Jan

I have just come across these posts regarding neuro psychology testing. Please excuse my ignorance on this subject, I have a couple of questions, Are the tests offered to all SAH patients/survivors? are you tested at the hospital that treated the SAH? From what Ive read above the tests would give us a better understanding of how the brain has been affected. I know that I, for one, don't understand enough and take it for granted I.e I get up every morning and expect my brain to function, perhaps not as well as it used to but enough to get me through that day It would be good to know how to deal with the frustrations when it doesn't quite keep up Jan xx

I am curious to know if anyone(after their life changing event) took the decision to change life further by moving house, changing career.for example, Edwwyn Collins (70s/singer) moved from London up to Helmsdale in Scotland,,after his Sah. one of my customers in my shop moved to Cyprus after having a stroke. John and I have discussed moving many times, before and after sah (strangely enough, one of the places we have always wanted to move to is Helmsdale.) I look forward to reading your replies/comments/thoughts on this Jan xx

Hi Sherry, I don't think there's much more I can add. Just this. . . You have found the best website/forum. I wish I'd found it earlier in my recovery. Everyone on here understands and take the time to try to calm our fears and worries . My short term memory is rubbish and I suffer anxiety, I never used to. Crowds, multiple conversations and yes, travelling in the car all make me anxious I think these feelings are normal for a lot of us. And oh yes, I sometimes have problems pronouncing words, that's when I can actually find the word I'm after. I lose words/sentences often!! Wishing you well Sherry, Take care of you Love Jan xx

Macca and Super Mario, thank you so much for taking the time to reply and advise me. I have cleared my desk, it is now known as DWP Central !!! Seriously, I really do appreciate your help with this Thanks again Love Jan xx

Super Mario Thank you for your reply and your advice I I'll take a look at the link and try to get an appointment at my local CAB on Monday Jan xx

I applied for PIP and had a face to face assesment. I wasn't awarded enough points, so I asked for a reconsideration. they are sticking by their original decision. So I'm wondering if it's worth the time and more importantly the stress of going to tribunal? I would just like to add that I have never claimed any benefits before and find it all daunting and complicated Any advice/info will be gratefully received Thank you for reading Jan

Hi Michelle, thank you for your lovely words, I'm sorry it made you cry. You are right about everyone on this site, lovely lovely people who genuinely care and understand, amazing really considering we haven't met one another, but we all have a very special bond don't we? Take good care Love Jan x

Macca you are a star. You always have the kindest most thoughtful (and thought provoking)encouraging words. Thank you so much I will go forwards wearing my new coat! Love Jan x

Hi Rachel, I had my SAH only a year ago so I can't help with your question,I just want to let you know that you have found THE best place to come for help/advice, sharing thoughts , concerns and worries. BTG is an absolute godsend for me. Take good care of you Love Jan x

Wish I'd seen this message earlier, I would've joined you for sure. Let me know if you're going to be in there tomorrow morning, I'd love to join you! Jan I've followed the smile instructions, you do make me feel better Win. See you in the green room tomorrow Jan x

hi Win, I'm fine thank you, just having a couple of down days at least that means there should be a couple of good ones on the way? Hope you are well, thank you for being here for me Love Jan x Carolyn, thank you for your lovely words.as I said to Win just a bit down at mo. Sometimes I wonder if I just need to give myself a good kick up the behind! ! ! Love J an x

Win and Keith, thank you both so much for all the advice and support yesterday. Carolyn, Thank you for your kind words, I wrote that when I'd been home from hospital for a couple of months. We really realise who cares and who is there for us don't we? Does anyone else find that the further down the recovery road we travel, the less we see of friends and family? It's like 'she's ok now, no need to visit', and actually, now is the time that we could use the love and support and company? Anyway I'm rambling on .again I'll give you all a break now and go and make a coffee, decaf, of course!!! Jan x

I wrote the following a couple of months ago. I think some of you will identify with it!I it gave a couple of my family members an insight as to how I was feeling THIS IS ME losing Things I've lost......... a chunk of my life My confidence My Independence My Stamina My motivation My identity I look in the mirror I don't know the person I see,who is this looking back at me? The 'old Jan'has gone, I miss her, I mourn for her People look at me differently now. I have to accept the 'new Jan' can you too? I am angry and sad inside but I can walk and talk so must be ok? I will be.

