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Hi Teech, Sorry I don't know much about this condition but I did read about it online. I guess did it casue the SAH or is it an aftereffect or condition. Not sure. Could be the cause of your headaches. You definitely want copies of angiogram now. I don't think it's good for any SAH'er to have neck massage. I would be afraid and I have heard that some neck massages could in a rare event cause a stroke. This was told to me by a massage therapist. I dont think I want my head jerked around any roller coasters although I used to enjoy them. But for a very active person like you Teech I get the concern as well as other activities. Sure hope you get this straightened out, please let us know how it goes. David

Good luck Vanessa, How exciting to be returning back. I'm sure you'll do fine. I too returned pretty early. The part time hours will be a big help. I did real well at 20. It's when I got to 35 and 40 that it became difficult. It sounds like they have an excellent plan for you. Rest, drink a lot of water but most of all don't be surprised if fatigue hits you. You will get used to it and learn to manage it better over time. Now if your return is successful and you get on well I will expect you to fix my SAH . Just kidding. Let us know how you're doing if you can. Good luck. David

Hello all: Hi Wem, welocome to BTG and the BTW thread. We would love to hear from a new voice with new expericneces. Cath- Yes it is normal for short term memory to come and go. Mine does it ALL the time. Just yesterday forgot how many meds I took earlier in the day,. Not Good! . Dawn- Good question. My only expectations in returning to work were to keep my job. Good jobs are hard to come by in the US so I wanted to keep my position. I have had to scratch, claw, beg and borrow energy to do that. Each day completed is an accomplishment frankly. So I did not have huge expectations. I did find I was able to do my job well I just didnt always have the energy to do so. My employer sent out a brochure to all my fellow co-workers before I came back re SAH. That was super helpful. Although some now to seem to have forgotten. I wish you well in your position. I think a positive mind can overcome anything. Do you think you are ready to jump to 40 hours now? I had to come back slowly and still struggle with the hours. I hope you will be ok. I have managed call centres for 15 years so if you have any questions, please let me know. Sandi, we have a new IT manager on board. How exciting. That makes 3 of us. I hope Wem does well. Macca, when you turn in to a woman errrr start treatment. If it works, I'm gonna be Daphne stead of David hahaha How is everyone else getting on? Happy Friday. David

Sandi- Thanks for the update. I am following yours and Mary's progress on this. I'm glad they are able to give you a little something. I have talked with my doctor's about these drugs and they are not real receptive but say I could use as a last resort. Prolly cause I'm fat and would not do well on stimulants. My brother was on Dexedrine and he has had a brain cyst for 15 years. He liked it but now he's on something else. What a surprise eh? Since I have 24/7 headaches I take a painkiller that sort of works as an energy booster. It allows me to feel "normal" for a few hours and get through the work day. But it's just a temporary fix. Have you ever heard of Provigil? My docs want to put me on that. It is for people with narcolepsy or sleep apnea. May try that if I dont get more energy soon. It's supposed to be expensive though. Thanks Sandi! David

Hello, It must be the hat Carl. My wonderful long term side effects are headache 24/7, horrible fatigue, short term memory loss, poor concentration and loud noises. Restaurants and stores are heck but have gotten a little better. Don't get the fog but sometimes feel like my life is in a fog. Concerned about future learning disabilites as with issues of memory. You certainly have more challenges Bev and wish you well. David

Hang in there Jord, You are early days, it will get better. Do you have something to take for the headache? After SAH headaches can be strong and lasting. You don't want to get your blood pressure up, it's not healthy. Take care, we're here for you. David

Mary, Great question. I think you know my answer. But at the risk of having this post edited I would say i push myself to the maximum. With work, I don't really have a choice. But by 5pm i MUST lay my head down for a few. Lately due to headaches I have been nauseous and not even wanting dinner. How you have made it 17 years through all this is amazing. I'm having a tough time at two. Perhaps you can teach me better how to deal with this. Rest helps but when does that happen. If you need help this week, please let me know. David

