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Colleen

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Colleen last won the day on May 20 2016

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  • Gender
    Female
  • Location
    Texas, USA
  • Interests
    pets, good fiction, ecology

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  1. I had my SAH due to ruptured aneurysm the morning of Saturday, November 1, 2008. Seems a lifetime ago. Sometimes seems like last week. For all the short-term survivors out there, take heart. It does get better with time as the brain heals and the body learns to compensate. Here’s to the future! 🍷 Colleen
  2. Dear Janey, i know you posted months ago and I hope you’ve gotten help. My SAH was 15 years ago and I was working as a coastal biologist at the time, with some time spent in the field and some in the office. After the SAH I found myself easily distracted by the smallest things. After struggling for five years, I saw a neurologist. I was not tested for ADD, but pretty sure that’s what I experienced. The neurologist prescribed a medication that did help. Just being aware can help too, as you can develop some coping mechanisms. Mainly know it is real, it’s not a failing on your part, and there are ways to lessen the impact. If your GP hasn’t helped you, try to see a neurologist or a dr specialized in that field. Best wishes. Colleen
  3. Dear Faith, our thoughts are with you, As already stated, we cannot make medical analysis and I personally did not experience vasospasm with my aneurysm rupture. I do recall my husband telling me that one of the neurologists on the floor told him to watch me constantly for any change at all that could signal vasospasm. Apparently, it is relatively common with SAH as the vessels in the brain are irritated by the blood and may constrict. My advice would be to be present with your husband as much as possible to monitor his condition and question the doctors about anything that concerns you. Honestly, we are on so many medications following SAH, and the headaches are so bad, it is several days before we start to come around. I had one day where I asked my family repeatedly why I was in the hospital and did not remember the answer from one minute to the next. I'm so sorry not to be more helpful and I do hope you have family/friends to lean on in this difficult time. Prayers, Colleen
  4. Good evening Malanamm, The symptoms you describe are all quite common following SAH and can last for years. I am 13+ years on from my ruptured aneurysm and still experience issues from time to time. I would think about what other things may be going on in your life that may coincide with the headaches, memory problems, fatigue etc. For me, any stress is a big trigger. Also, do see your doctor for evaluation. Perhaps the neurologist may be able to run some tests or scans and then send you to the neurosurgeon if need be. Hopefully they coordinate with each other. Best wishes for getting this figured out. In the meantime, rest, relax, drink lots of water and eat healthy foods. Take care, Colleen
  5. Hello Pat, I am hoping that you have arranged to visit your physician about this problem by the time you read this. We can all tell you of our personal experiences, but we cannot diagnose anyone else's symptoms. For example, while Kathy explained her own diagnosis for a head pain, I can tell you that problems with my cervical spine have created some interesting sensations for me. My pillows have to be just right and I need a slight incline these days to sleep at all. The long and short of it is that anything that bothers you or scares you deserves professional advisement. Best wishes, Colleen
  6. You truly are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing glimpses of your journey and words of encouragement. Happy Birthday to your young man! I hope y’all shared a special day together! Love, Colleen
  7. Congratulations Louise on the 22 year survivor status! You have done well and should be pleased with your progress. Much has changed in that time, medical advances among them. Those like you, who came “before”, have surely contributed to increased awareness and effective treatments. We share the date, but I am a mere 13 years on. Sometimes it seems longer, but always on Nov 1 it seems very close. Take good care, Love, Colleen
  8. Good morning, My SAH was caused by a ruptured aneurysm, so a bit different, but overall the brain does not like being bathed in blood. It takes a very good while to recover from that and you are experiencing the typical aftermath. Fatigue can go on for quite awhile and the one good day followed by a crash is not unusual. Regarding caffeine, I do recall my neuro telling me if I was used to having it the withdrawal could aggravate the headaches, so limited amounts could actually help. That said, I mainly kept to decaf and herbal teas. You should consult your physician to be sure. Regarding exercise, I was instructed to limit weight bearing, pushing, and pulling, but walking was ok. I personally would not have wanted anything that caused pounding or jarring for quite a long time. Each case is individually its own, so you really need to feel what you are up to and heed your physician's cautions. Best wishes on the journey, Colleen
