sallym25

Hi Sam, Welcome to the site, Without being cheeky can I just ask is it Samuel or Samantha? Sorry but I just like to check I'm getting my info in order in my head. It must have been horrible to be in hospital abroad away from family and friends when they're most needed. I'm sure you will love it here as everyone is so helpful and friendly. It really lets you see you're not alone. I still find myself with little cognitive problems too, and I'm a few months further on than you. I do think though that it's becoming less over time. Hopefully it will go completely soon. Look after yourself and keep in touch here. It helps lift the spirits. Sally x

Hi Angela, I hope everything goes well for you on Thursday. I've never had an Angio so I don't know what it involves, but I know you are concerned about it. Let us know how it goes and hopefully we can make some arrangements to meet up when you feel better. Sally xx

Hi Sonia, You found us. Looks like I'm facing the wrath of Mike for this:oops: Ooops! Hope you'll all help me out. Wish he'd join us here. He'd be an asset to us all. I'm looking forward to your story. Take your time. I'm sure it's hard to not miss out important bits. Never done mine yet, for that very reason. Sally xx

Hi Girls, Welcome to the site. It's a really great place to chat with people about these things. Am sorry to hear you are both feeling so down. I had my SAH a year past in June. Until then I too was positive and outgoing. My doctor prescribed Fluoxetine when I went to him with severe depression a few months later. They have helped amazingly. I know if I hadn't gone for them there's a good chance I wouldn't even be here today. A few people said "no dont go on them", But I'm so glad I ignored them. I told the doctor about this and he explained how they work and that they aren't addictive. I would now recommend them to anyone who thinks they might help. I hope you both get past this stage soon and that we will hear more from you as your recovery progresses Sally x.

Maggie, Thanks. I have noticed it's taking a little time to go through. Karen has posted on the upgrade thread to say why. I almost posted twice yesterday too. Can you tell me the address of the site for telling you which benefits can be claimed. Half the battle is the trying to find all that out. Thanks again. Sally x

Hi, Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. Some questions are already answered. I now know it's a phsycologist I need to ask for. Lynne, you're so clever for someone so young. Your posts always amaze me with how well you describe it all. Wish I could take you to my doctors with me. I have a pathways to work interview on the 18th. Been to one already and just feel stupid trying to make myself understood. Gary, Yes a whole year on. Thank goodnes I'm finished with all the 'might not wake up if I go to sleep' and 'I'm no use for anything' stuff. I still think they were the hardest things to get through. Gill, can you tell me what DIAL is please? I never heard of it. Oh well, thats the sun out now. Think I'll go for a wee stagger down the street and talk mumbo J to myself. Hope no one sees me. Thank you all again for your kind words. Sally x

Hi everyone, I've recently had the first anniversary of my rupture and clipping. I see everyone saying regularly about going for scans,angios and therapies. Other than a chat at the six month mark, I've had none of this. At that 'chat' I was told remarkable recovery, you can go. No scans to check the clip or anything. I have a blind area which the opthalmologist looks at every six months., but he has told me this will not improve. I am slowly learning to compensate for this. Due to it I am having problems getting back my drivers licence.Driving was my Job before this too. My ESA was stopped after a medical a few months ago and now my DLA is due for re claiming. I am thinking now I am classed as normal. Unfortunately I know I'm not entirely "normal" . When I am faced with a crowd of people I just seem to cut off and withdraw into myself. I can't concentrate on what people are saying to me. It seems I will have to find a job but I know I couldn't cope with the likes of shop work. What if two customers need attention at the same time? Also I could sleep 24 hours a day. I've tried doing that but I never feel refreshed or energetic. I never really understood what ESA was anyway. My sister organised it for me while I was 'out of it'. I know it stands for Employment and support allowance but that makes no sense to me either. Thing is, I'm sure there must be something that someone like myself can claim, even if it means attempting to do some kind of job at the same time. I just don't know what it is. Can anyone help with this. While I am here, can I ask if anyone can tell me what the difference is between a psychologist and a psychiatrist. I thnlk I need some kind of therapy but don't know what kind. I hope this makes sense to someone as I'm confusing myself trying to write it all. Thanks for taking the time to read all this mumbo jumbo. Sally x

Hello Kasim, Thank you for updating on how Myra is doing. Sorry to hear It's not been straightforward for her. You hang on in there for her, as I'm sure you all will. Please tell her we are all praying for her and looking forward to her next contribution to our little daily wingeing sessions. Lots of love to her, and all of you. Stay strong. Love Sally xxx

