ninja

Hi Nessie A big W O W I could never have done that you are truly an inspiration to me and others. Well done. John

Hi All I was told not to drive after coiling and to inform DVLA but after about two to three months I saw my GP and he told me I could drive after conducting a number of tests. He also told me the DVLA could overrule him. Some weeks later I had a letter from DVLA Medical Dept informing me I could retain my full driving licence but must inform them if I suffer any further brain damage, blackouts, seizures etc., fortunately I'm still driving so there doesn't seem to be a hard and fast rule ojher than you MUST notify the DVLA. Cheers John

Hi All Don't know if this has been mentioned before but do many of you experience frequent dreams. I can honestly say that I dream every night some of which I would describe as nightmares. I am 5 years post coiling and the dreams seem to be on the increase, I appreciate I am on a lot of medication which doesn't help but my dreams are so vivid. When I wake up I remember them for a few seconds and then go blank. Obviously I used to dream before my haemorrhage but not as much as I do now. Would be interested if any of you experience same. Cheers John

Hi Donna I'm 5 years post coiling and recently have experienced severe fatigue, depression and anxiety so I can relate to you. I've seen my GP and basically its down to me to battle through it. I am awaiting a further scan in August to ascertain if I need further coiling. What I have learned is who my true friends are as many do not understand my periods of stress, depression, bad temper etc. Those who do not understand I've allowed to drift away and stick with my true friends and of course my wife Barbara. However I agree with many on BTG thank God I'm alive and able to cope at least sometimes, when I can't I just scream (silently!!!) Cheers John

Hi A while before my SAH I had to pick a woman off floor who had collapsed also at the time I was doing a lot of rushing about and not relaxing properly. I can't recollect anything specific. Cheers John

Hi All She is a very lucky lady and thank God she's OK but I am sure I have read on this site many who have been misdiagnosed for longer. This is not a boast and I consider myself very very lucky but was misdiagnosed for 21 days. I'm not looking for sympathy as the best present I ever had was to survive. The odds I was given was a third die, a third are very severley disabled and a third survive. I believe its still true that neurologists are still not 100 per cent confident in the cause and recovery from aneurysms. I AM NOW ON MY 5TH ANNIVERSARY in 3 days time. I was coiled on Friday 13th January 2006 so Friday 13th is my lucky day!!! Cheers All:-D:-D:-D

Hi All In my area (Monmouthshire} they have an exercise course called Fit For Life which is for persons who have suffered various illnesses eg. SAH, Stroke, Heart Attack, Arthritis etc. You have to be referred by a GP, Dietitian, Practice Nurse or similar. I have joined and it is subsidised by local authority. I attend twice a week for an hour each time and not only find it helpful but have met new friends and also have a good laugh. The people who run these courses are fully aware of the problems we have (not as much as us obviously). I really thought I would go a few times and pack it in but am still going. I'm not saying its going to prepare you for the London Marathon but it definitely makes a difference. Possibly you have a similar course in your area or nearby if so give it a go or call in at your Leisure Centre. Cheers John

Hi Everybody Just to let you know I have an appointment with a Consultant of Adult Medicine for an hour on 29th December 2010 regarding my balance problems so hopefully I will receive enlightenment then. I was surprised to receive an appointment just after Christmas, they picked a good day its my birthday!!! Cheers John

Hi Sorry I meant Gingko Biloba I think John

Hi All Thanks for all your replies. I have been to see my GP who as I expected told me that loss of memory is common with brain problems. He has asked me to try Ginko from health food suppliers so am going to give it a try. Cheers John

Hi All Yet another side effect. I have recently been experiencing loss of balance in fact a person I know asked if I was drunk in town as I appeared to stagger and I don't drink. I have been to see my GP who has referred me for further tests. I asked him how my communicating artery (the one coiled) would affect my balance and he was unable to answer other than scans do not pick up everything and something could be going on, possibly unconnected with my haemorrhage. He told me to walk towards him placing one foot in front of another and after two steps I stumbled, I am also aware that I scrape my foot along the floor/pavement occasionally. Just wondering if anybody has same problem. Cheers John

Hi Thanks all nice to know I'm not on my own. I'm going to see GP next week and will ask about vitamin B12 (better write that down !!!!) Bye for now John

Hi Due to misdiagnosis I was in and out of the GPs surgery and hospital for a period of 3 weeks before they found out what was wrong and that was down to the wife creating havoc in the hospital resulting in me having a lumbar puncture and finding blood in my spinal fluid, within 24 hours I was coiled. I suffered thunderclap headaches for the whole period. Yes I was lucky to survive but even worse due to the misdiagnosis I was still driving and shudder to think what could have happened if I had caused an accident, how many lives could I have taken - a horrible thought!!! Cheers John

Hi All Can anybody help. I am four years down the line and my memory loss is getting worse. Only today I met an ex work colleague with his wife in a supermarket, he shook my hand and said " Hey John how's it going ". I knew him well and talked for quite awhile but I couldn't remember his name and fortunately names didn't come up. Whilst I am typing this I still cannot remember his name. This happens quite frequently as I'll quite often ask my wife " Whose that you were speaking to " and it will be somebody I should know well. I know the easy answer is to ask the person concerned their name but it isn't that easy when you have worked with them for years. Any suggestions? Cheers John:oops:

