ClareM

Lisa I think we all try to return to normal asap, takes a while to realise that normal may never be the same again. I understand the feeling of vulnerability, I am just starting to feel less so, am coming up to 4 months post bleed. I have returned to work all be it only for 3 hours! Don't go back too soon especially if you have a busy job. My first 3 hours were fine, I just felt it when I got home and am a little worried about 2 x 3 hour shifts this week. One common thread on this site is that other people look at us and think we look fine. Yes we look fine but it's what's going 'behind the grey' that counts to us. Take it slow, drink plenty and be thankful for the family support you have - also a common thread - wonderful supportive families. Clare xx

Hi Mandy Went well today, managed the 3 hours but was glad it was no more. Felt fine while there but boy have I felt it this evening. I didn't think a few hours work would make me feel so tired. Two 3 hour shifts next week then three the following depending on how I feel. I did feel a little like the new girl but everyone was great and it was almost a relief to get the first shift out of the way. How are you feeling now? Hope you have some lovely plans for your break next week. Clare x

Well, I did ever wonder if I would be able to go back to work and tomorrow that day will have arrived. Only working 3 hours but I will be back. Wasn't sure if I would ever get to this point and am hoping it will be ok. I am a little nervous and a little excited, back with all my friends doing the job I love, just hope the brain will allow me to cope with it all. I have followed other peoples return to work, some positive and some not so. Hope mine will be ok, I am lucky that if it is not, my boss alias my best friend, will intervene. Love her, she has said if I am back full-time by Christmas she will be pleased. I am hoping I will please her and be back before then. Keep your fingers crossed for me fellow BTGers, I will keep you posted. xxx p.s Win, I'm so excited and I can't just hide it I'm about to lose control and I just can't hide it ?? xxx

So sorry to hear your news. Isn't it just typical that you hear it now when you are looking forward to your break. Try not to let it spoil it think positive as Tina says the blood pressure could be the result of this work stress. Take care and good luck. Keep us posted Clare xx

Hi Mandy Hope all goes well with MRA on Tuesday. I shall be sunning it in Menorca by then, dreading the journey (6.20am flight!) but looking forward to the lazing in the sun. Have been suffering this weekend with headaches and neck pain so hope it subsides while away. Hopefully work will be better for you this week too. Keep us posted on the MRA, chose London Grammar as your music, if you haven't heard it already it's lovely! Clare xx

Hi Mandy Hope you are ok and feeling a bit happier today. I am following your thread with interest as my own back to work journey will be starting soon. I too have started to read the 'Back to work' thread, it certainly is a long one and makes interesting reading. I do hope you start to feel able to cope more with work soon and that the aches and pains subside. I have certainly found that a gradual build up has helped my physical recovery, I just hope the mental one goes as well. Everyone keeps saying ' working is another kettle of fish'. Keep strong and take things at your own pace, will be thinking of you. Clare xx

Just thought I would post an update on my MRI scan and progress. Scan results were clear no aneurysm or anything untoward so discharged and told to get on and enjoy life. Feel relieved though a little cut adrift. Apparently I had a large bleed that would usually be associated with an aneurysm, this in turned caused the blockage that caused the hydrocephalus. The reason I had 2 angios and and an MRI was to make sure there wasn't an aneurysm lurking behind it all! I am feeling better, not so headachey and physically getting fitter. Back to running with the dog, still only 1.5 miles but getting faster. Did a Bodyjam class at the gym the evening after hospital results, quite energetic! Got a bit emotional at the end of it as I did wonder if I would ever get back to doing anything like that again and felt very grateful that I survived the 'pop'. Off on holiday in a week and then back to work on a phased return. All seems like a very long time ago that everything happened and still feeling very emotional about it all. Hopefully that will pass. I will keep looking on BTG, keeping an ear out for how everyone is doing, especially in the Green Room this weekend! (may have to make an appearance on the dance floor now I can Bodyjam!) Thanks for all your support Clare xx

HI Carly Welcome to BTG and well done for taking the plunge. Unfortunately I cannot help you much as mine was a NASAH so no coiling or clipping involved. However there are so many people on this site who have had such experience and will have plenty of advice for you and encouragement. I would have thought best to do something now rather than wait and see if it 'blows'. Good luck with the operation and don't try getting back to stuff too quickly! I am sure plenty of people will add to this thread! Clare x

