Jigsaw

Glad u had a good night with friends Kel

Alcohol does seem to have a bigger effect now, but the odd one is nice

Take care. Linda x

Hi Everyone, my ears are also very sensitive!

Last year I wasnt well enough to retaliate but when my neighbour put his droning music on loud - again - (as soon as his parents went out) like he has for ages, I lost it!! What ever the weather he also has to open his bedroom window so the noise travels even better!!

Stormed round and banged so hard on the door it flew open and shouted at him from the bottom of the stairs - I like to thing he was too scared of me to come down!! He has been a bit better but it is starting to creep up again

Oh Mary and Di - I so know what you mean - my hearing is the thing that troubles me most! I have lost some hearing in one ear, which a hearing aid did not help! My ears feel like they are underwater, sound is muffled and echoes! Plus the constant buzzing drives me mad! I think thats why I like being outside as its not so noticeable, whereas indoors -voices, music and the TV drone in my head! Glad Im not the only one! xx

Hello, I do agree with Louise, you have so much on your plate, I realise that everyones recovery and pace is different but your brain and body do really seem to be struggling to keep up with you and seems to me it is shouting at you to slow down! Please try if you can, take care, Linda

Bev, going back must be so hard. I only went to visit on my year anniversary and I found it very emotional.

No wonder you feel uneasy, your poor brain must be going into overdrive! Take care of yourself and try not to think to hard and just take each day at a time and talk to people to share and half your worries, big hugs xx

Well done Dawn, I hope you managed to enjoy it!

You have given me the encouragement to start trying again xx

Its been fascinating reading about your hearing problems. Mary, I agree with you in that I love to be outside or shopping, I get distracted from the buzzing, indoors its just hard to cope with sometimes. Television doesnt seem to help although I have lost some hearing in one ear so struggle to hear what is being said and the tele just drones in my head! I will have to look into the third nerve palsy Bill, because I know nothing about it! Also the sleep quality Daff, never thought of that! Look forward to others comments xx

Hi Loretta, Im sorry your husband is in a bad place at the moment. My SAH was just over a year ago - for the first 4/6 months I was quite relaxed and was happy just sitting and watching my family and life go on around me. From 6 months up to now I do not recognise myself most of the time, I get angry and upset at the slightest thing and always think I am letting people down or they are having a go at me! Ive kind of lost my way and sometimes just want to hide away. People say its a bereavement of your former self, which does make sense. I realise how hard it must be for you but for myself I just need time to calm down and for my family to listen to me rant sometimes and then give me a big hug which Im sure you do for your husband. Take care, Linda xx

Hi David, quite new on here so didn't do this last year but its been fascinating to read what everyone is saying! Its reassuring because its over a year since my SAH and I feel a fraud because inside I do not feel 100%, even tho to other people they think I am! I feel guilty that I still have really 'tired and sad' days. The main thing now is that Im still lost and dont recognise myself, with regard to feelings and actions! So outwardly I would say 90% but inwardly 50-ish%

Sorry that your mark has gone down a bit but you are also working a lot more which must be taking it out of you!

Thank you for doing this, take care, Linda x

Hi Linda,

I have intermittent hearing problems. I describe it as feeling as though my head is in a bucket of water! It has been with me since my SAH 11 months ago, though it is probably an improving picture. Like everything it appears to be worse when I am fatigued.

Drs have not found any particular problem that is causing it, so ever the optimist, I am hopeful it will clear up eventually.

Wem

Hi Wem, Im sorry you have it too but its nice to know that other people have it!

Bucket of water is exactly right, although it didnt start straight after my SAH but about 4/5 months afterwards!

Also certain sounds kind of echo and drone in my head and I have some hearing loss in that ear!

Lets keep things crossed that in time it may get better?

Take care

Linda x

Bev, Im sorry you have been having problems! The buzzing, echo-y sound in my ears does drive you mad sometimes! I agree it does seem to be worse when I am tired! I have been given a hearing aid but to be honest it doesnt help much, I dont think I will carry on with it because there are more bad things with it than good! Worth a try tho! I do understand what you mean about getting a job - I have no confidence now, I am due to start helping at Headway next week but really dont now how to sell myself to future employers! Perhaps we need a little more time, but Im scared the longer I leave it, the harder it will be?

Take care of yourself and hope to speak again soon, Linda

Hi linda I just noticed your post about hearing my hearing has without a doubte been affected I have a constant ringing in my head and like you muffled voices like I am not here sometimes. I get really bad vertigo too. Its a total nightmare! Is this ment to be just part of the after effects? Also job situation is the same with me! I didn't tell one of the employers I went to work for and should have only lasted two week as it was a care job on my feet all the time and felt too drained. With me having had a sceizure I feel I have to tell employers but know I will be judged by it and the bleed I feel unemployable now. I used to be so so confident and was never without a job now I just work 4 hours a week back at my old job as my employer knows exactly what I have been through and 4 hours is all I can manage at mo! It will be a year in march and I dont seem to be getting much better! X

Hi Enez

Finding BTG early will be a great comfort, ask any question that comes into you head - we all need to understand what happened to us!

I totally agree that you must rest and give your head time!

