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Hi Laura, What a crappy day you've had. Don't let them get you down. I have been appalled by the general off handed approach in aftercare. I like my consultant but have probably learned more from this site. I was told I didn't have a stroke, But Guess that medically its not a stroke as they see it because its a Haem... Stroke. Naturally you have lost faith but do keep on pushing, esp for your scan in 3 weeks. That will at least be another step. Whilst I wouldn't wish an SAH on anyone really they can't know unless they have or cared for someone like ourselves. Although a little compassion costs nothing. Some of the people I've meet have been amazing a deserve a medal, there are others who have been very lacking and really should not be in the caring profession. You hang in there. Big love and Hugs Aine xox

If you are now on Benefits, You May be entitled to some extra concessions. it will depend on your Benefit but things that spring to mind are. Concessions/free study at local college outreach centre. City Council Concessions. (Especially Sports and Leisure) Aberdeen have an access to leisure card one of the perks is free swimming. and concession rates on cups of tea. Every area is different. So have a look and see what else you could be entitled too. Aine

Hi Helen, I'm currently trying to get counselling for myself. This wasn't something that was readily offered, I have been referred via my husbands health Insurance but if that doesn't work out my new G.P as offered me a session at the clinic. This was not offered by my previous G.P The general feedback I've had is why do you need counselling. As in Sami's case I feel we've (our families too) be through a very traumatic time. I'm lucky in the sense I've not suffered depression but I am still very angry about the course of events that led up to the last SAH. I think everything is worth a go. I understand competely were your Mum is at. You are over joyed that your Mum is still with you but she is grieving for the person she feels she was. The difficulty with having all this time to think is we (I certainly) over analyze things. I feel my personality has changed massively but my loved ones say not. Depending on how sorry I am feeling for myself that day i will either choose to believe them or not. I saw a NeuroPyschologist. She did remark that my confidence had been severely shattered, and this can fuel the frustration and Anger. Good Luck with things. Its alway good to talk. Aine xox

Hi Graham Welcome to the Site. There is a great bunch of folk here. I can truely say i could not have got through this last year without their support. Great to hear your Doc was on the ball. You will get there in the end. Looking forward to hearing from you. Aine

Hi Robert, Welcome to the Site. I can only echo what the others have said. I still have numbness/pins&needles and balance issues. I'm still pushing to have the numbness recognised, but have had some confirmation and help on balance issues. Which did reassure me. Even at this stage I'm still healing and I've learned from others on this site it will be a process that will continue for a long time. I was also told I'd be back to work in 3 months and was gutted when I couldn't go. My husband since told me My Neurologist told him it would be at least a year I guess sometimes they are in a difficult position and want to give us the best hope. These times are only a guideline. You will know when you are ready. This time last year I wasn't able to switch on a computer. Now whilst still not ready I am in the serious process of organising a return to work. I have learnt life is indeed too short and we need to appreciate where we've been, how far we've come and take our time about where we are going. You'll get there in the end! Hang on in there. Aine xox

Hi Snowbunny Welcome to the site. Still snowless here in Aberdeen, send some our way. I love a good snowday! look forward to hearing from you. Aine xox

Hi Kim Exercises aren't difficult but I really think this is advice best given by the professionals. My balance generally isn't badly affected but when pushed there where obvious deficits. I would feel sick when doing exercises at which point I need to stop. I just wanted to raise awareness to get people to ask their G.Ps etc I hope you Understand. I can't remember your Mums situation, has she someone looking after her? Are you ok? You are up late. Aine x

Sorry not as exciting as it sounds. I've always found that after sex I feel like I have run a marathon or have the flu etc terrible neck/back pain and I would be unable to leave the house the next day. This has improved greatly in the last year. What I couldn't understand was the effects would be the same regardless of how gentle the exercise. Physio explantion is that there are lots of Hormones released during sex and as many of us Ladies are greatly affected by the cycle and are troubled by the increased hormone release this seems to make a lot of sense. Don't take this as Gospel, it is one professionals opinion. But it seems to make sense to me. Aine x

