Slim

hi there I'm glad u r starting to feel happier about things. I think its agood idea to get intouch with headway I would also ask your g.p recounselling. if u get nowhere I would write to original organisation stating u still need help u r unable to access counselling and you would be grateful if they could explain why why your needs don't meet there referral critera. I would leave this as a last resort as I feel it can be a drain on your energy. l've not been to headyway but good feedback on this site you take each day as it comes, people can be insensitive but I suppose how could they understand. I prescribe that your loved ones spoil u rotten. have a fantabulous day Aine x

Hi Laura I rarely felt the affects of alcohol or had hangovers, Could easily drink any off the boys under the table. Possibly body Mass index i would usually be the lass girl standing. In the early days I didn't fancy alcohol at all. After 1/2 drinks would be staggering. It has taken me as while to adjust but now I not overly bothered, i'll have a couple of glasses max at a weekend but even then It has to be a nice bottle. I did miss the socialising at the pub but think all of us lot now looking after our health a bit more and not doing the binge drinking. I was drunk for the first time in a year a couple of weeks ago. It happened by accident genuinely I was out doing Weddingy things with my Pal who's getting Wed and Lunch progressed with me getting Merry. Felt ok next day. I now will look for the non alcho beers and am happy to drive. Non Alcho Cobra (is good) Slainte Aine xox

Hi Linda Great News Aine xox

Hi John hope you feeling better, I haven't a clue guess we just have to go in good Faith. Keep an eye on your chest though. I was dosed with the cold and thought I was being a hyperchondriac (can't spell) But turns out I have bronchittis. Oh the Joys. I was actually chuffed as I thought it was all in my head Take it easy Aine x

Sorry Laura sorry nearly forgot about this. I had thought Occupational Health Assessments were Standard but the feedback on this site seems to be to the contrary. I said I would give a little bit of info on my Occ Health etc. The following is a link to the Health and Safety Executive website. There is a lot of info there but before you get bogged down in it I would ask your personnel dept or manager what there procedures are for returning to work. link is http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ohindex.htm I had been off work for 12 months. My Personnel Dept sent a Letter stating I had an appointment with Occupational Health. The purpose of the Assessment is for an independant organisation to assess if I am ready and able to return to work. What help and support I might need on returning to work. The Standard seems to be a Phased returned. Possibly relocation of office etc. My first assessment was in December. I had an appointment with a Doctor this was with an organisation who provide occupational health assessments, My company paid for an organised the assessment. I expected Treadmills or heart monitors etc, I'm always a dramatist. She simply asked me how I was feeling about things? did I feel I could return to work tomorrow? did I feel I could ever return to work? I was very emotional in the meeting and we agreed that I certainly couldn't consider work at that point but I would have a reassessment in a few months. It took place last week. Again the focus was on how I was feeling, essentially we know what we are capable off. A decision was reached. I won't go into it know as I'm waiting for my personnel dept to get in touch with me. What I have noticed, I was raring to go back to work 3months etc, now looking back I realise how out of it I actually was and I'm really glad I've had this time to heal and get things into prespective. At this point I am much better to make an informed choice. What still shocks me though is in December I had improved dramatically from the year before, and was feeling quite good in myself. At this appointment I was dosed with the cold and generally feeling terrible. But the Doc saw a huge improvement in me from the previous appointment. Just goes to show this is a continuous process. I'll keep you updated. Sorry for the Ramble Ainex Good Luck to everyone in the Career conundrums

Hi Jim and Cal. First SAH 6 weeks before I had text book symptoms. Explosion in the back of my head. Bizzare sensation poured over the top of my head down my neck. I neck became very stiff. I had just got up to wash the dishes. (was only hospitalised for a night) I was running (late for a meeting) Something popped in my neck. again my neck became very stiff. I had a drain on top of my head. Small bubble is still there (Ommaya Reseviour) (I think) I was in hospital for 3weeks approx. I had headaches for the entire year which reappeared as soon as the last dose of medication wore off. Have now discovered I was having rebound headache. Have weaned off the painkillers since Oct/Nov and now only have headaches/neckache if I'm extremely tired or a bit anxious! Take Care Aine x

