JayKay

Oh sweetie He's really putting you through hell! I'm so sorry. But I'm glad you are getting on with things. Xara sounds like a little star already, and poor Luke!

Well, take care. You know where we are if you want a chat xx

I'm sorry to hear that! As for me, like many on here I suffered really badly from hyperacusis (sensitive to noise) at first. It's got better, but I still have trouble blocking out extraneous noise and can't concentrate if there are other things going on around me. It's ok at home, but when I tried to go back to work I found it very hard in the office

Yep, Nessie, I had that problem too! It's much easier now, though.

Yeah, we've got an excuse for life now!! At least, that's what I say in my family.... Although yesterday I was out with a very dear friend, and I did/said something silly (oops can't remember) and then when corrected I laughed and said "Well I've had a brain injury" and my friend couldn't understand the joke. She was very serious about getting me to put that behind me and not think of myself as having a brain injury! It's ok, I love her loads, and it was a good day so I just moved swiftly on to something else.

On a bad day I'd have got very p***d off with her, as I did recently when another friend told me to move on.

Oh Janet, that must be awful, living with pain like that I'm so sorry you have this side-effect from your surgery. I really hope the pain clinic works for you. Take care!

Well, first of all, welcome to the family! Gosh, you really don't need the stress of work moaning at you. Don't they realise you could have died??! (not to be dramatic or anything!).

I only had the angio when I was rushed in with the bleed, so I don't remember much about it. However, I do remember saying to them that I would probably move as I was scared, and they said "we need you still for this" so they sedated/anaesthetised me. I'm sure someone will come along in a minute and give you more info as there are plenty of people here who've had angios.

Look after yourself first. Work can wait. No one is indispensable, ok? Take care!!

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry you got upset. Please don't fret! I was very much like that in the early days, and I would get very very confused and overwhelmed by stuff that I'd been doing in my sleep for 30 years as an Executive Assistant. I couldn't take care of money or anything.

If I'm anything to go by, it WILL get better. I am 13 months post SAH and I don't get so confused any more. I couldn't tell you when it got better exactly, I think it's been a very gradual thing. I am not 100% yet, but it's a million times better than it was.

Keep the faith xx

Hi Juliette, and lovely to meet you, although shame about the circumstances eh?

You'll hear this time and time again, but make sure you take care of yourself and don't overdo it. I didn't believe anyone when I was told that, but I'm 13 months post-op and I'm really only just beginning to feel better.... (Like you, I was told there was so much blood they couldn't see the aneurysm, so although they tried to coil, the next day they decided to operate and they found a large aneurysm that is now clipped.)

Anyway, I'm glad you've found us. Take care now x

That's good news Bessie! Probably the letter got lost in the post (it does happen), and I'm glad the eye is nothing to worry about. They always say 2 weeks to me too, but mine clear up within a few days....

In the beginning, I came to BTG everyday to try and connect with people that had experienced something that few people live through. As time went on and I thought I was better, I avoided BTG so that I wouldn't have my SAH as my defining identity.

Wow, I could have written every single word of that lol. Especially the bit above.

I am so happy for you. I totally agree that we've actually been lucky to have this wake up call. I for one am definitely never going back to being a PA full-time. Part of me feels a huge loss, as I was PA to CEOs and the like for 30 years, but I can't do all that multi-tasking etc and I really don't want to waste my life wiping grown men's noses for them.... That's why I have my plan and have started turning my hobby into a job so when I have more energy I will devote it to that entirely!

Keep smiling!!

This is interesting, because I've often had problems with the eye on the side I had the aneurysm. Once it was inflammation but then I had recurrent burst blood vessels. They checked my BP but it was fine, and then they checked my clotting, which was also fine, and I was told I must just have a weak vessel in the eye (they also checked I hadn't been lifting heavy furniture, or been coughing a lot or straining to go to the loo...).

Strangely enough, the Saturday before my SAH (on the Weds) I had another burst blood vessel. Apparently the surgeon told my partner there was a link, but I've never been able to clarify that....

