Karen

Hi Susy, It's really nice to meet you and thanks for telling us your story. Are you left with any sort of disability since the SAH? I'm 15 months into my recovery, but still have eyesight and balance problems. My own recovery has been pretty slow and still have days where the fatigue is a big problem. I've had to learn to pace myself! Anyway, in the middle of cooking, so will catch you later! Hope that the day is being kind to you! Lots of Love Karen x

Hi Jeanette, a warm welcome to the site! I will look forward to reading your instalments and will try to keep any replies brief......but I can be a bit of a waffler!! I'm sure that you will end up being a bit of a whizz on the computer, once you get going! Can I ask you how you found out about this site? Catch you later, Love Karen x

Hi Louise, Don't work too hard stripping that wallpaper, but have a nice meal on Sunday! Just taken the dog out for a walk around the block......have been collecting some fir cones to make a few xmas decs. I don't walk him often now, due to the dizzy spells....but it's quite nice to get a breath of fresh air. The weather down here has gone grey and when I was out for the walk I could feel a few tiny spots of rain..but it was too warm to wear a coat. This week has gone quite fast.....I can always find something to do...so I can never say that I'm bored.....sometimes wonder how I fitted in work as well, no wonder that I used to feel pretty stressed. Both kids are out tonight.....Eric is back home a bit later......so hoping to have a nice peaceful evening. Just picked up some fresh mushroom soup and some olive bread and that's going to be dinner sorted for the two of us. Take care and will speak soon, Love K x

Hi to all, Well, it's been pretty quiet on the site today ..... so I'm hoping that every one is keeping well and that you're all doing much better things! Will be going into the chat room at 8.30pm this evening, if anybody fancies a natter. Have a lovely weekend and take care, Love K x

Morning Ladies, Weather is good here as well, after a foul night of wind and heavy rain. Slept a bit better last night, but my body clock is still doing the 4.00am thing......but at least I didn't have to raid the biscuit tin! Going to get out to the supermarket for a few bits in a minute. Might get my sewing machine out this afternoon and make a few bits and pieces....It's a toss up between that and the ironing.....ooh which one should I choose!! Glad that Ronnie came back early for you Louise! Catch you later, Love K x

Hi Barney, Like yourself I've never had particularly high blood pressure, 95% of the time, mine is normal and even if it has been slightly high, it's always come down on the 2nd reading. However, I have suffered classic migraine headaches, since being a teenager and I still wonder whether this has played a part with the aneurysm formation. I know what you're saying about taking the meds and the problems that they cause.....I was on anti-seizure meds for about 8 months and I'm sure that they hindered my recovery.....I seemed to get all manner of problems from them.....I felt much better, once I was allowed to stop taking them, but at first I didn't know whether it was the SAH causing problems or the meds. At the minute, I'm only taking Beta Blockers.....for heart palpitations and they help with the anxiety etc. Your work sounds interesting.... at least being able to work a couple of days a week, it probably helps to take your mind off things. Hope all is well, Love Karen x

Hi Sami, Well, Eric has been going away for the past 18 years or so ..... I don't feel as though I've had much choice in the matter.....but I suppose that I've tried to keep it all on an even keel for the kids....they've never known any different. Sometimes, I quite like my own space (perhaps, I'm a bit sad!!).......depending on how I'm feeling......it is scarier since the SAH, but with time I'm getting used to it again. He's in the UK at the minute.....but actually forgot that he was going to be away today.....he only got back from N.Ireland last night. I don't think that it helps relationship wise...I'm a very family orientated person.....I love my house.....my kids will always come first and I can't really understand people that don't think that way I suppose. Can't understand why people have a family and don't want to spend time with them or why they put their needs before their childrens. Not sure that I'm any stronger than the next person, I know that the SAH has whipped a lot of my strength away, but I'm only now beginning to re-build it, but think that it's going to be a long haul! Anyway, must go.......have a good night and will catch you tomorrow.. Lots of Love K xxxxx

Hi Louise, I'm probably a little more "blunter" since the SAH ..... so I'll probably ask about stuff that I wouldn't have before my SAH...... I've perhaps lost a few of my inhibitions.......which isn't a bad thing really! But, glad that you don't mind me asking!! So, thanks! Well, Ronnie sounds like a lovely man!! Eric is working away again, back tomorrow.....so cooking sweet and sour chicken with rice, but your dinner sounds nice as well!! Nothing wrong with a bacon sarnie....sometimes I think that I could go vegetarian.....but the smell of bacon still does it for me! Take it easy and have a good evening, Love K xxxxxx

Hi Annie, The book I have is called "The Pharmacy Guide to Herbal Remedies" written by Jan de Vries, my edition was published in 2001 ..... but it's very good.... I bought it after seeing a series on the tv and this guy (the author) seemed to be working miracles with his patients using herbal remedies, he seemed to be able to just look at a patient and tell what their problem was......I was having quite a few migraines at the time....but looking back, perhaps it was a lead up to my warning bleed a couple of years later!....who know's...they say that migraine and SAH isn't related but I still have my doubts. The book gives you dosage info, restrictions, contra-indications, adverse reactions, application, restrictions etc. I've found it quite useful over the years as a reference to natural alternatives. Lots of love K xxxx