When I first came home from hospital my taste had altered - not from the chocolate though! My first taste of wine was 'yukk' and ask anyone who knows me that was not the norm! I am back on red and white wine now - not together! - but I have noticed that my tolerance is very low now, 2 glasses and I am away with the fairies. Also after 2 glasses my memory is obliterated as can be testified by my subsequent facebook postings and email outbox. I have to check my emails the morning after to see who I contacted and whether an apology is needed! Still at least I am a cheap date my husband tells me!

Well done Greg, glad to hear you managed to get out on your bike. I am at my 10 week anniversary today, managed a ride to the GP to extend my sick certificate. Lovely day for a cycle. Keep up with the physical exercise, I am trying to get out every day and even managed a mile and a half 'octogenarian' run. The more you do the easier it gets and subsequently the more you WANT to do. Sleep well tonight and dream of your next cycle ride! Clare x

Thanks for all your advice everyone, I will try and take note! Teechur I cannot believe you have run so many Marathons. My running cannot compare, my max is 10k which I did a couple of years ago dressed in a Santa Suit! I had an MRI scan yesterday, spent nearly 90 minutes in the scanner, think they must have had difficulty finding my brain! Seriously though has anyone else been in one for so long? They had to do 3 'special' scans on my upper neck any ideas what they were for? They only had to repeat one scan as I moved and I must admit I did not realise how long it was until I got out and my husband told me - I thought it had taken half an hour! Getting up early for the scan absolutely wore me out for yesterday and today (had to be there for 8.15 and it's an hours drive!). Will get the results on 28 April when I have my clinic appointment, hopefully as with all the other angios I had, it will be clear and I can go on holiday with a clear head - lol! Clare

That all sounds very positive Debbie, sometimes it just needs someone to listen and take notice. Keep grinning and hopefully things will carry on getting better. Take care Clare

Hi Sub That is all great news, as you say I bet you are both chuffed! It's been a long haul for you both, your wife is very lucky to have you as her husband! Good luck with ending the steroids and hope she has a happy birthday! Clare

Teechur Thanks for that, very well put indeed. I spoke to my SAH nurse regarding the headaches and Ibuprofen in the end. The GP I saw soon after my hospital discharge was hopeless, kept me waiting for and hour and then asked me why I was crying - by that point I felt like my head was about to fall off, a good enough reason to cry in my book - as well as being only 16 days post SAH! Anyway the nurse specialist said the headaches in that area were normal and I was not to take Ibuprofen until I had had my last scan as it can cause bleeding. As soon as she said that I realised I should have known, I am a pharmacy tech! Makes me even more sure I am not ready for work! As the time moves on and I recover from this 'event', I am beginning to wonder if things will ever be the same. I am doing more, even back to running with my dog even if it is only for half a mile. People ask how I am and I have difficulty answering that! I feel ok a lot of the time, get tired easily but it is so long ago that I was totally well (9 weeks today!) that I have forgotten what my normal well state was. Does that sound strange? I recognise when I have done too much and stop and rest. But I am doing a lot more physically even if not mentally. I only had a bleed and hydrocephalus, not the clips and coils a lot of you have suffered. I feel lucky in that respect but still wonder what effect that bleed will have long term, or is this the long term now? Rambling now but interested in any comments Clare

Hi Mandy Great news about the PPI you should definitely save it for a later and hopefully you can use it on a longer holiday. My sick pay runs out the end of this month (get 11 weeks) then I am down to Statutory Sick . However had a result today when my head office agreed to pay me full pay for my holiday in May. I am going to go back after that, towards the end of May on a phased return similar to the one you are doing. Hope the problems with your family are easing and that you are not being too stressed! Clare

Hi Mandy Hope you get things sorted with the family - those type of problems can be the worst as they are so close to home. Keep in the loop but not too tangled I would say! Enjoy your canal trip, where abouts are you going? Mine and my husbands birthdays are 1 day apart and we now do a city break each year. Lisbon this year if I cope with my Minorca holiday! Hope work goes well this week, 3 days! Keep us posted on how that goes and remember, YOU are important. Clare xx