Take care, Linda x

How's that for a word? It was one year ago today (January 5, 2012) that my brain popped and sprung a leak. It's been quite an eventful year. Although all of my symptoms resolved in 7 weeks, I worked diligently to recover my strength in order to face my imminent cancer treatment. I was done treatment by May 9th and returned to work and the balance of my activities by June 1st. I faced a further challenge of my mom being diagnosed with a 4cm posterior fossa meningioma for which she underwent surgery on December 13th - The outcome was excellent, albeit a large hit to her left eye visual field, but I am grateful to have my mom.

Lesson learned - you can lead a healthy life, do all the right things, eat well, exercise, etc, but there is no guarantee that you won't be dealt the crappy cards in life. It's what you do with them. I have chosen to move forward and cannot be defined or owned by my illnesses. I will not be a victim. I am happy and better off for having endured my health challenges and that of my mom. I count my blessings each and every day.

I wish everyone on these boards, wherever you are at in your stage of recovery, positive insight and happiness.

A special hello to my twin Annie, who I met on these boards - we both have the same SAH date. Thanks to all that corresponded with me in my hour of need. You are kind people.

Sue

Sue, that it a fantastic word!!

I love your outlook on life - you are a inspiration! Good luck to you and your mum in whatever life adventures comes your way. You deserve the best! Love and hugs, Linda xx

Hi - wonderful site! Was so useful to me when I first had the SAH. My husband found the site then through google He posted then me! Keep up the great work

I have just read your first post your put on here in 2010! Bless you, you have been so much!

One small thing that jumped out at me was the muffled hearing - do you still have this! This also happened to me but a few months after my SAH. I still have it now over a year later. I was given a tinnitus hearing aid but it made no difference. It feels like my ear is under water with a slight whooshing sound and some noises/voices sound muffled and echo-y!

I have also just started to find a job, I went to an interview on friday and it seemed to be going well, but as it was in my local village, I told him about my SAH and the interview didnt carry on much longer after that! I will keep trying, not sure what to do about telling people about my head trauma?

You have been very brave and done so very well, sending you big hugs, Linda xx

Thank you Linda and Ern.

I'm getting some emails from folks who are willing to be interviewed and/or help. Im really excited and can't wait to get this project going.

Currently writing up interview questions about how it's affected our lives and relationships, what we're capable of or not, what "normal" is for us now, accepting changes, mental health issues... what we would want others (family, friends, medical professionals) to know about our reoveries and how they can help.

Hoping to have funds/grants available by March or April so we can start traveling and meeting up with all you wonderful survivors!!!

Love and thanks,

Carolyn

Carolyn, that's great news! Will keep everything crossed!

Take care xx

Hi Wem

I have got the all-clear from consultant months ago - havent really had the opportunity to go away but not sure if I could fly yet. I got my SAH on holiday, so have lost my nerve?

My daughter flew to America this morning, I tried to be brave but cried when we had to say good-bye!

I have to get in a plane at some point, maybe like you this is the year to do it! Take care xx

Hi all.

I think I am a little late in joining the conversation.

I have always been a bit of a lightweight when it came to drinking. But even more so now. The last time I drank in any quantity was in July when myself & some friends went up Snowdon. It was also a bit of a reunion mixed with a lads holiday.

Wanting to show everyone that I was still me, I hit the beer with a passion. However. I paid for it all in a big way. I was sick as a dog (not pleasant in a tent), & had a hangover all the way up the mountain.That evening I stuck to lime & soda. But I still felt rough the next day on the white water rafting trip (that was torture!).

Thinking back on it, the main problem was my ego rather than the alcohol. I was so wound up trying to be me that I over did it.

I allow myself a bottle of light beer or two a week & just relax.[/QUOT

Ern, that sounds an epic trip!

Like you I like the odd drink - it does help me relax and remind me of the old me!

Happy New Year. Linda

Carolyn

What are wonderful thing you are trying to do! Like you I had nowhere to go people to speak to when I came out of hospital, didnt find this site till nearly a year after my SAH

If I can be of any help please let me know

Take care and hope to speak soon

Linda x

Hi Jigsaw, I have not been on BTG for a while! A few problems have restricted me. welcome , though, to you, and I hope you gain as much strength, as I have, from all the loveley people on this site! You are in the right place ! The full road to recovery is convoluted, and strung with setbacks, but , the understanding of fellow survivours is essential. There is so much love here,......it keeps you alive. Welcome girl! BILL

X.

Bill, I notice you were born in 1963 - me too!

I'm the big 50 soon, have you anything planned for yours or are you going to stay 49 and a bit! x

Bill, very kind and helpful works. Thank you!

Will hopefully catch up on here again, a very happy new year, Linda

Well I have to say I did have a few little drinks and pleased to say no major problems! Boxing Day afternoon everything did hit me and had to have a little sleep!

Happy New Year everyone, Linda xx

I hope I haven't offended a anyone but have requested people to be friends if I see you have had a SAH like myself!

I an interested in whatever is discussed on here but obviously if I can help or get help do not want to miss any SAH links.

Big hugs and Happy New Year, Linda x

Thank you everyone, lovely to hear your thoughts

I think maybe if I am tempted I must have water chasers!

Big hugs xx

Hi Everyone

Im not talking large amounts of alcohol but even just a glass of wine seems to have a big effect!

It feels more like Ive drunk a bottle!

I do have tinnitus and a echoing feeling in one ear but after one drink this is 10 times worse and also my balance.

Im a cheap night out now

Does anyone else have this?

Happy sober Christmas xx

Have a lovely Christmas, try to enjoy every moment, all the cooking etc are not the important bits, just being with your little one and the rest of your family xx