Shanti

Hi Donna I woke up this morning and am still dizzy a few hours later. Just had a couple of difficult emotional days and went to bed both nights feeling ill with stress. Stress over now and feel better emotionally, but feel very dizzy and out of it. I'm sure this will pass as the day progresses. Drinking a couple of mugs of warm water and getting myself out and about later this morning should do the trick. BIg hug Lesley xxx

Hi Anne Like you I temporarily lost a very old and trusted friend post SAH. (Though she did come round a few months later and we did sort it out - I quietly told her that she had gone over the dividing line and it wasn't on and I wouldn't tolerate such behaviour in my life anymore. Thankfully we saved the friendship). Like other replies on here, I too don't have the same level of tolerance of people. I also used to let people get away with too much. Always trying to be nice and not make waves. Well as I've been given a second chance at life I don't mess about if people upset me now. I don't shout or throw a tantrum though, just calmly tell it as it is. I've also learnt to keep away from certain people as much as possible (my father being one! - but he's an exceptional case, he really would try the patience of a saint). In a nutshell: definitely less putting up and shutting up like you say. Its also had an effect on my relationship with Paul. But because we have a lot of love and respect for each other, I don't take advantage of being ill to be horrible to him, I just calmly have to point out that I can't cope with such and such. Bless him, he's very good and understands. (I also encourage him to tell me when I've upset him too - its not a one way street). Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Donna I'm one of the lucky ones, I only get the occasional headache now and the odd twinge behind my right eye. Like some of the others, I know its because I've overdone things or sometimes I've lain in bed too long and get up dizzy as well. I'm dizzy this morning for example 'cos I had a very over the top emotional day yesterday and the day before. Ended up having to go to bed I felt so ill. (All sorted out now thank goodness). Post SAH the hospital gave me instructions re codeine, aspirin etc and I adhered to those instructions to the letter. And after being home for around 3/4 weeks as per the hospital's instructions I wasn't taking either. I just take Nurofen and Ibroprofen if the headaches/eye pains start and they seem to do the trick. (I know I am fully aware how lucky I am not to have worse symptoms than these). Like Sami, I also read labels and don't drink anything with Aspartame in it. But saying that, I'd been doing that for a few years anyway. The only fizzy drink we have at home is Schweppes Dry Ginger Ale which is very refreshing and doesn't have aspartame in it. All the diet drinks have aspartame in them which come under different names: sucrose, saccharine and all the other names the soft drinks trade try to hide this stuff. Its actually a poison. Sami: are there any other fizzies without aspartame? - would welcome input. Thanks. Caffeine doesn't seem to give me headaches: I'm still a tea bag! Tea for me is the real amber nectar (I'm coming back next lifetime on a tea plantation ) I've been veggie for 25 years in that I don't eat meat, but I have been eating seafood for the past 10 years as got too tired on just a veggie diet. I try to drink a mug of hot water for every mug of tea (yeh right, of course I don't always remember) as I know not drinking enough water and taking in too much salt contributes to headaches. Oh, I hardly drink alcolhol, literally once in a blue moon. Hope this helps. Big hug Lesley xxx

Donna: I didn't like my MRI scan either. Felt claustrophobic too. Horrible. But like Karen tried to imagine I was somewhere else. Paul came in with me too and I could see him through the mirror they have strategically placed so you can see outside. Myra: I've not long had a MRI scan (6 months post SAH) and I've got coils. Perhaps the consultant meant that they don't do them too early after the coiling operation? Phone and ask your rehab nurse or phone the the consultant's secretary to ask for clarification. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Myra I lost a crown and chipped a tooth over the SAH period. My dentist refused to treat me until I got the hospital to okay an anaesthetic. I asked my neurosurgeon at my 3 month review and he said it was okay. One of the primary concerns of my dentist was if I was uptight my blood pressure would go up. When it came to the actual treatment I was fine, just relieved to get my tooth sorted out. Have noted Karen's remarks about any serious infection in your mouth or anywhere else in the body (bacterial endocarditis). Information like this is paramount if we are all to maintain better health post SAH. There was no mention of this to me at any time or in any literature I was given post SAH. Hope you resolve this soon Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Kirsty So sorry you've had such a bad scare. I hope you're feeling a little better. Its on stuff like this that this site is invaluable. Reading through Karen's response to you, we see that sometimes these scares do arise and it doesn't necessarily mean that its another SAH. Try to rest if you can. I find that if my blood pressure goes up or I get overtired thats when symptoms like pre-SAH arise. Hope it all settles down for you. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi everyone Quick update. Received a letter in reply to my email: It says the smaller aneurysm on the right, measures approx 2mm in diameter looks unchanged. The risks of this causing a future brain haemorrhage are very low and we think lower than the risks of surgical clipping. This small aneurysm looked entirely unchanged on the MR scan. We will perform a final check scan in Nov 09 and if appearances remain unchanged, then we can discharge you from further follow-up Well, what can I say!? Suppose I'll just have to try and carry on getting better and try not to worry too much. They didn't comment on whether or not I can fly abroad. Suppose I'll just take my courage in both hands and go for it. Hugs all round Lesley xxx

