ninja

Hi I was put on aspirin after a stroke in 1992 and when I had my SAH they were all aware in neurosurgery and I have been told to continue taking them. I take 75 mg every day so I suppose it depends on your medical history. Cheers John

Hi I was a regular pub goer prior to SAH and used to enjoy a good drink. Post SAH I can't even drink one pint without feeling unwell next day, still go out but stick to soft drinks and sometimes Kaliber (no alcohol lager) but tastes like soap. Still have a very good appetite and eat far too much. As far as sports drinks are concerned be careful as many contain caffeine which I am told is very bad for us especially drinks like Red Bull. I drunk that after coiling to overcome exhaustion it worked but doctor told me it was dangerous for SAH patients so needless to say I don't touch it now. Cheers John

Hi there I smoked about 15 years ago, 15 to 20 cigarettes a day and I also smoked cigars until I had a stroke at 42 years old, I am now 58 years. The consultant told me then if I continued to smoke I would die that was enough and I packed it in. Fifteen years after packing it in I had an SAH but they still asked me if I smoked when I said no they still wanted to know if I had smoked in the past. I now hate being in the presence of smokers, can't stand the smell and am looking forward to the ban in two months. They say that ex smokers are the worst and we probably are but when you are actually told of the risks after having a stroke by a consultant it makes you stand up and think. Best thing I ever did although many will say "Well you still had a brain haemorrhage,"my reply "Yes but I'm still here it may have been all so different if I was still smoking," so my advice is PACK IT IN, life is so precious as we all know. Cheers John

Hi All I have great difficulty sleeping waking every 2 hours, I dream every night and they are very vivid, however the nightmares are diminshing. I always liked a lie in but they are a thing of the past, I am up and walking the dog by 7am. I sometimes have an hour in the day but then feel washed out. With regards to the other things you mention Karen. Exhaustion is a big problem with me in fact the other day I didn't know how I would walk home but fortunately I met someone to talk to so rested awhile. I did have a hectic lifestyle being very fond of a few pints, I can't drink one now, fortunately I don't smoke although I did 15 years ago. As far as flying is concerned no way, I wouldn't have the patience to hang about in airports let alone fly anymore, theres plenty to see in this country. I am now 12 months post SAH

Thats it in a nutshell, I've downloaded it with the aim of showing my friends although knowing me I won't. Talking of friends one I haven't seen since Bank Holiday Monday and the other once since the New Year, I used to see them at least 2 or 3 times a week, possibly I do take over the conversation or am boring but yes I did survive against all odds and I am ****** well proud of it so what you see is what you get. I am really glad I read it it makes me feel that I am not alone and it also makes you appreciate what your partner has to go through. Good I have got that off my chest now I can go out full of the joys of Spring. Cheers have a good day John

Hi all Thanks for interest, good news my aneursym has been successfully coiled except for a small gap which they will examine again in January 2008 to see if it needs filling. Consultant told me that it is unlikely to bleed again and that I can now fly and basically enjoy myself. I was told to watch my blood pressure and not to smoke which I don't do anyway. I enquired as to headaches and exhaustion and basically was told that I am in the lucky 33% and it is an unfortunate side effect that may or may not go away and to do what my body tells me. He also told me that the likelihood of having another haemorrhage is the same as any other person so pretty good news hey. Eventful day time I went to bed. Cheers All John

Hi All Sorry been offline for awhile, got my appointment with my neuro surgeon today for result of angiogram so a little apprehensive at moment. Got a headache, ache all over and knackered, perhaps its good to feel that way when I see him. Hopefully by tonight I'll have good news and can have a double diet coke!!! Hope the new year sees you all well and oh yes I have applied for a card from Headway perhaps this will explain things to my friends? Hope to be more cheerful later. Bye for now. Cheers John

Hi Annie No problem I'm 58 years, don't worry too much many men have it and out live it. Without dwelling on the subject on this site perhaps you may want to check out http://www.prostate-cancer.org.uk. Hope everything goes alright, Iwas going to rant on a bit more but the boss (wife) has just rung so must pick her up. I don't know what I would have done if they had stopped me driving its a godsend. Cheers John

Hi everyone Just had some good news about my cancer, apparently I can live with it as long as its monitored and shouldn't cause a problem for about 12 years so all I want now is the result of my angiogram on my brain regarding the coiling and then I can put my life back on track again. Still got the problem with my friends since I said I would not go to London, they still haven't contacted me, makes me feel some sort of pariah. Anyway there's plenty more fish in the sea and the weather isn't too bad so off out to spend some money. Hope you're all keeping well and you're keeping you're New Years Resolutions. Cheers John

