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Hello, Thanks to everyone for contributing and sharing thier thoughts. It was very interesting to see the differences of what people miss. I find if we can just focus on a few things and overcome them it is somewhat manageable. I look forward to hearing any more thoughts. Hangin in David

SL, Remember we're all in this together. That must have been difficult working in that noisy office. I can't even stand a bust restaurant, I'll have to leave so you did great to finish the day. I hope you get lots of rest tomorrow, hug that duvee and drink alot of water, you'll feel better. Take care, David

Hello, Been thinking the last few days about some of the things I really miss. I ask you folks 3 things you miss since having your SAH but how you have/could make a positive out of it. The 3 things I miss most: Music- I love music and I think sometimes it can soothe the soul and take you to different places and times. Only now any loud noise bothers me. Occasionally I can listen to my favorite tunes but usually only in the morning before the headache kicks in- But I hope to someday rekindle my hobby Exercise-Used to go to the gym 3-4 days a week and run and lift weights. Cant do either right now. But since it's only been 5 months maybe I can get back to it. I get tired walking to the lunchroom at work. Positive side is I am eating better and watching my weight. Drinks- I am Scottish and come from a family of parents, Uncles, cousins who liked to drink. I would have an occasional few good Vodkas on Saturday night but in my current state it gives me a headache and makes me tired. Maybe better for my health I guess. I know there are more important things we may miss but these were my everyday things that I miss. Anyone else care to share? David

Hello, Thanks to everyone for responding. I found it interesting and helpful. I think we saw some differences and similarities. For most of the recent cases, we seem to be in the 65 to 80 range. Thats where I am. I dont expect 100% but I would hope to get back to work full time. Sandy-You and I are similar and I hope we can both reach our goal of full time work. Keep us posted Sarah Lulu- I feel 65 to 70 often too. I hope your work is understanding to you. I don't like to walk but I know I need to. I get tired walking to the mailbox right now so I dont think I'm ready yet. Wait, I'm rabbiting.... Carl- I also went back to work after two months. A mistake. Three would have been better. But I'm surviving as best I can at the moment. KelBel- You're an active young lass. I hope I am able to do things at the level you do. I belong to a gym but havent been in 5 months since SAH. But I hope to get back soon. Hope your weight challenge goes well and you win Louise- I know how every day is different. Somedays are 85 and the next day 60. But I know you had it tough and I admire your courage. Skippy- I am encouraged that you are at 90 most days and have fought hard to get there. I am trying my darndest to get there. I used to exercise alot and I really liked to lift weights. Pretty unlikely now but I'm gonna try treadmill soon. GG- I know you have had a rough go and my heart goes out to you. I still take a nap every day but right now I need it. Work takes everything I have. I go to work, I come home, I fall down. That's it. Thanks to everyone for sharing and I welcome any other feedback, this helped me and I hope others. Hangin in David

Hi Sandy, Thanks and great to hear from you. I agree with you 100% that the days are different. Some days are 65 and some are 80. It seems we are about the same in our recovery. Overall I'd say 72. I said to myself if I can get to 80 consistently then I will be happy. 80 means go to work every day, be able to do other things cook, clean, do laundry and STILL have time to either exercise or do social activities. Right now I would say I'm not that close. But I do agree that an even keel and not so many ups and downs is key. To quote the Forest Gump movie. SAH is like a box of chocolates, you never know each day what you're gonna get. Before Xmas i was about 65 every day but I have rested and gotten better. But is such a SLOW process. But let's make it a better year this year. I have gone to play poker each Saturday morning this year and won $1000 one day and $850 the next. Not bad for a couple hours work and helps me pay a few bills. So maybe the good vibes are coming back. Hope you are doing well at work and keep in touch. David

Hello everyone and Happy New Year, I have been away for a weeks trying to rest and take care of myself. I would be curious to know (if it's ok) how everyone is feeling after the new year. If you could give a number to your health percentage from 1 to 100 with 100% being being in reasonable health pre SAH what would it be? 80% being feeling decent, able to go to work, do most things. I would say I am a 72 or feel 72% healthy. I get up and go to work each day but don't feel all that great. I am tired, have headaches but can function at an average level. If anyone would like to share their story or just give a number that would be great too. Maybe We won't feel so alone. Thanks David

