ninja

Hi Karen My aneurysm was in same place as yours. The problems I suffer are exhaustion, headaches and loss of balance which is increasing. I am also impatient and very short tempered. I have also discovered I am now diabetic and was told by one health professional that this may have been caused by the shock of the aneurysm however I'm not sure about that one. I also get very depressed but I believe this is being caused by the wait I am enduring for my re-coiling (Yes I'm still waiting!!!). Hope this helps. Cheers John

Hi All Been away for awhile so just getting updated. I see many of you have balance problems which I now can relate to. I've started to have problems and am more or less using a walking stick permanently ( the type used by hikers etc are very useful, they have a spring which I find very useful when walking uphill ). My main problem is waiting for my recoiling, yes believe it or not I am still waiting ( I was told on 6.9.2008 that it was dangerous to leave). Numerous calls have been made to the hospital and I've even gained the sympathy of the secretary, my GP has written as have doctors of my local hospital as I was admitted to the assessment ward some time ago for numbness to my arm and loss of control. We continue to worry the neurosurgery department and all they tell me is live life as normal and I am one of fifteen waiting. As you can appreciate my life is on hold and to add insult to injury I lost my dog last month after 17 years and my wife has told me to wait until everything is sorted out before we have another one but who knows when that will be so I've started looking. Some of you have said I should complain but I don't fancy lying in a hospital bed with the surgeon looking over me after I complained about him. Anybody got any other suggestions?? Cheers John

Hi Further to my balance problems I saw my GP today who did various neurological tests and confirmed I was unsteady on my feet, also he said I had no reflexes in my legs (don't really know what that means). He also told me that I was neurologically quite well so hopefully my re coiling will be done soon and I can get on with my life, if I've got to use a walking stick so be it I can live with that. Cheers John

Hi All My wife Babs rang again today and told the same thing that the neuroradiologist is in consultation with his managers to get a room ready for fifteen that need recoiling. Its becoming a bit of a farce now and I have in fact gone to my GP who is also amazed and is arranging for me to have a full neurological examination so once again I say "Watch this Space" Cheers John

Hi All I have just started having balance problems 3 years post coiling and in fact went to my GP today. I am at present under a physio who has recommended fitness classes but unfortunately ended up having headaches which was the main reason I went to my GP, when he realised I was having balance problems he has asked me to go back again (he had to rush out) as he wanted to give me a full neurological examination. I have used a stick frequently in fact I appear to be collecting them, at least now I know I'm not on my own. I was embarassed at first but now if any of my friends comment I just laugh. Cheers John

Hi All Just an update on my recoiling. A month ago we were told I was one of five waiting now I'm told I'm one of fifteen. Apparently the neuro radiologist is conferring with the main man whoever he is as they have to get the theatre ready to do the coiling and they have to do the urgent cases first. I really can't see how they can estimate the urgent cases as we all know aneurysms strike without warning. It is now just over six months since I was told I needed to be recoiled and that it was dangerous to leave. I was also told not to exert myself, not to bend, not to carry anything heavy etc., then my wife rung some time after and was told I should live my life as normal!!! Obviously they know what they are doing but theres an obvious lack of consideration to the patient. I really feel sorry for the secretary as she has to do all the explaining but is also very sympathetic. Watch this space!!! Cheers John

Hi Myra Happy annie versary its a very slow process but you will get better keep your chin up. All the best John

Hi I am currently on an exercise programme for a spinal/muscular problem at my local hospital. I am supposed to go today but have cancelled as I have recently been to Jersey and did a lot of walking and as a result I feel very low and have headaches so I am going to seek advice from my GP. I've literally rested for the last 2 days and feel better. As I am still waiting for recoiling I feel I should seek advice before continuing. My physio says it OK but I'd feel more reassured when I have discussed it with my GP. Cheers John

Hi Evelyn I am 3 years post coiling and still get the shakes especially when tired or stressed. It is noticeable to other people as some have commented on it. So relax you are not on your own, I'm doing it all the time at the moment as I'm stressed out waiting for this damn recoiling. Cheers John

Hi Karen In reply to your request plse find my reply:- I had an embolization of the anterior communicating artery aneurysm I was 57 years old Yes it was ruptured I am male ( I hope ) and reside in Monmouthshire, South Wales I am awaiting re coiling as original coils have compacted and neck has grown bigger. I hope this is what you want Cheers John

Hi All Since my SAH three years ago I quite frequently sleep for an hour or more during the day. I usually go to bed at 10pm and always get up about 6.30am although I sleep quite well. I used to have a good lie in prior to my SAH but no matter what time I go to bed I always wake up at the same time. I quite frequently dream but nothing like the nightmares I had after coiling. One embarrasing thing that I find I do is yawn frequently especially in company which I think give people the impression that I am bored with them which is not the case. Cheers John

Hi Joanne The main man in charge is a Mr Simpson but obviously he has a large staff. If you ask for his secretary she should help but as I said she is very hard to get hold of. Good Luck. Cheers John

Hi Joanne Welcome to BTG. I am 3 years post SAH and couldn't return to work as I have other problems as well, What interests me is that you are from South Wales as well. I am also having problems with my neuro dept in that they told me on 5th September 2008 that I would have to be re coiled and it would be dangerous to leave, I'm still waiting. I attend the Heath Hospital in Cardiff to which I am very grateful for saving my life and the staff there are superb BUT once discharged its very difficult to get to speak to anybody but please do as my wife does and keep on to them whether it be the Heath hospital or any other hospital you are a patient. We continue to badger them hopefully they'll get fed up before my stress levels overflow. Obviously I don't know which hospital you attend but you must keep on. Cheers John

