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Hi Jane, Welcome to Site, Sorry like the rest of the guys I've no experience of wrapping either. Hope you are getting better, Look forward to hearing from you. Aine xox

I asked what my GCS was as always heard it in causalty. Mine ranged from 13-15 ish. Which give me incentive as Richard Hammond was 3 and he's doing amazingly. (Don't quote me on Stats as I'm working from Memory) Should your family get checked. My Neuro said no its not Hereditary but I know there are mixed views on this. Aine

Hi Ya Welcome to the site. Aine xox

Hi there, As everyone says we are all different, But without a doubt the visit's would wreck me. Even sitting up was tiring. I remember about 2 months a couple of pals coming to visit and I couldn't get out of bed at all. I was just exhausted. I built my time out of bed up and had a pillow for resting my neck. I would get very sore. Intially I slept loads, Now maybe have a nap once a day. But just for an hour (best advice I every got) Children even yet. Exhaust me and the sound of the shouting and playing was reallying overwhelming. (Sensory overload) I love children. But there are certain sounds that affect me even yet some songs on the radio that immediately I can't cope with. I gradually increased my tolerance of visitors day my day. Now nearly year on have just spent a lovely/energetic couple of days with my neice and nephew. I did top up with more rest. But a couple of months ago I couldn't do this. Its still very early days and fatigue is awful. Routine helped me too. Take Care Aine xox

Hi There I have a Ommaya resevoir on the top of my head. Basically its a small plastic bubble they used to help remove pressure from my brain. In the early days I hated it. It felt like an apartment block on my head, really weird. Now its still at times uncomfortable, but I have gotten used to it and it doesn't feel as weird. (like yourself they won't remove it as they say it poses unnecessary risk) I'm with Janet. discuss it with your Docs. Aine x

Hello there Welcome to the Site. Yeah I think it does really affect others, because what a shock it must have been for them. I remember very little of about 1-2weeks. But our loved ones are living every moment of it. I Think as people start to see you getting back to good health they start to relax and it does get easier. Like yourself I was itching to get back to work (I wasn't that excited about work before) Think I just wanted normality. Now nearly a year on I'm still not back to work. But I now know I'm not ready for it. I'm starting to enjoy my time off doing things that I never had time for before like cooking up meals for the freezer or visiting friends. We all are different and I still miss the normality/social aspect of work but everytime I look back (3months ago) I see how much I've improved. Ultimately you know what's best for you. But do listen to your body. Good luck Aine

Hi Ali Welcome to the Site. Well done to your Son for putting his foot down, Many of us are misdagnosised and have regrets! Def listen to your body and don't rush things. in the early days, simple things like showering and drying my hair killed me. Supermarket shop was like running the gaunlet. Your brain has a lot to cope with on a SuperMarket shop. Sensory Overload!! Now nearly a year on the difference is amazing I've just spent a wonderful weekend away with my neice and nephew, carrying on like I used to. Take it easy, this is definitely a learning process and you will learn what works for you. Love and Hugs Aine x

Thanks folks, now I vaguely remember the codeine discussion before. I thought I was safe enough as had stopped taking the single prescribed codeine. Only just noticed its codeine phosphate in these pills. What an airhead. Thanks Aine

You've maybe already discussed this so apologies if duplicating. Did anyone listen to the Radio 4 Prog last week. It seemed to be suggesting that some pain killers caused headaches. "Analgesic rebound headaches. Especially those containing codeine. I'm on a codeine paracetamol mix. Until last week I was still taking 8 approx per day. Didn't dawn on me to question it, had mentioned to the Neuro that was still having headaches and he stated that It didn't appear to be anything sinister. Just dawned on me before I listened to the Radio 4 programme, that the headaches were like my days of caffeine withdrawal. I have been weaning myself off and am now down to 1 - 4 per day. I don't recommend anyone else doing this unless you have the approval of your Doc I'm seeing my G.P next week and will discuss it then. Just wondered if anyone else has gone through this. Will let you know what the G.P has to say. Aine

Hi Nita, Welcome to the site. Don't worry we're never bored. (have you read any of my posts talk about long winded) Never feel alone. We're here for you. Take Care and keep posting. love and hugs Aine xox

