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Hi Topsy, I've only just seen your post and am sorry you have suffered a second sah and all the ensuing anxiety that it is causing you. I'm not sure whether, since you posted on Monday, you have decided to take the antidepressants or not, but I was wondering if this person you mention who told you about the medication possibly causing brain bleeds does in fact have any concrete medical knowledge or is just scaremongering. Two weeks ago I was also prescribed sertraline 50mg and would be very surprised if my gp would put me on something that could possibly cause brain bleeds knowing my history of having had one and the fact I still have annual check ups for the ruptured aneursym and an unruptured one over 8 years later. I do recall her saying she chose sertraline because it was the safest and was non addictive. It took me 3 days of hesitation to start taking them, but I'm glad I did. Let us know how you get on, take care, Sarah

Hi Melissa, I'm pleased you are getting injection therapy - like you say, hopefully it will work and make things a little easier for you. Yes, the remembering aspect is frustrating - again something that affects most of us to some degree. I used to set up a list on my phone and add things to it as and when I thought of them because I knew I would forget. If you can take someone with you to your meeting, it's helpful as it can be equally as hard remembering everything you've been told when you get home. I think the most embarrassing thing I forgot in those early days was to collect my son from school! I had my sah 8 1/2 years ago from a ruptured aneurysm which was coiled. I was 47 at the time. I too suffered severe vasospasm although I had no knowledge of this at the time. I had more coils put in a year later and because the aneurysm has a wide neck and another smaller aneurysm was discovered at the time, I am still monitored every year by MRI scans. Last year I was told it had grown slightly and I could either have an angiogram to see about a possible stent and more coils, or wait a year and be scanned again. I chose the latter and have just had the results of that further scan. The letter said "stable appearances and another scan will be arranged in 12 months" Phew! With reference to your point re migraines - I have never had one in my life, but ever since my sah I have suffered with the aura of migraine. Thankfully I don't have the headache, but since the very first episode of the aura was while I was in hospital at the time of my sah and I have had well over 100 episodes since (I kept a diary of it), I personally do not believe that the two are not connected in some way. I was prescibed atenolol for it and they have definitely reduced the frequency of these episodes since being on it for the past 7 years. This forum group is an excellent source for anyone who has had the misfortune to suffer a sah - I don't think there is any better aid to recovery than being amongst those who have travelled that path. There are also two other excellent uk based websites that supply a whole host of useful information including fact sheets that can be downloaded - these are 'the brain and spine foundation' and 'headway' - google will find them! Take care, Sarah

Hi there, a warm welcome to BTG. I'm really sorry that you are going through so much at the moment - no wonder you are tearful, it's an awful lot for you to have to deal with. Recovery from a sah is difficult enough without the added stress you have with your husband and all the pain you're in. I do hope your appointment on 1st June proves to be helpful - perhaps make a list beforehand of all the issues and concerns you want to discuss, so that you don't miss anything. I really do empathise with you having myself endured many stressful events whilst recovering from my sah. It can be really tough so I'm surprised you say no doctors care about depression setting in - they really ought to. It is very early days in terms of recovery for you and a lot of what you describe is very common and I do believe that getting plenty of extra sleep is the best way for the brain to repair after such a trauma, so try not to be concerned about sleeping too much. Wishing you all the best, Sarah

Hi Kerryn, A warm welcome to BTG. Congratulations to your wife for being on the ball and arranging that doctors appointment. I'm glad that you are doing reasonably well after such an event - finding this wonderful site so early on will give you much reassurance, support and friendship. I hope your recovery continues to go well for you - plenty of rest breaks throughout the day is always good advice to help with that, all too common tiredness/fatigue. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Jenni, So sorry to hear your husband has suffered a sah and all the worry it is causing you. The fact that his surgeon has said he is doing awesome is very encouraging. I don't know if you've had chance to read other people's stories on here, but recovery, whilst different for everyone, can be and quite often is, a rather slow process. Day 5 is so very early in this process and although it might be frustrating for you both, he is currently in the best place, giving him the best start to his recovery. It's hard to say how long he might be off work, only time will tell. Personally I was off for 5 months and like so many on here, returned on a phased basis. Sadly, many who return too soon, often end up unable to cope and are then off again, which is why a phased return is useful. Initially, it's possible your husband will find the smallest of tasks exhausting - so full time work could be some time away. Don't feel useless, but you do need to look after yourself too, not enough sleep is going to make everything seem so much more difficult at this already difficult time. It's often been said that it's harder for the carer than the patient at times. You are doing a great job just being there - any surplus energy may be wisely spent looking into whether you are entitled to any social security benefits as that will be a big worry for you at the moment. If you're in the UK, citizens advice are usually a good place to start. Wishing you all the best, Sarah

