Hi Melissa, I had my bleed 2.5 years ago (Oct. 2016). I don’t remember much either, and it truly drives me crazy. I’m slowly learning to let it go, but it is hard🤪. I was in the hospital for one month- 26 of those days in a “quiet” room. No stimuli whatsoever ( no lights, no reading, t.v. and was only allowed to get up to go to the bathroom, after 2 weeks) I also ended up with vasospasms, but had no idea what that was. It wasn’t until I was at home and reflected on what could have happened to me, that the anxiety kicked in full force. That is when, by the grace of God, I stumbled on this site. I found out I wasn’t imagining my symptoms, and I wasn’t alone💕 I’m still having memory lapses, difficulty retrieving words, fatigue and I think that is my reality now.....but I am alive to experience these things. I have had to redefine my career ( preschool teacher/ special needs support worker-36 years) still working with preschoolers, but in a different capacity and less hours. At the end of the day, know that we all “get it”. There is immense support here, because we have all walked in each others’ shoes😉. I am looking for a therapist, to deal with some of this anxiety and I really feel that part of our medical treatment should have a mental health component to it. Sending you big hugs, Pat

Hi Trish i know how you feel. Some days are better than others. I also battle with anxiety and depression ( have for many years, but it’s a little more now). What I find most frustrating is that I don’t remember much of what lead to my bleeds, and how I was feeling at the time. My husband tells me that I was complain8ng of a bad headache, but I don’t remember any of that. A lot of that time has been erased from my memory. I tend to revisit that time in my head, but it’s blank and there goes my anxiety level. I have to learn to let it go.....easier said than done. Lol! I feel truly blessed to come out the other end of this fairly unscathed❤️ We do need to be stingy with our time, and listen to our bodies. If that means afternoon naps, then so be it!!!! Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary, and wishing you all the best. Hugs ♥️ Pat

Congratulations on your one year anniversary!!! I just had my second anniversary on October 26, and I still get overwhelmed with places that are too loud and busy. It is much better than it used to be, that is for sure. It will get better for you too, and slowly but surely your confidence will build up😊. Main thing is to listen to your body, and respond accordingly. Wishing you good good luck with the procedures you are waiting on. Don’t forget to let us know how you are doing. Sending you positive energy. hugs, Pat 🤗

Hi Jojo - Welcome! I am 2 years post SAH, and I’m still trying to piece things together. I wasn’t given much information when I was discharged after being in the hospital for 1 month. I developed vasospasms, and spent the month in a “quiet room” - basically no stimuli at all. Once i I began my recovery at home, I started questioning why? I began doing my own research, but still had many questions unanswered. I’m slowly working through some stuff, and decided to see a therapist. I am no longer under my neurologist’s care, and my GP can only do so much for my anxiety. I listen to my brain, when it lets me know I am tired, then I nap - or take time for myself. I am basically dealing with fatigue and some memory/processing issues. Nothing that anybody else would notice, but I know the difference. I returned to work 5 mos after my bleed, on a reduced schedule. I have since modified my work situation even more. You will find this site to be a god send. We have all “been there” and understand each other’s anxieties, fears, frustrations, but also the gratitude we have for recovering from our bleeds. Life may be altered somewhat, but we are here to enjoy it! Wishing you all the best in your recovery?

Thank you ladies, for your kind words and wishes! ♥️Pat

On this day 2 years ago, I had my “episode “ as I refer to it. Lol! I am feeling great, I am working, albeit in a different capacity and much less hours, but I decided a while ago that I need to do what is right for me! I have had wonderful support from friends and family. Having said all that, I still am not 100% of my old self. I still deal with fatigue, fuzzy head, anxiety and depression. This site has been a god send to me. Let me take this opportunity to say Thank You to all of you. We have all come out the other side of this, and for that I am thankful♥️ Hugs, Pat

Hi Charlie. I know how you feel, and I gather everyone can understand how you feel because we have all been there! The advice you will get here is a soothing balm to your mind ( it did wonders for me). I found that at 5 months out, I still couldn’t work my regular hours ( I am a preschool teacher). What I learned is that it takes a long time for the brain to heal. You will get stronger, but you need to be patient with yourself. Know that it is normal to feel anxious. I tend to feel more anxious close to the anniversary date of my bleed (2 years on the 28th of this month). I had to change my job as I found the classroom too stressful, and that was difficult after 30 years - but I am so much happier now, Different can be good too ? You are still healing, and learning your new normal. I am pretty much back to my old self, but I know that there are times when the fatigue and fuzzy head will creep up on me, and that is fine too. I just rest that day and if I need to nap then I do! I found visiting this community has helped tremendously. I am sure you will discover this too. Good luck in your continued recovery!

Hi, i returned to work 5 months after my bleed, but only 3hrs a day, twice a week. I work as a support worker with preschoolers who have disabilities. The work is physical and exhausting mentally. I remember my first few weeks back, I needed to take many “bathroom breaks” just so I could have a few minutes of peace and quiet. My days off were spent resting and napping. I eventually decided that returning to the classroom was too much, and I now support children one on one, in their home. I am a private contractor therefore control my hours and days of work. I never thought I would need to change work after being in the classroom for 30+ years. My doctor told me, when I asked him when would I be back to my normal self, , “When you are able to do everything you used to do, and not need to spend your days off recovering”. I’m almost 2 years post SAH, and there may be a few days a month where I still need to have a pj day, and nap. You are still early in your recovery, but you will eventually get there. Don’t rush, take care and listen to your body. Good luck with your return to work! Pat