Aye Fit Like? I'm Irish but love the Doric. Have you been on the brainhelp website? Walter from Aberdeen. Thats how I found this one. Have only been to Fraserburgh a couple of times. My fav place is the lighthouse muesum (hope thats not Peterhead) The coffee shop is great!!! Aine xox

Hi Holly Welcome to the Site. I'm your neighbour here in Aberdeen. Glad you are on the mend. Its miserable here at the moment. What part of the Shire are you in? Don't need to answer that till you get settled in if you want. Weather here's awful at 2day. Good to have another Quine on the site. Aine

Hi Linda Well Done on Reaching the 6 months. I'm with you my main hurdle is accepting the new me. I don't know what my IQ was before but I certainly don't feel like the person I was. It really annoys me when the Docs say we should be grateful. Grrrr. Acceptance I think is the toughest thing, but 6 months is still quite early and things do get better. I've signed myself up for counselling because I still need to talk about this and come to terms with it. But I feel everyone else is bored and thinks I should have moved on. The Neuro Psy recommended I stop measuring what I was like before. She noticed my confidence was shattered and recommends building that up and to stop over analyzing things (roughly what she said). I Agree. I'm still very much holding onto the past person. I'm not ready to let go just yet but I am working my way towards, joining the 2 lives. Re:the tests I'm a competitive person and put a lot of store in the outcome. But really you are completing the tests in an artificial environment. An OT pal of mine and my Husband found the test extrememely difficult. I now have my Mum and Dad worried about their Memory as I was trying out some of the tests on them. Those tests are a guide but they are not the measure of who you are as a person. Love yourself Linda you are not a whiner but P off and thats ok. Have a big Hug Aine xox

For all the Wii fans I was having the same dilema. Would love a wii but brain training more important. Have just noticed they now to a brain academy for Wii. I've not tried either. Initial reports are that the orginal is best but the other is ok and you get to keep fit too if you buy sport. Aine xox I've discovered Pacman somewhere free online its great fun.

Hi Clare I echo what Karen says, you have every right to complain. I was in a real state before my Angio and on the day itself things ddn't quite go to plan. But don't let that put you off. I am quite a fatty and there was scarring from before and even though the experience was not the nicest one I've ever had. Its definitely not the norm and it hasn't put me off. I'd be anxious but realistically it has to be done. My recommendation is definitely have a good pee before you go. That is my lasting memory if I'm honest. Good Luck and We'll be thinking of you. I haven't had kids yet but I imagine thats a zillion times worse. Love and hugs. Aine xox

Thanks Sharon a great boost. Aine xox

HI BLONDIE Sorry I forgot I hadn't replied to this. I'm not really sure what to do. 4 Weeks ago I was despairing and thought I really can't go back into Social Work. My Memory's terrible, I blab what I'm thinking. I've lost the sensitive soul that I was. However 4 weeks on. I'm now thinking maybe I should hold on. I have always been a people person no head for business. I was inspired by Sharondale, especially doing her Phd. Also I had that Neuro P appointment. Were to me my memory is appalling they said its "average" I was so chuffed. And to top it last night I was playing the Wii (I will admit to having had a nap and the guys were all drunk) But I was fantastic (just a bit) at the baseball. Donald was torn between applauding me and being totally scundered that I was thrasing them All in all not going to rush things. I am continually amazed at my progress. I've lots of Hobbies but no real job that I'm passionate to do. Whilst I liked the money in my old job I'm now learning that whilst its a struggle I can downsize. And I soooo don't miss the stress. What a long winded answer. Had flirted with the idea of Nursery Teaching but think that could be influenced my the fact that I'm extremely broody and the moment. Take Care Aine xox

Hello there Domestic Goddess, Yeah I too am a Nigella Wannabee It is scary that so many of us are misdiagnosed, I'm still very angry about this but currently working through my own demons and trying to get the hospital to take the misdiagnosis seriously. I don't think i was queried about the drugs. And was given pain relief right away although initially I do think as I looked ok they didn't take it serious how sore the pain was. i.e on the scale of 1-10 it was 1000 for me. Am amazed at my pain threshold. (Although I haven't have children yet!!) I too feel very unfit and can't push myself too hard as essentially my energy will just sap and I'll need to lie in a heap. I just discovered the Nintendo Wii last night. I know we've discussed the brain game here and folks said it was great. I loved the sports Wii, a great workout, fantastic for hand eye coordination. Great for pent up aggression boxing. It wrecked me but def am going to buy one. But will first check with the Doc that over excitement won't affected blood pressure etc. A Fab workout!!! Anyway sorry for rambling. Welcome to the site, Thanks for sharing your story and I look forward to hear from you. Aine xox

