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Hi Chloe, Just thought I'd add my two pennies worth to this thread - my bleed was in November 2008 and immediately afterwards I started with what I found out later to be the aura of migraine. Fortunately, I never have headaches with these migraines, but because I'd never had the aura before the bleed and I was getting it quite often it was suggested by a neurologist that I start taking atenolol (25mg daily). I started taking these tablets in Feb 2011 and continue to this day. For most of the past 5+ years since my bleed, I have recorded the episodes of the migraine aura in the form of a diary. I know, since taking the atenolol that these episodes have reduced significantly and out of interest I've just had a look at my diary to see by how much. I have recorded having 26 episodes in a 6 month period prior to taking the tablets, this reduced to 15 in a 6 month period after I had been taking the tablets for a while, but when I look at the last 6 months, up to today, I have only had 3 episodes of migraine aura during that time. When I was first prescibed these tablets I was warned that it probably wouldn't eliminate it altogether, but I could perhaps hope for a 50% reduction. Based on my own figures above it appears that I didn't quite make the 50 % reduction during the first 6 month period mentioned, but more encouragingly I have had roughly an 89% reduction over the past 6 months. Hopefully, you too will benefit from taking these tablets, Sarah

A very happy birthday to you Iola:-D That first year is definitely a tough one, but with all the ups and downs along the way and helping others on here too, you have come through shining and you should be proud of yourself. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Jo, In my case it took 144 hours from ringing 999 to getting a scan and then approximately another 60 hours before I was operated on (due to it being the weekend and not so many surgeons work at weekends) - not very satisfactory really. I would probably have taken matters further if this time delay had left me with any disability that prevented me from working or leading a normal life. Thankfully, the severe vasospasm which I had during the delay didn't result in too much damage. I did ask my gp to write to the ambulance service on my behalf airing my concerns about not sending me to hospital when I rang 999 and whilst he told me that he had done this, I never heard any more. An apology would have been nice! Sarah

Hi Hannah, Just wanted to wish you all the best for Wednesday. I have an unruptured aneurysm which has been monitored for the past 5 years, but I don't have headaches and neither did I before my other one ruptured. Headaches are very debilitating and it would be interesting to hear whether they do in fact improve for you following the op. Good luck and look forward to hearing from you in due course, Take care, Sarah

Hi Poppy, welcome to BTG - this site is definitely a great place to be for reassurance, advice and friendship particularly helpful when the feeling of isolation creeps in. I can relate to the 'parents' part of your story. My parents were in their mid to late 70's when I had my sah 5 years ago (I'm 52 now too). They not only helped out a lot in the early weeks following the event, but it had been them who finally persuaded the doctor to get me into hospital in the first place when paramedics, then doctors had failed for a whole week to see the need to admit me. Yes, we can all admit to thinking we're fine and continue doing things, then sharply reminded that we're actually doing too much. I've lost count of the times I did that! Well worth taking note of what 'that letter' says. Wishing you all the best in your future recovery, Sarah

Hi Sharon and a warm welcome to BTG. This is just the right place to be - with what you have been/are going through. It's good that you are having regular scans to keep an eye on the aneurysms you have. I presume your consultant will explain his reasoning for opting for them every two years when you see him on 18th. I had annual scans to check a 2nd anneurysm, but after the 4th annual MRI I was told I didn't need another one for 3 years - I was actually relieved by that as I took it to mean that they didn't expect it to change during that time and it felt like I had a bit of breathing space before the next one. They also check my anneurysm that ruptured as it has been left with a wide neck. I am due to go for the next scan next year and although I don't have the same reasons as you for being concerned about the age thing, I will be 53 when I go. Wishing you all the best, Sarah