Hi Louise, Ooh.... it must feel a bit weird having that inside you......hope that you didn't mind me asking you!! But it's interesting to know how it feels and you've explained it really well! I know that you have to put up with it, but it sounds very clever .... I've heard about the shunt, but not the tube. An ex- work colleague of mine, has a little girl that had a brain tumour and was eventually fitted with a shunt due to the pressure build up. But, yep, you've explained the tube well....so you're not as bad at describing stuff as you think!! Well, I'm having a better afternoon than morning ..... which is good....just about to do something half decent for dinner tonight! Well, have a good night and put your feet up, Lots of Love K x

Hi Sami, Aah bless you, you're a good girl, jeez, don't worry!....don't feel bad about it, honest.....it's not your fault......This batty lady is still alive and kicking!! Actually, I'm feeling loads better this afternoon than I did yesterday......so it hasn't done anything detrimental!! (I actually remembered to pick up the notebook today!) You take care and enjoy your pint! Love and hugs, K xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Sami, No need to apologise .... I also didn't see any warnings on the site .... I've got an old natural alternative medicine book and I was just checking to see if it might interfere with my Beta Blockers .... that's were I saw that it was a blood thinner........there were no warnings however, on the actual packaging of the supplement.....which seems to be the norm with natural alternatives. Honestly, don't worry .... I've deleted the postings on it ..... so all is well! Hope that everything is okay with you and please don't worry!! Love and hugs, Karen x

Hi Annie, Thanks for the warning re: ginkgo....I also found out that info yesterday evening, when I was reading a book on natural alternatives + warnings. I bruise easily and often burst blood vessels in my fingers.....so I haven't taken any more! The trouble is with the natural medicines, the manufacturers don't supply labels with any warnings or side effects. Not sure whether that's any different in the U.S. I've deleted the postings on the site for it......apart from your warning and my reply. Will stick to just taking my Vit B supplement, which is hopefully safe, as I haven't read anything to the contrary......unless anybody knows different! Yes, I am starting to see a little beam of light at the end of the tunnel....even though I've had a couple of tired days.....but I can put up with those, if I know that I'm going to pick up again! But, yes, I'm feeling a little more positive....saying that.....I know that things can change so quickly, therefore I still stick to taking it a day at a time! Well, a Bounty bar is chocolate or candy in your neck of the woods! It's a coconut bar wrapped with plain or milk chocolate.....it's one of Sami's favourites, so I bought one today for a treat and a choccy fix! It was lovely! I've also wondered about acupuncture.....I saw a tv documentary on it, a couple of months back.....it was really interesting....I might have some treatment if conventional medicine can't help restore my balance. Let me know how it continues to go for you Annie. Lots of love Kx

Hi Annie, Thanks for that info. I also read that yesterday evening, as I've have a book on natural alternative medicines etc.....I haven't taken any more tabs as I bruise easily anyway and often get broken blood vessels in my fingers.....but will delete the postings re: ginkgo on the site. Would anybody who takes this supplement, please check with their Doctor as Annie has suggested, before they continue with its use. It is a blood thinner and should not be used if you've had a haemorrhage. Love K x

Hiya, Sami, glad that your counselling session went well. Pretty certain that I suffered from PTSS ... re: anxiety problems .... that's what the Doc thinks has caused it .....It's only in the last couple of months that I've felt some release and haven't had any "crying days". I wish that they would offer counselling to all SAH sufferers as par for the course .... there's probably a lot of people out there suffering from it and not realising... but have just been left to struggle and get on with life. I've just eaten a bacon sarnie with tomato ketchup....with the dog looking at me whilst I ate it! Popping down to the local shop in a min, so I'm going to pick up a Bounty and eat that when I put my feet up later. Louise, I was meant to ask you before about your tube......when you say it plays up......what does it make you feel like? I think that you're right about the stress last week.....don't think that it helps any....just have to hope that I will have more energy tomorrow. It's a bit wild and windy down here today.....blue one minute, black the next. Anyway, off down to the shop, will catch you later. Love K x

Hiya, Well, I got a fairly early night, as my eye was giving me quite a bit of pain and I had some double vision .... so that's another indicator of the fatigue....it always rears its ugly head when my brain's had enough! Still woke up at 4.00am though.....but it was tipping with rain, so may be that was the reason why.....got back off to sleep fairly quickly.....but woke up with a headache again. Still, will try for an early night again and see what happens. I'm not up to much today....apart from the usual boring stuff......Louise, you sound as though you're pretty tired today, doesn't help if the weather is a bit grey and gloomy. So hope that you're taking it easy. Still, the parts have arrived for the tumble dryer, so Eric's hoping to get that fixed up for me at the weekend......the washing and drying of clothes seems to be taking a lot of my time up and I'm getting behind with it all! Anyway, going to have a tidy up and will hopefully be able to put my feet up in front of the tv later on. Catch you later, Love K x

