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Alison2015

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Posts posted by Alison2015

  1. Does anyone else have a problem with this terrible wind at the moment? I am not actually in pain but have been feeling pressure in my temple region all day. I relieved it earlier with a couple of Paracetamol but it's back again now. Does anyone know if it is to do with SAH even though mine was non-aneurysmal ? I could imagine that if I had coils or a clip that weather pressure may affect you but what if you don't have them, is it all in my mind?

    Be interested if anyone else with a NASAH has the same problem.

     

    Clare xx

    Hi Clare, 

     

    I too suffered a NASAH (almost 1 year ago). 

    I have noticed lately as well the impact the wind has on my head. Just last week we had lots of wind (in Toronto, Canada) and I had terrible temple pain each day. When the wind died down so did my pain. I wore a hat to keep the wind out of my ears. 

    Maybe this is our new normal? :) 

    If you feel worried about it, it's always worth a trip to your physician. 

     

    I wanted you to know you're not alone. 

     

    Take care, 

    Alison 

    • Like 2
  2. Hi Debbie, 

     

    I actually kept the bag of drugs I was on at the time of my bleed. It reminds me what I can no longer take. 

    I had really bad flu bug, sinus and ear infections at the time so I was on lots of stuff. The label has a generic drug name so I will google the name and find out the brand name. I will get back to you on that. 

     

    My neuro doctor said nose sprays can put strain on veins and arteries. I'm not allowed to even take sprays for my seasonal allergies anymore. 

     

    I will get back to you soon on the name! 

    Alison 

  3. Hi Gillian, 

     

    I'm almost 6 months into my recovery. I had a NASAH on March 28, 2015. 

    I was told I would be back to normal after 6 weeks. 

    They were partially right. 

    The first 4 weeks were awful but then I turned a corner and returned to work 6 weeks post bleed.

     

    I felt good. I take micro breaks away from the computer and turned off the lights above me. 

    But I know what you mean, we don't quite feel back to normal. 

    Random headaches, fogginess and inability to concentrate still occur for me.  

    I don't know if this is my new normal or if over more time, things will get even better. 

    I just take it one day at a time, honour my body and if I need to, I go home early from work. 

    I'm not sure we'll ever know what the future will hold, it's not like we knew before our bleeds :)

     

    Alison

    • Like 2
  4. Hi Sammy, 

     

    My apologies for not writing back sooner. I haven't been logged in for a couple of months now. 

    Medications are a tricky thing. They are given to us to help with one ailment but can cause a host of others. I suppose all meds carry risk. Interesting you heard the same thing on nose sprays. Never again for me. 

     

    You were in hospital for 6 weeks?! I feel lucky I was only in for 5 days. 

    My recovery was slow at first but then I felt quite 'normal' after 2-3 months. I'm almost at the 6 month mark and I'm noticing some re-occurring symptoms i.e. pressure in the head, tender at the small of my head where the vein bled and general fogginess. I'm in the Toronto area and we've had a lot of humidity this summer and I'm wondering if that's contributing to it. 

     

    I hope you are doing well. 

    Alison 

  5. Hi Sleepyhead,

     

    I'm 4 weeks into my recovery and sleep is a challenge for me as well!

    I take the rest when my body demands it. I'm still off work so I have the luxury of napping in the morning or afternoon (I feel like my 6 mo. old nephew some days). I'm not sure if this is available where you live and certainly ask your doctor first, but Gravol works for me. It was designed for motion sickness and nausea but it makes me sleepy and works well taken right before bed.

     

    I also believe in winding your body down starting after dinner. Herbal tea, relaxation, meditation, limited TV, no screens of any kind 1 hour before bed (those blue screens rev us up), a bath (but not too close to bed), comfy pajamas. Reading also sends me off. No caffeine after my morning coffee also helps.

     

    Best wishes for a good night's sleep.

    Alison

  6. Hi Debbie,

    Thanks! I'm trying to take this all in stride.

    I'm only a month into my recovery (no surgery, it was a NASAH) but I get random headaches and pressure spots as well. Strange sensations in the head; unlike any other feeling I had prior to this. I've done quite a bit of reading on SAH, people who've had surgery and those who have not and seems like anxiety, depression and panic attacks can be par for the course. A stressful situation was given to us and our bodies react. Like a post traumatic stress syndrome.

     

    Although my doctor gave me a light sedative for the panic attacks, they made me really sleepy. I would rather feel something than nothing. So I decided to just find alternative ways of coping. I remind myself that a panic attack won't last forever. Meditation is really helpful. Find a quiet spot and just take deep, smooth breaths. When your mind wanders, just come back to your breath. I always picture myself at a cottage, sitting on a dock, watching the lake. I'm sure you will find your happy spot :)

     

    Alison

    • Like 2
  7. Hi Everyone, Hope you are all well and enjoying some spring weather. We had hail here today in Ontario! Crazy!

     

    So a little update ... I had a visit with my family doctor, who confirmed my 'flu' like symptoms were indeed withdrawal from coming off steroid drugs. I was on a high dosage and even with weaning off, my body suffered. I have a new found respect for anyone coming off drugs or alcohol. But during that time due to the muscle weakness and pains, I couldn't look after myself properly, so I moved over to my Mum's place (we live in the same city) for a couple of weeks. Feeling much better.

    I think it helps to surround ourselves with loved ones. I was feeling too isoloated and lonley in my apartment and it wasn't helping the emotional side of my healing. I mentioned in a previous post that I already suffered from anxiety and panic attacks (although I haven't had a panic attack in almost 2 years). I started to feel extreme anxiety last week and a little into this week. Extreme restlessness, couldn't sit still, like I was anticipating something. It was awful and it would last all day.

