Ern

Hi Allison. Welcome to BTG. This is the place to be for support advice and chats. The folks here got me through some of my worst times during my recovery. I noticed you mentioned speech and loss of words. That's known as aphasia. I have developed that. & it is heavily affected by my emotional state. Most of the symptoms you have mentioned, I can relate to, as can most us on this site. So everything you are going through is fairly "normal". like the others have said. We are here for advice and support and a natter but the medical stuff is best left to the professionals. Good luck with the recovery. You are already on the right road. Ern

Hi all. Late joining this thread to. I was in the gym working to avoid the heart attack that all the men in my family have had. On the cross trainer ten minutes in and beating my personal best. then "POP"! Was very sick. But no headache....? Paramedics said that I had a lactic acid build up. So I drove home (being sick into the towel on my lap). Mrs took me to local A&E. There I got told that I had an inner ear infection (labrynthitis). A week later I was diagnosed with the SAH. But not before I had chopped down several trees with an axe, smoked loads of ciggies, had a couple of beers and driven to lots of places. I am not the only one who is lucky to be alive after my SAH. I think,

Hi Scooby Doo. I had my SAH while I was in the gym. So I can wqell understand how you feel. I started exercising as soon as I could & they were, indeed, baby steps. I began with taking short walks (at first I couldn't walk a hundred yards without needing to rest) then built those up to longer walks. then I walked to the local swimming baths and spending a little while swimming (I took a packed lunch for the trek home). After a while I was ready to go back to the gym. Now I can go for 30 minute runs again followed by a work out afterwards. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just listen to your body, drink lots of fluids and rest when you feel the need. Good luck. Ern

Hi Erin. Sounds like you've had a rough old time of it. Like you, I worked for the government (I'm surprised the DWP treated you like that), and they gave me a pay off just after my phased return. There should be a local volunteer centre near by who could point you in the right direction. Failing that how about contacting your old neurological/rehab nurses? They could point you in the right direction. In Coventry, near me, there is an organisation called The Val Hennessey Trust. I'm not sure if they are national but the provided me with loads of help & support after my SAH. You could try googling them? How about a local church or community centre? If you find yourself near a Jobcentre, ask to speak to a disabillity employment advisor, they might be able to help you. I will say, though. When you do get back into work, please take it very slow and gentle otherwise you will wear yourself down and set your confidence back. Seeing as you worked in the DWP, I wont go on about the 16 hour rule about being classed as full time. Having said all of that, it sounds like you are doing really well & your typing is fine. Keep up the good work. Good luck. Ern

Hi all. I think I am a little late in joining the conversation. I have always been a bit of a lightweight when it came to drinking. But even more so now. The last time I drank in any quantity was in July when myself & some friends went up Snowdon. It was also a bit of a reunion mixed with a lads holiday. Wanting to show everyone that I was still me, I hit the beer with a passion. However. I paid for it all in a big way. I was sick as a dog (not pleasant in a tent), & had a hangover all the way up the mountain.That evening I stuck to lime & soda. But I still felt rough the next day on the white water rafting trip (that was torture!). Thinking back on it, the main problem was my ego rather than the alcohol. I was so wound up trying to be me that I over did it. I allow myself a bottle of light beer or two a week & just relax.

Hi Lisa, Its perfectly natural to be worried about the slightest twinge. I had my SAH six years ago & am still freaking out. This morning I found a burst blood vessel in my right eye:shocked:! It looks horrendous but isn't anything to worry about (or so I am told) . Luckily, the Mrs is a Dr so I can get her to look me over whenever I find something new or strange. For me that happens a lot because I am so vigilant now and the tiniest change in me triggers a panic. However, when I exercise heavily or get tired, I do get the SAH symptoms so I know when to slow down & take a break. Although I have noticed that the symptoms are getting more diminished & happen a lot less often. So it does get easier Just give it a while & things will begin to feel better. Have a happy new year. Ern.

Hey Carolyn. Any help I can give is yours. You're doing a great thing there. Ern.