Isn't it funny the impressions we give off ourselves, I generally am the upbeat bunny in my group of pals. Aberdeen folk can be extremely dour, I'm quite warm and friendly but have realized this is the place were i do vent things. I definetly wasn't prepared for how recovery would feel, after meeting you guys I'm alot more reassured. Still angered that the hospital seem to want to ignore the original misdiagnosis but I am getting there. Phew Even would go as far to say that I am looking forward to my next appointment. Thanks for all your support and kind words Aine xox

Hello Folks Just to update you, I spoke about Neuro P a few months ago, I was quite distressed at the time, I was hung up on the fact that I may have brain damage. In one of the postings someone wrote "Like you I get confused about proper names and spellings I'm just not the sharpest knife in the box now" I really feel like this and have big hang ups, I am also very self conscious in social situations incase I am making a fool of myself. I find this very emotionally draining wondering how I'm being percieved! Neuro P was lovely girl very reassuring, I was also having a bad day. Tests started I had numerous lists and items to remember, identify patterns, identify musical tones. They had asked Donald to attend. I was a bit sensitive at the start (do they not believe what I'll tell them) Then I could reason that this was a positive. It was the best thing that I ever could have done, Neuro P was able to pick up that I thought I had done poorly. She says I had done well, my memory was average, by the way I was talking she was expecting it to be severly deficient. (Memory Pre Sah was verging on photographic... well maybe not that good) The Tests were ok but I was tired, we came out and Donald said they were awful he had real problems and is now starting to worry about himself The Tone test which it took me a while to understand what she wanted, Donald got a couple of them wrong. So all in all my confidence has had a real boost. I will get the full report in a couple of days but her prelimary assessment is that functions are fine but I do have difficulty processiong information. As you know my Mum was over and we were out and about and I would ask her opinions on my behaviour she is very honest. She says that she notices I have really lost my confidence but otherwise I do really read into things especially things that I would have done anyway, and advises to stop over thinking and start living again. I really need to learn to stop waffling!! All in all Neuro Tests were fascinating and reassuring and now give me a measuring point to see where I go next. I will have a few more appointments as she feels work can be done to improve my processing. Phew thats all for now. Aine xox

Hi Sharon Welcome to the site, it is indeed great to hear from an old hand at this game, We have Linzi as well. I look forward to reading your book and am inspired already that you have gone on to become a lecturer. I've currently being toying with the idea that I may have to retrain, but will maybe hold back for another while. Look forward to hearing from you. Aine xox

Don't think my sense of humour has really changed but my laugh definitely has. Before I was sort of he he he giggle giggle, now it is full blown roaring and snorting ! My mum's family does have a very enthusiastic laugh, think I've now joined the gang. Apparently was prone to a tiny bit of snorting before but now am at percy pig propportions. Aine xox

My SAH was on Halloween this year. I had already been off work for 6 weeks and had just returned 1 day and 1 hour. It now appears I had an SAH in Sept they missed it sent me home told me it was a migraine, even though I felt I was dying, I came round not too bad by week 3 then the fatigue set in but made it back to work and then the next big explosion and hydracephaleus as well this time, it seems I had a couple of mini bleeds as well in that time. Can you tell I'm bitter. Am actually starting to come out of the woods now, I see some light and the end of this tunnel. Saw a Neuro Psychologist the other day, that was fascinating and really boosted by spirits. I will get my story up some day. If you look at the left hand side under everyone's name you should see the date of the SaH, You can add your one in too. Aine xox

Hi Linzi Welcome to the site, good to hear from a longer term survivor and that there is light at the end of this Tunnel. Hope its all going well down in Glasgow. Look forward to hearing from you. Aine xox

Fantastic, Linda, Thats a bit of incentive for the rest of us guys well done. Aine xox