I'd definitely get mum checked out at the hospital eye clinic, but burst blood vessels in the eye are pretty commonplace, so try not to worry until told otherwise! Oh, and the last time it happened to me was this winter when I got that awful cough that was going about... I coughed so much and so hard, and sure enough, I burst a blood vessel!

As for post-op follow-up, that does seem a long time to wait. As a medical secretary, my advice would be to contact the Consultant's secretary and explain what's happened. She should be able to see on the system if an appointment has been made and you've just not heard about it; or she might have to go and get your mum's notes to show to the Consultant so he can check what was decided on discharge. Mum might just have fallen through the cracks. Sadly, with the volume of work on everyone's desk, it happens....

Good luck!

Fascinating thread! My maternal grandmother died of a brain haemorrhage, apparently, but as she also had some TIAs, it might have been a clot. My mum had an ischaemic stroke 5 1/2 years ago - she was on tablets for BP and cholesterol. Apparently, she had atrial fibrillation which threw off a clot, but she also has very hight platelets which can cause strokes because the blood is stickier/thicker. We only found THAT out after my sister was diagnosed, and one of her sons.... My platelets are fine, as I have blood tests regularly for the Methotrexate I take for my arthritis.

My daughter, Claire, has been under a lot of stress at work and has been having strange "surge" headaches in the front quarter of her head. Because of my history, and also because on her dad's side of the family there is a HUGE family history of heart attack and stroke at a young age, she has been referred to a neurologist for scanning, and has an appointment early May. She wasn't at all worried about having an aneurysm when mine happened because we were told the risk was slight, but now she's having headaches it's more worrying!

Hello there. I'm not. Before the annie it was occasionally "borderline", but nothing to worry about. In hospital it was always normal, therefore they didn't put me on any meds. But this thread reminds me I need to get my GP to take it next time I see him.....

Hi there! Well, I've not had the experience of an electric wheelchair but I have used a mobility scooter via the Shopmobility scheme in town, and it was wonderful - very liberating when I was so tired I could hardly walk anywhere. I would recommend a 4 wheeler because they are much more stable. Maybe mum could sign up with a Shopmobility scheme locally first? That way she could try out different ones and see how she feels about them?

Good luck!

Yes, Karen, KUDOS! And thank you

Like Nessie, everyone who knows about SAH is amazed at how well I'm doing. In France they have the expression "rupture d'anévrisme" and people know it's very often fatal, so my French friends were even more amazed at my progress lol.

Take it easy!! You still need loads of rest.

Hi Fiona

I cant remember now but I was months rather than weeks after I was out of hospital before I had an appt....

I suggest someone going with you to your appt, If like me although you could write the questions, writing down their replies is another thing, my hubby came in with me, so anything I forgot he could tell me what they said....

Kel, good idea though using diff colour of pen for answers I did ask about mine but they never did tell me where it was size or anything....I just asume it was front right as thats where my scar is.... could be wrong tho.....

keep resting as and when and listen to your body....

Yep, I got my partner to come with me in case I forgot anything, but I like the idea of taping it....

Also, I didn't find out the first time where my aneurysm was (assumed front right like Louise!), but the second time I asked and the doctor put one finger on the bridge of his nose and the other at the temple and said draw a line from each finger and where they meet is where the aneurysm was! Right in the middle then I asked because when I looked up ascending communicating artery it was indeed in the middle underneath the frontal lobe (kind of) so I was confused why the scar was on the right. Apparently they gently probe between the lobes till they get to the middle (sorry if that's too much information) - they don't cut through the lobe, if you know what I mean.

Sorry to be graphic but it helped me understand! It also gave me greater respect for what I'd actually been through...

How're you doing today?

I meant to add, don't worry about what the doctors might or might not think about you. It's their job to see you and make sure you're ok, and they assure me they'd rather see people and rule everything out than have sick patients staying at home and missing out on treatment. Take care.

