Colleen

Maybe I can help you with this. I do concur that the circumstances seem somewhat sketchy, but I have had a few angiograms . I had a couple that I vaguely remember directly following the SAH. Then I had one about a year later. I didn't know I would be awake for it until I was being prepped. If my husband had not been there I may have left. They give you what they call a "twilight" sedative; conscious but chilled. It should help relax your back. I'll admit that I was calmed by the fact that my " original" interventional radiologist was doing the angiogram and he was the best. The following year I had another one, done by a "stranger" radiologist, but it went ok too. I'm not saying they were my favorite experiences, but they were tolerable and not painful. I think a big factor is having trust in the facility and team doing the procedure. Any other concerns you have ( ie your back pain) should be discussed with your physicians prior. Hope that helps. Colleen

Hi Kerry, I had my SAH 7.5 years ago and also came through relatively unscathed. The key word here is relatively; brain ruptures have a tendency to make cells die and while another part of the brain may take over the function of the damaged area, it is not as efficient. I too have had short-term memory issues, search for common words at times, and have had ADD-type focus problems that I never had before. So the first thing I thought when I read your post is How tired are you lately? For me, the deficits I have are more pronounced when I'm fatigued. If your problems don't ease with rest, seek professional attention from your neurologist. I know when I finally sought a consultation and learned exactly what portions of my brain were damaged, that information alone helped me be less hard on myself. I also take a low dose antidepressant to help my focus and know I have to work harder to remember names and information. Best wishes, Colleen

No prior head ache. Like Win I felt very fatigued. We were going for breakfast and my husband was teasing me about getting moving. Following a shower I began to feel this weird electrical- like hot sensation on the right side of my head. I was trying to hurry to get clothed as I just knew it wasn't good. Went to tell husband something was wrong and the crushing, exploding pain drove me to my knees. I was screaming for aspirin but luckily began vomiting. Even after, I wanted the aspirin, but fortunately I passed out and my husband caught me. Pretty much lights out from there thought I came to a couple of times for just seconds.

Hi Nat, I too have anxiety issues related to the SAH. I finally saw a neurologist who explained to me that the bleed had damaged the part of my brain that controlst fear. I now take a medication that helps, but I also use techniques described by others to distract my focus. It will get better with time, but after more than seven years I can still get a bit freaked out, especially if I hit my head. Best wishes, Colleen

Hi Clare, I had an SAH due to a ruptured aneurysm in 2008. The aneurysm was coiled, but during all the diagnosis thy I have been very cfound a second one that was not a candidate for coiling, so I had a craniotomy with both aneurysms being clipped. I was out of work for three months, then went back full time to a job I had been doing for over seven years. I was pretty burned out with the job and ready for a change prior to the SAH, but just did not have the confidence and stamina after. About a year and a half ago, a position I had long been interested in came open, I applied, and was chosen. It is a similar line of work and I knew a lot of my new coworkers from prior meetings, etc., but I had a lot of new things to learn and trainings to attend. Some days I am very confident and competent, others I am just sure I am too " damaged" to ever be as effective as my coworkers, like two steps forward, one step back. However, I do know I am my own worst critic. I also know I needed that change, just as you do, and I'm much happier where I am. You would not have sought a new position if you had been satisfied where you were, and with the old baggage gone, you may find yourself with more energy and enthusiasm. The first weeks likely will be tough, but once you learn the new routine, you should be fine. Hope you have a relaxed Sunday and best wishes for a fabulous start on the new job. Colleen

Welcome William. I had an SAH due to a ruptured aneurysm more than seven years ago and I still appreciate the support, insights, and comraderie of this site. Hope you find it helpful for you. Colleen

Belated congratulations on your four years of progress! You were given a tough row to hoe and have not only conquered the weeds, but managed to lift others up along the way. And that's what I love about this site!

Hi Barbara. I can certainly understand your concern, we all worry after the SAH. Surely it was a certain set of conditions that occurred with the coughing fit, so that now a cough should just be that.. But as others have said, see your dr and put your mind at rest if nothing else maybe you'll get an effective cough suppressant. Feel better.

