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Does MG cause difficulties driving for you?
Do you have ptosis or double vision?
Has it affected your ability, or your comfort level, to drive?
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16 Replies
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I drive for a living part time and Im 77. My only real issue is getting in and out of the car and a bit of cramping.
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I can’t drive anymore due to OMG.eye sight is to blurry and double vision
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I get double vision and blurred vision, especially at night when my eyes are tired, but it can come at any time. Consequently, I limit my driving distances and try not to drive in the evening. I also wear prism lenses that help to relax my eyes and that often helps to avoid a major episode of diplopia. If I am driving and my vision sees double, I have to close one eye to see well enough to get home. Since I live alone, I don’t want to stop driving but I am cautious and I just got a new car with all the safety features to keep me able to drive safely as long as I am able.
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What safety features does it have that helps you feel more confident with driving?
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I am 80 and have never driven because when I was diagnosed at 17, I would have to lift my legs(with my arms) on and off the clutch, accelerator and brake! I also had intermittent double vision. It is rare now but I would hate to cause an accident. Consequently I walk a lot which has been helpful for my general fitness.
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MG causes terrible eye vision for me, and I try to limit my driving to essential travel.
Fog, double vision, eye lids want to close.
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Yes while taking my annual eye exam I mentioned that I closed one eye when looking both ways at intersections. My doctor told me I should mention this to my neurologist. Three eyeglasses changes in 9 months and glasses with prisms my neurologist finally acknowledged that I do have a muscle disease. It took 10 years to get that diagnoses. I am 74 years old now, struggle with driving due to the double vision and am now also completely deaf in one ear. Things can sometimes be a bit of a challenge.
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I would look for a different neurologist with experience with MG, you can get rid of double vision with medication like IVIG, mestinon, prednisone…I can’t believe you had that problem for so long, it is so annoying.
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Most definitely! At my worse, I was trained and used a white mobiliity cane just to walk around due to severe ptosis with blurry/double vision. If I couldn’t even see the car steering wheel, it was not safe for me to drive. That was a devistating shock to my lifestyle because I live alone. I didn’t want to totally rely on friends helping me get around, so I used various alternatives (MetroAccess, Lyft, Uber, etc.).
Luckily, after several years of multiple treatments (pyridostigmine, SCIg infusions, etc.), my eyes opened towards the end of January 2025. My vision is still somewhat blurry (only reading a few words at a time) and still light sensative (can result is ptosis until I rest eyes). So, I’m working with my neuro-opthomologist to try for more improvement. I’d be thrilled to get to a point where I could drive again to easily run errands, go to a movie, and travel again! 🙏🏻🤞🏻
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So glad to see that things are improving and you’re able to explore more!
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Had to switch to automatic transmission when stalled on railroad tracks. Just go places I know as vision too blurry to read street signs. Use cruise contro most all the time and get off road if stop/start traffic. Wear solar shade wrap around glasses right to darkness. Don’t plan more than 50 mi one way drive per wk. Have discovered taking more mestinon doesn’t help anymore.
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I use cruise control to help keep leg weakness in check as well. It’s a handy feature for sure!
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No complications at all AFTER I started Mestinon. 10 years now.
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That’s wonderful, Peter!
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I don’t have double vision anymore but have a hard time parking, poor sense of space. I requested a handicapped sign and it helps a lot.
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It affects me at times but not daily. I am more nervous driving for sure. I have more difficulty with spacial awareness & distance. If I am weak or feel like it’s not safe to drive, I don’t. I prefer not to drive at night & due to my leg getting tired, I don’t drive while traveling or long distances unless I stop for many breaks.
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