Hello, Hope everyone is well. Yes, Macca this a rough road at the moment. I am rather tired but not beaten. Friday I invoked the "if not dead" rule. I woke up very exhausted, sick, headache, dizzy, nauseous. But if I'm not dead, guess I gotta get up and go to work. No sick or vacation time left so off to work I go. I wish somebody at my work knew the energy it takes me to get out of bed in the morning, let alone come in. Spoons are gone by 10am. My wife knows, BTG knows and a few select friends. The PA girl at the Pain Clinic scolded me because I took a few more of my medication than was allocated. Well October was statements month and I was rather busy. She scolded me like an 8 year old boy with a cut. She said she was going to reduce my medications for a week. I started to leave and thought wait a minute. I asked her to come back in doc's office. I explained to her that I work 40 hours as a finacial advisor with a brain injury and if I took a 1/4 more pills a day it's because I was sick. I also told her I didnt appreciate the way she talked to me. She apologized and wrote another script for 7 more pills that I was due. I would guess that if she was as sick as I was she wouldn't be working at all but rather sucking her thumb in a corner with the pain THAT I EXPERIENCE. So blast off. I guess you have to spell it out for these folks. Onward and Upward, David

Hello, Interesting question. I am much MORE assertive now since SAH. Before I was laid back and kind of go with the flow. That was when I was healthy. I had my health to fall back on. Now, that I don't have my health, I'm a raging ball of fire. In a good way. Most of the time, I can speak my case diplomatically but occasionally I get ticked off. But I feel if I'm going to struggle thru my life working, unhealthy, and busting my butt, then I will stick up for my rights and needs. This comes rather in handy with doctors and also at work. So perhaps a positive thing from the SAH? Not sure. David

Hello, i was jusy thinking of this yesterday Daff. As I looked in the mirror to go to work and thought "I look terrible" My next thought was thankfully somebody loves me (my wife). So now not only do I feel 80 years old I look it. I have noticed the circles since SAH worse than before. I'm sure it is fatigue. But it gets worse in the cold weather. My sister in law just spent 300 dollars on some wrinkle cream but I think I'll try some $10 sunglasses! And Mary with your perfect hair no one notices!!!!!!!! Thats a compliment Mary Thanks, David

Hello, Well this week has been pure heck. On Wednesday my body felt like Friday but had to press on. I'll gte thru it but sure need a holiday. That will come for Thanksgiving Nov 22-25th Pheew Daff- You will know your own body best. But don't ever sell yourself short. You may surprise yourself. I can do everthing I could before only probably not as fast and not as many things at once. But you sound to have a good plan. I believe to have lost at least 20% of my brain capacity and 50% of my strength. But I still make it somehow. You can too Daff! Dawn- Wonder how you're getting along. I hope things get sorted out at your work. It is not easy going thru what you have to deal with Sandi-I'm sure you'll weigh in when you back from Hawaii Win-You're excused, body tested out at no work. Now do that filing you so and so Hope everyone else is doing well. I have no idea how Carl does the meter reading with SAH. I'd be bushed. Take care all, David

Hi John, I think GG and Daffy have given you some good occupational advice. I am in US so our laws are differnt. But I sympathize with your plight. I currenlt work full time and love my job. I struggle physically working 40 hours and would prefer to work less. But I work for a small company and I am needed full time. I have been supported well by my company but I can imagine as time goes on the SAH gets further from focus. So for you I have empathy. I hope you are well amd are able to work this out. Please post if you ever need to get things out or talk. David

Ok Kris, Now my legs are heavy and killing me. All this talk. Just kidding Kris. Activity seems to help, as it may be partially restless leg syndrome. Wem- I agree with the medical thing. I mention my legs hurt and they look at me like I'm from Mars or making it up. They seem to not believe me or not have a clue. Mine need to be cut-off today. David

Kris, My legs are weak all the time. Sometimes they hurt quite a bit too. I have no idea why. I assume because of fatigue. My fatigue is very strong. I did ask two doctors and they didnt seem to have a clue. A GP and a neurlogist. My GP thought that since the SAH my brain may be sending incorrect signals to my legs and cause pain or weakness. When you get tired, they say the legs are the first thing to go. Unfortunately I have accepted it as a part of my life as they hurt every day and don't know if it will get better. If anyone else has any ideas, please let us know. David