Just another quick thought, Tracy. If you are still feeling pain, that is something you should see yur doctor about. But given time, a bit of work and some patience you will start to feel better again. Just remember the important bit always check with your doctor first. When I first got discharged from hospital (Jan 2007), I couldn't walk a hundred yards. Now I am playing football (soccer) and running and al sorts. But each step of the way, I double checked with the Dr before I started anything new. & another thing. Find something you enjoy. It makes it so much easier.

Hi Tracey, Its a long journey for all of us. for me I found yoga to be an amzing help. Not just physically but mentally too. I started off with Hatha yoga (the slow gentle one), now I am following the Yoga Rythm porogramme mixed in with vinyasa. i do not go to any classes because there aren't any near me. So I am following lessons on TV. The cat likes to help by walking unbder me when I am in Down dog:lol:. These have helped me because I suffered a lot of muscle shrinkage after my SAH & lost a lot of mobillity. but now I am almost back to pre-SAH levels of flexibillity. Except on cold days. I practice yoga every morning to set me up for the day as the relaxation part at the end helps to put me in the right frame of mind for the day. My Neuro consultant has agreed that the yoga is beneficial but that I should be cautious of what I do. for instances, the shoulder stands are a big no no and if I have any pain, I should stop. so its mainly commen sense stuff. I struggle with the balances because I can't feel my left foot, but even that is improving all the time. I am also going to the gym 3 times a week. when I first started back I would sleep for almost half a day to recover. Now I can do a full 1.5 hour workout and then rush home to cook dinner for Mrs. So just take things steady and you will build up the stamina and strength to acieve your goals. ern

hi Tracy, I am a great believer in yoga and have found that various techniques have helped me. I know about the technique you've just described but didn't know its name. Hope your recovery continues. Ern

Hi Melissa. welcome to the site. I am sure you will find loads of support and help here. I found this site when I was going through a bad time and the people here helped me through it. Ern

hi Juliette, Welcome to BTG. Like the others have said, you will find loads of support and advice here. Your story is similar to mine (I really need to post mine at some stage).

Hi Dermot, I had my SAH in October 2006. Like you I had some some serious left sided paralysis (& still have some now). I started exercising (light aerobics & walking) again in February 2007 to regain some strength & co-ordination. In the March of 2007 I started swimming to build stamina. It was a full year after the SAH that I was able to return to the gym. I started with VERY light weights and gentle cardio workouts (cross trainer, rower, bike, etc) and built up gradually. I am back at the gym three times a week now and lifting heavier weights than befor the SAH and able to do a full 30 minutes cardio workout without a break. but before I started this I saw my GP who gave me the proper advice needed. Hope this has helped. Ern

Hi all. I returned to work, on a phased return, six months after my SAH. In hindsight this was way too early. I was permanently tired, I was moody, irratable and snappy with a very short temper. It turns out I was suffering with Post Concussion Syndrom. The SAh also brought about a need for a change in direction in regards to my work. To be frank, I needed a new job. After about six months back at work, I was offered redundancy (with really good terms) and took it. Things are gradually looking up for me, and i am looking for that elusive perfect job. My advice would always be, take it slow and steady, listen to your body & instincts. And if things get too much, talk to your Dr. Good luck, Dawn. And stay happy Ern

Hi Jane. Welcome to BTG. I had my SAH in October 2006. For a long while afterwards, I displayed similar symptoms to your husband. I was very moody and irritable. I would explode at the slightest thing and I would blame my wife for everything and nothing. I saw a rehab consultant who diagnosed me with Post-Concussion Syndrome. from that point onwards, I began to return to my old self I think that the first step is to get your hubby to acknowledge that something is not right. It took me over a year to get to that stage. But give him tome and it will happen. Good luck and stay strong.

