Janet

Happy Christmas and Healthy New Year to all the members and guests and a special thank-you to Karen, Chris and Keith B who do all the hard work behind the scenes.

I haven't had a dream since my SAH used to have them all the time before. Wonder if I just don't remember them anymore.

Hi Donna As Karen has said the nerve pain I suffer with is all located on the left side of my head mainly by the operation site but when the pain is at its worse it affects the whole of the left side of my head face and neck. Like Karen I also get pain around my left eye from the third nerve palsy.

I don't get real headaches at all since SAH but have been left with constant nerve pain which is most likely a trapped nerve somewhere within the op site. I use paracetomol and Amitryptiline for the nerve pain in a low dose.

Anne really sorry to hear about Rab please pass on my condolences to Sandra and her family.

Hi Pat A warm welcome to you glad you've found us and look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi Phil Nice to hear that your recovery is going well just remember not to overdo it too much you are still very early on in recovery and the dreaded fatigue can be a consequence of doing too much too soon. Look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi Nita Sorry to hear the viral infection has left you with so many problems hoping that with plenty of physiotherapy they can strengthen up the right side again for you. You do have the energy you're just at a low point at the moment. Sending love and hugs and hope that you find the reserves you need to pull yourself back up.

Hi Rhiann Welcome to BTG I'm sure you'll find all the help and support you need. The site is a great place for realising that you're not alone so any questions you have feel free to ask. As Jess said the first few months can be hard but it does get better, just listen to your body and try to rest as much as you can which must be quite difficult was 4 young children. Look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi Chrystal Welcome to the site so glad to hear that your mum is proving the doctors wrong and what a wonderful daughter she has in you. Look forward to hearing how you're mum's recovery is going. Any questions just ask there is always someone around who will try to answer them for you.

Hi John My annie was a different place to yours but I do have balance problems but normally only if I'm tired. If I walk a lot my left foot tends to drag and I'm forever tripping over uneven paving slabs. Hope the tests can give you some answers.

Hi Jimbo Welcome to the site. I'm nearly 4 years on now and do still get the tingling sensation I unfortunately was left with what appears to be permanent neuropathic pain possibly a trapped nerve. I do find it uncomfortable sleeping on my left side and usually end up waking up during the night in pain and having to turn over. I agree with the others anxiety does seem to make things worse but after what we've all been through I suppose we tend to worry more especially if we have a few bad days.

Hi Tina Welcome to BTG and look forward to hearing more from you. To be back at work so quickly is a good sign but do remember to listen to your body and rest as much as you can with work and a young daughter to look after.

Hi Pamela A warm welcome to you and so glad you have been given something for the anxiety, the first few months can be very frightening trying to come to terms with whats happened. Look forward to hearing more from you.

Hi Jules let us know when its being published and well done to you and James.

Hi Tina I was also clipped and therefore do not need any MRI scans also found out that the clops used are not compatible with the MRI anyway. I have had a couple of CT scans since but these were ordered by my G.P.

Hi Kelvin Welcome to the site I hope you find it as useful as I always have. Try not to rush back to work too soon and a phased return when you're ready is certainly a good idea. I'm nearly 4 years on and have never managed to get back to full time but have settled for a work/life balance that suits me now. Look forward to getting to know you better.

Hi Stu Must be quite worrying for you with the upcoming operation but it is good to hear that you have managed to get back to work so quickly. I had a crainiotomy but had the added complication of the bleed as well to deal with at the same time. I would expect that as with any type of brain surgery you will again feel very tired afterwards. Recovery is a very individual thing the important thing is to listen to your body and rest as much as possible. Wishing you all the best for the upcoming operation and please let us know how you're doing.

Hi Kath Welcome I can only reiterate what the others have said you nurse on ICU and HDU do a fantastic job of helping us back to health.

Hi Maddie Welcome to the site the tiredness and memory issues do get better with time just try to listen to your body and rest as often as you need to.

Hi Teri A warm welcome to you and so glad you have managed to find us. I think lack of information on leaving hospital is sadly the 'norm' for a lot of us. It is good to hear that Derek is doing so well now we all recover at very different paces and most of us are left with some problems but with time you get used to living with them and thankfully we are all still here 'the fortunate ones'. Look forward to hearing more from you and Derek.

Hi Lynn Welcome to the site I'm sure you will find lots of useful information to help you through this difficult time. Sending best wishes to your sister and hopefully you will soon start to see some improvement but as the others have said it is very early in her recovery and normally one step forwards and two steps back at this stage.

Hi Noah I always celebrate mine and my husband calls it my second birthday so besides a lovely meal out I always get a special present......think I'm very probably spoiled

Hi Tracey Yep I used to get that all the time and my head used to really creak a lot the creaking has near enough stopped but that horrible jolt before I go to sleep still happens most nights. If you are really worried about it have a word with your Doctor by the way I was clipped which was probably the cause of the creaking my skull settling back into place.

Hi Debbie It is still very early in your recovery and it does take a while for all the emotions to settle down. I think a lot of it is caused by the feelings of inadequacy and frustration at ourselves for being unable to do all the things we used to take for granted. My husband has noticed that I'm a lot more laid back now and rarely pick arguments at all but I do tend to get very snappy when I'm tired.