Driving Phobia

Anyone else having problems driving? At my 2 week check-up my Dr. told me I can start driving, but I haven't felt ready to do so. Yesterday my DH took me for a nice drive around locally, guess I was in the car around 45 mins. I moved around frequently to get comfortable and thought everything was fine. When I got out of the car I could hardly walk; DH said I looked like I did when I first got out of the castle. I was so sore and uncomfortable from just sitting in the car! I am almost 3 weeks post-op and am wondering if this has happened to anyone else. I should note I had a TAH/BSO and my recovery has been going along fine. I was in such pain last nite had to take meds which I don't like to do. Thing is, my commmute to work is 1hr 15 mins each way and I have to go back at 6 weeks! I'm now afraid to go in the car again...any suggestions? (Today I'm better but still sore!) Thanks, Denise

The only thing I can think of if that's your first time in the car, 45 minutes is a long time. I started driving at 2 weeks but I only went 3 blocks to the hairdressers. It was difficult getting in and out of the car. Now I am three weeks. My driving seems to be getting better. I went a little further yesterday and getting in and out wasn't as difficult as the first time. Today I am thinking of venturing a little further to get my car washed and pick up a prescription.

My belly still swells and is sore in the evenings when I have my legs down for long periods of time, like sitting without my legs up, sitting in a car, walking around Wal-Mart. I would try doing it more gradual than you have. Maybe 15 minute rides, then 30 minutes.

I'm also hoping that the last 3 weeks of recovery goes a little faster than the first 3 weeks.

Good luck

Hi Denise, I didn't drive until almost the 3rd week either, but I did go on a long drive to take my DD back to college on pretty Sunday afternoon. (I just wanted out of the house). I used my tummy pillow everytime I rode in the car or drove. It helped with the seat belt and with the jiggling that the road caused. This helped me a lot. I used that pillow until at least my 6th or 7th week, and then I always took it along for those more bumpy roads. Try shorter trips, use a pillow, and see if that doesn't help some. Take care!

A few weeks will make alot of difference in your tolerance for riding and driving. Try not to despair too much over what happened.

I know I did not feel like driving at 2 weeks either. I started driving at 3 weeks and every week got sooooo much better.

I used my tummy pillow, too. Used it until it was more annoying than helpful. Then I knew it was time to quit!

Take This will improve rapidly.

I had the OK to drive at 2 weeks, maybe 3 (little fuzzy on that now) But I didn't until I was 5 weeks post op, and even then it was just around town to get me ready for the drive to work at week 7.

may sound a bit wimpy, but I drive a manual transmission OLD corvette. So you can imagine my practically laying in my seat rather than sitting up to drive, and all those bumps in the roads we oddballs in sports car seem to like feeling. I had a sore spot on my left side, which would get aggravated by the shifting around town. My doctor totally agreed with my decision to not drive for quite some time. Now, I could if I absolutely had to, but I was very sore afterwards. I opted to just wait.

BSQ