Hello Again Alan, It wasn't incoherant or waffly at all. I'm sure it's a real struggle to try to 'keep things normal' for your kids. I know it's exactly what I wanted for my kids at that time though, so I expect Erin will feel the same. I didn't have any limb troubles so I can't advise you there but I have lost a large section from my field of vision. Unfortunately they said it will never come back and I'd eventually learn to compensate by scanning things automatically. I'm still working on that and I do feel I'm slowly getting there. Time will tell. I hope you will keep us updated on Erins progress and that eventually we will be able to talk to her too. Meantime look after yourself and I wish you, Erin and the children all the best. Take care. Sally x

Hello Alan, I was just reading the posts on the brain and spine site too. Lynne said it all perfectly in her reply there. Memory issues and tiredness do seem to be the main two things we all have in common for a lengthy time after SAH. We all tend to agree that life in general is lived at a slower pace. Am sure we were all headless chickens at one time. 7 weeks is such a short time. I didn't personally have problems with my limbs but It's guaranteed someone on here will be able to help you with advice on that. Meantime I hope Erin continues to improve in the coming months. Wishing you both all the best. Sally x

Hi Bagpuss, Welcome to the forum. I too have third nerve palsy. I am a year into recovery and please be assured your eyes will get better. I couldn't have prisms as the were too far out from each other. My double vision lasted five months and they made me wear the tape on my glasses. I remember one weekend when the single vision first started to come back. It was only for around 10 seconds and kept happening for a good hour. Next day I managed to hold it for about 25 seconds each time. I was so elated I sent lots of texts telling my friends the good news. As time progressed it has just got better and better. I now only have double to the extreme top, left side and at the very bottom. When they told me to give it a year I was horrified. But honestly you do start to change your own opinions along the way. Now I say " what's a year in comparison to a whole life. As for the driving. well it's a real big issue for me. I was driving in my job and still don't have my licence. I do have a pretty big blind area, which I think is causing the hold up. Hopefully that wont be the case for you. You are so so early in your recovery, Please give yourself time to allow your brain to work on things. I hope you continue to improve and can find the patience to allow it to happen. Sally x

Hello Ben, It is such early stages for yourself and Janey. I am sure you will find this site very helpful. As Maggie says, you must remember to accept help offered and make sure you rest. You need to keep yourself strong. One of the best pieces of advice I remember was my husbands friend telling him to 'remember, this is not forever.' He was so right, though we did doubt him at the time. Things can and do improve dramatically with the help of time. Kelley too is right when she says you should speak to Paul. He has looked after his wife Linda for quite some time now since her SAH. He will catch up with you soon I'm sure. Meanwhile I hope you and your family can rally round to help each other. Janey is so young too. She needs you all so much right now. Look after yourselves and take care. Hope you will keep us updated on progress. Love to you all Sally x

Hi Mel, I think I'm just about to be given up on by my work too. The DVLA seem to be stalling in returning my licence. I delivered parcels locally for the home shopping companies. In the last few months I was back doing only saturdays as my husband could drive the car and it meant I could still keep my foot in the door. However after having a holiday away recently they are telling me they wont let me do it anymore. I'm hoping to return to driving in the next 6 weeks too, so I Might get in touch with the bosses boss. That will go down a treat I'm sure. Hope you get yours sorted out too. Sally x

Hi Garyolly, Welcome to the site, Bring it on????? So soon???? Give yourself some time! You are so early in your recovery. You shold have been told. This takes a long time. Say that next year and you mite mean it. Honestly. I called friends at work , telling them "I'll see you in a fortnight". That was last June. I'm still a couch potato today! You will find this site very helpful if you look into it properly. Everyone has had a haemorrhage and all have different kinds of deficits. Every time you need to ask a question someone will respond. It's quite amazing how many people are out there who have to deal with the same issues. I hope you will get all the help you need here. ( No, that's wrong... I'm certain you will) All the best! Sally x Sally x

Hi Nick, I think, as long as you feel up to it, and want to try it, you should go ahead. Just remember not to push yourself and if you feel like stopping sooner than you hoped to , stop. I joined my local gym and went 4 times a week for a couple of months. It never did me any harm and I always was the type to pack it in when I got fed up. Good luck if you decide to give it a go. Sally. x

Wey hey!! Am off to Cyprus tmorrow. Got a few Quotes for insurance and in the end went to a company ai've used lots of times. My fortnight in the sun is covered for me, my hubby and our two kids for only £37.50. They're called 'Insure and go'. And they were great. hope this is useful to someone. Sally x