Hello there Michael Its a bit of Ulster Gaelige. I think, I picked it up at the Gaeltacht in Donegal. Kila have one of their albums named something simlar, can't remember where they are from? You know I don't know if I've ever been to Clare but some great songs about the place Re Car Journeys (First 3-6 months)I used to find them exhausting and my neck was very weak. I bought a neck cushion (like travel cushion but not inflatable) Mines is a Cushtee. got it from Amazon. Saw similar ones in Dunnes at Christmas (just different material) (Did feel a bit self conscious on train but really what price is comfort)! Slainte Aine xox

How's it going? i won't let you down Stephen. The Stuff I think you are talking about is Dulse. Either loved or hated. I'm oflatter. Haven't a clue re Sea Kelp equivilant You might find some info in following Link. http://www.seaveg.co.uk/dulse.html Tog go bog e Aine xox

Hello There Michael Welcome to the Site, good to hear you are up motoring about and insurance etc sorted. Look forward to hearing from you and the Mrs re you retirement exploits. Tog go bog e Aine xox

Hi Stephen /Everyone I'm with Viv whilst this is a very individual, know one really knows what we are capable off until the time comes. I think all of us would agree that we barely recognise the person we were after the SAH. I certainly don't. Whilst 3 months etc are milestones. Its only now 1 year on I feel yeah things are going to be ok. Whilst I had no major complications, I was indeed Dory Finding Nemo/an emotional wreck and a mouth that would have felt at home in Tourettes Bootcamp. Don't Despair. Def don't let this set you back it really is best to take things one day at a time. You will get there. Love and Hugs to you both. Aine xox

Hi to the Night Owls, Donald currently on the way home. They left early. By sound of things the deserve to be beaten. Donald a fly boy didn't mention The Bhoys were in Town on Sunday. He'll have a busy weekend. My Bro a Celtic Season ticket holder, so there will be some tormenting going on. Portia don't think you are having a bad evening, you have every right to be angry. I think your treatment was appalling and worst still it isn't a rarity. if this sort of thing was a freak occurrance I would understand, an apology a least. Grrrr. Will let you know the craic from Nice. Nite Aine x

Hi Folks Thanks for you feed back. Like yourselves I had picked up that coils can compact hence occasional observations were carried out. Situations like yours Portia are what I worry about. After Original SAH being diagnosed as Migraine I really don't have much faith and whilst I do need to get over this I would like to feel I am being looked after. Essential once there are symtoms that means something has gone wrong. "Prevention ..........." I emailed NICE (something to do with good practice in NHS) (Can't quite remember just now) will let you know if they get back to me. Aine xox

Hi Folks Back Treading the Boards again. (its never ending) I just received letter from my consultant saying coiling fine etc and thats it. no further treatment. (I would have like some sort of observation) I had picked up on the site people are getting observed and Donald thought from Edinburgh they said observation first year and then check me again in 10 years time but he won't swear to this. Just wondering what other peoples experiences are. I know we've spoke about this before but it justs gets jumble up with everything else. The hospital that is treating me is not the one that did my coiling. But my results etc are apparently sent down to Edinburgh. My Follow up 3 months Consultant Appointment. 1 year failed Angio, but MRI instead. Thanks for you help. especially keen to hear from the Scottish Folk. Aine xox

Not being treated for anything But I definitely feel I've had anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress issues. I've never been treated for depression but feel I've flirted with it in the past. I've pushed the Doc to refer me to counselling, as I'm still angry etc. I did have a lot of the "Emotional Lability" Wailing, Quick Temper, blabbing what I was thinking etc. This levelled out just about 10/11months unless I'm underpressure. I again pushed Docs to let me try Prozac as I hoped this would help with the fatigue. Reckon they thought it would help the Lability. No differences, Tried another one that does give great energy but insomnia and bizzare jitteriness /crawling feeling on my skin were side effects so currently trying to get sleeping pattern readjusted and being patient letting things heal at their own pace. What I did notice was an OT in the early days couldn't cope with my wailing, wanted be to get checked for depression which i did but wasn't. Seemed to me if you get labelled with depression your symptoms are very much attributed to it and not taken as seriously. I think its very unfair. Slightly Rambling but you know what I mean. Aine x

Congratulations. Hope you don't mind be asking all these questions. Like yourself (at that time) I don't have kids, very broody, how were your fatigue and hormones during pregnancy? Mines go awol just generally at the moment. How were the sleepless nights, and coping with the babies generally? Thanks Jess Aine xox