Hi Phil Sorry can't help you on that one. Hopefully someone in the know (Karen or Keith or one of the founder members) might be of help. I suppose at the end of the day, you need some sort of written guarantee that you won't be billed. Sorry can't help more. Big hug Lesley xx

Hi there Donna Well in my opinion: if you are going with other people you will be fine. They all know your medical history and won't mess about if anything untoward happened (though I'm sure it won't). It will do you the world of good, especially confidence wise. We're trying to save up to go to Scotland end of June (wanted to go end May but couldn't save up enough to go then). And we are going touring in our car. Go for it... you could always ask your GP what he thinks (or her) Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Donna Yes, like Janet says, they would have told you. Try not to worry too much. The worry does lessen over time, I found about the 4 months mark I stopped being on ultra alert all the time. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Donna Yes, I had weak legs to for the first few months post SAH and hospital stay (10 days). Even now if I'm really tired I can't seem to lift my right leg up to the first stair. I've also pulled a tendon under my right ankle so I think it is still weak on that side. But its really early days for you. Perhaps you could ask for some proper physio (I think Tina said she'd had that). Big hug Lesley xxx

Oh John Had to laugh! Never mind, at least the angiogram is behind you now. Hopefully you'll get their feedback soon. Hope it just isn't a letter like mine saying all is satisfactory we'll see you again in Nov 2009 (when I'm walking around with an unexploded bomb oops aneurysm in my brain!). Still waiting for a reply to my email to the neurosurgeon's secretary where I asked for more detail i.e. can I fly, will I see the summer out? You know the kind of stuff. Its too beautiful out there this evening to do anything but laugh and be glad to be alive! Have a lovely evening Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi there John: thanks for your reply. Not surprised your getting worried. I would be to. Especially as you've got a spur (which I suppose is an offshoot) from the aneurysm. I think perhaps there is a lack of funding/cutbacks here too. (Just replied on Marie's 3 months post SAH message above). I emailed my neurosurgeon's secretary - her email address was at the top of the letter. You could try that. Though saying that, I haven't had a reply yet. Pam: thanks also for your reply. My other unruptured aneurysm was diagnosed as small so perhaps they only get stuck in if its above 5cm. Or should that be 5mm. Can't remember. Anyway I will continue to pursue this because I don't want to be worried about it all the time. Thanks for the responses Night night Lesley xxx

Hi Marie Astounded by your message I think you need to speak to your GP and get him to make sure you get a proper follow up MRI scan. Just my opinion. At 3 months post SAH I still had my pirate patch on and couldn't be up and about for more than 3/4 hours a day, and spent the rest of the time on the sofa or in bed. If you read my post 6 months MRI scan (below yours) you'll see I've just been told everything is okay (but I have an untreated aneurysm that would have to be clipped not coiled which hasn't been mentioned). Just told they'll review it in 2 years. I think funding is part of this, perhaps they just don't have the funding to keep watch over us all? Whatever, follow it up and SHOUT if no-one responds to your satisfaction. Thats what I'm about to do. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi everyone I'm a bit like Tina: a headless chicken I have learnt to slow down a bit though. And after one particular scare when I made myself really ill, I've stopped being really stupid and doing absolutely too much. I get dizzy when I get to the that's enough mark, so I stop immediately or at least slow down. The whole house needs the walls washing down and re emulsioning but unless I get someone to do the ceilings and tops of the walls, as I daren't stand on a stool or ladders or anything, and I just do the bottom of the walls, it just isn't going to get done. Maybe next year. Big hugs Lesley xxx

Hi everyone Just copied this from the Green Room as wondered how everyone else got on at this stage: Received a letter post MRI scan yesterday from Hope Hospital: "Concerning the MR scan you recently underwent, just to let you know the appearances look entirely satisfactory. As a matter of routine, we will get a further and probably final check MR scan 2 years after your treatment in Nov 09." (No mention of a follow up appointment). So I emailed them asking what about the other untreated aneurysm I've got, that the neuroradiologist mentioned last time would have to be clipped if it became a problem, as they couldn't get at it and coil it. Awaiting their reply. Thrilled they are happy with the results of the MRI scan, but a little unnerved by no mention of the other aneurysm. Anyone else just got a letter and no follow up appointment to discuss findings? Big hugs Lesley xxx

Hi Donna Like everyone else has said: you are at a very early stage. Take your time. I found I needed an extra pillow because if I lay down too flat, I got like panic attacks or constriction in my chest which would wake me. Dizziness could be anything: blood pressure, balance and inner ear etc. Like Karen says you need to discuss this with your GP. Or your rehabilitation nurse at the hospital. Also the crying: I think its the shock of what happened to you. If I cry now, I just can't stop. I think its the body's way of getting rid of the fear and shock. Have I missed something here? (Which wouldn't surprise me). Have you posted your story on here? Keep posting, don't sit there worrying on your own... Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Tony Gosh what a story: an epic literally! Your story had me crying and laughing. You must be so proud to have come this far. What a turnaround. Your family must be delighted. I think your story will inspire many, many people who come on here post SAH and wonder if they can make progress to a full recovery. With a story like this it is truly inspirational. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Phil Beautiful photo of Sharon. She looks full of life and ready for a laugh. Had a chuckle about your fertility visit to the Doc. My love and prayers are with you all. Try and get a little rest over the weekend. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Myra Haven't had hair loss as such, but my hair now parts over where the coil must be situated and that lock of hair also will not take a colour. My sister is a hairdresser and thinks its very strange! Hugs Lesley xxx

