Karen

Hi Sami, Yep, you would think that there should be some sort of guidelines with the meds....I'm due to see my Doc on Monday, so will have a chat to him about meds. Will also e-mail the Nurses at Southampton later on today to see if they can e-mail me something. Love K x

Hi Girls, Typical.....how on this earth are we meant to know what to take, when they also have a difference of opinion? A List would still be totally useless. Will scrap that idea, as it would be even more confusing. 8O I would also have thought that the difference of opinion would be between the Herbalist and your Doc.....quite surprising really! Like you say Sami, you're better to talk to your Neuro Consultant about it. Love K x

Hi Annie, I also wondered what a nonA was! Now you've explained it, it's quite clear what it means......."oh doh! Karen".......oh well, blame it on the brain cells!! Lots of Love K x

Hi Ember, Really interesting to hear about your work...think that my brother now uses a pump......know that he gets quite a few problems caused by the diabetes, especially with his feet. The description of your "spiritual path" was interesting to read...Do you think that you will be able to keep your eyes open all night! Well, I hope that it helps you out.....just make sure that you have a good nap beforehand! Hope that you will let us know how you get on. Good luck with the new wedding plans! Lots of love Karen x

Well, I'm 44, (post right communicating artery - aneurysm).. 15 months on.......still get very tired....especially around 3 - 4.00pm.....don't have to nap really....just need to sit and rest up to re-charge the batteries. I get quite clumsy and can't think straight, almost like somebody has flicked a switch off in my head...that's my warning sign. Once I've had my "quiet time out" I can normally get myself up and going again. My energy levels still aren't what they used to be, pre-SAH and I don't achieve as much as I used to during the day. However, in the last few months, it has improved a little more. Love K x

Hi Jeanette, I think that you do eventually have to reach a point of acceptance .... I haven't given up hope of any more recovery....but I think for my own sanity, it's been better to acknowledge my limitations and work with them, rather than pulling against them. Any further recovery that I make, I now see as a bonus. Lots of love, Karen x

Hi Louise, Yes, I can well imagine that you are feeling pretty tired with such a busy weekend ..... it's pretty hard work holding a conversation for a long time as well..........I know that I can still only do a max of about 2 hours and then I'm completely whacked and my brain just wants to shut down. I'm hoping that will improve in time, but I'm not as sociable as I used to be .....most people are understanding....but I seem to run out of steam....I used to be able to talk the hind legs off a donkey, not anymore! Anyway, take it easy....put your feet up...hopefully, you'll enjoy your bedroom once it's all finished. Lots of Love K x

Perhaps I shouldn't post....as I might seem biased! But I love this forum because:- I've met some very lovely people, that have continued to inspire me......I don't feel alone anymore....I realise that there's always somebody worse off than me.....the more we share, the more we learn....it helps my day, especially if it's a bad one.....it makes life seem worthwhile again.... Love you all, K x

Hi Annie, Well, I'm one of the biggest "Waffler's" on this site and have a tendency to go "off topic"......it was one of my concerns that the postings on some topics were getting quite large and were deviating from the actual topic subject! (Which is mostly my fault!!) I hope that members will use the Green Room....just to drop in and out for a chat and a laugh about day to day stuff. It's nice to keep in touch, even if you don't have anything to contribute to the SAH Discussion Forum. Lots of love K x

Hiya, Glad that you like the idea! Love K x

The Green Room is now open

Hi Louise, Did you overdo things at the weekend? It was this weekend wasn't it, that you were doing the bedroom? Well, hopefully you rested up yesterday and you're okay... Just about to do my online grocery shop....will catch you later, Love K x

Good Morning all, I'm pondering whether to include a Forum for "off topic" conversation, called "The Green Room" ...... where general discussion can take place that isn't related too much to SAH. I tend to go "off topic" myself quite easily! But it might be nice just to have somewhere else to go, if people just want to say "Hi" or catch up with each other about daily events. The Site statistics are looking really good for this month and they've raced passed Septembers page viewings.....will let you know at the end of the month the final figures etc. Anyway, must stop lazing around and go and make myself a cup of de-caff!! Love K x