Ok Folks: Last week not so good. Not horrible but not good. Was a lousy husband cause I slept all week and was quiet. So this week I am determined. Determined to be better. Determined to be healthier. Determined to be a better husband. Determined to try the treadmill at home. Determined to get my car registered before my birthday.I can't promise it will work as there are no guarantees with SAH. But gonna try. I slept 12 hours Saturday and 12 hours Sunday. So far so good. I am going to shave at night so I have more time in the AM. I have a 4 day break on Nov 22-25 for Thanksgiving. Maybe now is the time for a little push. Mary, Win anyone want to join me? Anyone have something that they are Determined to do this week? Mad now, watch out SAH! Regards, David

Mary, I know we chat often but yes we all feel your pain. We're all in the same boat. So if you jump off we're either going to throw you a life preserver or jump in and save you as you have saved us. I think you may have a tendency to overdo it but then again that's what makes you get things done! You've been thru so much. Did the garage sale take a little more out of you? I had one a couple of years ago and haulin all that stuff nearly killed me! That was before SAH! Listen to your body. You have many friends here. David

Hi Vanessa: It does seem as if sometimes we are going thru the dreaded one step forwards, two steps back. I am the most positive person in the world but the day in day out grind of SAH gets to eveybody. It is a rollercoaster ride. I am 15 months and at 60% capacity. I attribute this to working full time and going back to work too early. But we all press on and hope that we will be better some day. No other choice. It is perfectly "normal" to wonder what might have happened. You're not whining and we all have felt this way at one time or another. Venting will help and know how others have coped. I hope this helps. David

Hello, Sandi- It has gotten a little better. Its been two months. The first two weeks were rough. I hope that at some point I get used to it. Unfortunately the margin for error is very small. Bad night of sleep, busy day at work, or any unforeseen event and I'm toast. But I guess if I'm able to physical be there for 40 hours it is an accomplishment. Actually I feel like finishing each DAY is an accomplishment in and of itself. But I'm here to tell the story and hopefully help others. Gonna try the treadmill this week and see if that helps. David

Hello, Where are all the BTWork BTG'ers? Working right. Well to give a small update. Work is going fine. Doing 40 hours but not much time nor energy for social life. Building some stamina. But I have figured out my problem with SAH. It's a dirty four letter word. Shhh Win. That four letter word is W_O_R_K. I learned that this week. I had Jury Duty Monday. Don't know if you guys have jury duty in UK. Basically you sit in a room full of people for 8 hours and wait for them to call your number to tell you if you are on a criminal court case. I never got called. But I sat there and vegged and didnt use my brain all day. Got off at 3 and went home and felt great. no mental fatigue. Went to work Tuesday and tired and headache by 11am. So it's this damn WORK thing. I'm ******, sorry for saying. How is everyone elses journey going? David

Dawn, You said advice needed- I would add a few things. I agree with what others have said. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this and deal with such feeble minds. For that, I say what comes around goes around. As someone myself who has returned to work, I understand your frustration. I have dealt with similar issues. But my manager and company have been pretty good. I have had a few bumps along the way. Bullies only respond to direct or indirect confrontation. They expect you to back down. Don't. Call them on the carpet. It's not easy but well worth it in the end. Your company owes you the right to return at a pace that gives you the best chance for success. And if they don't, they are not worth working for anyway. But as far as HR goes, you may want to mention to them that you wonder why they would allow their disabled employees to be harassed, it seems that would be against the law? That might wake them up. Be well, David

Hi all: Thanks to everyone who responded. It made my day. It can get frustrating. It's nice to know that someone cares. What upset me is I went out to dinner with my wife Saturday. Our number one favorite steakhouse. It is an old school place with music and dancing. We used to go there and dance all night. We got there at 7:30. Had a great dinner. By 9pm, my head was smashing and I needed to leave. Wife wished it was like old days. I cant blame her. What is odd is the music wasnt loud. I just had to leave and lay my head down. Rather disappointing. GG- I know you have been thru same thing. They are truly debilitating. Maybe they'll go as soon as they came, I agree. Mary- My head only hurts when I think too. 9 hours a day at work! That is a big part of it but not all of it. Head hurts on Saturday too so I may as well get paid. Win- Pooh pooh, You cheered me up as always. I felt like I was 100 years old today. Now only 70 . You took 30 years off my life. Paracetemol is not nearly strong enough unfortunately. Vanessa- They gave me Dilaudid which is supposed to be stronger than morphine. But stopped after 6 days and told me to suck it up. i do go to Pain Clinic now and there is a pain med that works. But at the Pain Clinic they say they've never had an SAH'er. So no experts there. Paul- thanks yes I buy water by the case. It helps some but we're talking 8 or 9 scale headaches here. Like in the hospital. Daff-I know many who think it may be rebound headache syndrome, but I dont believe that is me. I tried to start weaning off my pain meds for two days and had a blood pressure spike of 240/170 and could have had stroke. Not ready to try that again soon. Kris-I go to the Pain Clinic and no one knows about SAH. I guess we are rare. Work is certainly hurting me but I work in a small company and they cannot afford to have me out. I'm just hoping it gets better. Thanks to all for cheering me up and listening to my whining, David

