Janet

Hi Donna I returned to work at approx 8 months. I started working 18 hours a week but for the first month just sat and watched my colleagues to get used to all the screens and systems. I also had to have an Occupational Health Assessment done in work and she suggested that I should have a break from the screens every 20 minutes to do eye exercises. I had to go back to work because being stuck at home was starting to have a bad effect on me and I needed the normalacy of being in work. It worked for me personally, the first few weeks are hard and it is tiring to begin with. Just remember to start slowly and gradually increase the hours. Janet x

Hi Elaine You and Maggie must both feel really pleased after the shopping trip wish Maggie good luck for her Neuro appointment hope all goes well for her. Janet x

Hi Karen I think you should be really proud of everything you have achieved it has been an uphill struggle for you but in the time that I have been a member of BTG your steady improvement has been fantastic to see. We all backslide from time to time myself included but the only way we can move ahead is to keep pushing those boundaries. I would just like to say a very big thank you to you as your greatest achievement of all is BTG you truley are a remarkable person and have helped so many of us by providing this site which is a lifeline for all who use it both members and visitors. Keep up the good work and keep pushing those boundaries Janet x

Hey John Usual NHS insensitivity hope that you get all the answers you need Monday. Thinking of you and sending some hugs. Janet x

Hi Yasmin I did start going to a gym at about the 6 month stage and went regularly up until the beginning of this year. It was only the last increase in hours that stopped me going as I was too tired. I have now reduced my hours at work and will also be going back to the gym next week. Just remember to take it easy at first and enjoy it. Janet x

Hi Donna Glad to hear the tablets helped you keep taking them for the time being and for as long as you need to. Well done on managing to get so much done as well. Janet x

Donna My heart goes out to you at this time but you must remain positive. What you're feeling is only natural it is a very hard thing to come to terms with and we all need different levels of help and support through the early months of recovery. As much as you would prefer not to take the tablets prescribed for you at the moment you do need the help they can provide you with. I hope that you do not have to wait to long for the counselling sessions as being able to talk through your feelings and fears will help you to get things into perspective. As Myra has already said you have both come a long way remember its baby steps forward but it does eventually get easier. Above all remember that you are a survivor. Sending lots of love and hugs stay strong Donna. Janet x

Hi John Hope you don't have to wait too long for their decision. Thinking of you and sending hugs look after yourself and try not to worry too much. Janet x

Hi Nurianna Am I right in thinking that your Anuerysm was clipped. If so they don't usually perform any scans after you are discharged from hospital unless they think there is a problem. I had my clipping in Nov 2006 but due to a really bad bout of head pain in January 07 they carried out another scan that showed everything was fine. My own G.P order a further scan in May of this year because I suffer from intense head pain this also was clear. I would not have had another appointment at all after my discharge in Feb 07 with the Nuerosurgeon if my G.P hadn't referred me back to him because of the constant pain. So it's not at all unusual that you don't have another appointment til next April. I think it is only when the coiling procedure is used that they monitor more frequently. Janet x

Dawn Good luck with the scan. Janet x

Hello Nurianna A very warm welcome to you and I hope you find all the support you need on this site we are a very friendly bunch so any questions you may have ask away. Take it easy when you return to work and as Tina has already said listen to your body and rest plenty it can be very tiring especially in the first few weeks. Look forward to hearing more from you soon. Janet x

Hi Elaine Really good news that the scan results were good and that the appointment went well to day. Hopefully next weeks appointment will go equally as well. Best wishes to you and Maggie. Janet x

Hi Elaine Hope all goes well for your mumwith her appointments. Try not to worry too much with regards to C.T scans I had a C.T scan in the January after my SAH as really bad head and everything was fine. Also has another in April this year as my G.P was concerned re severity of head pain and that was clear too. So glad to hear that the vomiting is lessening for Maggie as well fingers crossed that it stays that way for her. Take care Elaine Janet xx

Hi Keith Awarm welcome to our virtual family hope you find it as useful as I have. Look forward to your next installment. Janet x

Hi John Hope you have a brilliant time at your wifes 60th bash. Good luck with the Neuro appointment as the others have said will keep everything crossed for you. Janet x

Hi Perry Could you let me know what kind of PSP you are suffering with. I personally have Neurological pain on the left side of my head which is the side where the Anuerysn was clipped. I have tried low doses of Amitryptiline that can work on nerve pain but now take an anti-epilepsy medicine again in low doses that is meant to help with nerve pain. I have posted previously with regards to what my Neuro had to say regarding neurological head pain apparently some people never suffer with it at all others may go years then develop it me being me have had it ever since the op. Janet x

Hi Anne I found exercise did help I joined a Gymophobics gym that uses special weight adjusted machines and the whole circuit only takes 30 minutes. I loved going and used to go 3 to 4 times a week from 6 1/2 months post SAH until November last year. I have found it difficult going since then as that was when I increased my hours upto 30 at work and I was just too tired when I finished work to go. I recently reduced my hours and will be going back to the gym after next week. I think small amounts of exercise can be beneficial but always check with your G.P first to make sure it is safe to do so. Janet x

Hi Misspiggy Welcome to our virtual family. Sorry to hear you're feeling guilty about being able to strike the right work/life balance. I had similar problems I returned to work 7 months after my SAH and gradually increased to 30 hours but in the last few months realised that it was too much for me. Being stubborn I reached nearly breaking point before getting work to reduce my hours back down. I know your situation is slightly different with it being your own business but it is important to put your health first. It might be time to sit your partner down and let him know how much its affecting you trying to juggle the business and home maybe he doesn't realise that you're doing too much. I really hope you find a solution soon as overdoing things makes everything worse sending some virtual hugs to you. Hope to hear more from you soon. Janet x

Hi Joanne So glad that you have seen some small improvements. With regards to speech I think everyone is different and it depends on which parts of the brain have been affected. He's suffered a major trauma and everyone recovers at different rates. Maybe once the oxygen mask is removed he may sound better but I'm sure that if the staff at the hospital think its a problem they will arrange any necessary therapists to help him. Personally my speech was very hesitant and I used to mumble some words and forget others completely it was also hard holding a conversation as I couldn't concentrate for too long and easily lost track of whatever was being talked about. Hope you see more improvements soon. Janet x

Hi Carol Awarm welcome to our virtual family. What part of North Wales are you from I grew up in Holyhead and still have family there. Look forward to hearing more from you. Janet x

Hi Sarah Welcome to the virtual family hope you find it as useful as I do. I think you were very brave returning to work so soon and managing to keep it together for so long. Its great that you have a supportive family around you. I returned to work at 7 months on a phased return but didn't manage to get back to full time. Its only a couple of weeks ago that I made the decision to reduce my hours back down again as I was constantly tired and spent most weekends recovering ready for work again. Hope to hear more from you soon. Janet x

Hey Louise People don't even have to be behind me if I'm not concentrating properly I don't hear them wherever they are . Yvonne like Sami I just have the rushing sound and loud heartbeat at times. Janet x

Hi Joanne What great news you must be really relieved that at last your dad is finally improving. Keep us posted on how he's getting on. Janet x

Hi Yvonne Welcome to our virtual family just read your story on the home page. Its great to hear that you are now doing so well and I'm certain your story will be of help to others. Look forward to hearing more from you. Janet x

Hey Donna Its understandable that your anxiety gets worse when you're feeling so off. I think that with having such a young child to look after you're probably not getting as much rest as your body needs. Has your G.P referred you for counselling yet as that would probably really help you to put all your fears and anxiety into perspective. Stay strong Donna you have been doing really well thinking of you and sending lots of virtual hugs. Hope you have a better day tomorrow. Janet x