Hi Jen, Hey .. poor wee blueday.. Lets get him to start a campaign on our behalf. Bet he'd get results ASAP! I recently lost my entitlement to ESA.. Think it was cos their rotten wee nurse knew nothing about brain injury. She was too busy asking if I could watch corrie. and HOW LONG EACH DAY! She was determined I should give timescales on how long I could spend on computers, TV and sudokus. I got 6 whole points for being half blind and nothing else. I would think it's way too early for them to try that with you and I sent my appeal in the same day. Then I got a letter saying it needs to go to a tribunal. October is the earliest it will be heard. My poor wee hubby will just need to keep forking out till then I guess.( I hate the"'kept woman" feeling. ) My appeal letter was mega sized and will I get tore in on the day? you bet I will!! Hope you don't have to deal with this so soon after your op. Good Luck and keep us updated. Sally x

Hi Luisa, As you know, all my issues are due to my eyesight also. I am just at the year stage now. Clipping was a year ago yesterday. I have noticed quite a difference lately on the fatigue front. I dont need to sleep every day now but maybe stll about 2/3 days a week. This has made a great difference to me and if they would just give me the go ahead to drive I would go back to work tomorrow. I think I'd still need a bit of help with the chores if I was out working every day though. I can,t help but think that this would make me feel almnost 'normal' again. Bring it on DVLA. So just get hubby to do all the housework and that will let you concentrate on getting back into work mode without any other stresses. Best of luck. Sally x

Hi Willow, Welcome to the site and well done to you for being able to post so soon. Don't think I was capable of that after just a month. Hope you are doing well and continue to do so in the future. They all told me 'baby steps', and they were right. Just you take it easy for a while. Hope we will hear from you again soon. Sally x

Hi Katie, Firstly welcome. I've been reading through your posts over the last few days and I think that , for someone so young, you seem really clued up on life.I wonder if thats resulted from the CBT you were talking about. I think this could be a help to me too. Who should I contact to ask about it. I've never heard of it before. I was sorry to read about your brother and your subsequent problems. everyone deals with things in a different way and as someone said in an earlier reply, If there had been more help for you at that time you may have taken a different road. I'm sure you will be an asset to us all here. Look forward to reading more from you. Sally x;-)

Hi Mark, Welcome to the site. Hope Annette is not having too bad a day today. I am sorry I cant help on the critical illness thing but she will almost certainly be entitled to benefits. I myself am on Disability Living Allowance and since having my SAH almost a year ago now had been receiving Employment Support Allowance. You would have to contact your local Benefit agency for this I think. I will check this with my sister, who had to do all that for me. Remember she is still very early on in her recovery and honestly, It's amazing how much the body can recover. Look after yourself too. She needs you more than ever. Best of luck to both of you. Hope to hear more from you soon. Sally x

Hi Leon, It's great to hear from someone who's had so many years pass since SAH. Glad everythings turned out so well for you. Mine was in the Right MCA. One of the hardest things I've found coping with was how depressed I became. Fortunately I'm past that now, but I'm ashamed to say I felt really sorry for myself for quite a while. Kept thinking 'why me?'. How awful that must've been at only 27 years old. I'm in the process of trying to get my driving licence back. ( field of vision test on Thursday norning) My nerves are shattered just thinking about it! Thank you for sharing your story, and welcome. I haven't been here very long myself, But everyone is really nice. Sally x

Poppy. Thanks ever so much for passing this on. I'm looking for a holiday now and my Husband John mentioned to me the other day that we may have trouble getting insurance this year. You have saved me a lot of time which I'm sure Id have spent trawling the internet. I will get straight on to your company first as soon as I make my booking. Will let you know the outcome soon. Thanks again. Sally. x

Thank you all so much for replying. It's great to know others are willing to listen. Some of your stories are quite amazing. I can see me becoming a bit addicted to this. Hope I wont be too much of a nuisance to you all. Thanks again. Sally

Hi there, My name is Sally. I have spent the last few days reading through a lot of the posts on your site. I think this is a marvellous thing, as, since my operation to clip a ruptured aneurysm last June I have found it really hard to explain how i feel to people. I am amazed there are so many of us out there and yet it's been so dificult to find someone who can understand me. I have lost a fair sized chunk from my field of vision. My doctors say this is permanent and there is a possibility I wont get my driving licence back. Wont give up hoping for that for a very long time. I know I could still do it! I've had lots of little problems to overcome, had quite a bad bout of depression for a while. Thankfully I seem to be totally over that stage now. Still takes me a few extra seconds to keep my brain in concentration mode. Hopefully that will gradually improve too. I live in scotland with my husband ( who has been my saviour since this happened) and my two young teenagers. I am sure I will be visiting this site regularly as everyone seems to be a great source of support to to others. Thank you for taking time to read this. Sally