Monday, April 28, 2008 bonnie asks

Q: Headaches while riding in or driving a car!

I get bad headaches whenever I go over 20 minutes or so in a car. I'm ususally riding as my husband usually drives, but it doesn't make any difference. I'm wondering if the scenery that goes by as the car goes down the road could be a trigger for a migraine?

We just went on a little trip, I actually put on blacked out glasses and put my seat back and just rode a lot of the time, but I missed a lot, and then I did have to look some to help hubby find our way when we came to turn offs and such. I ended up with headaches most of the time. I usually felt better in the morning after sleeping, then we would start out and soon I'd get a headache. I took a lot of Tylenol but it didnt' seem to help much. My headaches are not awful painful, just a nagging headache, and pressure in my head that makes it feel like it is going to explode. And, I get grumpy! Which I don't like. Also, get symptoms in my face, and is on one side, kind of numbish feeling.

I've just got to find answers to this problem. It is wrecking havoc with my life. We are retired and my husband would like to travel, and so would I if I felt good.

I do have a serious eye problem. I have had weak eye muscles, and had surgery on them years ago. It left me with double vision to the sides, so my eye dr. has me wearing a patch which is a contact lens colored black to block out the vision in one eye. That helps a lot, but I'm still having these headaches. I also get visual migraines from time to time. No headache, just the geometrical things in front of my vision. That lasts 20 minutes or so. I can't read or anything when that happens. Sometimes, that does lead into a headache. Sometimes, I can't think clearly and have trouble finding the words I want to say.

Any advise or help you can give me would be most appreciated.

Blessings,

Bonnie

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Answers (5)

Teri Robert, Health Guide

4/29/08 2:58pm

Hello, Bonnie,

Are you talking about headaches or Migraines? You've hit on a possible answer -- the scenery going by. The flashing scenery or the flickering of sunlight through scenery is a common Migraine trigger just as strobe light and some animations are.

The "visual Migraines" you mention may well be Acephalgic or Silent Migraines. Not being able to think of the right words is also a common Migraine symptom called aphasia. Here are a couple of articles that address your questions:

• Acephalgic or Silent Migraine - The Basics
• Anatomy of a Migraine

Have you talked to your doctor about this? Depending on how frequently this happens, he may suggest taking a Migraine abortive such as a triptan when this happens. Some people who tend to get Migraines in the care have told me that taking a medication for motion sickness, such as Dramamine, when they start out keeps them from getting Migraines in the car. That's something else you can suggest to your doctor.

Hope this helps!

Teri

Jerry

5/14/08 1:33am

I found polorized "blu blocker" sunglasses help me a lot when driving, they are even great in daytime fog. I can't have the windows open any more. The violently changing air pressure kills me. I have to use the air conditioning even on beautiful days. Have you tried motion sickness medication? Good Luck.

Living in Philly

11/14/08 11:19pm

Unlike the other respondents, I think another possibility is that you might be allergic to hydrocarbons. I, too, have similar symptoms which have nothing to do with the scenery per se, but rather, my own idiosyncratic reaction to hydrocarbons, the natural byproduct of petroleum. One question I'd like to pose is: Do your symptoms come about in all cars or only one car? If so, you may be chemically/environmentally sensitive to something about that car. Perhaps you might want to consult an allergist or neurologist?

bonnie

11/17/08 1:04pm

I'd like to thank those of you who answered my question. I did go to the links and read them and learned more about headaches.

I think I've found the answer to my problems and want to share with you what has helped me.

I talked to my dr. about these problems and she was going to send me to a headache specialist, but before that she said I'd need an MRI. So, I had that and it came back just fine.

Before sending me to a specialist she wanted to try something. She gave me a prescription for Lorazapam .50mg. She said to take one half a tablet every 8 hrs if needed while traveling in a car. I tried it, and much to my amazement it worked!

We went on another trip for a week and with the medication I was able to actually enjoy it. This med also helps me so much on the computer. Actually, anything that I use my eyes a lot for, like shopping, sewing, computer etc.

So, I'm very grateful and thank the good Lord for giving my dr. wisdom.

Thanks again, and maybe this will help someone.

Bonnie

dave P

11/ 9/10 7:30am

I also (too often)have had your symptoms-I have (and still) even seriously considered a 0xygen bottle.

I have 6 vehicles (2 motorcycle)...

