FionaH

O the Daily Fail, they were having a day off from 'x caused cancer' I see Well done you on complaining and making them at least edit it a bit. I studied journalism as part of my degree and did work experience in a news room in the dim and distant past. From what I remember () you were meant to do a bit of research and fact checking and boring stuff like that before you print anything.... I'm 99% certain I was doing none of the 'dangerous' activities listed when I had my SAH...

Hi and welcome to the site *waves* Fiona

Well I paid to join, I figured even if I don't use the meetings etc as part of my membership I can make my will for free and I really need to do that. I am hoping the magazines will be interesting at least and figure I get my SAH specific info from BTG I might try the meetings and outings at a later date I suppose.

Yes Sami I am drinking 3 ltrs plus of water a day and using bio oil as I can a tiny scar on my temple and bigger scars on my neck from canulas but it's not helping the dryness (though the scars are fading a bit). I haven't taken my multi vits for a while so I will crack them out and see if I can find some of that shampoo. Bagpuss - that is it! It does feel like its itching inside my head drives me crazy!

I hope I have put this in the right bit :confused: If I suffered from an itch scalp before my SAH it is ten times worse now! Has anyone found anything that helps ease the itching and dry skin while their hair grows back? I am trying not to wash my hair every day as I read this can dry the scalp out more And while we are on the subject since I gave up smoking, almost all alcohol and spent a lot of my days resting my face has got both dry and flaky and home to huge spots! Frankly this seems a bit mean! I accept the SAH and the lack of hair and the scar but I'm very self conscious about being a flaky, itching, spotty mess and it is affecting my mood at times Any commiserations, experiences or advice gladly received!

The membership details are here: http://www.headway.org.uk/individual-membership.aspx

Thanks for that Karen, a very interesting read. I feel I am packing on weight at a lb a minute and it can't just be from not walking miles and miles every week but although I will try and remember to mention this to my GP I sometimes feel like a hypochondriac whenever I do:crazy:

Thanks ladies:-D Lynne, the annual membership cost listed on the website. The local group has put me on their mailing list so I have already had some details of day trips etc but I won't get the magazines, survivors card etc. I don't have a problem with the fact I've had a brain injury I don't think and I have previous experience of Headway in a round about way as part of my counselling training but I was disappointed that when I asked for specific written information about SAH they sent me information that was wasn't really relevant. I think you are all right that meeting up with others that understand doesn't mean they have to have had an SAH too. I know that I am no quite ready to put myself in a group situation just yet but I am pretty sure that Sheffield Headway meets in the same building as the Brain Injury team I'm seeing are based so I am planning to ask them about Headway next time I go. I hope this makes some sort of sense! I am feeling a bit scrambled today

Hello and welcome to the site It is 9 weeks today since my SAH and I am just starting to feel more like myself. It is a long road this recovery journey but there are lots of people here to support you and your friend Fiona

Hi Ronnie I found BTG 3 weeks after my SAH in February and it made a big difference having this lovely lot to 'talk' too early on - hope it will do the same for you too Fiona

Hello I'd like to pick your brains () on whether or not to join Headway because I think some of you are members and so know about them. I emailed them a while ago and they eventually got back to me and said they would send me some information. I had told them I'd had a SAH but most of what they sent was specifically about brain injuries caused by accidents such as car crashes. There was nothing about SAH's at all and some of the print outs I received were exactly the same as the leaflets also enclosed. It has left me feeling very unsure whether to join. I am on statutory sick pay, money is tight and £15 isn't an insignificant amount sadly So, Headway members, what do you get out of your membership and do they have much in the way of info and support specifically for SAH? :confused: Thanks

I just spotted this thread when browsing, hope it is OK to resurrect it I bought some Sea Kelp tablets from Holland & Barret this week because my friend said after taking them on the recommendation of her hairdresser, her hair was in much better condition. Now mine is growing back I want to do anything possible to help it. Speeding up my metabolism would be a very welcome side effect. Has anyone else tried it and had any hair or weight related success?!

Hi and welcome to BTG There is loads of useful information and support here. Hope to chat to you soon Fiona

Hello and Good Morning I had a SAH nearly 9 weeks ago and found BTG pretty quickly after I got home. It has been a real life line of support, information and other people who just know. I had excellent medical care but was discharged with little information of what to expect and I don't see my consultant until next month. It is so reassuring to be able to ask questions and read threads where others discuss their experiences. Knowing I am not alone has made this very early bit if recovery a lot easier for me and I hope you find it as helpful too Fiona

I can't think of anything worse than dealing with our childrens illness. JayKay is right, a carers group could be really supportive if there is one you can access? My eldest daughter inherited my bone disease and I do find it hard taking her for scans and check ups etc so can only imagine how hard this is for you xx

That made me cry too - in a good way. You nailed it and well done you on standing up in front of so many. I just posted it on my facebook, maybe some of my friends will be able to get it a bit more with your help Thank you! PS You look amazing!

I'm the same as Kel, everything seems painfully loud. Thank god for tesco's 6 pack of earplugs for about £1.50, they make it a bit more bareable. Will failing the audiology test have a big impact at work? (Sorry I don't know your name:oops:)

Hello Shelly and welcome to the site. I hope tomorrow goes well for you

Fingers crossed for you, constant pain is so draining (I suffer from it relating to my joints not SAH) and it sounds like it's been a difficult journey to get this far for you x

Hi Welcome to the site I'm new here too and already finding it a huge source of support and information x

That is good to know thanks Penny. They are currently only 3 and 5 so I guess it would be better to wait until they are older. Rosie also has brittle bones disease (mild) like me and we have mentioned it to her specialist as she was due a regular check up just after it happened but he didn't seem worried. I will push for it when they are capable of laying still then.

I am the only person in my family to have a SAH but heart problems and high blood pressure are quite common in my family. I understand my SAH means my daughters have a 14% increased risk of having one? I am trying not to worry too much about that although I really want the hospital to scan them both I know they won't.

I was really interested to read this thread. I couldn't work out whether I'd had a stroke from what I'd read and no one told me in hospital. It does help in someways to know but it is quite scary somehow in another. I worked with the elderly for a long time when I was younger and I associate a lot of pain and difficulty with that word. Still at the end of the day I do think knowledge is power.

Thanks Husband will be coming along for the appointment as I won't remember what they say otherwise and I will write down any questions I have. I had to do that for my GP appointment last week! I just wish the doctors had talked to me when I was leaving hospital not just before and just after the op when I took in so little (beyond THIS HUUUURTS!). I feel pretty rough today so off for a rest I think but really appreciating all your experiences x

That makes sense Gill. I am finding a lot of the stuff I have found on the internet confusing. I can't work out if a SAH is a typ of stroke or not and I don't know if that is because the information isn't clear or because my brain isn't working properly - probably the latter! I think someone I train with is involved with Headway so I might ask him about it all when I am ready to go back to college and approach them when I am feel ready. I really hope I don't have to have loads more tests when I go back to hospital but on the other hand I almost do want them to do one more scan just to tell me everything is fine if that makes sense? I think the reality of what happened (and what nearly happened) is starting to hit me and its had to deal with.