Shanti

Hi Anne You've certainly given me food for thought. I'll check out my employer's definite intentions before I agree to it any home visit. I'll also check if a more compus mentus (spell check not working!) friend could be present. Haven't had any support from any OT dept at the hospital but had a visit from a rehabilitation team right at the beginning when I left hospital. They were very nice but mainly focussed on whether or not I could do stuff for myself, like get dressed, make a cup of tea etc. I was fine so haven't heard from them since. I can't claim incapacity benefit apparently 'cos I'm in receipt of a small pension. Have just spent 3 hours this morning doing our household accounts and trying to work out how we will survive in the short term. Mustn't moan though, glad to be alive frankly. Thanks for the helpful reply Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Anne I'm 5 months post SAH and have been thinking about going back to work part time for a few weeks now, but must admit been on a rollercoaster mood and headache-wise this week. My employer is about to send the office manager and someone from HR Dept round to see me. I honestly don't think I'm up for it, not even part time. The office I worked in was quite stressful, full of girls that literally never stopped talking all day long. Also there was a radio blaring out right by my desk. I tried to move it once across the other side of the office and it was slammed back by another girl with a humph. I really don't think I could deal with stuff like that, certainly not in the short term anyway. So no, I don't think I can go back, certainly not to the same job and location anyway. Could really do with earning some more money though, my pay has now stopped apart from SSP. But heh, we've all just been through a life threatening experience and survived. Think we'll struggle on for a while longer before I make a decision. But I'm very nervous of making the wrong decision and then regretting it. Big hugs Lesley xxx

Hi Linda Happy Aneurversary! Hope I make it that far without going dottier than I already am! Only at 5 months and still going up and down like a rollercoaster! Big hugs Lesley xxx

Hi Karen You've come to the right place for support and inspiration from the best bunch of people. They've certainly aided my recovery. Its early days, hope you've got someone with you running around after you for a change, try to rest as much as possible. Don't try to do too much. I had a strange numb patch like a large triangle under my chin for months post SAH and woke up one morning recently and it had gone. Someone is always around on here to 'chat' or share experiences whenever you feel the need. Take care, big hug Lesley xxx

Yes, such sad news. Was watching out today if there was news of her. She was only 2 years older than me. I wonder if intense stress can trigger these sorts of things? Bless her, may she rest in peace. Lesley xx

Hi Anne Welcome to the site. Just read your story with interest. 44 is very young to have a SAH, but I noticed your grandmother had one and your mother also. All this sort of information must be of interest to the medical profession. I hope someone out there is taking notes. '' I'm one of the lucky ones, only got a problem with my right eye and third nerve palsy, which seems to be improving slightly with time. I do hope your sense of taste and tinnitus improve over time. Its early days I guess. (I had my SAH like you in Nov 07). Just starting to get over it a little. I think we suffer from shock quite frankly for a while. There we were going along nicely and suddenly the bottom fell out of our world. Its a big shock to find ourselves post SAH with all sorts of stuff to come to terms with. I hope you continue to improve. You've come to the right place. Reading on here that others have similar problems does help. You don't feel so alone, especially in the middle of the day (or night) when the rest of the world is continuing on their way without you - or so it seems.They are also a lovely friendly bunch and the sense of humour on here has me chuckling most days. '' Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Erbowman Had similar symptoms to yourself only the first thunderclap headache was early Oct 07, followed by a month of bad headaches, mainly over and behind my right eye and right hand back of neck (like the artery was being tightened from back of neck right over head to back of right eye). Then 8 November had another worse thunderclap headache and was taken in for CT scan on Monday 12 Nov 07. Diagnosed with major bleed from aneurysm and that there had been a bleed from a smaller aneurysm weeks previously. Major aneurysm coiled Tues 13 Nov 07. (See full Lesley's Story on the articles page). If you feel up to it, have a read through the Articles section and you can will see a lot of us had similar symptoms to yourself. In your case, it looks like they have spotted an aneurysm haven't they? Its just they want to confirm it before they think about the appropriate treatment. Thinking about you, hope all will be well, let us know how you get on. You will find a lot of comfort on here after any possible operation and during your recovery. This site has literally been a lifeline for me and they are a wonderful bunch of people. Big hug Lesley xxx