I've just started with a new private Physio who coincidently has a special interest in balance. I was discharged from NHS with no obvious difficulties. I felt things where still not right but was with the physio for my ankle and it progressed for there. Intially things seemed not too bad but then he did a couple of exercises and I was appalling. However he has given me exercises to build up my resistance and our fav phrase the brain can be retrained. As you'll know balance issues are very common with SAH but this is the first I've heard that exercises can be done to improve it. Thought you might be interested. Aine x

Hi Girls Thanks for the support. I'm a stubborn mule have rebooked for Thursday Well thats what credit cards are for. I do think I've been overdoing it. Think you are right Louise, the body does indeed tell us. and guess it was time I took some of my own advice. Karen the kids and Eric will have a Fab Christmas you being there is the best gift they could ever have. Big Hugs Aine xox What a difference an hour makes, whilst I'm still rough thought I was dying a while ago.

I've had a couple of wonderful weeks was even putting wheels in motions for going back to work, weaned of codeine. Last night and today I've been in horrendous form. Headache nearly as bad as SAH and pain in Coxis but no explosion. I also feel I'm coming down with something feels like flu but I know what our resistance is like (sore throat hot cheek etc.). I was due to fly home today for Christmas had to cancel flight now feeling extremely sorry for myself. Have asked GP to write me out prescription for the heavy duty painkillers. Anyway despite having a moan. I vaguely remember a thread were people had probs when they leant their neck on the bowl at the hairdressers to get. washed. I think I'm just having a combo things was getting a bit energetic seems to bite us all. vaguely remember Karen and Keith have a rough time a few weeks ago. Any advice greatly appreciated. Aine xox

Hi Mollie As with Louise I've come across loads of folk that have been refused first time. It is usually with conditions such as ours, M.E, M.S Mental Health Arthritis Fybromyalgia etc, Conditions that are extremely variable. May get a refusal one time and then get awarded Middle/Higher rate. Doesn't make sense. Best of Luck, Aine xox

Hi John, yeah Fatigue is definitely the F word. I get hit when I've a lot going on (especially when kids visiting) and if generally run down. Never as bad as orginally and I bounce back a lot quicker. It still is a kick in the teeth though, when I'm in good form I forget sometimes that the SAH ever happened, when Fatigue hits its a big reality check. But as i said above recovery is a lot quicker and I think body now is a lot quicker telling us when we need a rest. Take it Easy Aine x

Hi Stephen Welcome to Behind the Gray, Sorry to hear about your SAH There is a Fantastic bunch of folk here to help you through it. Don't worry about your memory etc. It is exceptionally early days. I had SAH 31/10/06. Last Christmas I was quite Doolally. Whilst I still see a slight deficit in my Memory on my Neuro psy test my memory Average plus! I did have a (Misdiagnosed) SAH (Head explosion etc) in the previous Sept and was able to return to work within 6 weeks. (Although I really don't recommend this)! The Fatigue / Emotions are the biggest Killers, Take time, listen to your Body and you will get through this. Its amazing what a difference I have seen in myself and the rest of the gang over this last year. Working with vunerable people and doing sleep overs are extremely stressing on the body at the best of times. On the plus side we really appreciate how lucky we are with our loved ones. Good to hear from you. Take it easy. Aine

Hi Louise No Worries, I took abit of time as well. Have a go if you have time and are feeling up to it. update on my Consultant. I had heard he had left. Not left as yet but will be going in Feb. But I'll hopefully get the results of my Scan from him in the next week or 2. Aine xox

