Sudden dizziness when driving, anyone else experience this? Advice?
Posted by Azu_Creates@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 8 comments
Hey, so I’m a very young and fairly healthy person. Today though, I suddenly got very dizzy and couldn’t focus at all on the road. I almost felt lightheaded, and like something was wrong. Particularly, it felt like something was wrong with my heart, but not in a physical way like chest pain. I was driving on a busy road, and even though you technically not supposed to park on the side of that road (to my knowledge, and I didn’t see any other cars parked there), I ended having to do so and put my hazards on. I noticed after pulling over that my heart was racing, but I am not sure if it was something like an anxiety attack or if it was a result of me getting a little freaked out because of the sudden dizziness.
The dizziness and everything else subsided after a minute or two, and some deep breathes. I was able to continue to my destination fine for the most part. This has never happened to me before, but I’m glad I was in a side lane so I had a much easier time pulling over, and didn’t have to change lanes while being super dizzy on a very busy road. That probably wouldn’t gone over horribly because I could barely register what was in front of me, and not just because of the dizziness but also the lightheadedness.
Maybe it could’ve been an anxiety or panic attack? If so, I haven’t had one, at least one that I have been able to recognize as such, for multiple years. I did glance down at my phone and very quickly looked back towards the road, maybe the sudden eye and head movement caused it? I was also hungry, but I’ve driven while being hungry before and never experienced anything like this. I’ve also quickly glanced at things before in a similar manner and never experienced dizziness and lightheadedness to this extent. Has anyone experienced anything like this while driving? I know there are probably numerous potential causes, but anyone have any ideas? I really don’t want this to happen again, and again I’m also just lucky that I was in a position to pull over easily and immediately. Any well-intentioned advice is welcomed.
Polluted_Shmuch@reddit
Two notes: How much water have you been drinking? When I get dehydrated, my vision whites out, I get lightheaded and faint.
How's your blood sugar? When mine drops I get shakey, lightheaded, my heart races, and I have a general feeling of panic, or anxiety. Like I'm dying.
It sounds like you went through that.
Azu_Creates@reddit (OP)
I’ve been drinking a fairly normal amount of water, for me at least. I had my hydro flask and all. As for blood sugar, I don’t know. I haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes or anything like that.
OppoObboObious@reddit
Get your blood pressure checked. Possibly go see a doctor.
Polluted_Shmuch@reddit
\^\^\^One of my first thoughts as well
Possible_Roof_8147@reddit
Could have been a vagal response.
MikeP001@reddit
It does sound like a panic attack. Probably best to consult with a doctor to check your blood pressure just in case.
Azu_Creates@reddit (OP)
I was doing some looking online, and found this:
https://www.neurovisualflorida.com/blog/eye-care/why-do-i-feel-like-im-having-a-panic-attack-while-driving-on-the-highway/
I guess there is a possibility that I could have what that article is describing. If that’s the case, it’s probably time for me to go back to my eye doctor then. I have had to strain my eyes to see properly before. While it’s pretty uncommon for me, I have also gotten randomly dizzy while walking and standing before as well.
Azu_Creates@reddit (OP)
I guess it is possible. I remember that years ago when I am pretty sure I did experience a panic attack, I also suddenly felt like there was something wrong with my heart. I’m still not fully sure if it was a panic attack or not, as far as I am aware I’ve never actually been diagnosed with anxiety or anything of the sort, but I’ll ask my therapist when I get a chance too and see what she thinks.