Hi Folks Forgot about this post, Karen I think its good to have info so thanks for putting it out there, Jess where you on the Site just before you were due to give birth? Someone was and I've often wondered how they got on. Especially with Labour post Sah. Thanks Aine

I was caffiene addict prior to SAH hated tea, Now I love a cuppa Tea have a few a day. Hate bog standard coffee but when out like a Decaf Latte's, Do feel better when I increase water intake. Missed having a bottle of beer now like, Tiger or Cobra non Alcoholic. (Can't remember which it is.) Have a glass or two of red at the weekend but took a good few months before I could even think about it. Been reading that Diet Doctors book (its great only problem is I now have a zillion things wrong with me ), Section on Liver detoxing, lot of symptoms are like ours, Fatigue etc, so concentrating on peppermint tea's milk thistle etc will let you know how I get on. Aine

Hello there Folks, I lapsing well behind here I had the grand title of Carers Support Worker, (Social Work ish) I would work with Carers i.e Sues situation above, Ashamed to say I've been procrastinating helping put info up on the Carers Section. I find since the SAH I've lost a lot of confidence, patience and concentration. (Really try not to think about work type things) I was extremely stressed before the SAH its taken 14months but only now can i see the benefit, I am indeed taking time to Smell the Roses and its great. Don't know if this helps, I often thought about changing my job, but ultimately thought I couldn't afford it. Loans etc. (On paper we can't) But Now don't have a choice, its not a bed of Roses, my wage stopped last September, do have my Husbands Wage and Incapacity Benefit. I realise now I'm happier than I've been in a long time but we can cope, have money for the big things and thats all we need. Good Luck with deciding what to do. Aine xox

Hi Karen, No not at all. I'm still giving my system abit of time to recover. Think Donald would have a heart attack if he read above message I always like to try and think ahead. Even with the coils I'm guessing natural child birth adds alot of stress to the system. And there have been folk whose coils weren't 100% successful or have other anni's. Not that I'm on the negative spiral, just wanting to be as well informed as possible. Need to lose a good couple of Stone before I even think about it. Aaah but there are lots of gorgeous babies about at the minute. Soo Cute. Admittedly I'm still at the auntie stage and quite happy to hand them back Aine xox

Hi John Good Luck with your appointment, think the waiting/unknown is often the worst part. Look forward to hearing how you get on. Take Care Aine x

Hi Karen good to see that link. I've been dementing my Doc's re hope of getting pregnant and worries about childbirth. I've been told no concerns at all. also re hereditary. they seem to be very reluctant that there are links. felt like I was being extrememly over anxious I think it makes sense that if the body is under a lot of stress a quick link is bound to blow. I'll keep at them. Thanks Aine x

I've always been greedy, recognise the missed one in Sept then the one on Halloween. I can't remember what I did, I remember being really wound up coming up to the dates but now haven't a clue!! I always recommend raising a nice glass of red. Have a great time whatever you do. Aine x

Hi Laura, I'm not sure of the legaliites, but I was under the impression that an Occupational Health assessment was quite standard and had to be completed before someone on Long Term sick could return to work. There is usually a graded return to work. Did you say earlier that you went straight back full-time? That must have been tough. Other folk I've heard usually start off with a few hours a week to build themselves up. If you have a Union I would ask them, and your G.P. Good Luck. Let us know how you get on. Aine x

Hi Kim Sorry to hear you are having a rough time. I hate being in the hospital, reinforces that you are "sick" and being treated like a "patient" feels like you are not incontrol anymore. Big Love and Hugs to you and your Mum. Aine x

Hi Laura, Just wondering have you had an Occupational Health Assessment to see if you are able to go back to work? After talking to my G.P and a period of Good Health and feeling slightly pushed by my boss, I thought I was going to be back to work in Jan. I had a slight relapse b4 Christmas, thought I was back to normal and I over did things. My Occupational Health Said def not ready for work just yet but will hopefully reassess me in Feb. I agree it is good to go out, but there are somedays Fatigue does just take over. I feel the Doc's sometimes find it hard to read if a person's symtoms are more because of the Fatigue or Depression. I'm having a reappearance of the emotional labilty at the moment was crying at the soaps the other day Big Hugs Aine x