GG- I sent you back, thanks for the response. David

Hello, I had a huge setback Thursday as had to go to ER due to exhaustion. I had been up to 28 hours a week but a few long days here and there killed me. I doubt my company will let me work part time forever so I had been trying to gradually increase. It is everything I can do to get up, go to work and come home and collapse. Course I'm only 4 months post SAH so it will get better? Sandy- Are you eventually working back to get to full time 40 hr week status? That would be my question. And also my dilemma. I kinda feel like a liability at work only working 28 hrs. My co-worker who sit next to pisses and moans when I come in at 10:30am like "oh, its been so busy" and "oh, I havent gotten anything done". I want to tell her to shut up and I'll trade her her job for having half a brain. I think i better head back to the duvet (sarah) before I get gassed. Thanks, David

Hi Sarah, My wife is doing better, thanks for asking. we had to get a 2nd and 3rd opinion for her cancer. Now the third doctor thinks she's ok for now but will need to continue monitoring. So actually good news I guess but they won't give a concrete answer (what doctor will lol). About the career thing. I would try and find something you enjoy if you can afford to financially. I am in the same field but a notch down. I used to manage a call center and had 40 employees not to mention doing scheduling for 160. I work at a new company and work at the help desk for a financial services company. Talking and numbers, what I do best. About the same pay but 100% less stress. So I am very lucky that I love what I do. About the pain, please elaborate on what you go thru. I have had a headache for 140 straight days. I can make it to about 5Pm and then Im about done. I have dinner and then at 6pm take my Percocet medication and it helps. It allows me to function and keep my job. It scares me a little to hear you say that you learn to live with it. My headaches are about 6-8 on a scale of 1-10 and without the pain meds would be intolerable and unmanageable. But I know many doctors want to get you off the pain meds and make you just deal with it. At least you have something in reserve for emergencies. Percocet gives me no side effects and allows me currently to have a productive life. The doctors worry about pain meds because most are addicting. But I'm pretty strong. Once the headache goes away, I dont take anymore. Pretty simple right. Its the druggies that ruin it for people like us who have a legitimate injury and need it to keep their job and life afloat. I hope you have something that helps you in some way. Had a good day today and laughed alot at work. david

Yeah, I didnt like the Tramadol. Made me loopy and tired. Not the best for work. Also think it made me kind of angry, or so my wife says. I think I was just angry that the pain clinic gave these meds that are too chemical, that I didnt need and are just guessing with me. I just didnt work for me.

Thanks, They seem to have gone away. It get itchiness, but I know it's from Percocet, my painkiller. And lastly, one of the side effects of my SAH is I get songs stuck in my head and LITERALLY CANT GET RID OF THEM. So I do have voices in my head David

Hi Sarah, I know exactly what you mean. As far as the path to take. When I found my path was in 2007 (mum died) and 2008 (Dad died. I decided at that time that life was short and my goal every day was to make someone else's life better each day that I lived. It has worked so far. I know you have been through a lot. I think your injury was worse than mine so I can only imagine your struggles. I hope your MRI comes out OK, please let us know. Sounds like your work is going ok but not great. I am doing OK. Work is tiring but I'm surviving. My wife's health issues have been taxing. She has been very mean lately so it has been rough. I understand why shes upset anger doesnt help. My other issue is I am a guinea pig at the Pain Clinic and they keep giving me stupid meds I dont need. Like Tramadol. I just need pain meds. I take them after work and it calms me down to get to sleep and back to work next day. Another apt Wed Dec 21st and I'm putting my foot down. I'm taking care but not doing enough smiling lately David

Well, I think I figured it out. My pain Dr. put me on a new medication called Tramadol. It was supposed to help or last longer than others. It has just actually GIVEN me a headache, made me tired and loopy. One of the side effects is brain "zaps". Well, you guess that would be it. I wont be taking it anymore. Nice to feel like a lab rat for the Drs. David

Sarah Lou, You're here to keep me and us alive and positive. You're doing a good job so far. How is your work going? David

Thanks Sandi, I am only up to 28 hours and doing ok but that jump to 38 in Jan-Feb will be very hard. Work has been great so no complaints. Havent had the energy to exercise yet. Wonder if that would be helpful or detrimental at this point. David.