Welcome Simon. I, like you, have had a fairly easy recovery compared to some in this group. I have come to realize that we all have our stories to tell, and none are better than others. My bleed came out of nowhere, as well, and I may never know why. I’m almost 2 years post bleed, and I still struggle with fatigue and some memory/word retrieval problems - especially when I am tired. I have to say though, for me, the worse challenge I faced ( still face) is the anxiety, depression and mental health issues that creep up every so often. Is this “the headache?” Is this feeling normal? You get the idea. This group has been a god send. People here get it. We’ve all been through the same challenges. This is a safe place, where no question is too dumb, or feeling too silly. This place has given me reassurance that I am not going nuts, there are many people feeling the same as I do, or experiencing the same symptoms as I have. You feel validated, and that lifts your spirit up. i trust you will find many suggestions/answers to your questions. Visit often, it will help you have an awesome day! Take care, Pat

Thanks Skippy for that suggestion?. Much appreciated ! On a brighter note, today I worked with a little fellow in his preschool class. I loved being back in the classroom! It was the first time in almost two years that I have been back. When I returned to the classroom 6 mos into my recovery, I wasn’t ready. I had to make a decision as to whether I would continue in the class or leave my career. I decided to leave the class, and become a private Support Worker. Today’s work in the classroom showed me how far I have come in my recovery. I was able to stay in the class for the whole 2.5 hrs, without having to go to the “washroom” for quiet time. Lol!!!! I did need a bit of a rest afterwards, but all in all it was fantastic. Sure miss the classroom environment. Mind you, this is my first time ....I’ll let you know how I feel after a few months! I will only be in the classroom 1x a week, for 2.5 hrs. Perfect!!! Cheers Pat

Wow! I can’t believe you are being treated so unfairly. I’m so sorry you are going through this. Personally speaking, I was in the hospital for one month. I didn’t go back to any kind of work until I was 3 months into recovery and then it was only 2 morning classes a week. I’m a support worker for preschool children in their neighbourhood preschools. I worked 20 hrs a week prior to my bleed, then 5 hrs a week for approx 3 weeks, then 10 hrs for 2 weeks, then back to my regular hours. My work was very supportive, and my doctor basically followed my lead as to how tired I was after my sessions. I can’t imagine having to go through the stress you are while recovering ?. I do hope you are able to find some relief. Keep us updated.

I know exactly what you all mean when you say how frustrating it is when everyone around you say you are fine. They say that there is nothing wrong with your memory, or that they always forget stuff too. “It’s a sign of getting older” is another favourite saying. I know that this is something different, more than just getting older (I’m only 59 for Pete’s sake!!!). Thank you so much for all your suggestions, and your coping strategies. At this time the only medical advice I would receive would be from my GP since I have not been under my neurologist’s care for over a year. I would need another referral, and that may take forever to see him. Furthermore, even though my specialist was quite respected in his field, he had absolutely no people skills. My follow ups would be a total of 5 min max. He would be ushering us out of his office, as I was still trying to ask him questions. I doubt he would be of any help. Not sure if anybody else is this way, but I feel that I’m wanting to know more details now, than I did at the onset of this journey. I haven’t made an appt yet with my doctor, but I think that is where I need to start to see what my options are with regards to some counselling. BTG is an enormous source of support and understanding. Thank you!

Thank you Skippy for this article. I read it, but none of the recommendations have been applied in my case. I am not on any kind of medication ( not even aspirin). I was on aspirin for a little while when I came home, but then my neurologist told me I could stop taking it. My last MRI was year ago, and no follow up was required, other than getting the results from the neurologist. Seems like after care is very different, my doctor reassured me that I am at no greater risk than normal to have this reoccur. He felt that this may have happened because of a congenital issue. I find myself asking more questions now than I did when this first occurred. My hubby is of no help, because he hates talking about it, and never really asked too many questions. I need to make an appointment and get this all figured out because it’s driving me insane lol! I focus on the fact that I feel pretty good, except for the fatigue and short term memory. I just need to know that I’m not blowing things out of proportion. This group has really helped, knowing that I am not the only one feeling this way. Seems like the psychological effects of this happening is the biggest side effect of It all. By the way, happy return to school ? cheers, Pat

Hello everyone, I’m coming up 2 years post brain bleed ( without cause) and after reading some of your posts, I feel pretty lucky that I’m not suffering from the daily headaches a lot of you are. I do get what I call “fuzzy head” and I do have the occasional headaches, but they are quite minor. That is one thing I never really suffered from, even during my one month hospital stay. One thing I would like to ask, is do any of you still have the memory problems? I also have a difficult time retrieving words. This is especially true when I am tired. It drives me crazy. When I mentioned this to my doctor, he just said that since I didn’t have a stroke, there were no brain cells damaged. I say BS - I know I have difficulty with words, and my memory. I also have days were I am absolutely exhausted. I work with children who have autism, and even though I only work part time, there are days where I hit a brick wall. Just curious to know if some of you still have these issues two years out Thanks!

Hi Ian, i am 17 mos out, and never did get an answer or reason why I ended up in the hospital for one month. Specialist was never able to find what caused my brain bleed. I am one of the lucky ones, as I haven’t experienced any lingering headaches, but like you whenever I do get a headache, I tend to go on panic alert. I wish, along with the hospital care for the physical healing, there would be a counseling component. Honestly, I found that my mental state was worse than my physical one. I work in Early Childhood Education, so I was off work for most of the school year. When I did go back, it was very gradual. The fatigue was astounding, but I would be awake at night wondering..... i did have a cerebral angiogram before I was let out of the hospital, and 6 mos later - everything was back to normal. I keep saying I’m ok, and 95% of the time I am, but there still are days when the anxiety strikes. It does get better, but it takes time. This group is a great place to “talk” things out. Good luck in your recovery! YOU GOT THIS.