Hi Pam Gosh, you are showing off: 7 aneurysms! Only joking. Well at least the ones that are left untreated are smaller, but they must be a worry and sort of haunt you. I suppose one good outcome is that you know what to expect and that if you had certain symptoms you wouldn't hang around waiting for your GP to refer you, you'd get yourself straight to the hospital where you had the neurosurgery. Four years does seem a long time to wait though. Perhaps you could discuss this with your own GP? See what he comes up with. Perhaps his surgery would fund a MRI scan, if he thought your condition was deteriorating? For myself I have one reasonable sized aneurysm still untreated, but its in a place they can only get to through the skull and it would have to be clipped not coiled. I don't fancy the clipping at all, but if or when, I'd do whatever was required at the time. Try not to worry too much, after all you didn't have an actual brain haemorrhage so perhaps your arteries are strong. (Correct me if I'm wrong and you did have an actual haemorrhage). I'm sure there are others on here who are much better qualified to respond to you than me. Just wanted to say hello and put in my two penn'orth. Take care Hugs Lesley xxx

Thanks everyone for your kind responses. I will tell Paul to come and have a read when he wakes up - he's flat out on the sofa at the moment. Night night sleep tight everyone Lesley xxx

Hi Laura Like Janet, I used to suffer a lot from static and got shocks off all sorts of things - including Paul! But weirdly since the SAH and the coiling, I can't recall having any. Hugs Lesley xxx

Hi there I had 2 SAHs in early October and 13 Nov 2007. The first is a small aneurysm in the right sylvian fissure arising from the middle cerebral artery. The second was a large aneurysm on the right posterior communicating artery. This was coiled on 13 Nov at Salford Royal (Hope) Hospital. I have been very lucky, left with only third nerve palsy of the right eye which is showing improvement week by week. My ophthalmologist at Oldham Royal Hospital will begin to correct this hopefully from 10 March. It will entail using glasses with prisms - at this stage no mention of an eye operation or anything that drastic. On my check up appointment on 30 Jan 2008 the radiologist informed me that they will give me a MRI scan in May and again in November to check progress of both aneurysms. They cannot coil the smaller aneurysm, because of where it is (not on a main artery itself), they will have to clip it and as such they will have to enter through the skull (or perhaps over an eyebrow with keyhole surgery like Sarah in Northwich). Like Janey and Karen, it is a worry having an untreated aneurysm. I think I would definitely opt for an operation if given the choice. I have family in Switzerland and fly a few times a year to see them and also do voluntary work for an orphanage in South India and would like to think I could fly there too at least once a year which is a long haul flight. With an untreated aneurysm I think it would prove to be a great worry, especially in India so far from home should it bleed again. I will pursue this with the hospital after my MRI scan in May. Good luck Julie, I'm sure the 6 months will pass sooner than you think. I can't believe I'm 3.1/2 months on from my operation. Lesley xxx

Me again! Oops forgot to add that I'm struggling with the not smoking too. Although not to the extent that I would have thought. I just try and do something else until the craving goes away. Have had the odd one though though, then felt stupid for being so weak, but after smoking for 30 years its bound to haunt us a little isn't it. Hugs Lesley xxx

Hi Michael A very warm welcome to the site. Like you I had my SAHs Oct and Nov 07 so its early days yet. My major one was coiled, one left untreated so far. You do sound lucky though like me to have come through this relatively unscathed. I spend hours on here reading through everyones stories and the discussion boards, I find that stuff I'm worried about is usually mentioned somewhere on here. Re Nimopidene: yes I had similar constipation problems but it seems to have righted itself now. Do get blood though after a motion which is odd, 'cos thats never happened before. I'll ask my GP when I go in for repeat sick note. Amazed you've got your driving licence back so soon. How did you achieve that? Did they write to you? Did the hospital alert the appropriate authorities that it was safe for you to drive? Big hugs to you and your wife, she must be relieved to have you back home safe and sound Lesley xxx

