Karen

With many thanks to Subzero for his very kind donation today! 

And also many thanks to those BTG members who make a monthly contribution to keep the site up and running.

Your support and kindness is very much appreciated. x

Thank you so much CharlieD!

Donation received and it will help take Behind the Gray forward for another 3 months!

Thank you for your kindness and I'm so glad that the site has helped you. x

Thank you Sallios, that's very kind of you and donation received.  x

Thanks Sami. xx

Many thanks to those members who've made a donation towards the running costs of Behind the Gray in September! It's kept the site ticking over! 😘 x

With many thanks to those members who are making a monthly donation towards BTG funds.....It's very much appreciated.xx

Thanks Sami! x

With many thanks to all of those members who make a monthly donation to Behind the Gray! x

I'm a little bit late with the "thank you's" but it's so much appreciated and it helps us to budget for the normal bits and pieces and the unforseen stuff that arrives at BTG's door .... Thank you so much. xx

We're looking to raise at least £800+ per year to keep this site running.... Hosting alone and part management with Invision, is now costing us £600 per year, so that doesn't include any extras that we may need to put into place ... such as paying for up to date software upgrades every couple of years and new themes/skins that support the new software.

Information technology changes like the wind and in order for this site to work properly and without any glitches, we have to move with it. If we don't, it results in areas of the website becoming "broken" and the website and forums would eventually fall into decay and not usable.

Everything, that is carried out on this site is voluntary and carried out to a high standard and would cost us significantly more, if we had to employ people in a professional capacity to do the same. Therefore, we rely on the goodwill of volunteers to keep this website running at the high standard that it is, for the minimum of costs.

If anybody would like to give a donation to help keep us running there is a Donate button on the site .... if you would prefer to send a personal cheque, then please contact me via Private Message or the website via email.

With many thanks to all who've set up a regular monthly donation with the website and you know who you are! x

A regular monthy donation helps the site to budget for the following year/s and to be honest, it's a bit of a relief and less stress for me when working out our finances or if we need to consider fundraising.

I'm not good or at all comfortable with asking for money to keep this site funded and it goes against the grain for me, but I can see that it's often down to some individuals who donate the one off larger amount who've floated the site funds to take BTG forward for another year, after I've appealed on the website and without these members, BTG wouldn't be here.

So, it's also with many thanks to those of you, who've donated a yearly donation over the years and you also know who you are ...x

Thank you all for your kindness and giving support to future survivors. 

Finollie, I don't know of anyone that's had their insurance premium increased because of the SAH.

I believe that insurance companies cannot increase your premium, if the DVLA has said and given the okay, that you're fit to drive ... Your insurance company may want to see the copy of the letter from the DVLA, telliing you, that you are fit to drive.

It's much better to declare your situation, rather than having an insurance company not paying out, when you need it ...I would always advise for anybody to declare their medical history to their insurance company, irrespecive of having your licence revoked, as they would perhaps refuse to pay out. 

I never had my driving licence revoked and declared my problems voluntary to both the DVLA and Insurance company. At the time of my SAH, I had a work colleague, who unfortunately had a brain tumour, but gave sage advice.

I had a third nerve palsy to my right eye and seizures during my spell in hospital...some of those seizures were the hospitals fault with their lack of due care and attention.

A third nerve palsy meant that I had double vision. The DVLA were happy for me to drive, as long as I corrected the double vision with either an eye patch or glasses fitted with a prism, when driving.

I believe that if you've been declared fit to drive and it's been confirmed by the DVLA and you have evidence as such, that insurance companies can't discriminate and up your premium.

Win, I think that I was still doolally when my kids thought that this site was a good idea at 12 months post SAH! Little did I realise, that it would still be running in 2018! Think that I would have run a mile to be honest!

It's been run on a wing and a prayer and when I was still recovering myself and still going through all of the issues that I see from members now.

It's been a combination of good, sometimes not so good lol and steep learning curves with running the site... but it's been great therapy for me, to see how each of us, have passed on our own experiences, info, support and love for our fellow SAH'ers and their carers and family. That's why I continue with it. xx

Bless you Win!