Hi Victoria, I'd like to offer you a bit of hope on this very frustrating wall of exhaustion. At the 2 and half year mark it was much the same as you describe for me too and I had resigned myself to the fact that that was how it would be for ever more. I know not everyone will follow suit, but for me this wall fell down, almost overnight. I kept thinking it would reappear any time soon and was cautious not to get too excited that finally I may be able to live life as I did pre sah. My memory doesn't serve me too well these days, but in my case it was somewhere between the 3.5 and 4 year mark. (my fifth anniversary was last November). For approximately 3 years after my sah, I had one part time job, which, with a family of 5 was more than enough to contend with on a daily basis - I now have 4 part-time jobs and still have the family of 5 in the house. I even had the energy to put a coat of paint round the landing the other evening - starting at 10.30pm! In those early years I wouldn't have even stayed awake till 10.30! It still does ware me out occasionally, but probably no more than your average 52 year old woman! Only last week, my kitchen floor was covered in bags of supermarket shopping - it wasn't till the next morning I discovered I had missed a bag when putting things away - typically it was the bag with all the frozen items in:frown: I appreciate everyone is different in their recoveries, but I just wanted to say it is a possibility that this wall could eventually fall down - I really hope that in time, it will for you too. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Yvonne and welcome to BTG. I'm really sorry to hear you are going through all this. It is extremely difficult, as you know, to see someone you love suddenly change in this way. I am not surprised you are finding it hard to cope - it must be exhausting and heartbreaking for you. I don't know if you have looked at the 'Headway' website, but they do say they provide practical and emotional support for families and carers of people with brain injuries, so it may be worth giving them a ring to see what advice and help they can offer you. Best wishes, Sarah

I can't quite believe what you have been going through - totally shocking how your husband and yourself have been put through all this. I'm really pleased he has made the progress he has since coming home and being treated locally and long may it continue. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Simon, Welcome aboard! There just seem to be too many stories of delayed diagnosis of sah, mine included, which, given the seriousness of the condition, is not very satisfactory:frown:. Thankfully, someone was eventually on the ball and you were treated well. It certainly takes some adjustments following a sah, one of the most common being the change of pace that is forced upon us. It can be quite frustrating at times, it's quite common to get 'good' days which can be followed by days where you feel totally wiped out. Recovery really can be a roller coaster ride and some times you wonder if and when it's going to stop! Hopefully your own journey of recovery will be a smoother ride than the diagnosis. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Stuart and a warm welcome to BTG. This site is certainly a great place to find when you've had the misfortune of suffering a sah - it suddenly makes you feel less lonely and realise others are experiencing similar things to yourself during recovery. I wish you well in your own recovery, best wishes, Sarah

This is such sad news Zoe. I hope recollections of happier times will help you all through and alleviate some of the pain. Sarah

I too, am so sorry to hear of your latest news Zoe. It's simply heartbreaking after all you have already been through, I can't imagine how difficult it must be for you all just now. Thinking of you, Sarah

Hi Michael, I've just read your latest post and am so pleased your brother is on a normal ward now and equally pleased that he responded so positively to the accupunture. That must have given you all such encouragement. I hope the next session goes well too. Keep us posted, Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Emma, welcome to BTG I'm sure you'll be finding some useful information on this site - sadly the lack of information on leaving hospital doesn't apppear to have improved since I had my sah 5 years ago:roll:. I'm not sure if you have visited the brain and spine foundation website but there is a leaflet that you can download on there which gives some useful information regarding subarachnoid haemorrhages. I had the same experience as you in that the paramedics left me at home:frown: I, like you, found that to be unacceptable given the seriousness of this condition. Even if the symptoms do resemble a migraine, surely they should err on the side of caution and get it double checked. I wish I'd taken up a complaint myself, instead I asked my gp to and whilst he told me he did write to the ambulance service, I am not aware of any response from them. It was six days later that I finally got to hospital. I wish you well in your recovery, Sarah

Hi Gemma, a warm welcome to BTG:-D It doesn't matter how long your story is, all stories are unique and personal and I too found it a great way to release everything and found it quite therapeutic. I am so glad that they found the aneurysm before it had chance to rupture - that really is a blessing. More often than not it appears that most of us don't get any warning signs whatsoever beforehand. Any operation on the brain will require 'recovery time', so take it easy although not always possible with a young one around! I too have a wide neck on one of my aneurysms which they are monitoring at intervals. Good luck with your follow ups. Take care Sarah

