ClareM

Hi Ash Sorry we can't give medical advice as we are not qualified to do so. I presume your dad's gp is aware of the sickness with the medication he is on being presciption only. What has the doctor said have they any ideas for the cause of daily sickness? Could his diet be involved or is it linked to heatburn? I think you both need to go back to the GP and see if they can give you a definitive answer as to what is making him sick and why it is every day. I was sick when I had my SAH and until I left hospital but since then it hasn't been an issue. Hope you get things sorted, let us know how you get on Clare xx

Hi Rick My neck used to be sore in the early months, the pain went with time. I am not sure what it was, may have just been tension or the remainder of the blood dissipating. I bought a memory foam pillow for my bed and found that really helped. I still use it now and have difficulty using any other kind of pillow now. If it gets worse get in touch with your doctor again, blood pressure seems good now though Take care Clare xx

Hi Rick welcome to BTG. Sorry to hear of your SAH can you tell us more of your story? You have done well to get back to work so soon are you finding it hard? I can't help regarding the pain behind ear, I suggest you have a chat with your doctor. We are often left with residual aches and pains but you should get it checked out in case it is anything else. Come back and and tell us more about yourself and update us on any advice you are given. Clare xx

Hi Tori Sounds like mum is making progress which must be encouraging for you. It still is very early days and she has a long road to travel. I don't expect anyone knows how much she will improve only time will tell. Keep being the wonderful daughter you are now by being with her and encouraging her along the recovery road. But make sure you look after yourself too, it's easy to forget your own health at a time like this. Take care and keep us posted on her progress. Clare xx

Hi as Macca says it really is early days for you. At your stage I too had poor balance and wobbled around like a 'weeble' sometimes. It will get better but if you are worried try speaking to a nurse specialist where you were treated if they have one. I do remember having problems with one of my ears which I had looked at by a doctor. It was all ok and settled in time, I think it was all just part if the healing process. Take things slowly, rest, sleep and drink plenty of water. Hopefully given time things will improve and you will reach your new normal. Keep us posted. Clare xx

The information regarding statins comes from the patient information leaflet that states; 'Atorvastatin may not be suitable for you if you have had a previous stroke with bleeding into the brain.' Note I have highlighted the word may. I discussed this with my gp who thought considering that advice he would change me to Simvastatin. Everyone differs and has different side effects to drugs. The most important thing is to take advice from the professionals. My friend who has had a stroke is on Atorvastatin and so are many others.

I too have high cholesterol which is hereditary. I was initially given Atorvastatin (Lipitor) but was changed to Simvastatin. The reason for this was because you should not take Atorvastatin if you have had a stroke whcih SAH is a form of. I probably have more chance of having a heart attack if I don't take my statin then having another SAH. You have to weigh up the pros and cons and discuss with the specialists. Clare xx

Hi, no you are not being lazy. This time off work is for you to recover and rest which is what your brain needs. I felt a little like you early in my recovery. Having never been off sick for a prolonged period, I felt guilty and a fraud. But you aren't. I had my SAH while running so was fairly fit pre- bleed and wanted to get back to it. It took me 3 months before I could start to run again and then I had to build it up slowly. I now run 5-6 miles twice a week so there's the proof you can get back to it. Spend your sick time recovering, if that involves a bit of yoga or swimming, great. But don't push too hard. I joined my local gym approx 6 weeks after my bleed and just took it easy. I swam - on my back as I found it was easier on my neck - , I did the over 50's exercise class as it was a lot gentler and I gradually built things up. If you want to take some exercise check with your medics that it is ok then start slow and increase gently. In the meantime I also cleared every cupboard in my house while off sick and now can't remember what I did with everything! Lol! Remember, you're doing well just don't push too hard! Clare xx

Poor balance is often a legacy of SAH, it will hopefully settle in time. Also the losing words and blankness. I think we have all suffered this to some extent but it usually improves. That said make sure you mention all this to your neurologist later in the week. Hopefully they will be able to reassure you. Keep us posted. . Clare xx

Hi Topsy, My understanding is that a Ventricular drain is a a temporary measure to drain the blood and csf. It is usually drained to a bag at the bedside and maintained by nursing staff. I had mine for about a week - not that I remember much but I have photos my kids took. It was removed after a week and I new just have a 'dent'in my right temple where the drill hole was. A shunt is a permanent measure used when the hydrocephalus continues. Daf will be able to give you a good description of a shunt as she has one. Hope that helps Clare xx

