TYoung

Hi Maggie: I think my adjustment has everything to do with my thinking and believing at this point, that perhaps I have a purpose here on this earth (still trying to figure it out though (LOL)). Based on everything I've read and all that happened to me, I feel very lucky and blessed. I know my recovery could be far worse than it is, and for that I'm thankful. Certainly the daily headaches and insomnia are an utter pain, but again, I think to myself, "Tracey, you're lucky and if this is the least of your problems, buck up!" Does that make sense? How are you? Are you doing well?

Thanks for the warm welcome! I do appreciate it. You are right Louise... I recall reading SAH referred to as a disease and thought it odd myself. Thanks for the correction. Again, thanks to each of you and the best of health to you as well! Tracey

Hello All: My name is Tracey and I too was unexpectedly stricken with a Non-Aneurysm SAH on July 24, 2010. Like many of you, I'm not really sure why I suffered from this disease since I don't and didn't fit the "at risk" list (aside from being female and in the age range). My fiancé and I were on our way to meet friends and go to a concert when a fire alarm in our hotel room went off. We both grabbed our room key cards and headed for the stairs to exit the building. Once I opened the door to the stairwell, the alarm blared very loudly in my right ear. Once outside (in the horrid heat and humidity), I suffered from the thunderclap headache many of you have described. Needless to say, I didn't make it to the concert that evening, but instead vomited all night. According to my fiancé and mother, confusion hit me pretty quickly (the next morning). They both thought I was suffering from a migraine headache and dehydration... Since we were 6.5 hours away from home, my fiancé thought he would try and get me home to my doctor. But since my confusion was only getting worse, he along with my family thought it best to stop at the nearest hospital (which at this point in our drive home was about 2 hours away). Once there, a CT Scan was performed and I was diagnosed as having a "brain bleed". The hospital where we stopped, was not equipped to handle my case so after a long 4 hour wait in their emergency room, I was transported via ambulance to another hospital 30 minutes away. Now mind you, "I" don't recall any of the above (aside from the fire alarm). I've been told numerous stories of this horrid adventure. Anyway, I was hospitalized for 11 days, during of which a drain was placed in my brain since the fluid wouldn't absorb on its own. I have to say, I am completely and utterly amazed that I did not suffer brain damage or any motor skill problems. Although, it is my understanding my short term memory was majorly affected for all 11 days I was hospitalized (I reminded everyone of the movie "Ground Hog Day"). Today, a little over a month since the event, my memory is intact (both short and long), motor skills are fine. At this point, I only suffer from very minor headaches (daily), a little fatigue and insomnia. All of which my doctor states will subside in time (fingers crossed). I am so very happy to have found this forum. Although there is information about SAH, it's difficult to find info about NA-SAH. To have read many of your stories and to know the feelings I've been through and am going through is "normal" so to speak, is a huge relief. Again, thanks for sharing! Tracey