momo

Bit late but congratulations Louise.. 17 years that really is Wow..

Hi Verna I also had a lot of fear early in my recovery but with each day, as you get better, the fear will subside.

Try to replace the fear with positive thoughts and definitely talk to someone about this if you can.

You'll get through this, you have come to the right place, tell us a little bit more when you feel up to it..

Hi Jen.  I had extreme anxiety and restlessness when I first got out of hospital, I spent a month in hospital, a short time in rehab then attended rehab as an outpatient. It was there I was told that sleep was actually the best thing for this.  But how could I sleep when my brain was racing just as you describe? 

A consultant then prescribed medication for me to take for a month (long time ago so don't remember what it was). Did the trick and I could sleep again and my recovery then picked up.

Good luck and hope he gets some help with this.

Hi Jan.

I too have an untreated aneurysm that is being monitored ( I also have another blip, not an aneurysm). I had a consultation last year regarding this aneurysm and the outcome was that they put it at very low risk and that they didn't recommend treatment.

It's very small in a relatively safe area(if there is such a thing!) and the risk of rupture is just 0.1%. They first discovered it when I had my original bleed eight years ago.  It has been scanned several times during the years and it hasn't changed at all.

But what they didn't know was that I had already decided no more surgery for me...seems strange I know but I just couldn't go through it again..

If however this aneurysm had changed drastically had become unstable and the risk of rupture had been much higher say 10 - 12% then I would have gone along with what they would have suggested. 

As long as there is a 99'9% chance of nothing happening I'm happy to be monitored and take those odds.  (Add on to this the fact that I'm a complete coward and the thought of anymore surgery terrifies me..)

 So although they made the decision for me I had already decided before I even walked through the door.

Good luck with it all Jan get all the facts and try to make the right decision for you..I understand completely how you feel..

How are you?  Such a difficult one to answer in the early days of recovery..I used to fight back the tears and couldn't really answer..

I think 'there' is where you where before you had your SAH, I didn't quite get there but I'm near enough to be happy with what I have.

Always keep in mind that people don't really understand this and they struggle to say the right thing.  

Take your time you'll get there.

I was the same Nicola and it took me a long long time to go out on my own.  If you can go out with someone then have them leave you for a few minutes then perhaps build it up.  I got counselling too helped a lot.

There will be a reason why you are feeling like this but it all takes time to come to terms with what has happened and to realise it won't happen again.  It's a good feeling though when you eventually do go out on your own...don't rush things though , all in your own time..
Good luck

Hi Clare, I found my appointments with my psychologist helped me a lot.  I think its good to know exactly how this has affected you and the reasons why, which part of the brain has been affected for example.

My appointments were broken down into shorter visits as like you I couldn't really cope with the longer sessions.  I also found this really tiring both physically and mentally. I found these sessions were in themselves quite stressful.

Mine(assessment) took place about 4 or 5 years ago and my memory of it all is a bit sketchy now.  I do remember getting my results and I was quite shocked as I thought I had done really well but I hadn't. 

Stressful situations still affect me now, its important that people around you understand this. There are coping mechanisms but sometimes these are not enough for me, we are all different though and we have all affected in different ways.

You are doing really well Clare and look forward to hearing more from you. 

Good luck and if your psychologist is good she should be able to help you a lot.

Hello Jan it's so good to get that first year over with. I think it was a defining moment for me and I finally believed I was going to be OK.

Wishing you well on your continued recovery..

Life is amazing Carolyn hope you do something nice to celebrate your Two years...

Enjoy your day both of you..finally we have some good weather!!  I don't know the story either Subs but may have forgotten..Have a good day.

Hi Greg I think recovery time is dependent on the extent of your bleed, I still feel I'm improving nearly eight years after the bleed.

I also had an EVD and was told I developed an infection. I don't remember any of my month in hospital.  Are you thinking there may be a connection between EVD / infection and recovery? If so that's something I hadn't thought about.

I would ignore any timescales they give you for recovery I think they only serve to disappoint when things don't happen fast enough.

For me recovery has been ongoing..

It's always good to find out as much as you can.

 

I truly hope that from trauma whatever shape or form that some people can find a positive, an inner strength, a better understanding of life, a greater sense of purpose..all of these things.  For me though I think there are too many factors that will determine whether you have a good outcome (mentally) or not.
Lets take illness for example as that is what we have all experienced.  I think it all depends on how badly you have been affected, how good your recovery has been, how much you can do, how much you can't do. How much you feel you have lost and how much you have gained.

Recovering from an illness such as ours is so complex for each individual someone who was outgoing and gregarious might suddenly find themselves withdrawn and quiet.  A quiet person might suddenly feel they are going to take on the world just go for it.  Then there is everything in between.

I think its down to the individual person and how they want to change their lives now.  I think some people gain some sort of inner strength but I think there are an awful lot of people who don't it might simply be down to someones personality such an individual thing.

A good little article Daff but for me it might just be hokey (love that word!)... Talking of words Daff what's the 5 * word you have blanked out??

1. I went completely deaf.

2. Couldn't move my head or neck extreme pain.

3. Managed to get to reception(was at the gym) asked them to call ambulance as pain was so bad. Collapsed within 2 minutes of pain starting.

Sound like you have turned a corner Gilly.  Took me a long time to shake off the doom and gloom. I think I spent the first year or so saying why me? Just couldn't come to terms with this terrible thing that happened.

