Lost concentration while driving. Now what?!

[ps1991]

I have just driven about 8 miles into my local town. I felt as though I was really loosing focus while driving, and that I was finding it really hard to judge my speed, how far other cars were etc. It’s really scared me and I don’t know what to do now as I have my baby with me and I’m worried to drive home. There’s no one who can come and meet me and my husband is at work. It’s the first time I’ve driven more than a couple of miles in a few weeks. I’ve recently been feeling like I’ve lost weight ( we don’t have scales) and like I’m really thin and weak. And the past few mornings I’ve woken up feeling really stressed for no reason. I feel a bit stuck in the car now 😭

Have you spoken to your husband? He should come and collect you or at least arrange to do so at lunchtime. It seems like an emergency to me.

Ok, deep breath and try not to catastrophise.

You sound highly anxious. Is driving something that often makes you anxious? I am not the best driver (I am competent but I’ve never enjoyed it and I don’t like driving in unfamiliar places) and I occasionally find myself having anxious thoughts when driving. Best way I can describe it is being a bit lost in my own thoughts and feeling like I’m not there in the present moment, that I’m on autopilot. I usually pinch myself or dig my fingernails into my palm to snap myself back into the moment.

OP have you eaten this morning? Maybe stop and have some coffee and carbs to give you a bit of energy quickly. Then see how you feel in another little while. You may feel more composed and able to drive home. If not, get a taxi and arrange for someone to collect the car later.

Hope you feel better soon.

You have a few choices.
Phone your Dh to come and collect you.
Leave the car there then either get the bus or a taxi home.
Is there a friend who could come to you.

Or get in the car, if you feel calmer and feel safe, but only do this as a last resort and if you know the route is there anywhere you could stop for a few minutes drive to there. Get out and take a few breaths. Then do the same for another few minutes repeat until home.

How old is your baby? Are you getting any sleep? I’m really struggling with lack of sleep atm as my 9 month old has had a bad few weeks and tbh I’ve avoided driving as this is exactly what I thought would happen. For now, get yourself somewhere you can have a hot drink and something to eat as a priority and then see how you feel. Worst case, you get a taxi home and dh collects the car later

How old is your baby? Are you just plain knackered? I had to stop driving for a while when ds2 was little as I didn't trust myself not to fall asleep at the wheel.

This sounds like anxiety to me and something that requires antidepressants. Are you like this on other occasions outside of driving?

Are you sleeping properly or maybe coming down with something?

Try not to catastrophise. I too have periods where i dont feel as safe to drive and avoid it. I think you sound very sensible.
Listen to your body and try and take some time off and rest.

I remember driving after I had my Dd and not feeling 100% with it, mildly distracted. I hadn't driven for over 10 weeks and properly felt out of sorts. I needed to practice driving without her in the car a few times to get my brain back into gear again.

Other things are you anemic? Or have you got low blood pressure? Because all those things contribute to brain fog, tiredness and general not being with it.

I hope you managed to get home safely OP.

There are quite a few strange variants of colds doing the rounds, but I would try to get a medical appointment. DD was really tired for a couple of days over Christmas, then developed a sore throat.

Hyperthyroidism can occur after pregnancy. The symptoms can start quite gradually, so you might not pay much attention to them for a while.

You could just be exhausted after a busy Christmas too.

I had those symptoms when my iron and Ferratin levels were dangerously low.

Do you have AA or breakdown cover? If so, they will come out and escort you home if you say your car is behaving oddly. (I did that once when my engine temporarily went into "safety mode" and lost most of its power. It FREAKED ME OUT. A lovely AA man followed me closely all the way home.)

I would go find a cafe and eat something and drink something. Then see how you feel.
I always find first trip in the car after a week of not using it feels really weird.

Thanks for everyone’s concern. I met a friend for lunch and felt a lot better for the drive home. I think I will visit the dr though see if all the strange symptoms are linked!

Oh that is a nice update, good idea to visit GP too.

Did you get sweaty and did your heart race?

This happened to me whilst on the motorway once. Your reaction sounds very similar to mine. I think it was a panic attack.

Definitely go to your GP.

@loveyoutothemoon no not at all I felt really spaced out like I wasn’t really in my body. I have had panic attacks as a teenager and this seemed to be a lot slower than a panic attack :(

Worth getting your thyroid function checked too OP x

@Puddlelane123 I was wondering about thyroid issues as my mum suffers with an overactive thyroid. Although I don’t have much contact with her so I don’t know much more than that. Do you know if it’s an hereditary problem?

Yes can be hereditary as far as I know, and overactive thyroid in particular can be common in the postnatal period. It was the weight loss that made me think of it and also the anxiety. Definitely worth getting your gp to request bloodtests for thyroid function.

I had a strange feeling while driving some years ago OP; it was as if I could still control my movements and see and do everything but I wasn't in my own body. It was followed about half an hour later by a massive headache. My GP said it was likely to be a form of migraine, generally triggered by dehydration and/or tiredness. Get checked out.

Yes, I second the advice on thyroid check (well, full check with your GP, as you already said). I have Graves disease (hyperthtroidism) and I had an episode similar to this while driving. Exhaustion, failure to concentrate and weakness were the things that made me visit my GP. I realised I had been more anxious also. Yes, it can be genetic. Hope all goes well OP