Is Long Covid limiting your ability to drive?

Posted by cyclones30 @cyclones30, Jan 10, 2022

I've had a lot of head issues since April 2020 when they think I had Covid and didn't know it. (never got tested then since it was early in the game) Vision issues that have since gone away, daily headaches and tingling scalp, numb spot on top of my head, and all get worse if I drive. Anyone else experience anything similar?

When I'm feeling a little better I can drive 15 min to an hour one way and get by. When my head is not having it...I can't go 10 min. This makes it a HUGE pain for just about anything. (groceries, work, hobbies, visiting family/friends, etc)

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Sorry to hear that. I can’t drive for very long distances either. For me it is dizziness and light sensitivity, so I’m really only comfortable with short distances in town.

REPLY

The multitasking chaos and stimulation triggers a migraine for one. Sitting triggers the stabbing pain in upper right abdomen (doctors ignore cysts found in gallbladder, liver issues, and some spot on my pancreas that they just said is a non issue after mri); plus a number of times in past six months(21 months post Covid) I have been on familiar routes and all of a sudden do not know where I am.

REPLY

16 months post-COVID. I live in a rural area but close to all regular destinations except for an hour drive to “the big city” on occasion. Sitting in the car driving is easier on me than any activity requiring standing or walking that affects heart rate and dizziness. However, brain fog is still prominent, and I have noticed I need to audibly remind myself of where I’m going to keep focused on the task. I have often realized I’ve missed speed limit changes on very familiar routes.

REPLY
@lynnryan

Sorry to hear that. I can’t drive for very long distances either. For me it is dizziness and light sensitivity, so I’m really only comfortable with short distances in town.

Jump to this post

Yes this is also a problem for me. Day or night. The LED lights are intense. Dawn and dusk are easier on the eyes.

REPLY
@jrg200911

16 months post-COVID. I live in a rural area but close to all regular destinations except for an hour drive to “the big city” on occasion. Sitting in the car driving is easier on me than any activity requiring standing or walking that affects heart rate and dizziness. However, brain fog is still prominent, and I have noticed I need to audibly remind myself of where I’m going to keep focused on the task. I have often realized I’ve missed speed limit changes on very familiar routes.

Jump to this post

Yes. The first few months of long haul I had such a hard time with even being a passenger, the dizziness was so intense. That slowly subsided (though I still get bouts of it) but me driving is still very difficult. I get dizzy, head pressure, hot spots on my face, and then my anxiety is on like red alert.
I'm an entirely different person now when it comes to being in a car (either as a driver or passenger). Before covid I absolutely LOVED driving, loved going fast, loved driving long distances, etc. Literally my husband virtually never drove before I got sick. Now I can barely drive two minutes down the road.

REPLY
@lynnryan

Sorry to hear that. I can’t drive for very long distances either. For me it is dizziness and light sensitivity, so I’m really only comfortable with short distances in town.

Jump to this post

Same. I drove today and had to wear sunglasses. The brain fog and dizziness are bad while driving. It’s also spiking my anxiety. It’s hard to catch a breath. How long do these symptoms last?

REPLY
@dshore85

Same. I drove today and had to wear sunglasses. The brain fog and dizziness are bad while driving. It’s also spiking my anxiety. It’s hard to catch a breath. How long do these symptoms last?

Jump to this post

If I’ve done a lot in a particular day and am already over stimulated, it is still bad. I’ve found it all comes down to pace, as I can’t do as much as regular people, and need to be really in tune with my body. I’m 3 years in now, and that is the only thing that makes a difference…pace. Hope that helps in some way. ❤️

REPLY

Brain fog and and resulting lack of focus impair me on long drives or if I’m mentally low on energy.

Sometimes I know it’s unsafe to drive and call Uber.

REPLY

I've had Long Covid for almost 3 years now and it was absolutely terrifying to drive for the longest time. Fortunately, it has gotten better. There was a time that I got in my car and I literally couldn't remember how to start it. Also, I stared at my whole dashboard for about 10 minutes trying to figure out how to turn on the windshield wipers.

My first anxiety attack was when I was trying to get some place and I literally didn't know where I was. I pulled over on the side of the highway absolutely panicked. There were so many times that I went to places that I've been going to for years and I couldn't remember how to get home, thank goodness for GPS! When I would pull into my driveway, the GPS lady would say "Welcome home!" I cried the first time I heard it because I was so relieved to be home safely!

I almost got into so many accidents because of the stupid things I was doing. It was so difficult driving let alone watching out for other people.

I'm so thankful that I'm retired and I really don't have to drive too many places.

Hang in there everyone, it will get better!

REPLY

I am over a year in and had Covid first in Nov21 then Dec22. In January I got substantially worse. When that happened I found it hard to drive. Mainly making any decision that caused processing. I am driving but I won’t do even one other thing or I may forget I am driving. Literally. Anybody with that. Scares me terribly.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.