I'd like to reduce the fear and stop seeing danger is so many things. Five years on, yet I can't get away from me seeing so many things as being a potential hazard - I hate it. It is obviously becoming noticeable to my family and probably a little irritating for them too as I'm always warning them about 'what might happen'. The other week we were watching someone on tv doing their first parachute jump and when I commented that they had to put a lot of trust in the person going down with them ie to open the parachute, I heard my 13 year old son say: "Here goes Mum again with her health and safety". I got up to go out of the room and as I did so, he said "watch you don't get a splinter on the door - it's made of wood". I did find that amusing, but it also made me think I must be quite annoying with my constant reminders about danger! Sarah

Hi, just thought I'd pop in and say hello and welcome to BTG. I'm sorry to hear that your brother has been through this - so difficult for you all, particularly as his fiancee is due to give birth. I wish your brother well in his recovery and look forward to hearing news of the new arrival in due course. Take care, Sarah

So pleased to hear there was such an improvement today Gail:-D I'm sure the progress will have lifted your spirits. I hope he manages tomorrow's task ok. Sarah

Hi Gail, I'm not surprised you are beginning to feel down, you have an enormous amount to deal with. You have had your life turned upside down and yet somehow have to remain strong and continue being a wife and mother, trying to keep everything together. There is a huge amount of pressure in that and I think you are doing marvellously well. Tears are harmless and do actually help - hopefully you will feel more able to cope again soon, but if the feelings go on then don't struggle on alone, there must be a listening ear out there - your GP may be a good starting point if needs be. I hope your next visit is a bit better for you. Although time can appear like an eternity, it is your husbands best friend and with it he will continue to improve. Is there perhaps someone at the hospital that you can discuss your concerns with - it seems a lot you are carrying on your own shoulders right now. Best wishes, Take care, Sarah

Hi, I have a neck on mine too, which is being monitored, but as yet does not need attention. I did however have a second embolisation to add more coils to the aneurysm that had ruptured so I can only tell you about my experience with that. I was in hospital about 3 days in total. The procedure was the same as it was following the bleed - under general aneasthetic, via the groin and up to the brain. I believe the second one was easier for the surgeon as there was not the blood from the bleed to deal with. I was operated on a Wednesday and was told I could go back to work the following Monday. Whilst I felt fine (and relieved) immediately afterwards, I did take several weeks off to fully recover. I found tiredness again to be the biggest factor. I think it is quite natural to be worried - I know I did plenty of worrying before my second op although it wasn't actually as bad I thought it would be. I wish you well with it all, Sarah

Hi Juliette, Sorry you are going through all this uncertainty at the moment. A good move in getting your angio this Thursday to avoid having to ponder over things any longer than needs be. My coils had compacted too, unfortunately it happens in a few cases. I also have an untreated small aneurysm - mine was discovered after the initial bleed and has been monitored since then, but nothing has been done with it as yet. That was nearly 5 years ago and I have been driving all this time. I remember well all the stress etc that was involved at the time so I can empathise with you. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Conni, a warm welcome to BTG. I too am sorry to hear you are feeling this way. Many people who suffer a sah can feel isolated afterwards as they have to deal with various after effects that they have been left with, but have virtually no help or advice after leaving hospital- to have to deal with this on your own will be so much harder and I admire you for having had to do this. Like Tina suggested, joining in the daily banter in the Green Room would be a good starting point to perhaps help you feel a little less lonely. The other good thing about joining this site is that everyone who participates has first hand experience of sah and therefore there is plenty of understanding and compassion. Best wishes, Sarah

Hi Jillian, Welcome to Behind the Gray. Sounds like you've been through quite a lot - I hope everything continues to improve for you. Whilst the therapy and physio alone will be hard work and tiring, you will at least be benefitting from all the effort you put in. I can understand that you don't feel able to consider returning to work at the moment, but maybe you will feel more confident about it later on. wishing you all the best, Sarah

Lovely to hear from you again Desy. Well done for all your efforts, I hope things work out for you, but don't go overdoing anything and don't forget that brain needs a little tlc:-D Despite all the problems you've encountered, you are an asset to the 'BTG team' especially with all those lol's - a sense of humour is always a bonus. Best wishes, Sarah