Coping with Pred induced drowsiness when driving

[Lauterbach]

A couple of points: First off I was interested to see a comment by Cranberryt yesterday that: “Oh and PMR is absolutely felt in the larger joints as well as muscles”. This I wasn’t aware of and could explain the ache is my right hip. On Wednesday I think I must have somewhat overdone the walking because afterwards my right hip started aching. Now I didn’t connect it to PMR so when I couldn’t get back to sleep I took Paracetamol. Not sure if this worked or I just fell asleep anyhow. So maybe eased by upping the Pred back to 6Mg.

I am currently tapering down to 5.5Mg, but may have to go back up as the pain in my arms has returned. Also at 5,5Mg l find myself nodding off quite frequently mostly when sitting at the computer. Now this is worrying me as next week I have a 200 mile drive up to N Wales. And whilst nodding off at the computer screen is one thing, nodding of at the windscreen is something else. How do other people cope with this problem? I am thinking of upping the Pred to 7 or 8 on the days that I’m driving. But other suggestions welcome. Unfortunately I cannot delegate the driving.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sounds a bit like poor adrenal function fatigue. In which case a bit more pred should sort it for driving. I'm assuming it hasn't been a problem at higher doses?

[Lauterbach in reply to PMRpro]

Hi PMRpro, no the nodding off is a recent addition. So will follow the advice of other and will have coffee breaks along the way

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Lauterbach]

Then most likely adrenals asking for a snooze I think I'd rely on pred more than coffee though!!

Enjoy your trip

[Lauterbach in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll go Belt & Braces i.e. Up the Pred AND stop for coffees. Fortunately there's no hurry so I can take all day to get there

[SheffieldJane]

You are going to have to do plenty of stops and take a flask of coffee. Try to get out of the car and stretch periodically. Pred would probably help, check with your doctor. Any chance of breaking the journey and staying in a pub or b&b? I just did a lot of driving as the passenger, it shattered me and I did a lot of sleeping.

[Lauterbach in reply to SheffieldJane]

Hi SJ, will be having coffee stops along the way

[herdysheep]

As SJ says,build in lots of breaks. Many of us haven't been driving much lately so our muscles are out of practice, too. Careful adjustment of seating helps. Pick a route as stress free as possible. I have overnight stops now - something I would never have dreamt of doing but builds in good rest so that I am a little more human on arrival. Good luck

[Pixix]

I’ve never any had drowsiness whatsoever at the wheel, but when I drove our motorhome from Wiltshire to NorthDevon, we stopped overnight half way there. I just thought it was sensible. When I was flying round europe for a job, then catching late night planes home after being in meetings all day I always had a can of Red Bull (loads of alternatives now available) handy...also windows down & music on loud! A friend of mine nodded off & ended up in the central barrier of a dual carriageway. Fortunately nobody else was involved. Please don’t take any risks!

[Lauterbach in reply to Pixix]

Thanks for the Red Bull tip. Will also be having coffee stops along the way

[Billiebobdog]

I’ve been doing quite a lot of driving recently but have taken to driving to my location and overnighting so I’m not trying to do a long ‘return’ journey in one day. Trying to limit my ‘day return’ trips to under about an hour and a half. It does take its toll though.

It’s not just long journeys you have to be careful of, I ended up in a hedge on a local journey where I simply fell asleep going round a corner so now I always make sure I have water with me to drink which seems to help as it’s a change of activity when behind the wheel instead of just sitting there, plus I get thirsty

I think it’s partly this condition, partly a year with minimal driving and of course the inevitability of getting older.

[Lauterbach in reply to Billiebobdog]

You are certainly right about needing change of activity whilst driving. It's the long boring bits of motorway driving that worry me. So having a drink bottle to use at regular intervals sounds a good idea. Also, if the weather is kind, I can put the roof down and hope the fresh air will keep me awake - not too useful in the rain though.

[MarkWin]

I suggest water is better than coffee and stopping regularly for a leg stretch is good too. Driving now seems to be more challenging because there seems to be so much 'hurry' everywhere - and concentrating harder on defensive driving makes it even more tiring. Please be careful, but I do envy the visit to N Wales.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to MarkWin]

A lot of people here seem to have forgotten how to drive!!!!

[alliebc]

Definitely a problem with dozing off anytime at a lower dose. Mine started at 6.5mg but I could already notice that overwhelming desire to snooze when on a long drive even at 7mg. I figured it must be adrenal insufficiency and I’m lucky to have a monthly standing order at the lab for a CRP test. My levels had gone up again, so decided to go back to 7.5 when I last felt good. This made such a difference to the enjoyment of a few days away hiking with friends and the drive up toWhistler. I’ll start the taper again when I’m ready. That awful dozy fatigue made me feel so old. Yes take the caffeine as well maybe but I would up your pred to enjoy your trip if I were you!