Kazroz

Thanks Sarah Im sorry you had such a hard time Laura, it doesn't seem fair at all what happened to you. Were the union very supportive? It doesn' t seem as though they were supportive enough. My school has been fantastic.I took the full 100 days off mostly on the advice of the school even though we are a NC school and Im in charge of standards!!! Im hoping they are as understanding when I return!!! Good Luck with applying for jobs now I hope it works out for you Karen x

A wonderful tale that shows your courage and the love of your family. This site is fantastic, supportive and always there. Use it Julie and continue to make the progress you deserve Karen x

Thanks Sandi and Carolyn for your supportive comments Yes I am excited about my return to work but the events have made me realise that for the past couple of years I have been a bit obsessed, im taking it easy Thats a promise!!! Its funny the more you find out about what happened to you the more confident and reassured you become. Im really begining to feel as though Im not just suddenly going to drop dead ( scarey thought but not meant to sound depressing, im not depressed!!!) Just one more comment about how we are discharged from hospital with very little info. More needed im sure K xxx

Hi Guys:-D Feeling a lot more positive Had an appointment with vascular surgeon last week. They told me that I had another bleed on operating table in Sept ( News to me) They said that they were expecting the large anni to have caused the problem but it was the small one!! The large anni they worked on for a few hours but in such a strange position/shape/surface that all they could do at the time was wrap it in muslin!! Well they want to do an angio to see what is happenning with it. I had to get cleared with EDS specialist first which has happened thank goodness. When they do the angio they are then going to decide whether all they can do is monitor it or discuss with me whether it can be coiled but they said they will discuss that with me because of the risks- slight worry then!!! You know I have had 2 seizures since xmas, my doc says its normal really for people who have had brain surgery to have seizures for a while. How come no one said that when I was disharged from hospital????? I had one on 25th Jan and one on 25th Feb, Now feeling a bit nervous as it gets towards 25th March!!!! Good news, I go back to work as assistant headteacher at a high school this week. Feel a bit nervous but looking forward to it. A phased return so hopefully I have the opportunity to get used to it. Thanks for listening Karen x:-D

Thanks Paul I think half the battle is being able to talk truthfully and thats easier on here with people who have been through similar experiences. Sometimes its hard just doing it with family. You dont want to worry them Karen x

:crazy::crazy:Hi Guys Not posted for a while being going through rough patch!! Had another seizure, ended up in hospital again where they upped my dose of Keppra. Cant really come to terms with why I am having seizures because of the scarring around the wrapped anni??? Got an appointment on Thursday with the vascular neurosurgeon, no info given to me about why?? Is it likely to be re angio I wonder?? Also got a genetic testing appointment too!! All seems a bit much at the moment considering that in the middle of all this I have had my return to work interview!! I keep in touch with the site which just gives so much support, Im begining to feel I should be contributing more?? However my SAH was in Sept, one anni clipped, one wrapped. IS it right its taking me so long to recover. Im sorry I am seeking help again but promise to give much back when I feel better Thanks to you all Karen x:shock:

Hi Nessie This is a fantastic site that since I found it, my SAH was in Sept< has been wonderful and so supportive. Take your time we are here to support you when you need us. Just talk when you need to be listened to and magically you get what you need. All the best Karen;-)

Hi Kel You have always shown me lots of support. Id like to say a BIG thank you Karen:-D

Hello All I went to see my occupational Health doc this week and believe it or not she really helped me We discussed my return to work and she was really supportive with the idea that the most successful returns are those that are taken slowly. This is what I have learned from using this site!!! Anyway I posted a thread about wrapping annies a few weeks ago and still did not feel very confident about them. The OH doc told me that they are wrapped when not suitable for clipping and the wrapping causes calcium deposits that harden them up and therefore help to prevent a bleed. This helped explain why the scarring from the wrapping caused the seizure I had!. She got this from the notes sent by the neurosurgeon to her. I think it brings it home that old chestnut "Are we really prepared for the recovery process when no one tells us in normal speak the full facts??":crazy: This is not intended as a criticism of anyone but I believe many members are right when they say we need to raise the profile of SAH and the recovery process. Once again Thank goodness for this site!!!! Love Karen xx

Once again I am turning to you all in time of need. Adam you may be able to help. I have been on the anti-epiepsy medication Keppra for 7 days now and I seem to be full of dread and fear. I keep getting dizzy spells that make me feel awful. Is this normal? Do the tablets just take some getting used to? Im just full of fear at the moment and cant seem to shake it. I just worry that Im not going to make it even though I have been told what good progress I have made. The seizure factor seems to have thrown all my confidence. Can any of you wonderful people help ny sharing your experiences. Do I just need to be a bit more patient or should I go back to my GP, I dont want to appear paranoid about my symptoms. Help needed even if its just to tell me to get a grip!!!! Regards Karen x

Cheers everyone Im sure you all now how wonderful it is to read your comments. It really helps. I am a little scared but trying to move forward and appreciate my life. No more do I want those night fears that I am just going to die!!! Reading your comments helps me through the dark times and make me determined to get on with it Thanks again Karen xx

Hi Sandi I didnt have any warning in fact I was just cooking dinner. Banged my head and have ended up with a black eye!! Dont feel exhausted and determined that it will not set me back trying to take it in my stride and continuing to move forward. I dont mind the nosy questions, I have been very nosy the last few months it really helps!!! Karen x

