Chris G

Hi. I had mine while running. I was able to start running again as soon as the doctor cleared it. I think of it this way. The bleed happened for some reason. Whatever that reason was is now gone. Statistically you are no more likely to have it happen again than anyone else. So I view myself as stronger now that I am past it than I was before it with this unknown flaw ticking in my head. I hope this mindset can help. 

Hi Dave. Good luck with your recovery. It differs for everyone and it is more of a rollercoaster than linear. In my case memory loss and headaches were the main after effects. That lasted for almost a year. I still get the “weird” headaches occasionally and it has been 7 years since my NASAH.

I say weird because the headaches are acute and more like a brain freeze from drinking something cold than they are a normal headache. I like to think you are stronger now that this is behind you and you are recovering as you were before it happened. You survived it. Now just be patient and find people who understand and will support you. 
 

Chris

I am over 5 years out from mine and offer this advice. It takes time and has ups and downs but you will adjust. You had a problem now it is gone. You are stronger than ever!  Hang in there 

Similar to others for me. I was told not to run again for 3 months until they could do a follow up scan. After that I was told to resume at what ever pace I wanted. For the 3 months I walked a lot. 

Sarah

i am saddened to hear this news. I don’t check this site often enough so I apologize for the delayed response. Win was a pleasure to know and I always enjoyed her upbeat comments and singing. I am thankful to have known her on this site. 
 

Chris

Welcome to the BTG.

I send best wishes for your recovery.  As mentioned above, we all heal differently, and I don't know that any of us return to "normal" but rather find a new norm.  I am just over two years out, but sill have lingering effects, mostly some weird headaches and memory problems.  But overall, I would say I am back to normal.  

Just take it slow, be patient, listen to your body and get better.

Chris

One way to look at it that helps me is like this.  You had a weakness that you did not even know about.  It tried to take you down, but you survived.  Now that weakness (no matter what caused it) is gone.  Vanquished.  You are now stronger than you were before it happened.  

Hi Taka,

I think the most disturbing thing about the NASAH is the whole not knowing what caused it.  I was skeptical of doctors telling me it most likely would not happen again, when they could not tell me why it happened the first time.  But I learned that they base it on statistics from thousands of patients who have suffered NASAHs in the past.  So I learned to believe.

Please read through the NASAH section.  I believe you will find a lot of valuable information there.  Welcome.

Chris

Hi,

I just wanted add my experiences as you are not alone.  People on this site talk often of the "new me" and though I just had a NASAH, I do have a new me.  Here are some of the changes I feel, and some of the changes I am told about me:

1.  The most overriding feeling of all is one of not being fully connected.  I have described it as living in the moment, but then later feeling like it was a dream.  My yesterday sometimes feels weeks away.  It's not really a fog I notice as I am doing something, but more of a fog on the recall.  A "was I really there" yesterday feeling that can lead to an "Am I really here" feeling that can be depressing.  

2.  My outlook on things have changes with no real reason.  For example, I am more likely to take a bug outside of my house alive than squash it like I would have before.  I sometimes pick up other peoples litter and throw it away.  I never did these things before, but I am compelled to do them now.  

3.  On the flip side, and to your comments, I am less patient, more moody, and (I hate to admit this) care less for people in general.  Only my loved ones and people who understand, like the people on this site, seem to register in my heart.  Peripheral people feel more like holograms.

I am not mean to other people, I just don't seem to feel them.  The aforementioned bug may get more affection from me than the checkout girl at the grocery.  This is a change, as I used to love to engage people.  Now they can be telling me a story that would have engaged me in the past, and inside I am "whatever" bored.

4.  I am past the anxiety and fear stage of recovery, but it was there.  Now, I just get the occasional black cloud that can linger over me a few days.

5.  I only consume small amounts of alcohol as it tends to make my memory even worse, and I may repeat the same story twice in an hour to the same people.

With all of that said, there are many positives too.  I do live in the moment more than before.  Maybe because I have to.  While other people feel farther away, I am at the same time, more tolerant of them in general. 

I respect people more, I just get bored.  I love sleeping more than I used to.  Sometimes getting into bed at night is a real joy.  And honestly, I don't fear my future and fate as much as I used to.  It's like I won already and now am in bonus time.

So I rambled on and I don't know if this helps or not, but I hope it does.

Please continue to heal and adjust.

Chris

I hope everything continues to check out ok.  Hopefully, they will subside soon so you can feel relieved from the pain and the worry.

Chris

I love you Clare. Cheers. Thanks everyone!

So it was two years ago today that my bleed happened on an evening run.  I am so thankful for this site and the support, love and sharing that takes place.  I started to thank some specific individuals, but was afraid I would leave someone out inadvertently.  So just let me say to all of you chefs, singers, fellow runners, poets, supporters, admins, brain game players,  and other survivors, THANK YOU for being there for me.

My injury was very minor and my recovery so much easier than many of you, that I remain in awe of the courage and inspiration you exhibit.  I took my run already this morning and smiled as I passed the stop under the small tree where my NASAH finally took me to my knees two years ago.  NOT TODAY, I thought.  I am a survivor with a wonderful support group!

Thanks to you all!

Chris

Welcome to the site.  I hope you get it checked out and it is all ok.

Chris

Prayers and best wishes for you to feel better.  It's a rollercoaster ride and I hope you start to feel lifted back up soon.

Chris

Welcome Linda.

Don't feel that you don't belong here, because you do.  I only suffered a NASAH.  10 days in the hospital and just an EVD.  I am often amazed at what some of the other members have experienced and the courage they have as they continue to recover.  However, we are all part of the same family here and everyone is very welcoming. 

Leaving the hospital with little information seems to be common.  Fear of reoccurrence is also common.  Mine got much better with time as I hope yours will as well.  From my medical advisors, people on this site, and research of some studies online, I have become to believe that the risk of reoccurrence of a NASAH is minimal.

As everyone states, drink lots of water, listen to your body, try to avoid stress.  I am sending you best wishes for a speedy and peaceful recovery.

You are a survivor!

Chris

Welcome.  I wish you the best as you continue to recover.  It sounds like you really are a true survivor!  I got by much much easier than you, so I can't give you much advice other than to stay positive and continue to read the BTG.  There are so very many wonderful survivors and carers on here who can give you much advice.  Also, there is a lot of great advice already on here if you search around.

I send prayers for you and your family.  I am so sad that they missed it on the MRI in 15.  But wow, have you ever shown them with where you are versus what they predicted.  Please continue to beat the odds and heal nicely.

Chris

Best wishes for you A.  I hope everything goes well.

Prayers for you and your Mum Tori.

Congrats!  Keep getting better!

I pray you feel better soon. I know it's not really a guy thing but I took 2 to 3 hot baths a day for several weeks after I got out of the hospital. They seemed to help relax me. I tapered off to almost none again now but at the time I really was thankful for them. Maybe that would help you?

Welcome. What you are experiencing is almost identical to my experience. After being discharged I experienced neck headaches followed by acute but short lived headaches in the temples. Like a brain freeze. They got better over time and I think it is just the brain healing from the damage that was done. I hope yours improve too. Be patient drink water and get lots of rest. 

Chris

Hi Yoyo,

I send prayers for you and hope you can find peace soon.  It's a struggle to heal and it takes time and patience, by you and your support group.  I hope you continue to improve.  You will have good days and bad days, but the trend should be up over time.  Please hang in there.  You are a survivor!

Chris

Congrats on the first year.  I hope you continue to improve each year for many years to come.

Chris

Jan,

I am sending many prayers for you.  I hope you feel better soon.

Chris

Welcome Blue  l am also in the US (Ga). Best wishes for you 

chris