Sasbo

Sounds like a SUSpect scan to me Sarah

Hi Sarah Welcome to the site from another Sarah! My partner, Fiona, is from St Albans - her parents live in Marshals Drive so I know the area a little bit. We're now living up in Cheshire so don't get there as often, particularly as I'm still recuperating post-SAH. Anyway, good to meet you and to have you join in this great forum - it's the only place I could find like it where you can find people who have undergone the same experiences and are fighting their way through. It's a tonic! Love Sarah xx

Hi Stella Great news about your mum. Give her a hug and good luck to you all Sarah

Hi there With you all the way on this one, girls (and boys). I'm having a 'getting things done' morning - or at least trying to and am being thwarted all round so have my Efficient, Don't Get In My Way, Don't Mess With Me Sarah Head on when dealing with pet insurance company (grrrrr - really painful) and accountant (grr grr double painful). Anyway, Fiona warned my dad what mood I was in and he says, "good, she must be getting better at last." AAAAAAGGGGHHHHH. Don't think we'll ever win this one! Anyway, chins up everyone - at least we understand each other and can have a moan here. Have a good day Love "back to hassle accountant" Sarah

OK Guys I'm home, safe, and in one piece. Here's what I felt, both outbound and in as there were minor differences: Flew from Luton to Gibraltar, and return, via Monarch. On the way out, through screening, I didn't set off any security alarms. I did on the way back, at Gibraltar, although went through twice (due to pedantic customs official) and set it off second time through. Obviously can't be sure whether it was down to clip or not. OUTBOUND FLIGHT A lot of ear popping went on and I'd forgotten to put in the anti-air pressure ear plugs (memory failure yet again!) plus some weird "sensations" in the scar area but not much actual pain. A little pain/discomfort behind the right eye. About three quarters of the way into the flight I got the horrid disorientation feelings - not sure if that was due to flight itself or just one of those times - and on descent more ear popping and 'bruised' feeling around scar area. For about three days my head around the scar area felt like I'd walked into a wall - it felt very bruised and my right eye was uncomfortable in its socket. Not painful, but uncomfortable and dry. I also got a sporadic sharp pain in the scar area but not too often. Some minor aches in aneurysm area too, both sides. As I've said in the past, I had the SOMIC procedure which means that an incision of about 3 inches was made along my forehead and a flap of bone was cut away in order to reach the aneurysm, bone flap then replaced. At its best this area of my head can be described as 'undulating'. However, over 4 days in Gib it was extremely lumpy and bumpy, both visually and to the touch - I was something of a tourist attraction for a while. Had a day of undulation only, and then flew again - same lumpy bumpy still not back to undulations. INBOUND FLIGHT Again, forgot ear plugs (how stupid???). Immediately after take off I got huge pins and needles in my right leg which lasted about half an hour. I'm not prone to them and don't think it was a coincidence. Same ear popping etc. as outbound flight. I will certainly fly again. Yes, I was worried and yes it was a little uncomfortable. No doubt I will always have worries but it wasn't as bad as I expected. Sorry I didn't road test the ear plugs. However, I have it on good authority from someone who flies regularly across the globe in all manner of aircraft (civilian, military planes and helicopters) but hasn't had any brain surgery that they are excellent. Hope this helps. Sarah

Phew and blimey There're loads of clips and pictures of them too! Here's one link: http://www.aans.org/education/journal/n ... 11-2-4.pdf Karen, I'm sorry but I can't get the hang of doing links and images properly - hope it doesn't cause problems..... Sarah x

Hi Louise I only know where mine are/were as I asked as an afterthought. The one that burst was over my right ear (technical term, that, over right ear! - I think they told me the proper name but I've forgotten it, does anyone else know?) and the remaining aneurysm (unwelcome guest....) is above my left ear. I'm now curious as to what kind of clip I've got and I'm v impressed that Al has one of each. How many are there for us to collect?? Not that I want to, of course! Sarah x

Hi Louise Sorry, pressed the wrong button and my post just posted without me posting - if you follow me!! Yes, weight has ballooned and I know I've been eating more chocolate etc. since giving up smoking but it still seems out of proportion. Did weight gain level off by itself (with sensible eating of course!) or is more urgent attention needed? Any advice warmly accepted! Sarah

Hello All Appointment went fine but, due to some of the stuff that I told my neuro, he wanted to send me for a CT scan as he thinks I may have some fluid on the brain. Just got appointment through, it's on Tuesday 13th March so just a couple of weeks to go......Not worried about the procedure but obviously concerned about what might be found. However, it will give me a clue as to whether second aneurysm has grown at all, thus helping with THAT decision! Al, I haven't been told anything about not having MRI scans or clips being damaged and certainly haven't been told what kind of clip I have - but I do want to know now so will ask at my next appointment then we can compare! Sarah xx

Hi All Started to watch it on The Rock (staying with friends so all mod cons!) but couldn't manage it all which was a little embarrassing but everyone was very understanding. Don't know why but found it increasingly disturbing as it unfolded. Sarah

Hi there I was suffering from high bp for about two years prior to SAH and am now on bendrofluoromethazide(?) daily which is keeping BP in check but sending me to the loo a lot (mild diuretic) and I'm convinced it's contributed to weight gain. Nothing to do with chocolate, fruit pastilles etc. at all! My doctor told me I'd probably be on some form of BP tablets/treatment for life now but, hey, it's better than the alternative! Keith, like you, I know when BP getting higher as there's head pressure and I feel agitated/'buzzy' and impatient. Sarah x