Hi I have been to my own GP and got a bit of positive encouragement. Always helpful! Luckily I now have info re where my annis were. One on the left posterior communicating artery, the small anni that caused the bleed and the larger anni that they have wrapped on my left middle cerebral artery ( too awkward to clip apparantly) The doc assured me that many people who have had brain surgery go on to develop seizures and these may be just temporary or not we will just have to wait and see. Its not the seizures that Im worried about its the possible side effects fro the medication. Im keeping my fingers crossed!!!! Thanks for all the support and help I have received so far Karen x

Hi Guys I have turned to you to help me through the next few days. I am about 4mths post SAH but yesterday I had a seizure and got taken to hospital. They have prescribed anti-epilepsy drugs to take. This is a bit of a shock to me. I know I was lucky to come through the SAH but now I feel a bit thrown back How have others coped with this and what advice or even words of comfort can you share with me. I do feel a bit scared and that my recovery has been put back Kind Regards Karen

Hi Jen ( once again ) Just wanted to say thanks for the quote and thanks to Lynn- It makes real sense to me and Im sure that it is going to help me come to terms with what has happened My advice to Sandi is make it make sense to you too. It seems to me one of the hardest things is coming to terms with what has happened to you. Im fighting it and desperte to believe it hasn't happened to me BUT it has!!! Jen you seem to have been through this process and your comments re really really helpful Karen x

Hi Jen I think I agree with you!! I was 47, didnt drink, used to smoke but had given up 2 years previously but also worked very hard in a strssful job. Funny I never felt stressed but I was responsible for standards in an underachieving school. In the past two years I had: worked to get us through two Ofsteds; fought the proposed closure of the school; worked with deprived and new to english kids to get them through gcses etc etc. Maybe I didn't show the stress until my brain decided it was all too much!!! I believe stress is a factor Regards Karen

Thanks to Penny and Kelly. I was just trying to confirm what the internet said. Of course I understand the neuros are the ones to ask. Sorry if I have been misunderstood I know we are not meant to give any medical advice Once again thanks for your support Karen

[You may indeed find other information when searching, however some info online can be mindboggling as it is written in another language entirely, also known as 'medical jargon' :c] Hi Kelley Thanks for the info. Your words above are very true that is the problem I have had. Have I understood your info. Is my risk of a rebleed from the wrapped anni very low then?? Regards Karen x

Hi Everyone Karen here just thought I'd ask if anyone knew anything about this procedure. My SAH was in Sep2010. One anni was clipped which had caused the bleed. This was a small one. My neurosurgeon said the large anni in my head was large and an unusual shape, he said he clipped part of it and wrapped the rest in muslin. Has anyone else had this done or does anyone know anything about it? I have ( SAD ) seen a video clip on You Tube of this but can't find out any useful info As always I will be very grateful for any responses;-) Regards Karen x

Hi I am 4 months post SAH, had a craniotomy. I have just started to have aches and pains in my head and face. A lot around my left eye sockett, down my face and in the left side of my head. Occasionally i start to panic but have been re assurred that it is part of the process of healing. Just strange its happenning 4 months on. This site is really helping to support me through this process. Take Care Karen x:-D

Hi Pete Try not to worry, I think they get in touch with you quite a bit in the early days. My SAH was in sept, i saw the neurosurgeon on Dec 6th and got another appointment in March. I think they keep a close eye on you. Its reassuring really! Karen x

Hi MissMoneyPenny Just a few words Im a teacher too whose SAH happened in SEpt 2010. My school has been great. I return to work in Feb, a phased return. Talk to your union they can give you lots of support, help and advice My head, colleagues and OH been very supportive. Your doctor needs to know about this site. It will help her understand how devestating SAH are and how tiredness is one of the biggest problems ( as well as all the others) Teaching is very very very demanding and you do need to reduce your hours. Remember you are entitled to 6 months on full pay!! Im sure you are a dedicated and commited teacher but this site has helped me put myself first and I was worked obsessed because I love my work but know now my life comes first. You have to listen to all the fantastic advice and your own body, this will help you get through the difficult recovery months ahead. Im still going through the process, its a massive learning experience!!! Take Care Karen

Welcome Remember even if its the first time you've taken part in an online support group remember this is a fantstic group of people who are prepared to take the time to help you. I had my SAH in Sept and now have the confidence to just post a thread with any concerns I have. I will begin to respond with my experiences to help others when I feel I can. Any concerns however silly you may feel talking about them, the people here will respond and I cant even explain how much better it makes you feel. Take it easy with the work thing. Tiredness is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome. Listen to your body and take care Karen:lol:

Hi Everyone Im just begining to develop some pains in my head. They come and go quite quickly and are not that painful. Lots of tingling and buzzing. The worst pain is around my left eye socket and in the eye itself. It aches and feels really tired. My SAH was in Sept 2010 and I had a 5 hour operation on the left side of my brain. Is this what happens or should I go to the docs and let him know?? Karen x

Hi Karen I was 47 when i had the SAH There were two annis revealed a large and a small one> Small anni cause the bleed. It was clipped. Large anni strange shape and proved to difficult to clip so wrapped and clipped. Dont know where they were exactly but had cranioptomy on left side of head. Happened 29th Sept 2010. Only just begining to have some strange headaches nd pain around left eye socket. Karen