Hi Greg I didn't need to have anything signed off by my GP. Just had to take my DVLA letter to the council to prove I had had my license revoked. I have my bus pass now and it's been very useful, haven't gone far but with another 6 weeks off work I have plenty of time! With regard to the date I get my license back I have yet to cross that bridge, maybe when I feel a little less fatigued! Clare

Dawn and Brenda There are plenty of other sleeping aids other than Amitriptyline. Go back to your GPs and request something else. I personally cannot take Amitriptyline as it makes me so drowsy the following day. Zopiclone is so much better with no morning 'hangover' though as it is now a controlled drug GPs are not so happy to prescribe. Personally I would rather have a good nights sleep than a morning of - 'omg what day of the week is it and who am I?.' Clare

Hi Alison I had very sharp pains in my legs and bottom after my SAH. Was particularly bad after a nights sleep. If you are worried get it checked out. Hope you are progressing ok other than these pains. Clare

Hi Cat So sorry to hear bout your mum, must be so hard for you. I have a daughter the same age as you who is away at university. When I had my NASAH my sons were around with my husband but my daughter was on her own trying to understand telephone explanations. I know she found it very hard and I can only imagine what you are going through. Do you have any other support? Mum is making positive signs but it will probably be a long road, you just need to be there for her encouraging all the way. One positive thing that came out of my ' event' is that I am so much closer to my children now, especially one who was always rather aloof, he is like a changed man! Hang on in there and keep coming back to BTG as there are so many people here who understand and have the patience to listen to you. It's a life changing event, not just for your mum, but for you too so take care of yourself as well. Clare xxx

Hi Alison Hope you are ok and starting to feel a little less inhuman! Hopefully that woolly feeling is going off now and you are not so tearful. I too am looking at a period of no salary. My firm pay for the first 11 weeks but it looks like I will need longer than that which isn't helped by a pre-booked holiday. Still after being initially upset about not returning to work until nearer the end of May I have decided to use the extra time building up my strength so I am fit when I do go back. Plus I will get a week in Menorca with my husband and a friend so it's not all bad! You will still be fairly early to return to work at the beginning of May so take care. It's hard when you are the sole earner but as my best friend keeps telling me - 'its your health that's important not your salary'. Anyway what did we save for? Good luck, keep posting. Clare xx

Hi Gemma Welcome to BTG, sounds like you have been through a lot. Take the advice everyone has given you, rest, water and patience! I was never a very patient person before this happened but find now that it's something I have to be. I met a lady in hospital who was a teacher and had had a brain abscess. She like you was hoping to go back to work before September just so she could start the new term fresh and not being phased. Good idea but take it easy, as my SAH specialist nurse said to me, going out and about is one thing but work is a different ball game. I am still not sure when I am returning partly because I have a holiday booked about the time I am due back. Think the holiday will come first! Good luck feel better soon! Clare

Hi Alison Welcome to BTG. You are still very early in your recovery. I was still in hospital at your stage having suffered an NASAH same as you. All the symptoms you describe are normal, I had them all including the worry that it's bleeding again. It's highly unlikely I have been told and I must admit I have had headaches but nothing like that first one. Slow steps are what you need to take. Lots of rest and plenty of water. I am 2 months today post bleed and still off work. However today I am going to make my first solo bus trip - no driving for me, do you have to stop in Canada? You will improve with time, spend it resting and researching on BTG, that's what I did! Good luck xxx Clare

Hi Jane Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better, it always takes a few days for things to settle down after stopping a drug. I tried Ibuprofen for my headache yesterday and it seemed to work better than the paracetamol. Going to check today that Ibuprofen is ok as the hospital never gave it to me. It's a slow process isn't it? I keep thinking 'I feel ok now' then have a massive melt down and need to rest again - so frustrating. I find at home I am fine it's when I go out. Hope you have a good Easter weekend Clare

Hi Mandy How is it going a work? Are you managing to keep to the schedule? I have welfare from my work coming to see me tomorrow to see ' how they can get me back to work.' Don't think it will be for a while yet as I am still very tired. Be interested to hear how you are getting on, hope you are ok Clare