Hi, I echo Macccas comments, take it slow and steady. Don't be pushed into doing more than you feel comfortable with and take regular breaks. It's very easy to think ' this is fine I can do this, I'll do some more'. Don't do more, just do what you know you can manage as if you do too much you will suffer. I am still learmning this lesson now and I'm nearly 2 and a half years down th line. Only yesterday I pushed the limits and once again suffered the consequences. Heavy head, fatigue and good for nothing bu the sofa! You will get there, glad you are finding the forum so helpful. Clare xx

Hi Andrea, welcome to BTG. I rcho Sarahs words of wisdom. Recovery from a SAH is often a lonley experience as it is such an uncommon event. That is why you have done well to find us, fellow sufferers. We all understand how you are feeling, we have all been there. You are still fairly early days, things will get better. Ypu haven't said if you are returning to work. If you are please take it slowly, don't rush back as it can hinder your recovery. Come back and tell us more about yourself, and don't forget there is always someone here to listen. xx

Sophie it is really early days for you, that feeling of disbelief at what has happened will settle in time. Your memory will hopefully improve, at your stage I couldn't remember much at all. I remember cooking a chilli and not being able to remember if I had put the chilli powder in or not. Needless to say it was a very hot chilli! You sound tired, are you trying to do too much? Taking your GCSE's must be so hard on you afyer what you have been through, you are very brave to be doing that. I would imagine that has really taken its toll and maybe anything else is just too much. I can imagine how important those exams are to you, so maybe try and avoid anything else until they are over. Hang on in there, you are doing well xx

Hi Katy I was discharged from the hospital about 3 months after my nasah. I had had an early MRI to rule out any further problems to enable me to go on a pre booked holiday. That was the last test I had. I was referred to a neuro-psychologist about 9 months later and started seeing her about 15 months after the bleed. Very late, but the original referral had been lost. I have been seeing her since (nearly a year now) and her input has been invaluable. I had a lot of testing done to see if I had any cognitive deficiencies (some but minor) and assistance with occupational health at work. I still suffer from fatigue when I do too much but the headaches have subsided. My memory is never going to be the same, I just need to accept that, but I'm here and that deserves a celebration in itself! Good luck in your appointment, keep us posted Clare xx

As Sami says you are really early in your recovery and everything is going to be out of kilter for a while. You need to rest and take everything real slow. Drink plenty of water and don't expect to feel 100% for some time yet. It's a long road and the best way to deal with it is to just accept it and embrace each improvement - and there will be some even if it doesn't feel like it now. Let us know how you got on with the doctor today. Clare xx

Jan Happy Anni-versay well done on 2 years!. Different pictures make life more interesting so embrace the new look you have on your life. You have done so well in the last 2 years overcoming your sah and the changes that followed it.. You have had massive changes with having to give up your sweet shop and dealing with the physical legacy of your bleed. But you have always supported others and your sense of humour has shone through. Be proud and look forward to the coming year and your forthcoming marriage. Clare xx

Hi Sophie, welcome to BTG glad you appear to be making a good recovery. Very brave to be taking your GCSE's good luck, hope you do well. My brother had a SAH aged 15 - he is now 61, I had mine 2 years ago at age 55. We are unsure if his was auerysmal or not as neither my mum or dad are still alive and they knew the details. I don't even know if they coiled that many years ago. When he had his the first thought was that he had been drinking, he had been to his girlfriends and run home. The hospital were interested as we were both treated at the same place, but their records don't go back that far. He was in hospital for a long time, months I think and he had to learn to walk again as in those days you stayed in bed. Things certainly have changed since then. He did make a good recovery though and went on to race motor bikes - in the amateur field. He's still alive and well though slightly mad lol! He says we are special mad brother and sister Mine was non-aneurysmal with hydrocephalus. I have recovered well with just fatigue and slight memory problems.. I hope you continue to recover well, feel free to come back and ask any questions, there is always someone here to listen. Clare xx

