Hi everyone. I’m curious if anyone else is experiencing the same type of feeling or symptom. I’ve noticed over the last two years or so I am experiencing brain fog while driving and it feels like it can be a challenge for me. Not the sense of handling a motor vehicle, but more so of my cognitive and fogginess, where I feel as if I may not be as clear and quick to react if need be. I kind of feel like a space cadet. And, I’ve noticed because of this feeling that I rarely leave my house during the week anymore, unless I am meeting a client, of course. I think this is subconsciously affecting me going places alone. Has anyone had this feeling or having any symptoms that makes you uneasy driving? This is one of the many issues that I have that makes me second-guess wanting to drive. Another sad symptom that’s making me feel as if I’m losing a little piece of myself every day.
I’m here because my dad is newly diagnosed and I saw parky mikes TikTok’s and found it helpful for my dad and my family to understand what’s happening. My dad still drives, but if me or my sis is around we offer to drive because he swerves some and seems to also have the brain fog situation, for example putting it into drive he pulls down the gears rather aggressively and it seems like his “filter” is off so he gets aggravated easy now, he was super easy going before. This is such an awesome platform to learn and tell my dad different stories so he doesn’t feel alone or overcome by the changes, curious to hear others respond!
Hi Lily. Glad you were here! This is a wonderful platform and has really helped me as well since I am still on my journey to “official” diagnosis and will meet with a MDS in November. my primary care physician is certain I do have some form of Parkinson’s, Long story! If you read my bio, it should go into more detail. I have always done what I call a “driving commentary” lol. if people are driving slow in the left lane, I’m gonna say hey why aren’t you moving over into the right lane? The left lane is for people who have ticket money 
. I’m a big jokester, but things do irritate me quite a bit while I’m driving. I can say it has not increased for me as of yet. Hopefully it never will because if it does, I’d have to really watch out. I can say that I have noticed a lot lately in the last year that I do forget things like how to put my car into reverse. I forget where mine is located for a second or two and then boom, I remember how to get my car into reverse if that makes sense. Thank you for responding to my post I really appreciate your sharing your dad’s experience and you and your sisters as well.
Hi Anne,
Yes I started having issues last winter before i got diagnosed my right leg feels strange and would tremor when cold. I would sit in the car waiting to warm up and stop shaking so I could drive. I’m really worried about the winter. I also have felt too drowsy from meds to drive. This is a big reason I decided not to work. Will see how meds impact this but I told my husband to be aware and know sometimes its just not going to be possible for me to drive. Safety First! But yeah nobody wants to lose their independence
We found out in December my dad had it, but just now getting the “official” diagnosis, now things from years back make more sense, like when he taught a class at church, he kept having to eat lozenges cause his throat would kinda close up on him and his mouth would get all dry. He was a plane mechanic (first in Air Force then for a privately owned place) (we wonder if the skydrol chemical had something to do with Parkinson’s) and retired due to the simple fact that getting in and out of the vehicle to open the gates etc was just too much! And it makes perfect sense, sometimes he will do an odd thing like he held out his hand instead of going for a hug then quickly realized it and we just both look at each other and move on. I try not to make a big deal of anything and just roll with it.
Yes! I deal with brain fog, dizziness and lightheadedness on a daily basis and sometimes worry about driving. While driving I try to be super focused and concentrate on my driving. I don’t let it interfere with my errands tho.
I feel anxiety when I ride a bike or drive. Like I think something bad is going to happen. Newly diagnosed with PD. In recent years had the same feelings skiing. Never had this kind of anxiety before.
I have noticed a change in my personality too. I have no filter anymore and the brain fog is right there.
I can’t handle driving on a off time I feel like everyone is looking at me. I very nervous and a little Scared. My Reaction time is slow. But when im on my meds driving is normal. Being a parky has some weird brain effects 
Do you ever go off when you’re driving and have had to pull over
I’m not on medication yet as I’m meeting with my MDS in November. However, lately I have ruined two of my Mercedes rims and I’m just devastated. My husband wasn’t mad because he knows I was so upset by it. My SUV is my first nice car and the rims are outrageous. I am sick by it because I have never EVER had an issue driving before. I almost scrapped the entire side of my SUV at a drive through I am completely familiar with! I’m not sure entirely what the problem is but I’m 51 years old and never had an at fault accident etc. I now occasionally swerve outside of the lines while driving too!!
I’m not looking forward to the day that I can’t drive anymore and I know it’s coming soon
Me either 
Yes I have definitely felt too drowsy or shaky and just pulled into a parking lot
I have quit driving after 50 years, I had a couple of close calls . I am retired so I decided to hang up the keys. had already given up driving at night because of eye problems. I drove Corvettes most of time so I really miss getting behind the wheel. and take the chance of getting into an accident and hurting anyone… Let my wife drive now and kind of enjoy not having the stress of traffic and crazy people doing stupid things behind the wheel.I live in a busy area in Fla. and accidents plus road rage is scary. So It’s better to be the passenger and enjoy the ride. Better safe than sorry.
Ditto on the brain fog some times my vision gets blurry and i feel dizzy , have a cane with me so I won’t bump into something.
My meds play tricks on my eyes so I would see painted road lines double.
That’s a scary side effect to medication. I have a corvette currently and don’t drive it much. I opt for my suv since it’s easier to get in and out of and safer for me when I bump curbes. Curbs are the latest issue for me.
I know for myself right before diagnosis I was having issues with driving and experiencing the brain fog heavily. When I was diagnosed my neurologist said absolutely no more driving I wouldn’t have a normal response time. At first I struggled with this but then when I started thinking of the what ifs I realized id better listen to him. I would hate to have a delayed response and hurt someone else
My reflexes are starting to get slow. I’m having trouble in the night being disoriented. Is this happening to anyone else?