Hello Guys I don't know if this is appropriate or not. If not Karen/Keith just remove post. There is currently a consultation of the NeuroCentres in Scotland and the proposal is to close local Services and Locate to the Central belt. This I think would be madness especially as we know how important it is to get help as soon as possible. I would be grateful if you could fill in the questionnaire and to email the link to as many folk as possible. Even though you have no experience of my particular hospital you will be able to draw from your own situation. www.scotland.gov.uk/neuroscience Web address. click on ways to get involved then An online questionnaire is now available This I just copied from email Hi folks we've gone from Petition to Questionnaire. I would be really grateful if you could take 15 mins to fill out this Questionnaire. I know some of you have already been helped by Ward 40 and for the rest of you it is somewhere you will hopefully never have to avail off, but really we never know what is ahead of us. I Think it is crucial that we have a local service that can deal with any problems as quickly as possibly rather that the 3 to 4 hours down the road. Especially at a time when every second counts. I don't think Donald or I could have coped without having the support of our Family and friends coming into visit. Donald had to stay in Edinburgh for a week (when I was at the Western Infirmary) It was much less stressful for him when he was able to return to our home for the rest of my treatment in Aberdeen. Thanks Folks Aine xox PS if there is not unit in Aberdeen, that means alot of Nurses,Dr, O.T's Physio's etc will be surplus to requirement. "Can I please encourage all of you to take some time to complete the online questionnaire being conducted by an external research group in the potential significant reduction/closure of neurosurgery in Aberdeen and Dundee. This is important as this report will go to Nicola Sturgeon ( Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, Deputy First Minister, Deputy Party Leader) who will have the final say...." Many thanks (PS it takes about 15 mins)

Hi Mags My heart goes out to you and your family. Take care. Love and Hugs Aine

Hi Sue, Whilst I now roughly understand how to do it, will get D on to explain it. I think the colour squares make it really confusing, they've nothing to do with it as such!! keep up the good work Aine x

Hi Suze, Good to hear from you, Sorry its in such circumstances, with so much happening it can be quite an isolating and frightening time. I Def think this time is much worse for you guys, I remember nothing about my HDU days I to was also pulling out the drain apparently I think I was also a bit nasty to my Husband (Not my family for some reason) And I was really horrible to a particular nurse. The Staff are used to this sort of behaviour and realise its not intentional and for you and your Mum to realise this is still very very early days. I was out last Christmas, and quite frankly still a bit doolally, Now a year on I don't really remember last christmas but this year I am in the process of getting my license etc sorted and my life back on track. What I'm saying is just be there for you're Mum and Dad. Don't take everything the Doc's say as written in stone. But they have been through this before and are able to give you guidelines about what to expect. Good Luck will be thinking of you and your family. Aine x

Hi Kim Great to hear about your Mum, I'm with the other's I think recovery is really a continuous thing whilst it can be slow its great to look back on the improvements. Hang in there and take care I'm sure there's much more in the plan. Love and Hugs Aine x

Hi Sue, Like your self there were some I couldn't do and I got a bit anxious thinking well that bit of the brain must be gone. But with Practice and Donald explaining (The symetrical crossword) I'm now flying. Stick at it. I hardly did any of the first book, gave it to my mum but when I was ready got another one and I found it alot easier. Possibly because it is now familiar to me. I would def do there daily puzzles and then top up with the others, otherwise it could be to overwhelming. Think we def can retrain these brains Good Luck Aine xox

Hi Karen Good Luck I think its Def worth a go. I would photocopy the form after you are finished, and maybe send it registered post. (even though you get an envelope) Quite often things are lost and if you have a copy it saves rethinking all over again. Copys are good for when you need to reapply. Finally I prescribe a big glass of wine. These forms are depressing you do change your mindset from being upbeat and positive to how do I feel on my worst days. Explain everything like the person reading the form is a 2 year old. Let them get a feel how you are doing. Good Luck Aine xox

Hi Linda, What can say Priceless. Take it easy Aine xox

Hello Folks I'm still aspiring to a DS Lite but until then I'll try this paper version. There are Daily Puzzles which apparently work out different aspects of the brain. I could never understand the concept of Sudoku but this mag has a simple version and now I'm flying. I have found my abilities increased since I started doing the puzzles, Donald has even started doing them too. (I find the visual things very difficult like spot the difference or find the shape. bizzarre!) This has also improved! I do warn you, some of the puzzles (symmetrical crossword especially)I hadn't a clue what they wanted (even when I looked up the answers) I was quite disheartened thinking I was completely dense Got the Engineer to explain what I was to do! Its Frustrating but Fun Aine xox