A www, what a sweet man your husband is, Clare. Obviously he is glad to still have you. Congratulations on your accomplishments over the past year and best wishes for the next steps in your journey forward. Colleen

Hi Claudette, I think we all have head aches from time to time, but as others have said, we are more aware of them. If you've had the SAH, you will have some degree of physical damage to your brain. I find the side of my head that has the damage is more sensitive. I easily get headache from fatigue, stress and tension, dehydration, too much caffeine, irritating smells. Usually they are easily managed with rest and ibuprofen, but if yours are a problem, let your dr know. And yes, the thought of having an angiogram is frightening, but it is your new preventative medicine, making sure everything is coming along as it should. Hope you feel better! Colleen

I also wear a hat when it is the least cold and damp. The sinus on the "damaged" side of my head is now very sensitive, as are the bones there. I can get a headache from cold air hitting my face. Such fun, but it beats the alternative!

Congratulations, Gemma , and thank you for sharing your story and positive attitude. I think we all do well to remember that, no matter what, it all could have ended so much differently. And cheers to your husband and mother for being supportive, consistent care givers. I still think that between recovering and caregiving, the caregiving is the harder path. Keep up the great spirits and progress. May you be blessed with angelic students! Colleen

Hi Andrea, I had a similar experience a couple years after my SAH. I was having some nerve issues related to my neck and the dr who did my craniotomy referred me to a spinal specialist in his group. She ordered an MRI, which we scheduled at a facility closer to my home so I could avoid a drive to Houston. I had the same question about the coil and clips, except in my case they flat would not proceed until they received verification that they were titanium. Fortunately, everything was being done within the same hospital system so it only took a call and a faxed letter, which I still carry a copy of. However, I never did get one verifying the hardware in my neck is also titanium, so I suppose the issue could come up again. Colleen

Hi Sammy Anne, I'm so very, very sorry to hear about the frightening complication with the contrast dye. I hope your medical people get this allergic reaction figured out so you never experience anything like it again. My heart goes out to your poor family; no one needs that kind of shock. I've never had children so I can't imagine how you go about reassuring your child that you are going to be there for her. I can only keep you in my prayers and ask God to make her angel very special. Stay strong. With love, Colleen

Hi Mistina, Well, I can't help you with these issues because I have never gone in the Chat room or messaged anyone.. However , I can suggest the Green room, where we talk about daily stuff and rant when necessary. This is also where Win does most of her singing LOL. I hope you are doing better and have had your appointment with the audiologist. I think you will find this site will help you cope with all you're going through. Colleen

Good morning Andy, My condolences to you and your wife for the most difficult time you are going through. Your wife has been through such brain trauma with two bleeds and the related complications, bless her heart. I'm praying that her rehab will help her continue progressing and that her eye sight improves. Of course I'm sure you are aware that even should her sight return, the S A H is a life changing event. There will be many emotions to work through. I generally tell people that the immediate effects of my SAH were probably harder on my husband than me. After all, I was sleeping a lot of the time and under morphine for the pain. He had a lot to deal with, absorbing all the medical information, giving permissions, contacting family and arranging for them to travel to my side, taking care of the home front (my first conscious thoughts for him were who's taking care of the dogs?.). Please be sure to enlist help and get rest and healthy foods; she will need you whole and sound when she comes home. My best to you both and your family as you progress on this journey. Colleen

Hello Kim and Ashley, and welcome to BTG. This is such a great site for those of us who have lived through an SAH. I believe y'all will find it a fantastic source of information, encouragement, and comfort. I always find it somewhat distressing when I read about experiences like the one you had with your wife's medical professionals. I admit that I have been blessed and spoiled with some of the best neurosurgical doctors and now my neurologist. They've always been great about explaining what happened, showed my husband and me the images, explained where the resulting damage is and functions that were affected. When we've asked questions we've gotten answers in terms we could understand. Quite frankly, I haven't had that level of information from my GP; she just isn't on that same level. I hope you can get the answers you need from the neurologist and an explanation of what he is seeing that concerns him. The blood from the SAH itself can cause areas of cell death that look different because Once brain cells die, they can't regenerate. I know it's easy to say don't worry until your wife's recheck, but six months is a long time to have that unanswered question in the back of your brain. I agree with your plan to chill and enjoy Christmas, but i do believe you need to put your concerns to rest after the holidays. Best wishes, Colleen