Hi Pamela Welcome to BTG, you will find anxiety is common with many of us. I am four years on and still take medication for anxiety although it is better. I frequently visit optician due to my short sightedness which varies all the time. Things will ease honestly. Cheers John

Hi All Many of you may remember my problems with the Neurology Department and lack of communication for which I have received 2 letters of unreserved apology. A couple of weeks ago I had further MRI scan and I received a letter stating that there is a slight change in my aneurysm and I will receive a further scan in 12 months. I also had an appointment to see my consultant which I was told to keep but true to form the day before my appointment I had a phone call to say he has to go to an urgent meeting and cancelled my appointment., I am beginning to get the "them and us " feeling. At least I now know that the diagnosis is as serious as I was told previously so am carrying on with my life. Cheers John

Hi its me Again Speaking to people in my area you need to get in touch with CAB as early as possible because like everything else offces are closing in certain areas but as Lynne will no doubt tell you they are always at the end of the phone. Unfortunately there are many who do abuse the system but if you have had an SAH that should be enough. Hey Lynne you don't live too far away from me perhaps in 2 years you may be my advisor!!!. Cheers John

Hi All From personal experience the main thing to do is get help, I used the CAB and cannot recommend them enough. They helped me both in original application and appeal. I do have other serious problems as well as an SAH but was succesful. I was given the impression that it is their intention to refuse at first application. I won't detail what benefits I have only that I have to re apply in 2 years time which obviously causes worry in case they refuse them. Apparently the renewal is in fact a new application form which has to be read by someone not involved in the original. Having had an SAH the worry is increased. When I was in employment I filled in and checked all types of complicated forms but benefit forms take the biscuit. Please get help from those trained in these matters. Cheers John

Hi Donna I'm about 4 years on (I think) and I'm still getting headaches, dizzy turns, loss of memory etc.I am also overweight and suffer from spinal arthritis which apparently has been aggravated by the SAH. I am due to see my neurologist in September so hopefully he can tell me if this is normal. I am nothing like I was pre SAH but thankful that I can get about, nothing has really got worse other than the exhaustion which I find at times is worse than just after my coiling although I do push myself which probably I shouldn't do. I find this site really helps as I know I'm not on my own. Cheers John

Hi All Just wondering if any of you seem to catch all bugs going since their SAH. I appear to catch every infection or ailment going and I'm sure this was not the case before my SAH. My body seems unable to avoid any coughs or colds that are flying about and since my bleed I have become diabetic and have quite bad spinal arthritis. Perhaps its just my age or is it down to my grey matter rebelling? Cheers John

Hi Angela I've had a couple of angiograms and was very nervous before them. When I had the last one I had a cough (probably a nervous one). I told them in the X Ray Department as I was terrified in case I coughed while they were doing it but they still carried on. I did have a little coughing fit half way through but they just stopped for a couple of seconds and carried on thinking nothing of it. I think the worse thing for me is lying still after for 6 hours. I don't know if I'm allowed to say this but I can't wee lying down so I have to ask if I can be assisted into a chair which makes me very popular!!! Hope everything goes alright for you I see no reason why it shouldn't. Cheers John

Hi I can sympathise with you, I am now 4 years post coiling and the fatigue has come back with a vengance. I am also type 2 diabetic and a side effect of that is fatigue. I have just had my bloods checked and all is OK. I have basically been suffering from fatigue for about 2 weeks and have been to see my GP who more or less says it is a side effect of both and just do as your body tells you. I don't think I have been totally free of fatigue since my bleed but give me the fatigue rather than the headaches any day. Cheers John

Hiya Linz I'm getting on for 4 years post SAH I think!!! As you can see my memory especially short term is in the land of the fairies. All of the symptoms you have I have experienced, at times my balance is so bad that I use a walking stick. I panic over the smallest thing and yes I find great difficulty in explaining things. Obviously I get good days and things are slowly getting better, I'm more or less used to my new personality but my wife Barbara climbs up the wall at times but we are getting there. You've got over the worst, stay focused you'll get there. Cheers John

Hi All Been off for awhile sorry. For all of you who have been following my saga with the hospital and the two complaints I made. I have now received two letters from the Chief Executive unreservedly apologising for their lack of communication and an appointment is being made for me to have a further MRI scan in August and they have told me that the coiled aneurysm does not need further treatment at present, pity they didn't tell me that a year ago. The other complaint which I can tell you know was their failure to notify my urologist that it was OK to have a biopsy on my prostate (it took them 6 months to send a letter) which was to see if the prostate cancer I have has become aggressive. The good news was that it has not become aggressive and can continue to be monitored but I had 6 months of worry waiting to find out. Lets hope nobody else has to go through the stress I had then at least some good has come out of it. Anyway Happy Easter to you all. Cheers John

Hi All Don't have a problem with car wash but do have problems when walkng. Sometimes I trip up on the gaps between paving slabs, also I sometimes walk as if I am drunk. I have seen my GP and he more or less said I'm stuck with it though my neuros phoo phoo it. I use a walking stick quite often for both the side effects of the aneurysm and arthritis. I've got a neighbour who felt ill and dizzy after watching the film "Avatar" in 3D so we are not on our own. By the way brilliant film!!! Cheers John