Morning Portia Thanks for your reply. You're right of course, I do just try to get on with it, its only now and again at the moment that I worry. But have to take into account my SAHs only Oct and Nov 07 so I'm still being watched over as it were by the hospital. This fact alone gives me confidence that I would be fast tracked if something further happened. Also Portia just like you I get really down days when I could thump the wall and get really ratty with everyone. I think a lot of the time it's because I've got more time to think. Before all this, I ran around like a headless chicken fitting in running a home and working 40 hours a week at a stressful job for nearly 40 years. It isn't only the SAH and worrying that the smaller one will rupture, its all sorts of leftover emotional stuff from years ago is coming up for processing. Better out than in I suppose, its amazing how small and not as important as it seemed at the time major stuff from the past seems looking back at it over a space of 20 or 30 years. Its good to process it all and then file it away instead of carrying it around. Just a bit painful whilst processing it all. But for the most part I must admit I'm just happy taking my time and smelling the roses. Glad to be alive! '' Morning Aine: I really appreciate how worried you must be about this. How about writing back to the consultant and stating that you would feel more confident if there was an annual follow up. Or alternatively asking your GP to write to the consultant requesting the same and that your local health practice would fund the MRI scan or whatever. Just a thought. Its early days for a lot of us on here, so we're all going to end up at the same stage as Aine at some future date. I might ask my GP next time I go in to see him. Makes me laugh all this internet stuff: in the old days people chatted over the garden fence. Its amazing how nice it feels to just chat away. Well, must put the vac round, its sunny this morning and I can see the dust from here! Paul's new car being delivered at midday so perhaps we'll go out for a trial run this afternoon. Would love to go for a spot of lunch somewhere nice, but must admit don't fancy sitting there with this black patch on and everyone looking at me. Even worse I have to put my ordinary glasses on top so I can see what I'm eating! '' Lesley xx

Karen: re restless legs, Paul thinks I should be taking Magnesium and Calcium - will keep you posted on progress if I take the supplements. Drives me mad in the night and is one of the reasons I'm usually downstairs by 4:00 am in the morning! Holly: thank you for your kind response to my story. Most of the stories on here are pretty harrowing aren't they. But what stands out above all is how brave everyone is. Like you this site has been a wonderful discovery for me, just been reading on another part of the site where Karen mentions stabbing pains in her feet and other strange symptoms. Guess what: yes tonight I've started with stabbing pains in my right sole. Never had them before in my life. So good to know we're all having diverse and weird symptoms post SAH. This site would be a treasure trove of information for medical students if they take the time to catalogue it all! Big hugs, off to bed now and strangely another weird thing is last thing at night my left leg doesn't want to support my weight on the stairs and starts to go weak at the knee - very odd as its perfectly alright the rest of the time! Lesley xx

Know the feeling: Paul took me shopping this afternoon, usually I go to Morrisons or Sainsburys but this time we went to a local Asda as my sister had said they had toasters on offer and ours has bit the dust. Well, I won't do that again! I couldn't find anything in an unfamiliar store, kept getting fuzzy and butterflies in chest and tummy. By the time I got the shopping and got to the checkout I thought I was going to pass out and started to panic. So yes, I think we all have similar problems with artificial light, unfamiliar places, load noises and too many people. I usually have to have a sleep when I return from the usual shop and feel exhausted, but today I've also been a bit depressed and flat ever since too. Love and hugs, Lesley xx

Hi everyone I've just had a 3 month check up with the surgeon/radiologist who performed the coiling of large aneurysm at Salford Royal (Hope) Hospital near Manchester. I have a smaller aneurysm which he said they can't coil and would have to clip if deemed necessary. Told I will be called for MRI scan in May and again in November this year. Must admit I would be really worried if I'm discharged later this year without follow up checks especially on the untreated smaller aneurysm. Even without worrying about the untreated one, I think I would feel more confident if they checked me at least once a year for say, 5 years. It is a life threatening condition after all. Love and hugs Lesley xx SAHs early Oct and early Nov 2007 post comm aneurysm coiled 13 Nov 07.

