Ern

Hello. I carried on smoking for six months after my SAH. Then one day I just decided that I didn't want to smoke anymore and so stopped. It certainly is true that when you feel it's time to stop you will. I am glad that I stopped though. It has saved me a fortune. and I do feel much healthier. But I shall not go on like the usual reformed smoker. However. My Neuro-consultant did point out that smoking can cause vaso-spasms. which is something a SAH survivor needs.

Penny, that is a truly genious tip! My memory was pretty bad to start with. Like lots of others here I use the alarm on my phone, post-its and the calender on my PC. I also have a paper calender at home. But then I have to remember to look at them. I also have a tendancy to throw away any paper on my desk if it has been there for too long. Unfortunately, the post-its tend to get stuck to things I am throwing away! now all I have to remember is why I am doing this job

Hi Saffy, I agree with most of the others here. I had my burst aneurysm coiled. But if another was found & I could have it coiled I would in a heartbeat. My recovery, like many others, has been a long slow process. I have since been diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. Like Liz D said, if you have any questions, write them down and get them answered by the neuro-consultant. Good luck with everything. Ern

Hi Karen. I'm male. Or so the Mrs says I was 34 when I had my aneurysm. Was coiled in the same year. Not sure of the name of the artery (Posibly John ), but I know it was just next to the brain stem. Sorry I can't be any more help.

Hi Adam, I just saw this post. Like Tennissmithy, I had a phased return and was expected to be fully functioning at the end of the six week phased return. I too fell apart not long afterwards. I'd been off work for six months. I had a rather stressful job as an investigator (Loads of responsibillities, visits to courts, recommendations to prosecute & much more besides.), my olleagues, who were wonderful, didn't understand what I was going through, flitted between patronising ans uncaring. It seems that employers are a lot less caring than they want everyone to think they are. I have become really superstitious since my SAH particukarly around the anniversarry (my spellings gone out the window too! ) so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

Hi Geraldine, I am fairly new to this site too, but have had lots of advice and encouragemnt already. Like everyone else has said, Keep up the fluids, have plenty of rest and take each day as it comes.

Hi Paul, I had a SAH in October 2006. And started back at work in April 2007. I since realised that this was far too soon for me. But I wanted to go back to show everyone that I was still the same old Ern. In fact I had changed in a million subtle ways. deep down I am still me, but my perspectives have changed. I find it impossible to explain what I am feeling to those around me, I struggle with my emotions (I once cried watching Kindergarden cop, for crying out loud!) but given time all of this will ease. My wife is incredibly supportive and did not deserve the misery I put her through, so I am sure that Mandy is feeling the same as I did, and she is probably exhausted but still wanting to show that she can cope. Hang on in there! Things will ease it's still early days yet. Ern

Hi folks. Thanks for the advice re: the flying. Fortunately, I love the UK so much I don't see it as much of an issue and I am happy holidaying here. I am really looking forward to getting to knowing you all as I am struggling to find people who can truly understand what I (I suppose I should say we now) have been through. I get people telling me that over time things will get better or that I have been extremely lucky :confused: . I still have to hold myself back fronm saying things that I will not write here as I am certain that there are ladies reading this. I know that they mean well. But I don't regard losing sensation in your left side, panic attacks, being unable to drive a manual car, having to give up most sports, wondering if you can fly (in an airplane, not in the superman sense:lol:), being unable to get conmfortable in bed, being unable to go to rock concerts, etc as being lucky. OK I know I am having a down day. I get them fromtime to time as well as all the usual stuff.

Hi Debra, I am new to this site too. Take life nice and slow and enjoy the small things. The bigger things will come back in time. I hope your recovery goes well for you. Ern

Hi Debra, My weakened left side is affected really badly by the weather. On cold days I can barely use my left hand. This has got a lot easier over time and is still improving.

Hello! I thought I was alone in this. But apparently not. On the up side, I now know when I need to remember my unbrella! The weather is rather grim today and mixed with staring at a computer screen all day I am in a fair bit of pain (The irony of the fact that I am posting this on a web-site is not lost on me. Hang on in there, It gets easier. I think.

Hi folks! Thanks for all the advice re: flying and an even bigger thanks for the incredibly warm welcome. I haven't flown yet, but I am hoping to go away with a volunteer group in the spring. Unfortunately, I am being looked at as the "special" person. (I have had that a lot over the last couple of years ) Prior to my SAH, I was playing football & Rugby, at the gym 3X a week taking adventure holidays and volunteering on a conservation group. So a lot of that has stopped because I lost a lot of my balance and co-ordination (not to mention the rather bad moods!). Still now that I am not playing the Rugby and Football, my teams are doing much better . I have had lots of really bad mood swings. But I have got them under control now with the help of some counselling from The Val Hennessy Trust and a very patient wife (Yoga helped a lot too). At the time of the SAH I worked as an investigation officer with the Immigration Service. Due to the mood swings & all the associated issues with SAH & subsequent coiling, I wasn't able to continue with much of the work we did there and my career has taken a real nose dive. But on the up side, I don't get much stress here! I suppose that it's pretty obvious that I am feeling down about the way things have turned out. That much is true. But I know that I am lucky to have someone who loves me and is willing to stick with me through the worst of times. This was actually supposed to be a short post to say thanks for the warm welcome, but turned into a confessional! chat again soon "don't worry, have a whistle" Monty Python

Hello, I used to be a light sleeper anyway but since my SAH my sleeping has got a lot worse. I sometimes managed between two and four hours a night if I am lucky. I do get a lot more tired than I used to but I think that age may be catching up with me anyway. Doctor has told me to give up caffeine. That was harder than giving up smoking! So now I am on herbal teas. But my sleeping is getting better. If anyine is still struggling, I would recommend Valerien tea. It is amazingly effective. But if you have a cat you may have to drink it quickly as my cat loves the stuff!!!

Hello. I had my SAH on 5th October 2006. It was a strange one as I was trying to get healthier and was in the gym when it happened. I had a lovely coil fitted on the 15th of October 2006 (After much mis-diagnosis and confusion). I have been lefdt with lots of left sided issues (muscle shrinkage, sensory loss, co-ordination loss, etc.), but after reading some of the stories here, I am feeling as though I got off lightly. I am back at the gym now (I have been for a while.) and have taken up yoga. That is something I would strongly recommend to anyone who has muscle shrinkage, balance issues or just needs to control their moods (like I did). Anyroad. I have visited this site on many occassions and have actually got around to registering. So. Please forgive the bad spelling and strange grammer and bad humour. just a quick question for everyone. I have been told that there may be problems with me flying due to cabin pressure. Is this true? Has anyone else heard this?