I might be a bit of a canary but in those vehicles where I had gotten headaches I have been always able to find either petrol (pump) or exhaust leaks-holes in the floor, boot seals, oil leaks etc

I put a long extending exhaust pipes...and so on and on ..and on...and eventually clean air...still working on a merc -waiting for a petrol pump from USA)

Anyway I might try the medication you mentioned but if there are gases you probably best not breathing them.

If you put you car on gas you emmissions drop over 90%.

Great Wall (of China) are bringing into Australia an electric car that will cost $25,000 AND it sounds very functional.

Yours in car headaches

Dave P

bonnie

11/ 9/10 3:10pm

Thanks Dave for your comments and suggestions. It is always wise to make sure the exhaust systems on our vehicles are top notch. The fumes from them can be very dangerous. I've had cars years ago that had leaks like you talked about and they do make you feel sick.

Hope you get your part from the USA and get your merc fixed. Electric cars would solve all those problems wouldn't they? Hope you find the answers to your problem headaches too.

Blessings,

Bonnie

Emory

12/ 3/11 11:02am

Bonnie

I have the similar symptoms as you when driving or riding in any vehicle, so it is not something with a particular car. I have severe headaches (migrains) and fatigue when I go anywhere, just to the store and back. These headaches last from a few hours but more frequently they last the rest of the day. I have tried all the regular motion sickness medications but this is not regular motion sickness. I do not get dizzy or have any of the other standard motion sickness symptoms. I have had an MRI and other tests. Most of the doctors have never heard of this or don't believe me and try to prescribe medication for regular motion sickness. I have already tried all the medications and home remedies for regular motion sickness. A neurologist prescribed Clonazepam for these headaches and it helped when I first started taking it but helps very little now. Thanks for the Lorazepam tip. I know these medications have bad side effects but anything is better living with this because I can't go anywhere without having a severe headache. I will ask my doctor if changing to Lorazepam might help. I think these medications are very similar and both are commonly used to treat anxiety. Bonnie thanks for just letting me know I'm not the only one that has these particular symptoms. You are the first person I have heard of that has the same symptoms as me and I am in my 50s. Thanks again Bonnie.

Heather Procter

8/ 4/11 9:37am

Hi Bonnie,

I just bought a used car in May. It gives me headaches every time I get in it. I get in my other car and I am fine. So I ended up buying new carpet and that did not help then I went and had the A/C tested for mold and it was free of mold. Then I went and traded the car in for another car just like it, and I have the same problem. I am fine in the morning, but as soon as I get in the car especially in the afternoon when the heat causes all the gases in the car and I get pressure in my head and my neck hurts, my eyes feel blurry and I have a headache for the rest of the day. I have never had headaches before. I am not allergic to anything. I believe it is the cheap plastic in the car. My car is a pontiac convertible. What is your car?

bonnie

8/ 4/11 9:58am

Hi, We've had a few different cars since I first posted that message. For me, it is not the car itself, but it is my eye problem. I'm still taking Lorazapam when I travel a half hour or more and it really helps tremendously. I believe my weak eye muscles cause my eyes to not stay steady when the scenery goes by. There is a constant tension in my brain of which thing to focus on. So, the medication relaxes my eyes enough so that doesn't happen so much.

The car we have now is a Toyota Camera. We've had a couple of Dodge vans, and also an Elantra since my original post.

You must be allergic to something in your car. Or else, there is a exhaust leak somewhere. Have you had that checked out? A person can become allergic to things at any time. You are trying all the right things. Maybe you need to open up all the windows and turn on the air conditioning for a few minutes before you get in to drive anywhere when it is hot out, just to air it out.

Hope you find the answer soon.

Bonnie

malina debrie

9/11/11 10:36pm

I was having headaches also when my husband and I would go riding in the afternoon. It seemed that if I did not wear my sunglasses, my head would begin to hurt shortly after we began riding. About 10 to 15 minutes into the ride, I could feel the pressure building up behind my eyes. But, like I expressed, wearing sunglasses eases my headaches. So, I asked my optometrist if she could recommend something or even tell me what could be the reason. She could not. I am satisfied for now wearing the sunglasses and hope nothing changes.

I drive an Acura and we have a Nissan Frontera truck in addition to a Kia Sorrento. My head would hurt when riding in all three.

Q: Headaches while riding in or driving a car!

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