Hi JimJam That's great news and such a relief. Give your mum our love Sarah x

Hi Big Al Welcome! Good to read your story too. Sarah x

Hi Christine Just want to echo what everyone else has said about the site being a great help to all us SAH-ers and to say welcome too Sarah x

Hi All My surgeon and GP both told me I must surrender my licence and, depending on whose desk it landed (which they translated to "jobsworth or not") would depend on how quickly it could be returned. I got a very nice letter back saying "thanks for being a responsible citizen" but have heard nothing since so have sent a re-application. I'm not sure if my concentration is good enough for me to be driving yet - Fiona says she'll be staying off the roads if I do!!!! But seriously I don't quite feel ready in myself yet but would like my licence back for such time as I do. Sarah x

Hi Jan Good to meet you. This site is a great help, as everyone has said, as you realise that you're not alone and that what you might be feeling, well someone else has probably had similar and can help from their experiences. I've come to the conclusion that it is so hard for everyone around us to appreciate what we're experiencing. In fact they can't - whilst they do a brilliant job in looking after us it must be so confusing and painful for them to not be able to understand what's happening. This can get very depressing - I know it does for me and I must appear so ungrateful at times. But here we can let off steam and everyone understands - it's magic!! Anyway, once again welcome and hope to chat soon. Sarah x

Sorry, what's this post about? Ah, yes, memory. Forgot for a minute. My memory is absolutely terrible now. Short term is the worst, and I can't remember a thing of what went on in hospital apart from being woken up for drugs (hardest question was what's today's date, particularly when you didn't even know what time it was). The kids, however, think it's great. They're quids in now.......! Sarah x

Hi I started to suffer from migraines after my son was born (he's 21 now) but they gradually eased off and I'd only get one every 6 months or so. From about 2 years pre-SAH I would have bouts of illness but couldn't put my finger on what was wrong - generally very lethargic, headache, neckache (felt like I wanted to lift my head off my neck and put it on the bedside table kind of thing..). These bouts would last between 2 days to a week. Had Bells Palsy twice, about 17 and then 15 years ago. I've seen on other sites instances where SAH sufferers have had BP in the past but it's always been said it's not linked. I keep forgetting to mention it to surgeon or doctor though. For about a year pre-SAH would have severe headaches on shorthaul flights. Blood pressure increased and was high from about 2 years pre-SAH. The 3 months leading up to SAH were extremely stressful, although the surgeon said that stress wasn't a factor. My mum died very suddenly and unexpectedly in June, on holiday in Italy, we were on holiday in Dubai so had to get home early, meet my dad, sort everything out etc. etc. so we then decided to move up north to be with my dad (converting a barn on his farm but living in his house whilst conversion happening - still are....) so had the stress of house selling. We had - we thought - sold it but then got let down. Eventually sold it to the next door neighbour but that wasn't without trauma (not their fault). The original buyer was called Helena and I christened her Helena Haemorrhage as I'm sure she's the one wot caused it!!!! Very stressful job - although a lot was self-induced due to my perfectionist tendencies - with lots of overseas travel and meetings in London. My previous job was also incredibly stressful with hours to be worked as necessary and there were a lot of necessary hours! Think that's all. Sarah xx

I love the smell of cigars...... Sarah x

Hi I've not had a seizure, as far as I know anyway. Certainly not been told that I had any in hospital. However, I do get very 'twitchy' and can't control this twitchiness. Seems to happen mostly when I'm in bed trying to sleep. Foot will twitch, arm will twitch, sometimes quite violently and I 'hit out' and I occasionally wake myself up twitching....feel a right eejit!! I haven't mentioned it to the doctor yet - keep forgetting (and that's another story - memory!). Sarah x

Hi Carol It will get better, I'm sure. It is great to be able to share our experiences and realise that we are not alone. I still have occasional dizzy spells, used to have quite a few initially. I'm now 4 and a half months post SAH. Still have to have a daily sleep. I still get headaches, grumpy, short with other people and sleep is fragmented. BUT I'm alive and once I remind myself of that everything seems much better. I realise that things will never be the same again but equally I do value things much more. Love to you both Sarah xx

Hi Was bordering on chocoholic before SAH, now definite chocoholic! Also, got this thing for rowntrees fruit pastilles which I never really ate before but now can't get enough of them. Weird! My sense of smell is a little diminished now but taste is ok. Make a lot of fresh fruit juices and drink more water. Also, whilst I drank tea before I now feel the need for more cups of tea. Restrict my coffee intake to when we're out for a special cappuccino treat. Used to drink diet Coke/Pepsi but don't know. Do occasionally buy the caffeine free diet coke. With alcohol I find I'm squiffy after just a glass of wine, and after a couple I'm anybody's - just can't hold the liquor like I used to! Also completely drains me the next day. Must go, Fiona's just made me a brew!! Sarah

Hello I've just checked and there was no mention of aspirin when leaving hospital or, indeed, when I was in there. Sarah

Hi there I smoked 15-20 a day since about 18 (so for 30 years) apart from when pregnant with both children. Don't know why I started again after pregnancies, but I did. Anyway had my last cigarette the night before my haemorrhage - not intentionally, just that I had the SAH first thing in the morning and hadn't lit up first! Being in hospital and relatively comatose for 10 days meant that I wasn't in a position to miss it and then, when surgeon said smoking was a major factor, well that was that. Also, due to other circumstances, we're currently living with my dad who doesn't smoke so that kind of makes it easier. Sarah x

Hello I'm the complete opposite and my internal central heating boiler appears to keep overheating! Hot flushes abound but I don't think it's to do with my age...........if you know what I mean!! It's definitely SAH-related. Sarah x