Hi GG. I had a bit of a rough time when I started back. I suffered with Post Concussion Syndrome which exacerbated everything. My temporary Line Manager was over scrutinising my work and commenting on my handwritring (I was the only person who needed to read that part. Because of the PCS I would explode at the slightest provocation. but my proper Line manager handled things much better. My current boss is trying to be helpful but she can be a little insensitive (she actually said in a meeting that my memory was pretty bad, the others on my team were amazed thatshe said that). But it seems that your boss is being deliberately difficult with you. I think that you should mention to your union that you feel that they are entering areas relating to the Disability discrimination Act (have the company made any reasonable adjustments?). If they put inwriting that you are unable to do your job, they have to justify it whilst proving that they have made reasonable adjustments. Like Kel said, contact your local CAB, Jobcentre or an organization such as Headway might be able to help. Good luck

Hi Di, When i had my SAH I suffered with Post Concussion Syndrom. This is similar to PTSD. i became very short tempered, very aggresive (to the extent that people who had known me for years had said that they were scared of me) and very unstable. I also developed fixation issues. If there was a plan made, I had to follow that plan regardless of anything else. I still suffer with things like that but to a much greater extent. I have been prescribed Carbomezapineto stabalise my moods and I have had a lot of counselling and I have developed my own techniques to keep calm. During the period between the SAH and the PCS diagnosis I really put the Mrs through it. i am certain that hubby doesn't mean to upset you as much as he does. Another thing to point out, Di, Is that us fellas do like a swear when we are doing DIY. so when you mix DIY with a SAH, you will get a lot of swearing. . Remember that you are just as important as he is and if need be, see about getting some counselling or support for yourself. You have been through it to. Take care, Ern

nice one Jen! I have had dealings with ATOS in the past. They are a slippery bunch of [unmentionable words]. Well done on getting the appology. Make sure you get all of your back payment.

Hi Sally, I used to work for the DWP ages back so I know a little but i worked on the JSA side. Things could have changed since then though so make sure that you get these double checked before quoting me! If you are in receipt of DLA your partner or relative may be entitled to Invalid Carers Allowance. This is payable to anyone who is looking after someone for 16 or more hours per week. So if your partner is looking after you Even for a couple of hours a day, he/she may qualify. also, If you were in receipt of an income based benefit or DLA, you should qualify for housing and council tax benefits or just council tax benefit if you aren't a rent payer. You should qualify for these if you are on a low income as well. If you do go back to work, go back part time to start with, you will still be entitled to financial support until you are working full time. even if you are working full time, you may still be entitled to financial support. It really annoys me when I read on this site about how people are being disallowed support (I was refused DLA). You should not feel like you are begging for anything. You are still unwell. If you need any more help or advice, please feel free to PM me and i will see what I can find out for you via my old colleagues Ern

Hi Rhiann, Welcome to BTG. You are really early in your recovery. But you are clearly doing very well. If you have any questions or just fancy a natter, this is the ideal place to come. you will find people here who know exactly what you mean without you having to explain. Take care, Ern

Hello. I have a terrible memory now (4 years down the line). I have managed to surround myself with people who tend to help me out. As well as names of people I know quite well, I tend to forget the routes to places I have been to lots of times. This gets me frustrated and then my memory gets worse. Once I notice my memory is playing up, I take a step back and think things through using mind maps.

hi Noah! Well done on the milestone. My one year anniversary was spent hiding in bed. I refused to go back to the scene out of pure terror. So your doing better than I did. Nice one!

Hi Stace, Welcome to BTG. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. You will find lots of very helpful and supportive people here (I know I did). I look forward to hearing from you.

Hi Donna. Welcome to BTG. You will find it soooooooo helpful (and comforting) to chat with people who know what you mean without having to explain yourself. You are still in the early stages of recovery so you will get loads of help & advice from those of us who have been there. Welcome, again. May your recovery continue and you find yourself again soon

Hello GG. I found it a struggle returning to work. I had to completely change my job role after my SAH. It was a public facing investigations post. so whenI was shifted to the backrooms I was rather upset. But I learned the job quite quickly. But I decided that the job I was doing (& the one I am doing now) wasn't enough for me. So I have started a degree and am pleased to say that I have gained new skills and knowledge thaat are helping me to improve myself. I think that for me, changing jobs was the best thing I could have done. From what i have seen, lots of people have had problems with their bosses (not so much the employer) who do not seem to understand the issues surrounding SAH. but simply getting back to work and doing your old job is a fantastic start!