Hello and WELCOME! Gosh, you've been through it. And the lift episode is amazing...

I don't want to be a party pooper, but I also wonder if you're not pushing yourself too hard too soon. This comes from experience, believe me! My SAH was 13 months ago and I was sure I'd be back at work by the summer at the very very latest. Ha ha ha. I've continually pushed myself and continually had setbacks and ended up in bed for several days at a time... Like Sandi, I'm not trying to scare you but you must promise you'll listen to your body and if you ever recognise any of those symptoms you must remember what we told you

I know what you mean about, how can I be so tired, I've just sat here for 2 hours. Well, your brain needs energy to mend and it's draining it from you. It's just your body's way of telling you to slow down.

You sound amazingly positive, so I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but, keep smiling

Hi there. I, too, was supposed to be seen 6w after the op, but the appointment came through for 3 or 4 months I think. Being a medical secretary I know how hard it is fitting patients in clinics, so all I did was check with the Specialist Nurse that it was ok for me to wait that long (she checked with consultant) and then chilled.

When I first returned to clinic they looked at my scar to see if it was healing well, removed a stitch from the back of my head where the drain was (it had been forgotten lol), and basically answered questions about the size of bleed etc. They also told me the fatigue was normal but did send for some bloods to check my thyroid was ok etc and that there was nothing else causing the fatigue.

At the second follow-up I told the surgeon's registrar I fully expected to be discharged from their care and he said "let's see if we can meet your expectation then" lol. This is because I know (again through my job) that they've done all they can surgically - I'm healing well etc - but any other issues are cognitive and not their remit. I was indeed discharged so my GP is the one I go to with any questions.

And yes, according to the Stroke Association, a SAH is a haemorrhagic stroke: something like 20% of all strokes are bleeds. The other 80% are ischaemic (due to a clot).

I know it's scary - I understand that (having had panic attacks in the past, but no tingling). See, Anya's sister had all the same symptoms. It certainly does sound like anxiety to me, but again, not being a doctor I'd feel happier if you discussed it with your GP. Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight.

Hi Bay, I'm no doctor either, but I am a medical secretary in a hospital (or was until my SAH!). I would be reassured that the CT is clear as are the bloods. I would make an appointment to see the GP to discuss things. Anxiety can make our bodies do strange things, and you are very very early on in your recovery, I seem to remember. I was in hospital for 6 weeks due to dizziness, sickness etc. Apart from that, I was really not very "disabled" by my SAH, apart from cognitive issues, but still, I needed a lot of sleep and bed rest. As soon as I had visitors or did some light physio I was exhausted and sick, so it could just be that you need to rest more than you think.

My OT (at the outpatient rehab place) suggested meditation, and I do that with the help of a meditation podcast downloaded from iTunes. Maybe you could try it?

Take care and try not to worry.

Edited to add: I checked your SAH date - was it last year, is that right? I'm 13 months post-op and I STILL get exhausted, dizzy, sicky if I do too much. I hope you can discuss it with an understanding GP. x

Zoe - that's a lovely thing you did for Xara. I can tell you are a great mum! I do hope the professionals can help. I know Richard can't help that he has a brain injury and we all know that can affect mood and personality. It's just sad that Xara has to bear the brunt of it. Keep smiling!!

Oh Zoe I'm so sorry to hear this. I did worry, when you said they were sending him home, that he'd be difficult because you told us some of the things he did. I don't have any advice, because no one can make any decisions for you, but I think Lynne and Skippy are right when they say you need to take advice from the professionals. You must definitely stress that your daughter's wellbeing is at risk.

I'm so so sorry and thinking of you lots. Take care x

Hi Ian and welcome to BTG! I must admit, if I had had the non-anni type of SAH, I'd be wondering what on earth went on too, so don't feel bad. I'm just 13 months post-op and I really thought I'd be back at work months ago. It was not to be, and now I've finally accepted that the doctors were right. I'm taking it easy and listening to my body... and still trying to drink my 3 litres a day

Keep smiling!