Ya gotta be careful

[macdoesit]

Several months ago I bought a Toyota Tundra with a little over 40,000 miles. I really liked the truck even though it was hard to park because of its size. Then a couple weeks ago at 1:15 in the afternoon I nodded off for a couple seconds and totaled the truck by hitting a tree. I was sleep deprived and on a new med that I should have taken in the evening, not the morning. My sternum hurts real bad and I have been told to expect 4 more weeks of pain. If there was someone standing by the tree I coulda killed them. Insurance is paying off the truck and a rental and fence damage. Now my doc has to fill out a form telling the state that I am OK to drive, that this was a one time occurrence. I'm 69 and fatigue can sneak up faster than when you are young. I had NEVER in my life ever fell asleep at the wheel. Scary. Ya just gotta be careful when operating cars, trucks, and tractors.
Eric

And when on medication.

 

[macdoesit]

If you took the covid vax that might also be the problem. Insurance companies are reporting huge increases in claims, same as life insurance companies. And both types have accurate data

COVID VAX WAS BS! I took it and regret it.

 

[etpm]

And when on medication.

Yep.

 

[big bubba]

OP: @ time of accident, did you voluntarily admit to authorities that the accident was med related when you came to?
all the best working out the bureaucratic headaches w/your State drivers license. regards,

 

[sandman2234]

I learned to drive a semi truck when paper logs were how you managed your driving hours. I don't want to suggest that any truck driver would falsify a paper logbook, but I am sure pages were lost and had to be replaced. One of the things a good friend suggested, was to carry a rock. A small one that would fit in the palm of your hand, but big enough that your fingers would barely close around it. Small enough that it didn't affect my driving, but large enough that if I got drossy it would slip thru my fingers and find the floor. Back in those days, all we had for floors was the steel cab floor. If you dropped a rock in the confines of a truck with steel floors, the noise would be loud.
I don't know well a rock would do in the plastic drivers compartments with all the sound proofing such as padding and carpet, but I kept that rock in my hand for many years, turning it around, just flipping it over and over while I drove. I lost that rock when I changed trucks one time, but I remember that it had been worn smooth from my handling it.
Maybe a rock is in some of you guys' future? Make it and oddball shape and not too small. Keep it in your hand anytime you get in a vehicle, driving or not till it becomes a habit like putting on a seatbelt or putting the keys in the ignition. Make sure it is big enough to make a noise. I know when my rock would hit the floor in that truck, it would wake me up, no... it would scare me!
David from Jax

 

[ljjhouser]

I am glad you are still here to tell us about your experience. I bought a new truck this year and it has all the lane change, stick shaker beeper buzzer warnings on it. And I rely on them when they warn me of something. I guess there is one I don't really like - is buzzes if I take one hand off the wheel.
I hope you feel better soon and I am glad no one else was harmed.
You are very fortunate. But I think that is a common occurrence.

 

[big bubba]

I learned to drive a semi truck when paper logs were how you managed your driving hours. I don't want to suggest that any truck driver would falsify a paper logbook, but I am sure pages were lost and had to be replaced. One of the things a good friend suggested, was to carry a rock. A small one that would fit in the palm of your hand, but big enough that your fingers would barely close around it. Small enough that it didn't affect my driving, but large enough that if I got drossy it would slip thru my fingers and find the floor. Back in those days, all we had for floors was the steel cab floor. If you dropped a rock in the confines of a truck with steel floors, the noise would be loud.
I don't know well a rock would do in the plastic drivers compartments with all the sound proofing such as padding and carpet, but I kept that rock in my hand for many years, turning it around, just flipping it over and over while I drove. I lost that rock when I changed trucks one time, but I remember that it had been worn smooth from my handling it.
Maybe a rock is in some of you guys' future? Make it and oddball shape and not too small. Keep it in your hand anytime you get in a vehicle, driving or not till it becomes a habit like putting on a seatbelt or putting the keys in the ignition. Make sure it is big enough to make a noise. I know when my rock would hit the floor in that truck, it would wake me up, no... it would scare me!
David from Jax

is your profile name a pun on this subject?

 

[bgr]

Sorry to hear about your accident and glad you are OK. It could have been terrible. Hope you are covering all the bases regarding lack of sleep. You have had many good suggestions about what others do to solve the problem. Hope one works for you.

Several writers have said they have mentioned feeling un-naturally tired and sought to find out why. From personal experience, I know that long term lyme disease can do that to you after you have had no symptoms for several years since the original tick bite. Get a lyme test from a good doctor if you feel weak or sleepy for a long time and you know of no reason for it. Several other tick borne diseases can make you feel weak, too.

And thanks for your post. It is a good warning to all of us.

 

[kenlip]

FYI, the active ingredient in NoDoz is 100mg caffeine per tablet.

The caffeine content of coffee obviously varies a lot depending on the beans, roasting process, strength of the brew, etc. but the range is about 95-200mg per cup.

 

[kenlip]

Folks,

Take this test (Stop-Bang). If you score 2 or less you are probably okay, 3 or 4 you should consult with your GP, 5 or more you are at significant risk for sleep apnoea! You have heard how people 'died peacefully in his sleep". The chances are they stopped breathing long enough to end their lives.

Do you snore loudly?
Louder than talking or loud enough to be heard through closed doors
No 0
Yes+1

Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime?
No 0
Yes+1

Has anyone observed you stop breathing during sleep?
No 0
Yes+1

Do you have (or are you being treated for) high blood pressure?
No0
Yes+1

Objective measures:
BMI (Google how to measure this if you don't already know)
≤35 kg/m² 0
>35 kg/m²+1

Age
≤50 years 0
>50 years+1

Neck circumference
≤40 cm 0
>40 cm+1

Gender
Female 0
Male+1