Hi Ember, Great to hear that you're making such a good recovery! It can be pretty boring if you're house bound, but even so, don't overdo things....take life at a gentle pace. I still have days when I'm feeling fatigued and overdose on daytime TV...I don't often need to nap, but my body has a tendency to come to a grinding halt and I need to re-charge the batteries for a bit! Good luck with seeing the Neurosurgeon on the 31st .... it's great when they tell you that you can drive again.....you start to feel a bit more human and feel as though you've regained a little control back over your life. It must be hard coping with the diabetes as well as the SAH. My brother was 18 when he became an insulin dependent diabetic.....I know that he's had plenty of health problems due to the diabetes. Well, you sound as though you're doing wonderfully well!! At least when the boredom starts to set in, you know that you're beginning to feel better! At least you have the weekend to look forward to and that will hopefully keep your spirits up. Good luck with the baking Catch you later, Love K x

Hi Sami, Well, good luck with the St.John's Wort and hope that it helps you out! I think that the anger stems from not feeling in control of your life any more....so it's good to release it and get rid of the adrenaline that's pumping around your body. I think that my anxiety problem has stemmed from not always releasing the anger in the early stages and sometimes bottling it up. You could say that I've learnt the hard way!! Well, this afternoon I did my longest drive since the SAH.....taxi service to my daughter and friend...I was driving for about 3/4 hour........it's worn me out.....sounds ridiculous, I know, but it was so busy out and pouring with rain, my brain cells were in overdrive. Got back home and felt like collapsing in a heap! Still, I did it and again, it's another small step forward. Anyway, crashed out on the settee, I'm not going anywhere this evening! Catch you tomorrow, Love Kx

Hi Sami, I understand completely from where you're coming from....it's really hard to accept the changes that have happened and that in itself can be pretty tough. It does get slightly better with the passing of time, I think that you probably just get used to living with it more than for any other reason. About six months after my SAH, I was angry with the whole damned thing...angry especially with my treatment from the GP before my SAH happened......angry about my eyesight....if he had sent me to hospital earlier etc. I probably wouldn't have had the damage to my sight. Not sure whether anybody else has experienced this angry stage....but after my initial jubilation of being lucky to be alive, I was ****** well angry that my life had changed beyond recognition. I did have to snap myself out of it, as I thought that I could self-destruct! I don't quite know what happened...but I just got to a point where I knew that feeling like this, wasn't going to alter what had happened or what was happening presently to me. It certainly wasn't anything spiritual or weird and wonderful ... I just got fed up with my angry self. I was probably at this point, when I first joined the Southamton MB. It does get easier emotionally and I'm only now beginning to feel more "comfortable" with who I am now. However, I still don't accept that I'm not going to progress any further ..... time has proven that even though my recovery has been at a snails pace, looking back I can now see the changes......but I've now had the luxury of time to be able to see that. You will get stronger Sami ..... just don't let "it" beat you .... you've done wonderfully well, so you should be proud and praise yourself. You've offered lots of good positive advice to others using this board and your postings are always honest ones and your character shines through. Must go, have a bathroom to clean and a daughter to pick up from a friends ..... I can't believe that half term is already here! Having a bad short term memory has its advantages! Catch you later, Love K x

Hiya, I too have thought about that one as well re:coiling and clotting......but have also wondered whether the clotting may disperse due to the blood thinner?? I haven't really got a clue....I might e-mail the support nurses at Southampton Neuro when I've got a few minutes to ask them....also if they have any lists of over the counter medicines that shouldn't be taken, including herbal remedies. Love K x

Hi Sami, I was going to take St.John's Wort a few years back when I was feeling a bit low.....but, it apparently can interact with the birth control pill so I decided not to take the risk!! I'm still on the pill, mainly due to always having had heavy periods and a history of ovarian cysts. It's so difficult to know what is or isn't safe to take.....have you thought about asking the Doc for something for anxiety? I'm on a low dosage beta blocker, primarily for anxiety and also for heart palpitations. It also keeps the blood pressure lower. From what I can see on the drug usage, it's also used for migraine headaches, which suits me as well, as haven't had any migraines since taking it regularly. Apart from the Beta Blockers and painkillers for headaches, all I take is a Vitamin B supplement, which is supposedly good for mental health! It will be interesting to know how much of the blood thinning agent is actually in the dose that you're taking. I know what you mean about the placebo affect though! Perhaps somebody in the medical profession should draw up a list for us SAH'ers of what over the counter meds are/aren't safe! Catch you later, Love k xx

