Bev75

I'm nearly 6 years since my NaSAH I've got 2 shunts, 1 in my back which is tied off and a programmable shunt in my head, due to complications with Hydrocephalus. I've suffered quite debilitating sensory flooding issues since my stroke. I Use many coping strategies to get me through as best I can. I'm now finding after several years of changeable weather conditions, all year round that its affecting me. Changes in barometric pressure I seem to be very sensitive too and it knocks me for six. Heavy head, fullness in head, nausea, headache, can't think straight, cognitive sluggishness. Sensitivity gets highlighted to bright lights and noise etc. I find keeping well hydrated, take anti sickness and pain med if you need them. Plenty of rest/sleep helps, also keeping your surroundings quiet and close your curtains. I'm finding any storms we are getting I'm being affected by them. I've checked with my hydro nurse and it seems quite a lot of us are experiencing these symptoms with changable barometric weather conditions. Really feel for you all. We've had at least 3 storms over the past month with flooding etc and snow is on its way today. Keep warm, everyone, I'm wrapped up with my fleecy hooded pjs, don't know about anyone else, but my shunt does let me know when it's cold, so I keep my head covered which helps. Lots of love to everyone Bev x

Hi Daffodil, We use the spoons theory in our Pain Management presentation on pacing. Thank you for this link, it will help me immensley, so I won't have to explain in great detail to our patients now, I can signpost them. I use the spoons theory daily and have found it helps with my fatique and pain, I also use the 3 P's. Prioritise, Plan and Pace. When the body and brain gets use to an easy level of activity, without increased fatique and pain, you can increase your activity only by 20%. And when the body gets use to that, you increase again by 20%. If you have a flare up or increased cognitive problems and fatique, decrease the length/time of activity for a few days and steadily build up to your basline again. We use an effort scale 0 -10 Try to aim for 5 How much effort is the activity 6 + This is too much and overdoing can cause increased symptoms. When the activity is starting to be ok at a certain level and the effort scale is coming down to say a 2. You can then start to pace up 20% Starting back at an effort of 5 again. You can use pacing and the spoons theory for everything. It can make a difference to your quality of life and feel more in control. I know it certainly has helped for me Thank you again Daffodil for the link Bev xxx