suek.0148

Thanks guys so much for responding. My husband says the neuro teams ought to do what market research companies do these days and employ people to scour chat rooms because you can learn a lot from them. Sorry to hear about all the varying degrees of discomfort suffered by so many of us. At least we know we're not suffering alone and I'll try not to leave it so long before I check in to this site again. Making time to rest is so crucial and maybe I need to do more of that and be patient. Best wishes Sue

Hi all It's been a while since I last wrote. It's so refreshing to come back on and see that I'm not the only one with lingering issues since my NASAH. I've managed to return to normal in many ways so mustn't moan too much - however tiredness and head 'pressure' when I get stressed or over busy are still quite debilitating, particularly in the evenings when I go to bed to literally 'get my head down' by 10.00. I'm also finding I can't cope well with busy or intense situations like shopping malls or meetings and big social occasions. I haven't read a book for ages and my concentration levels aren't what they were. I pinned a letter from the top neurosurgeon in the uk apologising that I was dismissed from hospital without any proper advice or explanation of what had happened to me. He said that 'if' I had had a bleed, it was a 'minor' one of unknown aetiology and I shouldnt worry and will be back to normal soon. I look at it when I start to worry but do wonder if there is much understanding out there as to the long term consequences of even these 'small' seemingly insignificant events like mine. I'm a coper but even I have been fearful about reoccurrence and question whether I am getting the 'balance' right now and having enough rest. For someone who was active, fit and healthy before, the lack of ability to do all I want to do has been a real challenge and not helped by everyones well meaning concern, which just makes me feel a complete invalid. Ho hum - reading everyone else's posts it is good to know I'm not alone and my symptoms are quite common. Thanks for being there x

Hi Penny Ive checked on the DVLA site and the advice there is that if you have a non causal SAH then you dont need to let them know apparently. Im going to check with some medics I know as looking at some of these threads there is a mixed opinion. I dont want to drive unless Im sure Im right but at the same time dont want to alert the dvla to something they dont need to know about. Id be interested to learn the source of your information, which may be valid. Many thanks Sue

Thanks Sarah, the odd thing is that I have always had a daytime snooze (power nap) after lunch (much to my friends' amusement), so now I can carry on unashamed! I'll have to drink more water too, I'm a bit of a tea-aholic but I think that dehydrates you, so can't be considered the same thing. What are your thoughts on drinking alcohol? I've always tended to have a glass at night but I've read on here that 3 months without alcohol may be advisable. Nice to feel I'm not alone. Thanks everyone. Sue

Thanks Sandi - it's good to hear from people who have been through the same thing. The doctors at St Georges, Tooting were very dismissive once they knew there wasn't an aneurysm. Almost as if I was a bother to them. Very different from the paediatric consultants we're used to dealing with who bend over backwards to explain things and talk to you as if you're human. They said they'd see me in 6 weeks, just to see if I've got any questions. People do keep telling me to rest and not rush back to normal too quickly. Interesting that you feel it set you back. I'll take your advice I think, even though it's going to be very frustrating just twiddling my thumbs - good chance to finally teach my boys how the washing machine works though I guess. Thank you and hope you continue to recover well. Sue

Thanks Traci. That's helpful. They say lightening doesn't strike twice eh?! Still, I'm thankful that despite the tiredness I seem to be doing ok. A well meaning friend told me to 'take it as a warning' which I find a bit odd, as I don't intend to change anything I was doing before if I don't have to. Obviously if I'm tired I won't be able to do certain things until I'm better but nobody's said I have to make any lifestyle changes, so my aim is to keep going as much as I can. I don't think it was related to stress or blood pressure in my case, just one of those unfortunate things. Take care Sue

Thank you for that, especially about notifying DVLA. I'm going to try and see the GP next week but as you say, it's all a bit individual as to how recovery progresses. It's been interesting reading around this site and I think it's encouraging to hear that the risk of a re-bleed is very low. I guess I'm still a bit in the fearful zone, not knowing if life will ever quite be the same again. I've had 2 children with cancer and liver transplant so life-long conditions aren't new to me, but I'm normally the carer not the one being cared for! Best wishes

Hi anyone I'm 46 year old woman who had an NASAH on 6th February. I spent a week in hospital, half of that at a specialist hospital in London having the required tests. The only thing that highlighted the NASAH was the lumbar puncture. I was released on no medication and with no further treatment required. The rather dismissive consultant just said that I am to 'get up, get out, get moving' and drive when I am ready. Meanwhile a nurse told me that she wouldn't be surprised if I didn't end up back in hospital some time in the future. She was much more pessimistic. I'm fit, healthy, walk and run with my dogs, a good weight, don't smoke and have no health problems. All I had was a very bad sudden headache starting at the back of my head one night, no dizziness, blurred vision etc. I don't really have many problems no other than I feel very tired after just walking the dogs and my head feels rather 'light' and 'fuzzy'. Just don't feel altogether with it. I've been resting a lot but at some point I'm going to have to start managing my house and school runs, shopping, cooking etc. I'm expecting a new puppy in a month's time. I know I seem to be one of the lucky ones and my worries might be a bit mild compared to some people but I would really like some more information about prognosis and whether this light headedness is going to be with me for a long while. It's very frustrating and I don't feel I've had the right advice from the doctors so far who seemed to make out that I should just get back to normal life.