Hi, you are such early days, I was still in hospital at your stage as I spent 2 weeks there. I remember having awful pains in my legs and bum while in hospital. I was told it was the blood dissipating down the spine and it did eventually stop. It was very painful though so keep up the pain relief as you should not suffer unnecessarily. If it continues make sure you ask for advice from your GP or the neuro unit that treated you. Take it easy, rest and drink plenty of water. Did you have any surgery? Feel free to come back and ask questions, we are all here to help and give advice from our experiences. Clare xx

Jan so sorry you are feeling so down at the moment, I hope the words of others on BTG have helped a little. We do all care and understand which is the nice thing about this site. Talking really does help and talking to someone who is not linked to you in any way other than to listen is best. I am lucky that my neuro psychologist has been really good at letting me talk. She often tries to come up with ideas to make life easier even if they are a bit of a telling off sometiimes (I know I am my own worst enemy). You have done really well in your recovery but possibly it's been hard to accept the new you. I know I am only beginning to accept that now and I have not had the physical problems you are experiencing. Take care and remember we are all here for when you need a rant. Clare xx

Hi welcome to BTG sounds like you are really early days if you only had the event on 10 May. Take it easy, rest, drink plenty of water and no stress! Tell us a bit more about yourself and your bleed I am sure others will come on and join this thread. Xx

Hi Ian, welcome to the club. Yes I think we all worry about another bleed, especially as in my case there was no reason. I always worry that it could happen again but have to take comfort in the words of the medics who say it is highly unlikely. Sounds like you have made a really good recovery. Take it ieasy when you go back to work, it's too easy to think 'yes this is fine I can do this, no problem'. Then a few hours later the brain decides ' no I've had enough - stop.' When this happens take notice and stop or you will pay the price. Fatigue is a strange old thing, 2 years on for me and I still suffer occasionally. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey. xx

Hi Steve Wise words from Michelle. As you say you had a good day yesterday and possibly did too much. It's a strange thing that while you are doing 'too much' you feel fine. It's not till later or the next day that it hits you. I still have this problem 2 years on. When I am at work I feel fine and push that bit more to do more intensive work - even though I have been told by my neuro psychologist that I shouldnt - Later that day I feel really tired, suffer from poor balance and am not much good for anything except the sofa! I need to learn this lesson, I still push too hard and suffer setbacks but it is a hard rule to learn when you feel so fine at the time. Just rest today and hopefully tomorrow you will feel a bit better. Take care and let us know how it goes. Clare xx

Hi So glad to hear that things seem to be moving in the right direction for you at last. Hopefully the reduced hours and neuro-psychology appointment will help you. It sounds like you have a supportive family too which is key in your recovery. Take this time to re-evaluate and consider what is most important to you. Things do improve with time but time is the key - you need it to discover the new normal. So glad you are feeling more positive be really interested to hear how you get on. Please come back and keep us updated. Glad BTG has helped too. Clare xx

Hi As I said to you in a reply to a previous post you really need to stop and take stock of what is happening to you. At 4 months I was just starting my phased return that took another 4 months and ended with me fixing at a reduced rate of hours. I had been working 5-6 days a week approx 41 hours. I reduced to 34 hours and now only work 4 days with Weds off to rest. My bleed was 2 years ago and I still need that day. I never intend to go back to full time work. If I have to work a weekend as per my contract I have a day off in lieu instead of pay. My health is worth more than the money. I think you you need to sit down with your employer and discuss what you are feeling and approach the subject of reducing hours. My neuro- psychologist was really helpful with compiling a report making suggestions for my working life. Can you see if you are able to see one through your own doctor? This could be used with your employer to maybe help draw up a plan. As you say your emotional health is starting to suffer so you really need to address the work issue now. Good luck, keep us posted and don't forget you are not alone. Clare xx

Hi Kerryn i too ski and have skied since my SAH. However it was approximately 11 months after the bleed. I was never told not too ski but I always wear a helmet now. Strangely I was skiing about a month before my bleed and took a fall banging the back of my head. It wasn't that painful and my helmet wasnt damaged but often wonder if this could have been the cause. I will never know. Regarding altitude I flew 3 months after my NASAH after being given the all clear by the hospital. I have flown many times since with no problems. The only thing I would say is that travelling is very tiring now and I need longer recovery time after. Make sure you plan that in. Check with your medics and hopefully you will be able to enjoy that family holiday. I'm very jealous as we didn't ski this year due to my husband having a bad back. Clare xx