Hello, I search for answers again and wonder how I was treated at the hospital. I know many others have had worse conditions than I but it seems my hospital didnt recognize my head pain and wonder if that is the cause of my 455 day and counting painful headache. I went in to the hospital with the SAH and "worst possible headache ever" (10) as they call it and had the SAH. 2 days in coma and 4 days in ICU. They then transferred me to neuro unit. I was on Dilaudid (sp) for pain and it hepled me not have to scream in pain. As I lay in the neuro unit my headaches were a 9 or 10 and I screamed for Dilaudid every 6 hours. 6 days after my SAH the nurses told me the doctor said I could have no more IV pain medication. They gave me Tylenol #3 which is a very weak pain med. The last 7 days in the hospital I suffered greatly in the hospital with a 9 or even 10 headache with no one helping me. I was out of it and no strength and had no will to argue. After my second angio was clear they asked if I wanted to go home and I said yes as they never even washed my incisions or me. My wife had to. So now i wonder after 455 days of headache if they should have treated it better initially. I could be totally wrong but maybe there is a link to my current problem? The doctors tell me all the time "We don't know everything about the brain" so I am not doubting that they didnt know how to treat my headache. I have tried many meds with different doctors and nothing works. My headache is a 4 by 10am and an 8 by 2PM. Try doing financial reports with an 8 headache. It's not fun. There is one pain med that works for me at least to give me relief. Otherwise, I would be Suffering 24/7. I know many of you may not remember your time in the hospital or my headache may seem trivial, but I wonder if anyone else experience this same treatment. Being cut off 6 days after your SAH and basically told "suck it up and live with the pain". I believe this has something to do with my long term headaches. Anyone else have a similar experience? David

Hello all: I hope your new life finds you happy and well Sandy. It will be different surely. I am muddling through my days and surviving. Thats about all it is right now: surviving. I have some good days and bad. My social life is not much. I feel as if I'm building some stamina but that is relative to having none. For anyone that is recently returning to work I would say don't rush and take as much time as you can. But if you have a bad day, don't get discouraged because you can make it through. I am out of vacation days and am rather scared of no more days off this year. I used most of my vacation days as "planned" sick days and it wasnt much fun. But kelBel taught me that trick. Lord help me thru these next 2 1/2 months but we do get a 4 day break in November for Thanksgiving. I hope everyone is well. David

Im right with you Michelle, I have thought about this subject often and actually considered starting a thread as well. So we'll continue here. If i were to start the thread I would have called it "IS IT POSSIBLE"? Meaning is it possible to just wake up one day and our symptoms go away. Kind of like a cold or flu. Has this ever happened to any SAH'ers? I ask this because last week I had two days Tuesday and Thursday where I felt "normal". We all now what normal means. Mine occurred from 1-5pm. No headache or fatigue. Like the old me. Sadly that was two weeks ago and didnt last. But it leads me to wonder is it possible for us to just wake up one day and be better? As Michelle said as unexplained as why the fatigue wont go away, could it just be better some day. I believe Sarah experienced something to this extent several months ago. So IS IT POSSIBLE? While I am surely encourage that it happened for me for four hours in a day, I know it is unlikely to happen overnight. But is there hope? Any vets out there? Thanks. David

Hi Pain, There is a thread in here titled "Back to Work". I don't believe I have seen you on the thread. You may find it beneficial in your recovery. I just upped to 40 hours a month ago and am doing ok. Let me know if you have any questions. Good luck and stay with us. David