Hi Louise, Glad that you got your pressie sorted....I'm sure that they will love it. Something else that you can tick off your list! Ended up doing "toasties" for dinner tonight ...... just couldn't summon up the energy to do anything else! Going to try to get an early night ..... hopefully, tomorrow will be slightly better than today! Will speak to you tomorrow, nite, Love K x

Hi Ladies, Annie - Like you say, it's good to see other people using this MB that have had the same type of bleed as yourself ... it must be a bit more comforting for you to know that you're not alone. Thanks for your kind words about the site...just glad that it helps and having the feedback is really appreciated....makes it all worthwhile! Having a really tired day....probably the worst fatigue that I've felt in weeks....may be the headache has been an indicator to take it easy today. Still, I'm nearly 15 months on from the SAH and I can finally say that I'm at long last having more good days than bad, so I'm content with feeling a bit whacked out today. Well, must go now and think about putting some dinner on! Love to you all, K x

Hi Keith, Yes, I could well imagine your Wife's reaction .... you would probably have a date with the casualty dept! Are you on any meds for the blood pressure? I don't have high blood pressure, but I'm on beta blockers for heart palpitations and anxiety. They seem to help and I haven't had a migraine since being on them. I was first in the queue for my angio....so had it done at about 9.00am....they were waiting to take me down, before they had given me the sedative......I certainly wasn't going anywhere until I had that!!.... Think that I finally left the day ward at about 2.00pm to go home......I had to wait a bit longer than normal because my blood pressure was low....as soon as it came back up, they let me walk out. My leg was a bit stiff and bruised around the site of the angio for a couple of days, but I felt okay, just had the odd headache. Anyway, hope that you're feeling a bit better today. Catch you later, Love K x

Hi Ladies, Today, I have the Mother of all headaches......it kicked off yesterday evening and it's still banging away. Probably something to do with my sleeping pattern. Nice to hear about your Christmas arrangements ..... I love feta cheese...if I lived closer Sami, you might find an uninvited guest on your doorstep! I shall take my gingko in a minute .... will let you know if it helps. Away, now to do some work......hope that the counselling goes well Sami. It certainly helped me watching the coiling video and I feel a little easier with things. Catch you all later, Love K x

Hi Annie, Don't you go getting worried about what I said re: warning bleed ..... I was eventually given a MRI weeks later and it didn't show an aneurysm, the results were inconclusive and I was told that I could have had a small bleed. I was experiencing the same eyesight problems as I did when I had the next bleed. When I was admitted (July 2005) to Southampton Neuro, they told me that I should have been given a CT scan and an angiogram when I had the "probable warning bleed" as MRI doesn't always give the best picture. So don't worry Annie.....you had the angiograms and other tests.... in order to pinpoint the problem and they couldn't find anything ..... I didn't have all of the tests that I should have and that's why I went on to have another bleed. Hope this makes sense Annie! Sorry to have scared you though .... my problem was really a lack of medical intervention first time around and the ani more than likely being missed. Love K x

Hiya Keith, Glad it went okay......If I lived closer I would pop over and join you for a full english.... (I like my bacon crispy!) .....3.00 - 4.00 am seems to be my wake up time at the minute! They gave me a sarnie at lunchtime when I was in for the angio, so hopefuly they will do the same for you. If your blood pressure is very high, does that explain why you've been getting the headaches and feeling a bit low? Well Keith, the best of luck for Friday, hope everything goes well .... don't forget to set your alarm for that fry up!! Speak to you soon, Love K x

Hiya Keith, How did you get on today at the pre-assessment? K x

Hi Louise, No, you're not a misery guts...I know that Christmas time can be quite a rough time for a lot of people, especially if you've lost close members of your family. I just see xmas as family time....it's the only two days out of the year, where we all have to be together...... it's hard work in its preparation, but I also think it's a time to reflect.....switch off the tv and talk etc. This year for us, it's going to have be less commercial, low key and it will certainly be downscaled as I'm not working......but I personally don't mind that...I'm quite happy just to have some good food on the table... listening to Bing Crosby and Nat king Cole.....a cracker to pull, a stupid hat!! (A big box of Thornton's continental chocs would be a plus!) Well Louise, hope that you can enjoy a bit of the magic too ...... sling a bit of tinsel around your neck, like your Mum used to ...... All being well this year, think that I will be slinging everything on and making the most of it! Nite all, Love K x

Hi Sami, We used to cut out a stencil footprint and sprinkle flour around.....always left out mince pies and brandy for Father Xmas + water for the Reindeers...really miss all of that.....will have to wait for Grand Children I suppose....but I do love Xmas.....love the old films on tv and the old music..! You can always find me playing slushy xmas songs and cooking the xmas dinner! I'm an old romantic, but I still enjoy the magic!! Take care all and sweet dreams! (Not that I personally want any!) Lots of Love K x