Hi Steve, welcome to BTG. Firstly I think you did remarkably well in managing to get the necessary help for yourself as well as cover for you daughter during that initial time frame when you were obviously not at all well. It's good that you are beginning to feel that things are getting a bit easier. As you will have gathered from stories on here, recovery can be a long slow process, but being prepared for the possible 'one step forward two back' scenario is always worth knowing about. So many of us in our recoveries have thought on the lines of "Oh, I feel really good today, perhaps I've finally turned a corner, I'll have a go at this - then, I still feel full of energy, perhaps I'll just do that too" Cracked it - then within a day or two you can feel totally wiped out and not be able to do much, if anything, at all. I found this happened time and time again and eventually it gets a bit disheartening. It's basically the brain saying "hang on a minute, I'm not recovered yet, you're really expecting me to do far too much while I'm still poorly and if you're going to do that to me when all I want is rest, then I'm afraid I'll just have to shut down for a day or two, so you can't do this to me until I'm ready" ! Everyone's recovery is unique to them and I wish you all the best with yours. At least you will be in a better position in July to remember what your consultant says. Sarah

Hi Kindra, welcome to BTG. Congratulations to your son for his quick thinking. I hope you can find a way to perhaps reduce your workload, if only for the short term. There is little wonder you are crashing after you have overdone it - a bit like trying to sprint on a badly sprained ankle before it's healed - it just doesn't work. Brains are far more complex, we can't see them, but as they control everything we do, we need to give them rest when they've been injured to give them the best chance of recovery. I think we are all guilty of trying to do too much, too soon. It's appears you are aware of what is required, the hard part is putting it into practice - it will be worth it though. Wishing you all the best, Sarah

Hi Phil, a warm welcome to BTG. Sorry to hear that a lovely holiday was interrupted by this awful event. My advice to anyone who has suffered a sah and intends/has to return to work would be to have as long as possible off initially and then return on minimum hours with a view to building up gradually over a long as time as possible. You've already discovered how hard it was doing full time, it's not to say full time isn't possible again for you, but I would leave it until you feel able to increase your hours. Any work is using your brain and your brain needs rest to recover after such an assault on it. In my case I had 5 months off, gradually built up to 14 hours a week - then eventually took on other jobs in addition - now doing between 32 and 36 per week. Of course being a parent, you need to factor in all the extra brain power that is used in a week! Memory issues are common place after a sah, whilst these can and often do improve, it's one area I still struggle with. As for stress, I'm convinced it was stress that caused my aneurysm to rupture, ie probably a rise in blood pressure caused by the stress. I even told the paramedic who attended when I rang 999 that my symptoms were probably caused by stress - I don't think he took much notice as he left me at home and went on his way! Whilst I still have my aneurysm monitored regularly and have another unruptured one, I have had a lot of personal stress in the 8.5 years since my sah, but touch wood, I have had no further bleeds. I go for another MRI in a couple of weeks. I also purchased a bp monitor which I find helpful for keeping an eye on it. Perhaps you could record tiredness, headaches etc over a period of a week, then again in 6 months' time which would at least give you an idea of any improvements. I wish you all the best on your recovery journey. Sarah.

Beautifully written Daff - here's to the next five years Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Deb I can understand the worry having had a phone call like that - I'm guessing it probably is to discuss the results of your MRI. One thing I've learned over the years since my sah is that things never seem to work the same way twice within the NHS administration. I've had numerous MRI scans and I've had the results through the post, I've had appts through the post to discuss the results, I've had my gp surgery ring me and tell me a scan was clear two days before I received a letter from the hospital saying it wasn't (she was supposed to have told me a urine sample was clear!), I've even rung up for results to be told it was a good job I'd rung because I'd got lost in the system! After my scan in Aug 15 and not having heard anything by October, I got a phone call on a Friday telling me the consultant wanted to see me on Monday, which, like you, made me automatically worry. I don't think our nerves are taken into consideration when they do these things. Wishing you all the best for Wednesday, Sarah