Hi everyone Have just completed the questionnaire. My daughter in law is schizophrenic and we've had 16 years of problems with her and issues of safety and proper parenting for my grandson (now 16 years old - thank goodness). My son had to finally leave the family home in Oct last year as his being there had begun to cause more problems than solve them. Unfortunately at the age of 41 he has had to start again with only the clothes he stands up in and ownership of a car. But he'll be fine and is temporarily living with us. Also I've just been working for a couple of years (on the admin side) for a branch of the NHS in Mental Health and intend to do some voluntary work for them if or when I feel better (perhaps next year). The government funding for the whole mental health area has been disgraceful, especially on what happens to the children and carers of mentally ill patients. Although great strides have been made on treating the mentally ill and there is less stigma attached, apart from the media only focusing on the tragedies that do occur. They never seem to pay much attention to the people who do recover and go on to lead satisfying and worthwhile lives. With regard to people like us (SAH survivors) I suppose mental health is really about accepting the changes this has brought into our lives and adapting appropriately physically, emotionally and mentally. I can see its going to be a long haul for me personally. And as for INSOMNIA - its driving me nuts. I was downstairs again last night at 4:00 am. Though it isn't because I'm worrying, just can't sleep. Oh gosh, I'm on a rant. Its my birthday today so I'm entitled! Got people coming around shortly so I'm off now... (thank goodness I hear you say!) Love and hugs to everyone Lesley xx P.S. Karen: Aine had to reply to my Introduction via email as she couldn't reply on the story board. Any suggestions?

Hi John I can imagine the waiting is worse than them just coming out with 'we're going to do this that and the other' at least then you know where you're up to. I've a sneaky suspicion sometimes they have to go away and make sure they have enough funding to do operations, not the surgeons/doctors fault, its down to the faceless people who are 'running' the NHS. Hope you don't have to wait too long before they let you know. Hi Karen I'm only in the very early days of recovery and my 1st follow-up appointment next week 30 Jan. I think I'm just getting over the trauma of the initial SAHs and thanking my lucky stars I'm still here - I was told only 1 in 4 survive - and I've had two already so its good odds. I'm sure if I have another SAH two years later though, I too would find it hard not to wonder if it was going to happen again. The worry must have followed you around like a dark rain cloud. Glad you're feeling brighter at the moment though than you have for a few years, must be a good sign. This website is wonderful, just think, if you hadn't had a SAH, you wouldn't have started this up, then where would we all be?! Wish it would freeze up a bit and snow or something, at least that would be interesting to look out at. Also I always think we have a better summer when we've had a good freeze in the winter (remember it snowed end May in 1976! then followed one of the best summers we've ever had). This endless rain is driving everyone crackers. My heart goes out to all the poor souls who've had their homes wrecked by floods over the past 12 months - must be awful to have to deal with. Right off to put the kettle on... have a good day Love and hugs Lesley (Shanti) 1st SAH early October (right sylvian fissure/middle cerebral artery) - 2nd SAH Right Post Comm Artery (coiled) 13 Nov 07.

Hi Janet and Karen Thank you for your lovely welcome to the site and for updates on your respective eye progress. Positive feedback like that is invaluable for someone like me, gives me hope that I can get my right eye functioning again in time. If I patch the left eye I can see out of the right, if I take a few moments to focus on one spot. If I look to left or right, up or down though, I have to refocus again. Seeing double seems to have stopped. Everything is bathed in golden light though and colours are deeper than out of my 'normal' left eye. I too wear a pirate's patch with cotton wool remover pads or a folded over to size tissue (even better when watching TV with my good eye or reading - more cushioned than a cotton pad) underneath, have to remove the pads though when go to the supermarket or I get really 'funny' looks. Do people offer to get you a parrot to complete the 'look' too? The ophthalmologist mentioned about the plain glasses and prisms etc but will know more when I go back to see him on 10 March. Like most people on here, just hope I can get my driving licence back at some point. Though don't feel I could drive at the moment anyway with one eye, have trouble judging distances when going up and down kerbs etc. Already started to make a list for 30 Jan appointment. Its amazing how much I forget now if I don't write it down. Even with a list, I still usually walk back into the supermarket for something after we've loaded all the shopping in the car. Have been up all night with that awful 'stretched artery' ache up the back of my neck and my left leg and knee in restless mode. Even though I was tired just couldn't get to sleep. Had a curry and a busy day with visitors yesterday, perhaps overstimulated? Off to put the kettle on, thanks again, hope you all have a lovely day. Can't wait for Spring and being able to get out in the garden. Love and hugs Lesley xxx