deanneg

I am going on 10 years post SAH (non-aneurysm). My vertigo/dizziness is bad, to the point where I'm afraid to go walking. Friend's homes have stairs to the door without railings (only more than 4 has railing required). I have Tinnitus that worsens with stress. Wondering who else experiences this. I am 62 yo.

I was just wondering how many have debilitating, 24/7 head pain following their SAH that prevents them from working and enjoying their life?  I had my SAH 11/23/14 and since then, not a day has gone by that I have not had head pain.  Every little sound, every door slam, every loud voice, every lawn mower, every weed eater, other loud noise, etc.  No pain medication helps.  No seizure medication helps.  Yet, if I go off of them, it's even worse. 

I am currently awaiting disability and don't know what I will do if I am turned down.  When I talk to family and friends, they say, "you sound good, you look good, you act normal, etc."  When I bend down to pick something up, the pain is excruciating.  My neurologist says I am not a candidate for botox injections because I do not suffer from migraines -- I have permanent pain, 24/7.

Of course, it is much worse on overcast days and when it is raining, but even on sunny days, it is bad.  My only relief seems to be to walk the dog.  I know, it sounds strange, but it takes my mind off of it. 

I am just wondering, now that I am 2 1/2 years post SAH, and still suffering from dizziness/vertigo, and constant head/neck pain and pressure (I have other medical conditions), if anyone else has this.  Although my medications list "dizziness" as a side effect, I have forgotten to take my noon dose of Gabapentin (Neurontin) Zanaflex and Topiramate on many occasions and noticed that my dizziness/vertigo yet worsens within 2 hours of a missed dose.  Does anyone else feel constant head pressure and dizziness, despite medications?  Even taking Vicoprofen (7.5 hydrocodone/200 mg. Ibuprofen) does not take the head pain/pressure totally away).  I have to pretty much knock myself out with meds to sleep at night, taking Klonopin and Zanaflex.  The pain at "dose" time, 5:30 a.m., awakes me.  

Has anyone been approved for Social Security Disability following SAH?  I cannot perform any kind of work with this constant head pain.  I was a paralegal for 35 years, which requires a lot of sitting.  I  had my appeal hearing yesterday and the occupational expert stated I could do work such as assembling small parts or being a mail sorter, although I also suffer from bi-later carpel tunnel syndrome (constant, throbbing hand/forearm pain).  The constant head pain is agonizing, and I do not know how they think I could be standing to be a mail sorter when I have arthritis in my feet/ankles.  I have had injections in them also.  My attorney did raise the point -- would any employer want to take the risk of me being there on all of the medications I take? 

I am literally miserable and enjoy very few things in life that I used to do.  Friends have all backed away from me, I guess because I can no longer do things I used to do and I am no longer as fun to be around.  So, I do things alone like walk my dog, despite my foot pain, as that is about all I can do to not think about the pain.  True, I do sit at this computer and type, but my hands are in horrible pain that keeps me awake at night.  I wear hand braces on both hands to sleep but often take them off in frustration because the Velcro tangles in the sheets when I toss and turn.

Your input is greatly appreciated !