But now I'm just grabbing this chance at life really.  

Staying positive is the driving force...now instead of saying 'why me' I just think Phew I've been so very very lucky!!

Take care Gilly.

I also got professional help to deal with my fears and anxiety.  It was difficult to come to terms with the fact I needed help but I really did.  To speak to someone you don't know and who knows exactly how to help you is key.

Don't let this consume you...it will.  Learn the techniques to cope with this, get the help you need.  We've all been through so much, don't try to deal with this alone.

Hope the fear subsides soon. I understand how you feel and its horrible..

I have no fear at all now.. 

Counselling is the way forward.  You will learn coping strategies and also its just good to speak to someone you don't know but who has a lot of experience in this area.

I think depression should always be taken seriously so try to get the help you need.  

Also it's early days for you things will get better hold on to that thought.

Good luck with it all...

Hi Gemma I think you are doing really well for this stage in your recovery and I think that is promising.

 I also had a grade 4 bleed but I remember very little of my first year of recovery but I do remember having to hold on to someone whilst walking balance was pretty bad.  I would say that the first 3 years are all a bit hazy I remember some things but very limited.  Recovery for me has been slow.

I think a fatigue diary is a brilliant idea because its not just about doing too much its definitely the type of task you are doing.  I can find a long car journey very draining (and that's with me not driving)..this is because I'm not content to just switch off I watch everything on the road almost like the backseat driver!!  Long conversations especially with people I don't know very well also tire me out.  These are just a couple of the many many things that will make me fatigued even now and I'm 7 years post SAH..

My balance issues are not as bad now but I do wobble a bit when tired.  I can't stand in queues for very long my legs start to go!  I know my limits now I make adjustments.

For me I do feel that recovery is continuing. I'm a lot better this year than last year for example.  I've had to learn to adjust, adapt but most of all rest when required.  That way I can make it through the day.

Good luck Gemma remember its still early days for you, be kind to yourself.  

  

Congratulations Sarah on your 7th anniversary, sorry to hear you have had a pretty tough time of it but hopefully there will be better news on the horizon for you.  

You have been on this site for as long as I can remember (well I think so ) and I think you have come along really well over the years.

 Sometimes its difficult to pick yourself up after the knocks along the way but I have found that I'm a much stronger person post SAH but with that strength I feel I'm much more caring too. I know by reading your posts that you are too.

Wishing you lots of good luck from now on.

(ps we are only 6 months apart in SAH years didn't realise that after all this time)

Take care Sarah

momo x  

Wonderful replies here Daff for a wonderful lady, thank-you for the support you and others have given me on this site.

I can't really add much more to what has already been said such wonderful words,  but would just like to say (I think I may have said this before somewhere) recovery from this I think is ongoing it doesn't really stop. I see improvements from even last year , I am now 7 years post SAH (just)...

I would say that's maybe the same for all of us I would like to think so. The only problem is that it is such a slow recovery...when i feel a bit down I just remind myself that I'm getting better and there is more improvement to come. I'm sure this will be the same for you Daff.  

Regards to all.

Happy 5th anniversary Macca.  Keep up the good work you do on here...you have a wonderful way with words.

 
( I too was moved by Carolynusa'a response...and its not even my anniversary!!...lol )

Anyway hope you had a lovely day.

You are a shining star Win congratulations!  Or is it the diamond I see shining?

You always make me smile.

This is such a lovely thread Win..I don't think I would have made it if it hadn't been for the undying love of my husband! He has supported and encouraged me every step of the way.  He's a truly remarkable man and I love him to bits too!!  And he feels exactly the same about me...don't you just love romantic threads!!

Going to have to get a tissue now Win see what you do to me!!

Glad you're home safe and sound Carolyn I've been thinking of you.

A very brave lady indeed, now rest up and take care.

Hello Debbie.  It does sound as though you are having some issues with anxiety.  I had terrible problems standing in queues. I also had problems at night when I would wake up with all sorts of thoughts and general panic.  

I can't remember the exact extent of these but I was given medication but this didn't agree with me eventually after quite along time I was referred to a psychologist and although I didn't want to go really it was the best thing for me.  These things sometimes don't go away themselves and although its difficult we do help sometimes. 

Agree totally with Karen's advice speak to your GP.  Better to nip this in the bud.

I don't remember my time in hospital so cant really say about the water intake I do remember rehab but I wasn't encouraged to drink a lot of water. I had a drain fitted though so I didn't have the same absorption of blood to deal with.

I think as long as you drink a little and often you should be fine so long as you don't over stress the kidneys. I also struggle to drink water I've no idea why. Maybe you could try fruit juices and water them down, might help.

Good luck Debbie and any more questions just ask.

Hello Heather sorry to hear this has happened to your daughter.  SAH can affect any age group even babies.  So glad she seems to be doing well.  As for Uni maybe if she just thinks of it as a year out, many teenagers take a year out before Uni and I think that it can be a good thing.

Also if she could concentrate on something she is interested in a hobby anything to get through this year. Maybe the University could help by supplying some course notes etc just to keep her interested then she will be fully informed when she finally starts this course.

All in good time though.

Most of all she must rest when she feels tired. I remember a consultant telling me that sleep was the best thing for this.  It can be a long recovery but we are all different.

Sending good wishes your way.