Hi Caroline, I too am seven years on from my SAH. I am married, have several pets, and work full time as a coastal ecologist. I know that I don't accomplish as much as I used to; I am not as efficient and don't have as much stamina. Some days my memory is great and other days I can't remember a conversation I had the day before without clues and prompting. It's just a fact and I am quite up front about it. Yay said, I still do take affront when someone tells me we discussed something when I know good and well that we haven't. I have enough issues without anyone helping me to feel as though I've gone crazy. So I guess there are a couple ways to deal with it. Let your family members know they should make sure to have your full attention if they want you to remember something they've said, and I'm sure, like me, you have probably recognized that you have to work a bit harder to remember things. If it's something that wasn't important to begin with, laugh, claim brain damage, and let it go! ( and yes I know that is sometimes easier said than done,LOL) Colleen

Yay! Love those victories!

Hi Gilly, So am I getting it right that you had a SAH and all the scans, but they didn't find an aneurysm? There definitely are people who come to the site who have had NASAH, so hopefully they can lend you some insight and support. I definitely agree you need to see a neurologist and hope you get in soon. Also hope it is one with decent " bed side manner". We really don't want to hear about the ones who didn't make it! I'm in the U.S. and the medical system is different, but I also find my GP doesn't seem to know much about the SAH. Basically she just refers me to the specialists ( referrals required by insurance) and I generally do the background info to figure out who I want the referral to. I've been fortunate to have excellent neurological care, and they have helped me immensely. I hope you too can get the help you need. I also find folks on this site so willing to give of themselves. The beauty is that whenever someone is having a down day, there always is someone who is more "up" and ready with an encouraging word. So keep coming back, and maybe at least you'll find some comfort here.

Hi Davie, Memory problems are very common with the SAH. Mine was 7 years ago and I still have issues. For me, it mainly affects the ability to retain new information and is much more pronounced when I am tired. Yes it is frustrating, sometime embarassing, but with time you learn little tricks to compensate. I write lots of notes to myself and mentally repeat things. I also get upset with myself and my husband is always reminding me to stop beating myself up. It doesn't help, you know. It really has not been long since your SAH. I'm sure you are still managing the fatigue, maybe headaches. It will get better, but you have to understand that your brain suffered a major assault. Be kind to yourself!

Happy 7 year Anni-versary Sarah, I'm guessing you will be in your bed by now due to the difference in time zones. I did want to say, however, that one thing really strikes me when I think of all of your posts that I have read in light of all you have endured with your family these last 7 years, and that is the fact that you have exhibited such admirable grace. Kudos to you, dear lady. Fountain of sorrow, fountain of light You know the hollow sound of your own steps in flight You've had to hide sometimes, but now you're alright And it's good to see your smiling face tonight Jackson Browne

Maybe this article about subdural hematoma in the New York Times will give some insight (but not the part about being old cause you are not!) http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/04/06/for-older-adults-a-rising-risk-of-subdural-hematoma/?_r=0

I remember my 1year check-up angiogram and how nervous I was. I was pretty out of it for the initial ones at the time of the bleed, so finding out they would keep me awake for it was a " Do What?" Moment. I kept telling them I did not want to hear about the procedure and that maybe I was just going home. Hubby wouldn't let me of course. Think positive thoughts and it will be done before you know.

Mandie, I am so sorry to hear about this setback. You have been through so much these last months. Praying that the docs at U of PA can figure this out, but you simply cannot drive yourself mad over the medical bills. You may have to make payments until you're old, but the goal is to grow old! So align your priorities and tell the folks around you to stay with the program. We at BTG will keep you in our thoughts. Colleen