Hi Lucie You've just reminded me it was 3 years since my coiling on Jan 13th so Happy Anniversary to you and Happy Anniversary to me, here's to a lot more. Cheers John

Hi All I informed DVLA and kept my licence. In the meantime I saw my GP and asked if I was fit to drive and he gave me the OK, some time afterwards the DVLA Medical Dept informed me I could drive but to notify them if I had a blackout, epileptic fit or there was a change in my neurological condition, at no time did I return my driving licence. I can assure you this was correct procedure. The DVLA have a choice of allowing you to keep your licence, revoke it or issue a new one on with a shorter expiry date ie:- one year, two years and so on. Whilst waiting for a DVLA decision your GP can advise but obviously DVLA can go against his or her decision. The moral of the story is Keep Your Licence and return it if asked, I am also diabetic and this is another problem when DVLA should know about but you don't return your licence when notifying them. Cheers John

Hi Prior to my SAH I suffered from spondylosis and arthritis of the spine. Since my SAH the problem has worsened especially at the base of my spine, I went to the pain clinic and the doctor questioned me regarding my SAH. When I had my appointment with the neurosurgeon recently he told me that the blood going down my spine would have aggravated the problem and may even get worse. He did have a name for it but I can't remember what it was. I quite often have to use a walking stick and am undergoing physiotherapy, so it would appear I had a problem previously which has been aggravated by the SAH so it doesn't come on its own. Cheers John

Hi All I continue to be amazed as to recovery times. I purchased Lesley Foulkes booklet on Subarachnoid Haemorrhage and on the subject of recovery it states " Recovery will take a minimum of several weeks and for many, several months", it goes onto say at least 3 months to return to previous levels of activity. I feel a bit of a fraud as it is exactly 3 YEARS to the day since my embolization and am in no way recovered. It gives people the wrong impression when they read this or similar which gives rise to comments "Come on you should be better now now its been 3 years!!), if only it was true. I can see from many on this website that recovery is of a much longer duration. If you tell people how you feel you are classed as a "moaner" and I said previously programmes like Emmerdale don't help. I found Lesley Foulkes booklet very helpful as I was told very little on being discharged from hospital but I think the "recovery period" is open to dispute. Cheers John

Hi All Just an update re my re-coiling. After numerous attempts to get hold of anyone my wife managed to speak to the secretary of my neuro radioligist yesterday who told her there are 5 of us on his list and she is just waiting for him to give the go ahead and untill he does there is nothing she can do or say. She was unable to give any approximate date. What a wonderful system after being told in September 2008 that it was dangerous to leave!!!! Cheers John

Hi I'm with you all the way. John

Hi I have had numerous colds and infections since SAH that I have been put on an antibiotic for at least 3 months and it will then be reviewed because you build up a resistance to them. My main problem is my wife suffers with asthma and has a bad chest and I infect her and vice versa. I regularly have a flu injection and although there are certain illnesses for which the flu jab is authorised I think your doctor can prescribe if he thinks its necessary. I am definitely more susceptible since my SAH. Cheers John

Hi All I wish to say is that I hope people don't believe the storyline regarding Edna's sister (I don't know her name). What a remarkable recovery it makes a brain haemorrhage comparable with the common cold and will leave a lot of people even more unsympathetic than they already are, obviously not a lot of research went into this story. Right thats my moan over. Cheers John

Hi All Will they ever learn what a sad case. I was misdiagnosed for 3 weeks and suffered hell for that period and feel so sorry for those that suffer and eventually lose their lives especially so young at least I have had a life. Yet it still goes on I was told I needed recoiling last September and that it was dangerous to leave, I'm still waiting!!!! Cheers John

Hi Evelyn I can relate to that. Quite often I go up town (or is it down town where u come from) and I forget what I was going for. My worst problem is medication, I take a very strong painkiller at certain times of day and sometimes I forget whether I have taken it and of course I am then stumped as I can't take them if I already have (does that make sense ) My wife now reminds me. Cheers John

Hi All I think somebody is really picking on me. I am nearly 3 years post SAH and as I have said before have suffered exhaustion throughout the whole period. Over the last couple of weeks it has been really bad. I went to see GP and I had various bloods taken. Early yesterday morning I got out of bed and my right arm had a mind of its own and was quite painful, this lasted for about 15 minutes and went. Barbara told me to go to GP again who sent me to the Medical Assessment Unit at local hospital because of SAH history. They also did tests and said they considered it could have been another bleed, stroke or a trapped nerve fortunately for me they said it was probably a trapped nerve but wait for it my blood glucose was 17. That evening my own GP rang and said the blood glucose they took from me was 22!!! and to see them urgently as I am now diabetic. Exhaustion is also a symptom of diabetes so I've got it 2 ways. It seems to me that since SAH my whole body has gone crazy and yes I am still waiting for my recoiling. Cheers John :? :?

Hi All I am nearly 3 years post SAH and have suffered fatigue on and off all the time. It has got considerably worse recently but as you will see from my new post there is a very different reason. John