Hi Sami, It will be interesting to see what your Doc comes back with. I'm due to see mine next Monday....so will also ask his opinion. It's a bit of a minefield with meds, especially with drugs interacting with other meds that you're taking. Love K x

Whoops.....forgot to sign in when I last posted.....going potty! Love K x

Hi Guys, Re: PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE Apparently this ingredient could be found in cough/cold/sinusitis/weight loss remedies/products .......most companies seem to have banned this ingredient from their products now, as it could cause a bleed on the brain .... below is an explanation of the drug, that I have cut and pasted. A lot of the info on the net seems to be pretty old, so hopefully the newer drugs are safe....this posting is just make you aware and if in doubt, please consult your GP. Thanks Annie, for drawing this to our attention. Phenylpropanolamine is a drug used to relieve nasal congestion due to colds, hay fever, upper respiratory allergies, and sinusitis. It is available in nonprescription products alone and in combination with other nonprescription drugs, to treat symptoms of allergy, colds, and upper respiratory infections. Phenylpropanolamine is also used as an adjunct to calorie restriction in short-term weight loss. It is available in nonprescription products alone and in combination with other ingredients for weight loss. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken steps to remove phenylpropanolamine from all drug products and has issued a public health advisory concerning phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride. This drug is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription cough and cold medications as a decongestant and in over-the-counter weight loss products. Phenylpropanolamine has been found to increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain or into tissue surrounding the brain) in women. Men may also be at risk. Although the risk of hemorrhagic stroke is very low, FDA recommends that consumers not use any products that contain phenylpropanolamine.

Hi Jeanette, You describe the fatigue very well.... I also know when my body is telling me that I've had enough, as I get very clumsy, can't think straight, hold a conversation etc. My eye also starts to give me grief! Like I said in an earlier posting, I very rarely have to have a sleep, normally just putting my feet up and turnng my brain off for an hour or so, is enough. However, if I do have a sleep, when I wake up, I'm like a startled rabbit and my head is all over the place and then I go into a stupor for a bit. But, yes, it is a little like being drugged! Do you know what artery was affected? Mine was the post right communicating artery. Anyway, will catch you later, Love Karen x

Hi Jeanette, Interesting to hear about your daughter's Master Degree.....you must be very proud of her and I bet you can't wait to hear her talk on the subject. I'm also quite an inquisitive person (or just plain nosey!!) but people are fascinating and I still enjoy hearing other peoples experiences......their coping mechanisms.......the human spirit is amazing! Like yourself, I'm not sure how I would cope talking in a large group and I'm probably better talking one to one. I also get quite tired when I speak for long periods now ...... before the SAH I was quite the motor mouth ..... but not any more! Like Andy P was saying......that it's interesting that you still need a large amount of sleep during the day ..... I go through spells of fatigue, but rarely need to sleep during the daytime now. It's also interesting that you suffer the burst blood vessels in the fingers and the migraines. Anyway, will go now as don't want to make this too long for you. Love Karen x

Hi Jeanette, You're doing pretty well for a "novice" on the computer! Like you, I have dodgy eyesight....have to use reading glasses and some of the print on packaging is so small that I can barely read it with glasses on! My eyesight is still a big problem. Is this the first time since your SAH, that you've joined a support group? Well, I will end this here for the minute.......well done you with the computer! Will look forward to reading your next instalment! Love Karen x

Hi Keith, Glad to hear that you're feeling okay ...... A great description of the angio and thanks for going into detail, as I'm sure that it will help others using this site who can't remember the angio first time around. I saw the flashing lights behind my dodgy eye...also felt a warm feeling in the eye......but it wasn't anything horrible or painful! Anyway, thanks for describing it so well and hope that you're having a relaxed weekend. PS Louise - I did have a sedative as I'm a big baby....but it was only a light one! Take care, Karen x