Wow! I was only one year into my recovery when Lauren started this thread....it's brought back memories of how my SAH impacted on the whole family.

I'm glad to say that we've all come a long way since 2006! xx

Win, funny that you say that about ear piercing .... my Doc did my ear piercing when I was 16, as I had an allergy to certain metals. Unfortunately, he pierced the left lobe too far down, which is the one with the crease and I reckon that the weight of some of the earrings that I used to wear, has also added to the crease.....in fact it's now a V shape! 

Yes, I've had one for years on my left ear lobe and was aware that it's a potential indicator. However, I've a tendency to sleep mainly on my left side, so I'm a bit more wrinkly on that side of my face!  x

Admin note: In order to stay on topic in the medical forums this thread has been edited and artwork and replies can be found on the following thread started in the Green Room....just click your mouse on the title below. x

Ask your Doc for a blood test to see if you're deficient in any vitamins or minerals .... it could be a simple fix. I was found to be lacking in iron, calcium/vit D post SAH. x

Jan, I can only say that this year, I'll be 12 years on, post SAH. I shall also be 55 in August. Every year, since the SAH, I've experienced better recovery .... I've been going through the menopause as well...and still having the drop in hormones.

It's a tough road to travel, but I've done more this year, than I've ever done post SAH, so take heart!

2 years ago, I finally went to the Docs and got anti-depressants for my anxiety (I'm still on them) ... I also had stuff going on in my personal life. I struggled. I just wish that I had accepted help earlier and life since, has been a lot better and on a much more even keel.... 

I've also had balance problems and still do at certain times .... go and speak to your GP and be honest with him/her ... I've always felt that for me, the two year stage, was the starting point in my recovery.... figuring it out and discovering that I was living in a body and brain, that didn't feel like me.

I rarely post on the site now, but I know how important mental health is ... please go and see your GP.... I wish that I hadn't been quite so stubborn, there's help out there and I hope that you guys won't leave it as long as me, to seek it. xx

Great to see you Laura. x

Great to see you back Keith!  x

Kelley, I have an infundibula on the left hand side of my brain. I believe that it's an abnormal shaped artery. It hasn't caused me any problems. Ask your Doc the questions that you need to ask. xx

Congratulations Clare on reaching your two year anni-versary.  I've always felt that the first couple of years are perhaps the hardest with the many changes that we have to make. Hope that you enjoy your day and celebrate how much you've achieved. Sending a big hug to you.  xx

The battery analogy is a very good one .. I only managed 5 hours per day, in a paid working capacity post SAH... plus fitting in travelling to and from and housework/cooking, before and after ... and I know that I pushed myself to the absolute limit and I couldn't always remember the drive home ... which isn't good! x

Hi Luke,

So sorry to hear your news .... I'm just hoping that you've contacted Social Services/or you've been offered the additional help that you need? x

Louise, many congratulations on your 17th year! It's been my privilege to have walked some of those 17 years alongside you and watch your confidence grow. Thank you for all of your support. Love and hugs to you. xx 

Luke, I used to have a sweet tooth before the SAH ... afterwards, I couldn't stand anything sweet, so I'm the opposite of your Mum. Even toothpaste made me gag and it would set my teeth on edge. Then I tried the more natural toothpastes with bicarbonate of soda that were salty and that did the same! It's still on a learning curve, even this many years on ... it's trial and error to be honest.

I know of a few members who've had their "taste" senses altered after the SAH, so I can only presume that it's a bit of damage to the brain. I also know of someone who completely lost their sense of taste and another who said that everything, apart from mashed potato tasted of sewerage! 

However, I now feel (and I'm 11 years on) that my sweet tooth has partially returned and I'm learning to enjoy the odd bar of chocolate and slice of cake, but I can also say no to it ... it depends on how my energy levels are now ... but the short term craving of chocolate isn't always good when your energy is low .... The odd square/s of plain/dark chocolate is probably the better option ... it helps to improve your mood ... you will have to look it up!

Have you tried your Mum with something like Flapjack? It has oats in it and the sweetness that she perhaps craves, but it releases energy slowly, rather than having energy spikes with refined sugar.... it's lovely! x