  9. Hello Claudette, My heart goes out to you as you navigate this new set of challenges. I had my rupture 13 years ago and aneurysms (2) ultimately were clipped, so they're supposed to be fixed forever and I'm not even monitored any more. Does that mean I never have a moment of worry or anxiety about it? NOPE. So first you know that you are completely normal and entitled to all the feelings you are having now. All at BTG feel that, respect that, and support you, especially in light of all the other occurrences and obstacles you have to face. Honestly, I believe that Kathy has expressed that support so eloquently that I don't know what to add. All I can say is whenever I find myself spiraling downward I think of all the reasons to keep pushing on, especially those who really need me. And I lean on my faith, which really developed well after the SAH. I won't lie, it's a struggle sometimes, but it definitely helps to have a trusted family member or friend to reach out to and to seek professional care if it all becomes too much to do alone. You've already miraculously survived TWO ruptured aneurysms, so you obviously are a strong lady. YOU CAN DO THIS and we will be here to buoy you up! Love, Colleen (Texas, USA)
  10. Good morning, First, let me say I am not an expert in the area of disability. Whenever I had my SAH, I was working for a government agency and had sufficient sick leave and vacation time accumulated to cover the time I was off work. Do you have disability insurance through your work or privately? If not, I believe the only other option is Social Security disability, which I understand is a long and complicated process. Various people I know have resorted to using agents to submit claims and advocate for them as approval can be difficult to attain. I do hope you are feeling better at this time and that your scan showed healing. Being a vet tech is surely physically demanding at times, with lots of stooping and bending and lifting (I have several pets and am in my vet's office often). As stated, fully healing from an SAH is a long process. Questions are best addressed by your neurologist. Best wishes, Colleen
  11. Same here. Like Tina I have random pains from the craniotomy. These are first places to hurt when I'm getting a headache or when it's cold outside. I have also had numbness in my face, which a neurologist suggested could be aggravated by too much caffeine. And as Jess suggested, other medical issues (for example, spinal) can confuse the cause. If it is extremely bothersome, best to consult a neurologist. Best wishes for feeling better, Colleen
  12. Hi Jean, I can totally relate and commiserate to your problem here. I have chronic back pain from serious degenerative arthritis. My lower back is so messed up that my balance has gone off and I often walk crooked. Recently I visited a Pain Management dr in my neuro group and went through steroid injections in 4 levels my lower back. That worked great for a couple months, but pain is coming back. I also had a compressed nerve in my neck that was making my hands numb. It took 6 months to get surgery to relieve the compression and now my spine is fused from C2 to T4. Following that 10 hour surgery, in the hospital they were giving me a strong anti inflammatory and Tylenol! Are you kidding me? I had to beg for better pain relief meds, Apparently the US assumes we all will turn into opioid zombies. Anyway, prior to all this ibuprofen was - and still is - my go to for back pain. Tylenol just doesn't cut the inflammation. I have tried prescription strength anti inflammatory (prescribed by a neuro doc) but it bothers my stomach. I have asked about the aneurysms and bleed risk, but my annis are clipped so there is more concern for bleeding ulcers than SAH. Bottom line is that all of us have our own issues and you should consult all your docs before self-medicating. Maybe see a pain management specialist, it can't hurt any more than you already are! Best of luck! (and BTW, my left hand is still numb, dang it. I'm learning to type with one hand) Colleen
  13. Dearest Sarah, i had not been on in a bit and this is the first thread I came upon. I am so shocked and saddened for the loss to BTG but know it is nothing compared to what you and your family is enduring. Win has been such a bright light to us all, always ready with encouragement and so good at teaching us to laugh at and accept ourselves. She will be so sorely missed. Prayers of comfort for you and your family, including Tilly. It was so clear how very much she loved you all. Colleen
  14. November 1 marked the nine year mark for me! I meant to post that day, but between newish responsibilities at work and a newish wild and crazy dog that gets me up way too early for walking, I have a hard time keeping my eyes open at night. I got to celebrate the day with a 4 hour conference call in the morning and a 1.5 hour meeting in the afternoon, which I had to spend an hour driving to and from! So I guess you can see I've recovered fairly well. Even so, I still find great comfort in the posts that remind me my lingering sensations and memory issues aren't just my imagination. While I dont post as often I inwardly celebrate all your victories large and small and sympathize and pray over set- backs and hardships. I am very thankful to have this family to come to. Much love to you all, Colleen
  15. Hi Sairah, I too had a craniotomy for clipping aneurysms and went through the whole crawly, itchy head thing. You must remember when they did the surgery they had to pull the scalp back to some degree, disrupting vessels and nerves. The creepy crawly sensations are from the healing, much like an incision will itch as it heals. Fortunately, I was told to expect that. It can go on for quite some time! I find too that cold, damp weather makes the affected skull bones ache, so am careful to keep hats handy in winter. After more than 8 years, the area o skull that was cut out and replaced has sunken somewhat. Also, do not be surprised or alarmed at random pains. I've spoken to others who've had SAH and it seems a common experience. Disturbing, I know and I won't say you get used to it, but more tolerant perhaps. Best wishes, Colleen
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