Hi lise366 - you've been brave already as you've made the decision to go ahead. I suppose having it done sooner than you were expecting gets it over with quicker. Try and keep busy during the coming weeks so as to keep your mind occupied on other thoughts. I appreciate it's scary - nobody could be more scared than me, but I managed to get through it - twice, you will too. I just hope they don't cancel at the last minute - I've experienced that twice aswell and it's not nice. Don't forget there's always this site to come to help calm those pre-op nerves if needed. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi, Welcome to the forum. I too believe that in some cases aneurysms are hereditary and this does look likely in your family. I understood that they only make the link if, like you, your immediate family member ie mother, father, sister etc had a sah, but not in cases like mine where my granddad (my mother's dad) had one and then me. I'm not sure how they so easily rule out a link when people can live through life with aneurysms that never rupture and therefore the aneurysms are not known about which could result in a hidden link between family members. It may be worth asking those doctors if your children should be routinely scanned at some point in the future. I think any of us with children and have aneurysms ourselves must wonder about our children - I know I do. Best wishes, Sarah

Congratulations for tomorrow's 2nd anniversary Clare. Who'd have thought you would manage such a busy, full day just 2 years on from such a huge event - that just shows how far you have come on during those 2 years. Well done. In all your posts, you always manage to find the positives - that in itself is admirable and not always easy when your world has been turned upside down following a bleed on the brain. I'm so pleased your change of job turned out to be a good decision - one that suits your lifestyle and has colleagues who accept who you are, as you are. It is lovely to have you here on BTG. Enjoy your evening tomorrow with your friend - Sarah

Hi Cassandra, so pleased that your recent procedure has stopped the daily nausea and dizziness - 18 months of that must have felt like a life time. The relief must be fantastic for you. Hopefully your other residual symptoms will improve in due course - I do hope so. Like you say, onward and upward, take care, Sarah

Congratulations on your 13th anniversary SM. Your contribution to this site has been admirable and I'd like to say a special 'thank you' for all that 'extra help and advice' you have given me over the years - it has always been much appreciated. I am just practicing my 'contortionist' manoeuvres, so that I might fit into one of your suitcases Take care, Sarah

Hi PJ-ND - A warm welcome to BTG. I'm glad you found this site where you will at least be in the company of some warm, helpful and compassionate people, who unlike those nurses will not judge or make rude comments People on this site are understanding and that's because we know what it's like to have suffered a bleed on the brain or know someone who has and we also know that whilst everyone's recovery is different, it can be a long, slow and frustrating process. It appears that whether you are in the UK or US, the lack of support and information regarding recovery is not at all as it should be. That's why this site that Karen created is such a godsend for so many who have been thrown into this turmoil world of sah. Like Clare said, if at all possible, the best thing would be for you to stop trying to do all that you are in order to give your brain the best chance. I escaped a lot of the deficits that one can have from a sah, but even I took 5 months off work - and then I still needed plenty of extra sleep when I did return. Things definitely improve with time - you are still in the very early days and I do think you would benefit from doing less now to give yourself a better chance of being able to do more in the future. Wishing you all the best, Sarah

Hi Sally, A warm welcome to BTG. First of all try not to panic - I can fully understand how the discovery of aneurysms has had this effect on you - I think that it is a natural reaction especially if, like most of us on here, you had little or no knowledge on the subject before it was suddenly thrown upon you. Whilst it's hard to accept the knowledge of having aneurysms, it is actually preferable to finding them before they have chance to rupture which is how most of us on here found out we had one or more of them. Your medical team will determine whether or not it is desirable to have any of yours treated and discuss everything with you. I have two aneurysms - one ruptured, one not - both have been monitored for the past 8 years and my next scan is in April with the results some time after that. (I won't be getting anxious until then!) Always plenty of support on here if and when you need any, Best wishes, Sarah

Hi, Welcome to BTG. It's certainly a horrible phone call to have to pluck up the courage to make. Having said that I think you know it needs doing and I guess the sooner you do, the sooner the call will be over. Then, of course there is the waiting for the date of the procedure to arrive which again can cause anxiety - or at least it did with me! My first coiling was following a bleed, so I was grateful for any treatment that would seal the aneurysm - 11 months later I had further coiling and was dreading it. When it was over I was so relieved and felt fine - had it done on a Wednesday and out on Friday. Good luck - you can do it! Sarah