Thanks Jilly, I'm sure its probably part of healing. My drs have the guinea pig (me) on new medication so maybe thats it. Just a little scary to hear these sounds and not know what they are. David

Hi folks. Since Friday I have gotten this weird noise in my head. I was very fatigued on Friday and maybe this is causing it. The noise goes FFFFT FFFFFT FFFTT. It's the only way I can describe it. It always goes 3 times. It's almost like a clicking but more of a FFFFTt. Anyone ever heard this? Its not a whooshin sound as I've heard before from you guys. I hear this fft 3 times and think the next fft is gonna be my head exploding. Anybody ever had this? Thanks. David

Hello All: I'm sorry I havent been around much but much going on w my wife's health. No I'm not back to work full time. But this past Thursday I worked a whole ONE day 8-5 b/c my co-worker had a dr appt. Let me just tell ya it nearly killed me. I was ok til 1 but had to eat and it was a very busy day. I went home and was fried but just rested and went to bed. But the next day had to be in at 8 again and worked til 12 and we had office Xmas party. This lasted til 3:30. I was just beat. SO i went to my friends house and gave him the leftovers from our party. Went home and had a few drinks (a mistake) and went to bed. Hope this week is better. David

Sarah, It sounds like you have been thru so much. I admire your courage. I'm glad your husband is ok and hope everthing still goes well. It has been a rough three weeks and we still dont have an answer. David

Hello Lynne, Thanks for your response. What you say makes alot of sense. I was very good at controlling my emotions pre SAH but now it is being tested. My wife has zero control over her emotions and anger so it's more a battle of controlling her without her killing me. We are now needing to get a third opinion for her cancer as the first two were so far apart. Sory for the late response. David

Hello, Thanks to everyone for their replies and warm wished. We got an appt today at Karmanos Cancer Institute for a 2nd opinion on her case. We hope that we will get some more answers today. I spoke to the nurse who is her case manager and she said they have counseling available for her and me as well as a library at the Cancer Center. Her previous docttor said they cant do surgery til Jan 9th. To add to the stress, she has been estranged form hersister for 3 months due to her sister not being there when I was in the hospital. They reconciled last week but I made it very clear to her sister that if she is not a part of the team then she is not welcome in our relationship. My wife agreed. Maybe we'll get some good news today. Thanks to everyone for listening and I will update later. Hugs, David

Ok, So I finally got the guts to try it yesterday. Didnt go real well. Took it a half hour before I left work and felt immediately anxious. Then drove to my wife's work to give her a dozen pink roses and was kind of off my game. She works in a loud hair salon so it was a bit much for an SAH'r. Dont think its for me. May try it one more time to see if it helps. It REALLY slows down your breathing and you can die from it. And no alcohol whatsoever. Two drinks and meth can kill ya. I like an occasional drink on Friday nights so this is not good. Not sure why the crazy doc gave me this but will see her Wednesday and ask. It is a very STRONG drug. Gonna give it one more shot Monday and we'll see. Thanks all. David

Hello, I know that anger can be a little side affect with SAH but have managed it pretty well so far. I just find when someone pushes me I get MORE angry then I might have pre SAH. The problem: My wife has just been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. We don't know what stage until they operate. It could be treatable or it could be bad, we have no idea. It has certainly set me back considering i have an SAH. I just found out 5 days ago. The point is she has been very angry and abusive towards me. I understand she is scared and I support her with all my strength and heart. She took care of me 24/7 when I was sick and I will do the same for her. But she cannot control her anger and doesnt think she does anything wrong. I realise this is normal for a cancer patient but there has to be a limit. I have asked her to not speak to me that way as I am trying to help her. It has become intolerable. The only thing I can think to do is leave the house for a few hours but then I feel like I'm abandoning her. I know its early but it has gone south quick. Anybody have any anger control techniques they can suggest when someone is taking it out on you? Thanks everyone. David

Hi Rachel, Welcome to the site. Everyone is a big help. I had mine 7-30-11 so bout 4 months ago. Biggest issue is headaches and fatigue. Still have a headache every day. Hit the wall about 5pm. It seems like the doctors dumped you and your GP does not have much info. You will find alot here but certainly find another GP. What do you take for the headaches. Listen to Sarah Lou and drink a ton of water, it really helps. Hope we can compare notes as we are in about the same stage. Take care, David

Hi folks: Hope everyone is well. My headaches have gotten better but are still persistent at the end of the work day. My surgeon dumped me and sent me to a Pain Management Clinic. I met with a nurse and she prescribed me methadone. It is supposed to be longer acting than the current pain meds I'm on. Methadone is given to people to get them off of heroin and is very strong. After reading about it, I am scared to death to take it. It says it can cause slow breathing and death if your body doesnt like it. But my doctor says it is a very small dose. Has anyone ever had experience with it or been prescribed it? It is prescribed as a long term pain med in the US. Any thoughts? David