    My doc gave me a light sedative in case of emergency. I only took 2 tablets in 2 days and decided I would just have to wait it out. Keep busy, go for a walk, do dishes or meditate. I never thought in my life I would be one to meditate but I found it about 2 years ago in yoga to help me cope with my anxiety and boy has it come in handy! Just being still, focussing on your breath, taking true breaths from the depth of your belly to the top of your lungs. It really does help.

     

    There's an Italian expression that I just love ... 'Dolce far niente' - 'the sweetness of doing nothing'.

    Enjoy the sweet moments of life.

    The ones that have nothing to do with TV or computers.

    It could be as simple as sipping coffee and looking out the window :)

     

    Alison

    • Like 5
  8. Thanks for the welcome, Sarah!

    I've been off work for 2 weeks now, my doctor's note takes me until at least May 7, without promise of returning. I don't have full pay at work now and am not sure what they can do for me if I'm off longer. I live alone and am the only source of income. I'm grateful I have savings! Trying not to worry about $$$ :)

    I think a gradual return is in order as well. A few hours a day, and just see how it goes! That's all we can do.

     

    Alison

    • Like 2
  9. Hi John,

    I see you are a newbie as well. I too, suffered an SAH in March, a few weeks after you!

    I read through the strings of notes and it sounds like you are doing really well and are a very lucky man! 

    I too feel blessed. No surgery, just healing time. I'm only about 2 weeks into my recovery and it is slow going.

     

    This site has been amazing for talking with people who get it, interesting ideas and links to other pages. But it's just comforting reading others' messages of support and that life does go on and things will get better and better! 

     

    Alison

    • Like 2
  10. Oh, almost forgot. I asked the 'why' at my doctor's. We have no medical history in our family of brain injury, aneurysms etc.

    The doctors in hospital felt it could be attributed to the flu I had 10 days prior and still feeling under the weather the day of the bleed. I was on antibiotics for sinus and ear infections plus a nose inhaler for sinus. Plus I was taking those advil cold and flu tablets which have an ingredient hard on the blood vessels. it was like a cyclone of events. My family doctor concurred.

     

    Crazy. All prescribed and available over the counter.

    • Like 3
  11. Hi again,

     

    I had my first family doctor appt. today since the incident. He was floored considering my good previous health. He actually delivered me and I was one of his first babies so we have almost a father/daughter relationship. He spent an hour with me today. Just talked through the events, looked at my test results, asked how I was doing? how I was feeling/my mood?

    It felt good to be treated like a person and not a case. He's asked I take at least 4 weeks off work at minimum and he wants to see me every week. It felt good to see a doctor that knows me and all my history and my family.

     

    Dr. said this must be driving you nuts! :) Someone who is always busy and on the go has had to stop to a glacial pace. Maybe this was a sign to stop, slow down and really evaluate my life. And a broken toe or leg doesn't make us think twice, but a brain injury certainly does.

     

    I love the 'British talk' in the forums. I was raised very much this way. Get on with it, pick yourself up. Have a cuppa :)

    Thank you to all for your well wishes and comments. I feel the support all the way over here.

    Corrie's on soon ... gotta run. Cheers.

     

    Alison

    • Like 3
  12. Thank you everyone for the warm welcome and notes of support.

    I posted last night before bed and woke up to all your notes which brought tears to my eyes. Good tears.

    That's another thing, I'm not usually a crier but everyday since I've been home, I've cried. Cards, movies, forums :) It does take an emotional toll doesn't it?

     

    The other thing I find comforting is that I found a support group that seems to be heavily UK-based. I have British citizenship as well as Canadian. My Dad was from Tottenham and immigrated to Canada in his 20's where he married my Mom and raised his family. My Dad passed away 14 years ago from skin cancer. All his family is still in England i.e. Kent and London. So to read the support from across the pond means a lot.

     

    I have my Mom and sister nearby but I'm not married and I don't have children and live alone. So it's a little lonley and isolating. I've gone from working full time, driving, exercising, being productive to a full stop of rest. I can't drive or work for a minimum of 3 weeks but that's early days, could be longer. Not quite sure what to do with myself. Can't do too much of anything and it's frustrating.

     

    Has anyone been told the 'why'? why did this happen?

    • Like 3
  13. Hi Everyone, Greetings from Canada! 

     

    On Saturday March 28, 2015 at 5:30pm I experienced the 'thunderclap' headache.

    I was heading out for my 40th birthday party and instead of climbing into a limo with friends and family, I had my first ambulance ride to our local hospital. Within an hour I had a CT scan and they thought it was an aneurysm so they transferred me to the trauma hospital the next city over. Within 2 hours, I had another CT scan with dye and they determined it was not an aneurysm but a small bleed to the brain ... SAH. I was in hospital for 4 days, released a week ago, so I'm only 10 or 11 days into my journey.

     

    I was sent home with a good bill of health. But now what? SAH. Never heard of it until 11 days ago.

    Google is just scary so I thought I could find a group of people who are going through similar days as me.

    And I found this site :)

     

    I was sent home with little information. My follow up neuro appt. isn't until the end of May. I will see my GP in the meantime but it would be nice to know what to expect over the coming days, weeks and months. What's normal? headaches, dizziness, fogginess, clogged head, can't stand for too long, can't take noise or too much light. Can't think straight, Can't find words. What is 'normal' in recovery? how will I know if it's bleeding again?

     

    Lots of questions, I know. I don't expect all the answers here, but any stories of your individual recovery I'm sure will help.

     

    Thanks,

    Alison

    • Like 1
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