't found anyone who understands *this* is real. My story would be I was in Vision Therapy (VT) yet progress slowed and stopped a few months after I had round one with COVID that I'd describe as fairly mild. It may not be related yet I've tried to explain to several doctors and even eye specialist I'm having difficulty driving to be told its anxiety, etc. when I love/loved to drive!! I was a road runner - beep beep!! I did have a stressful event (who hasn't) and ever since as I drive what seemed like random yet frequent enough episodes that remain to this day (18 months later) while driving. I did start noticing patterns - something would seem to trigger my vision and then I'd feel lightheaded for several seconds and this then would cause panic. I learned I had to slow down for a few seconds and let my eyes catch up yet sometimes this is a challenge in our go faster world - honk honk, urgh not helping. I no longer drive interstates nor long bridges/overpasses or more than 20 minutes away. My vision therapist was surprised VT progress just plateaued vs fixed the issue. I've googled and googled and do think it has something to do with nervous system, and for me too much work computer strain; a lot of people are having vision issues from work from home/increased screens and zooms/tech neck. I think there's something also about being in motion and being the driver/takes attention and long-range vision. Other symptoms that have improved was I could feel my heart rate drop or yup, instant fatigue after a hard work day. I was tested as often a mild sensation (vascular?) behind right knee while driving, too. So... it may be a mix of my eye condition (BVD), stress and strain and maybe having COVID didn't help!! It's been a silent battle for me as no one understands (driving was a big part of my work and life). And yes to $$ for tests that don't provide answers! Round two with Covid and my ears mild ache for 2 days which this, too, is a hmm yet previously ruled out for me. Thanks for the reminder on diet. I realize it may be many reasons why some are having driving difficulty post covid yet thank you for letting me share mine. 🙂
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3 ReactionsJoin the club I'm the same as your self June 2020 couldn't breathe blamed it on asthma no inhaler would work till long COVID clinic put me on a inhaler that worked but still not 100% ..it went to heart all tests came back clear now in head memory brain fog... driving a nite mare as I was a bus driver now medically retired.. we are one of many
I almost let my driver’s license expire because I’m in such bad shape, and don’t drive now anyway. I have been sick since having Covid 2/22.
Luckily my renewal did not involve driving. However the crazy California DMV office, eye test, and picture was tough to get through in my condition. I guess I have a shred of optimism left that I may drive again.
I did manage the renewal and received my new license. The photo doesn’t resemble the person I was two years ago.
I have not been officially diagnosed with Long Covid,but I went through something similar.I still have it,but it is not bad after a few years.I believe it is because covid attacks the central nervous system amd Vagus nerve which controls stress response.Even if you feel o.k. it is something out of your control.I noticed that when it is hot outside driving would cause increased breathing problems and heart palpitations even with the airconditioning on
When I was driving I felt like I had to stay in constant motion.When I came to a red light I had to keep on creeping up with my car and could not wait to get through the light.It was not anxiety,but I guess it has to do with the damage that was done from covid to the brain.I also had trouble concentrating on anything.I could not watch t.v.,look at my phone or even write something on a piece of paper.If I did anything I had to complete it so quick because my brain could not handle concentrating or putting effort into anything.Everything was too overwhelming.I have never had any kind of issues like this in my life.I think covid causes really bizarre symptoms that most conventional doctors would not understand because it was a man-made virus.You have to retrain your body and brain to do pretty much everything over again.The Doctors can't find much of anything with tests and are going to blame it on anxiety because that is the only logical explanation in their minds.Covid symptoms hide from coventional tests.I am sure you will get better.It might just take another year.
My symptoms wrre similar. You may have microclots. I got mine treated by Dr. Jordan Vaughn at Medhelp in Alabama. He has a couple youtube videos.
Similar story here. I used to drive 10-12 hours a day comfortably and now can at best manage about 30 minutes and do everything I can to stay off highways. Brain fog (although it’s definitely better than at one point). Feels like trying to drive with severe ADD. I pray a lot for God to keep me, other people, and my car safe when I drive. That and antihistamines, anti-inflammatory diet, Lion’s Mane mushroom supplement, numerous vitamins, and estrogen and testosterone supplements as I’m post-menopausal. The prayer and the hormones keep my mind the clearest and energy level the steadiest !
Watch this. This might help you.
This is a Good Video.Covid attacks your whole nervous system and can bring on phychosis.It attacks your whole body.Covid reactivates Epstein Barr in your Body which can reac havoc on every organ in your body.Before I was diagnosed with Thyroid disease the only thing they could find was extremely high Epstein Barr titters.I think Covid brings on alot of autoimmune diseases that are not detected in blood tests.I also think it aggravates any prior infections or diseases you have.Covid also attacks the vagus nerve which controls so many functions in the body.
I wish there were more Doctors that could help with this.Conventional Doctors don't have a clue.
I did a long drive and forgot how to drive my car while cruising on the highway. The brake lights and red lights on towers and buildings were very confusing. Another time I had to ask how to operate the car, how to turn the wheel, what the pedals do, when to stop. She took over driving. Exhaustion played a role there. I take Ubers if I’m feeling off. Some Covid driving is harder than drunk driving.
I’m on the waiting list for Dr Vaughn. I’m interested to know how much the treatment has helped you.
Janet