Hi Josie, A warm welcome from me too. First of all congratulations on finding your way round the site and posting on various threads so soon after your event. That in itself is quite an effort for your brain after you've been through what you have. Going slower regarding most things is certainly the way to go - along with as much rest as you can possibly get. As time goes on you will probably have days when you feel able to achieve more and therefore attempt more, but just be aware that such days can wipe you out for the next few days. It can be so frustrating as it feels like one step forward two back - but this seems to be a common theme with many of us on here - especially during those early days of recovery. Clare and many other members have returned to running after a sah, so it is possible - just not yet! Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Sarah

I've only just caught up with this great news. About time after all the unneccessary hassle you have been through to get it. I hope all goes well at your appointment today and look forward to hearing how it went. We're always here for further support if needed, take care, Sarah

Hi again Sophie, I continue to be astounded at the way in which this has all been dealt with. You have every right to be annoyed - I think we all are. I and many others on here posted on your other thread our dismay that the consultant didn't refer you straight to a neuro unit. This is not a bruise on your little finger we're talking about, he saw something that made him think it could be a sah - a bleed on the brain as you know. If a neuro specialist thought the same, I feel sure they would have either performed an MRI scan or an angiogram which gives a clearer picture of what has caused the bleed. I had an angiogram after my ct scan and that's how they discovered it was an aneurysm in my case that had ruptured. With aneurysms that have leaked or ruptured they would usually, if they can, either put coils in it or clip it with a view to stopping it bleeding again. Each case is individually assessed. Personally I think whilst ct scans can spot the blood, it's possibly not always clear enough to determine whether it's a sah with or without an aneurysm being the cause. If the neuro experts were also to determine it could be a sah, I feel sure they would investigate it further, plus they would look out for other possible complications. It appears they now realise their mistake in not referring you straight from your first trip to A&E, which given the delays with Christmas, New Year etc and now having to wait for that incompetent consultant to make a referral.....well it's just not acceptable as it may be a few more days for you to worry. I really don't know what to suggest now, but I know the Brain and Spine foundation have a free helpline run by neuro nurses -maybe you could ring them if you want to chat to someone with more knowledge than us before your appointment comes through. The number is on their website. Sarah

Hi Sophie, I'm sorry that you find yourself in this rather stressful situation which is understandably causing you worry and confusion. I must say I'm a little baffled as to why the consultant didn't send you to a neuro unit straight away if he suspected a sah rather than tell you to get a referral from your gp which obviously takes longer, that seems irresponsible to me. I'd be inclined to ring your gp if you haven't already done so and express your concerns and ask, if the possiblity of a sah was mentioned, why you were not sent to a neuro dept at the outset. Whilst we like to trust the medically qualified, it is sometimes worth querying their decisions etc. When I had my sah, I rang 999 as it was happening (although I had no idea what it was at the time) and when the paramedic, after doing his checks, said he could send me to hospital, but that I probably had better things to do on a Saturday afternoon and then left me at home, I assumed I must be ok. It was nearly a week later, with the headache as bad as day one, that my dad rang my gp and luckily I was referred to a neuro clinic that afternoon. After 5 hours of waiting, a CT scan revealed a sah, I was put on a ward, had an operation on day 4 and home 7 days after that. If it had not been for my dad ringing the gp, goodness knows what might have happened. Hopefully it won't be a sah, but for peace of mind I would certainly get back on to your gp. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Robyn and welcome to BTG. Sounds like you've been through quite an ordeal, but you appear to achieved quite a lot by way of rehab since it all happened - well done. Fatigue is so common following a sah and unfortunately can go on for months or even longer. I hope you are managing to get plenty of rest as part of your therapy routine - in my opinion it's as important as it gives the brain time to rest and repair. There is a good read on here somewhere - it's called a letter from my brain (I can't remember where to find it but someone will no doubt advise) and it's written from a brain's perspective and how/what it would like us to do to help it get better! It's good that you are discussing a less stressful role in the future, Wishing you all the best in your recovery, Sarah

Hi Robert, A belated warm welcome to BTG and congratulations to you and Debbie on the birth of your son. I'm sorry you have been through such an ordeal, but I hope with the excellent responses on your thread you will be able to pick up some useful coping strategies - either from the book recommended or from personal experiences of other members on here, through the various threads, who have also travelled the road of recovery following a bleed on the brain. Wishing you all the best, Sarah

Wish you all the best for today Maya. Sarah