Hi All How many of you have experienced the problems I am experiencing. Some months ago I agreed to go to London and stay overnight to see a show travelling to and from Wales by coach. Since then due to headaches and exhaustion I feel that I will be unable to stick the pace and rather than be ill in London I have decided not to go and because I look well friends don't seem to understand and think I'm making excuses which obviously gets right up my nose. I am also told by another friend that I would feel much better if I lost weight and walked along the riverbank. Losing weight I accept but at times to walk our local riverbank is like asking me to walk from John O Groats to Lands End whether I be 9 stone or 17 stone. How do we educate such people because at times I feel like bopping them one. I am one year into recovery and have good days and bad days as do you all. I have got most of my marbles fortunately and do try to explain to people but can't seem to get through to them. Any advice would be appreciated. Cheers John

Hi All Happy New Year to you all and thanks for advice re angiogram, the after effects appear to be easing now. Went out last night to attempt to enjoy New Year celebrations but had to go home at 11.15pm due to headache and exhaustion, my wife understood but the looks from others was a bit disconcerting as if they were saying "Surely you could stay until midnight, don't be so miserable." Perhaps somebody should design a placard to put round our necks so that people could see what we go through!!! (Only kidding). Hopefully you all understand pity others don't. Still thats the moaning over at least I woke up without a hangover I wish you all a good 2007 and continuing recovery. Bye for now John

Hi Its me again as I said everything went OK but since coming home I have felt more tired than usual and had more headaches than normal. I have made appointment with my GP but just wondered if anyone else who has had angiogram have experienced same? Cheers John

Hi everybody Angiogram over now and was completely painless, nothing to worry about didn't even have any pain from anaesthetic injection. My only problems were lying flat on my back for six hours and trying to "wee" absolutely impossible but fear not nurses found a way also suffered from bad indigestion whichI think was caused by the dye, thank goodness for 'Gaviscon'. I returned home by 12pm the following day and up town by 1.30pm, perhaps I shouldn't have done that exhausted now. Just waiting for result now. Thanks for all your help and advice. Cheers John

Thanks everyone I feel better now its just that the appointment came as a surprise. I've read your account Keith and its helped, I thought that the catheter just went a little way up from the groin and then they pushed the dye through and somehow it reached the brain, didn't realise catheter went all way up then I'm not very technically minded. I'll let you all know how I get on. I normally go to Cardiff at this time of year to do Christmas shopping not to lay on my back :? Cheers John

Hi All Just a quick one I have just had a phone call to ask me to go in to hospital for my follow up angio next Tuesday as they had a cancellation 12 months after coiling. What can I expect. Cheers John

Hi All Sorry I may have confused you the Gary Moore I like is a rock blues guitarist so you probably wouldn't like him, my tastes are varied just watched Katherine Jenkins on DVD, wonderful, she's got everything, looks, personality and a marvellous voice, oh yes and she's Welsh!!! I can dream. I agree with you all a policeman's hands are tied these days I cringe when I see whats going on now, there are so many obstacles now. The only excitement I get now is watching The Bill and yes Karen Walter Trout has got a website http://www.waltertrout.com. Have a nice evening Cheers John

Hi Karen Thanks for your reply, Walter Trout is a blues guitarist and was voted 6th best guitarist a couple of years ago, used to play for John Mayall Bluesbreakers??? and Canned Heat, perhaps you are too young. No I'm not working retired used to be a Police Officer!!! (now no one will talk to me). Yes I do have help my wife has been marvellous but it gets to her as well, oh well got to go Asda is calling. Cheers John

Thankyou for your welcome its good to communicate with people in similar circumstances. My problem is I look well and am overweight so people seem to think I am OK. I had my SAH last Christmas so the festive season is not on the top of my list this year. I used to go out nearly every other night for a few pints or more now I'm happy to stay in. I do go out for a few hours every day, fortunately I am able to drive. To cap it all I was diagnosed with prostate cancer recently but at the moment I am being positive as hopefully it can be treated. Please keep in touch with me I promise not to be miserable. Any Walter Trout, Eric Clapton and Gary Moore fans out there, believe it or not they don't seem to aggravate my headaches. Cheers Ninja (John)

Hi everybody Just joined your site. Had an SAH in December 2006 and it was coiled in January 2007. Still suffer from headaches though not as bad as original one and am frequently exhausted. I was supposed to have an angiogram in July 2006 but due so they tell me to shortages and holidays it won't be done until late January 2007 or early February 2007 (hopefully) so in a state of limbo at the moment yet glad to be alive. Frequently ring hospital and see GP but nobody seems to hurry them, anybody experienced this sort of delay. Ninja South Wales