Hi, I called the surgery this morning I couldn't get an appointment with my GP so I saw a doctor who I hadn't seen before, I explained what had happened, John was with me so he could tell her more as he was with me when I had the seizure. She doesn't think it's hormonal. I had a blood test to check phenytoin levels, another wait for results. I have to say, she didn't put my mind at ease, she looked at my notes and then said that she wonders if my unruptured anni has grown and is pressing on part of my brain, not what I needed to hear but then as John said, she isn't neuro trained! John called North Staffs but my surgeons secretary is on leave. A note will be left for my surgeon to check the scans from last week and then contact me. Sooner than later hopefully. Sorry I've rambled on a bit here, I'm just worried. I don't know what I'd do without you lovely people who take the time to read and reply to my ramblings, it is very much appreciated Jan x

Hi Clare,thank you for your reply I will make the call this morning,hopefully I'll get an appointment. I'm so scared of the next one now.i feel it's knocking me back in my recovery I'll let you know how I get on. win. I wonder if some of it could be hormonal from what you said? I've just started my menopause (oh joy)!! Who would choose to be female?!!!! Thank you again Jan x

hi Win Thank you so much for taking the time to reply the Last month has been particularly stressful we've had some family problems,(to put it lightly I wasn't aware that stress can trigger seizures in fact.because mine have been quite random I don't know what the triggers are.hopefully a change of medication will help Jan x

Thank you Super Mario, I am still under a consultant,in fact he sent me for an EEG a couple of months ago when I was ..having the partial seizures, l haven't had the results of that so I will phone the hospital tomorrow and chase them up

I had a seizure this morning, not my first, I have one every 7/8 weeks the first couple that I had were 'partial seizures, only my jaw went into spasm, the last couple have been worse, my left arm shakes uncontrollably and my jaw is in spasm, I stay conscious throughout, it is such a scared feeling,having no control of my body's movements. I feel completely wiped out afterwards and felt dizzy after the one this morning. So I was just wondering if anyone else suffers similar seizures and could perhaps offer any information about them. I take anti seizure tblets(phenytoin 400mg. )Having seizures has given my confidence a bashing, I worry that I'll have one when I'm out, so I don't go far on my own Thank you so much for reading this jan

Yesterday it was a year since my SAH. I couldn't post yesterday as I spent the day at North Staffs hospital having scans, not the best way to spend my special day, just an unfortunate coincidence. I should know in a couple of weeks how my unruptured anni is doing. One year on is a good time for reflection. On the good days I can be positive and look forward I don't have so many 'why me' and 'if only' days . It's been a difficult year. In many many ways I've never felt so many different emotions! I have an amazing partner, he is so supportive and patient (yes, he needs to be very patient) this has been particularly painful and difficult for John as his Mum suffered a brain haemorrhage when John was only 8years old sadly his Mum died. I think that having reached the one year mark I can start making plans and decisions about the rest of my life I need to grab this 2nd chance that I've been given with both hands (well perhaps not with my left hand, it's still quite weak!!!)

Hi Michelle Congratulations on your 2nd Anni versary. Yesterday it was 1 year since my SAH I spent most of the day at N Staffs hospital having scans. Not how I would've chosen to spend my day but hey ho!! What a year it's been I suppose it's a time for reflection and on a 'good day' I can see the positives and improvements. I think I'm past the 'why me' and 'if only' stage now . At least I hope I am, BTG has been and still is a great support I'm so glad I found this site

Thank you for the advice. Assesment went ok, lovely lady, she was very understanding of my 'condition I'll know in two or three weeks how it really went !,

I have my PIP assessment tomorrow in my home, not sure what to expect. I would be grateful for any advice or information regarding this. Thanks. Jan

Thank you for a great welcome to BTG I feel brighter already having read all of your encouraging replies and having found the green room (thank you again Win) I hope my introduction wasn't too 'moany'. I used to be a 'wake up and smell the coffee'girl. (52yr old girl!, I'd never understood depression and still don't although I have it! I have a million questions so I'm afraid you'll be hearing from me again soon. Jan

Hi, my name is Jan, I had my SAH 7th June 2015 Thunderclap headache - ambulance - blue lighted to hospital I remember very little after that. An aneurysm had burst, this was clipped (craniotomy). I spent five days in critical care conscious but totally unaware of what had happened. I was then transferred to a neuro ward, having no idea why I was in hospital i asked a nurse, she said 'you've had an SAH' I'd never heard of one..helpful? Not! Anyway very long story short I'm left with weakness and numbness in my left arm and leg, my short term memory is rubbish (can't remember where it went!) I also have an unruptured aneurysm found at first follow up scan. My neurosurgeon said it was too small to worry about and the wrong shape to coil..a ticking time bomb I am!! I was very active prior to the SAH working full time in my own business. I now struggle with the fatigue and the frustrations of what I can't achieve yet. I no longer yearn for the 'old Jan' but haven't adjusted to the new one yet. Thank you for reading This wonderful site has helped me enormously reading advice and comments from others.