Hi Cal Not too sure what started mine, but walking into the bough of a tree about 6 months prior to the SAH surely didn't help! Also the dizzy spells before washing my hair over the bath contributed to the first SAH, second one after going to the opticians and him shining bright lights behind my eyes. When I look back for quite a while (years?) I've felt dizzy when going up a ladder or standing on a stool reaching up for something, so perhaps it isn't a good idea that Jim is being asked to do this. Surely if he gets dizzy and falls he could have another SAH. What is his boss thinking of?! Is it a large organisation? Can Jim not discuss this with their health and safety advisor? He's survived a SAH, I wouldn't let anyone put me into a dangerous position that might bring on another one. Sorry, feel a bit cross about this Hugs Lesley xxx

Hi Anne I'm at the 6 months mark and must admit I do feel semi normal now. It creeps up on you. At around the 4 month mark I noticed a marked improvement in that my right eye started to get stronger and I took the pirate patch off for the first time. But like everyone on here, those blasted bad heads/eye pain do come and go and I've learnt to live with them. Do not feel strong enough to go back to work though and have just resigned. Like many on here I think the medical advice that 3-6 months should see a marked improvement (or that at 6 months will be as good as it gets) isn't a definite benchmark, each person's recovery appears to be different. I don't feel quite so traumatised and frightened that its suddenly going to happen again now. As for your question do you get to a stage psychologically where you start to forget about SAH and it's more a distant memory? I think it will be different for each and every one of us, but I don't think I will ever forget about the SAH or not take it into account in any plans I may have in the future. Bottom line is: its life threatening, life can never be the same. We've been given a second chance and should take care so it hopefully won't happen again, but there are no guarantees. Love 'n hugs Lesley xxx

Hi Phil Just read your post with tears in my eyes. Welcome to BTG, the site where we all help each other through the bad and the good days. Phil, look forward to your posts and updates on Sharon's progress (and to hear about Edward too). Sure we all feel for you so much, most on here thank goodness are the lucky ones, we came out the other side remarkably unscathed considering the seriousness of SAHs. I hope and pray that Sharon improves with time. One thing we have all remarked upon is that when dealing with the medical profession you have to get stuck in, not take no for an answer, keep at 'em until you get what you need for Sharon. Look forward to reading your full story. In the meantime, take care, keep positive. Sounds like you're doing a grand job and deserve a medal. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Sarah, Laura, Karen, Louise, Janet etc Thanks for your concerned replies. Mum is improving by the day bless her. She's always been a real trouper, she's now 83 and when I arrived yesterday she was stood washing up (having emptied the washing machine) with extra large rubber gloves over her bandages, looking very guilty! She got told off of course, but she insists she wants to do stuff. So my sister and I are doing what we can when we are there. I think the moment our cars disappear around the corner out come Mum's extra large rubber gloves! Can't say much really 'cos I'm just the same. Post SAH and release from hospital the minute everyone went out, on went my rubber gloves and I was doing all sorts of little jobs, holding on to the sink for dear life The big problem is always my dad, he's 87 and always wants to be centre of attention. He always manages to have a row with whoever is visiting (and I mean EVERY visit) about something (usually) utterly stupid. You need the patience of a saint to deal with him. He doesn't like it at all that my mum is centre stage at the moment. I think every family has 1 saint and 1 absolute little to deal with! But I'm only doing what I can. I was there for a couple of hours yesterday with my sister and suddenly my legs went from under me (metaphorically) and I just said, sorry got to go. And went. So not pushing myself past my limits. Had a lovely man who's a neuro psychologist phoned me yesterday from Salford Royal Hospital. Just wanting an update on how I was, so I filled him in and I promised I would phone him on his direct line if I had any mental or emotional problems I needed help with. Off for my first MRI scan with the neurosurgeon present late this afternoon. Hope they don't inject me with that awful dye, it made me really quesy when I had the CT scan when we were filming my walk on or was it flat on my back part in the Casualty drama last Nov! Much love, have a good day everyone Lesley xxx

Thank you everyone for your varied responses. I will reread them through a few times over the next few days when I have a minute. Thank goodness I found this site! Just got a few minutes - big drama yesterday - my Mum aged 83 fell over some rubbish bags left on the pavement outside a shop and we ended up in Stepping Hill Hospital for 6 hours. She now has 40 stitches in each hand and 30 in her knee! She was so brave bless her. So my sister and I are having to take turns feeding Mum and Dad and running around after them for a few weeks. It never rains ... Still it shook me out of my emotional drama, feeling sorry for myself etc Love 'n hugs Lesley xxx