iola

Hi Neil, I was 47 when I had mine. No known cause for the bleed. Thee angiograms, MRIs, CTs, etc... I am 2-1/2 yrs and it's been a long haul. It took me at least 4 months just to walk one mile so congrats on the five miles. I was high energy as well and I do work and back at work but I do suffer from fatigue and when I've done too much or not gotten enough sleep (which is typical) I tend to feel heavy headed and dizzy. I hate it. Wet rainy days just make me miserable. I remember when I was at the six month mark and I went to see my surgeon and he said it would take 12-18 months to feel better. He was not kidding. Still healing and still looking forward to my five year mark. It's life changing and adapting. My family had to adjust but that is what you do, adjust. You will have good days and cherish them and then there will be days that are not so good and the pattern goes on. Good and blah. You have had a life changing event and you are not the same and it takes time to accept. Believe me I know. I am still trying to do what I used to do and I can but not like I did. Chin up an forward moving! iola

Thank you for this. I really needed it today. I did a bit of feeling sorry for myself today. The one thing I've lost is the ability to forget how I feel for a little while. Meaning, I am always intimately aware of how I feel. At a restaurant, the movies, work, etc... The only time I think I do forget for a moment is when I am gardening. Physical labor helps me feel better for a short while. What have I gained. A respect for others in real pain and the understanding of wanting a reprieve from that pain. I totally get that. And, I wish it would never rain again. Kidding but not. Iola

Hi, I had a non aneurysmal SAH in April 2013. It is very scary and just awful. I had three angiograms and the third was 2 months later to make sure all the blood was gone. Even after two years I still have weirdness moments. Head hurts every time it rains. I hate the rain. When I'm tired I get dizzy and feel off kilter. A couple nights ago I cried because my head hurt so bad. Not the thunder clap headache but a migraine. It's been raining for days. Then the sun came out the next day and was fine. It's hit or miss. You will jump forward and fall back again and then jump forward a little more. Healing is a time consuming process. Good luck and feel better soon. Iola

Hi, I'm so sorry this happened to you. I had a NASAH as well. Yes, the docotrs tell you to go live your life and you think, well, okay, but what the heck just happened here! All your concerns and fears are very common. I am over two years out and still have some weirdness and headaches but it does get better time helps.

When I got home I had to sleep with a light on. I'm not sure if it was because of all the time in the hospital and the bright lights 24/7. Even now I hate total darkness. Feels like death to me. I do not sleep well and ask a God to wake me in the morning. I aways want to fall back to sleep around 5:30 or so when dawn approaches. It's very comforting to me knowing the sun is rising. I am not sure I'll ever sleep a full night again. Iola

Hi Daff, I don't think there is much more to say other than thank you. No truer words....

Yep, I know this story well. I am two and a half years in and just get angry sometimes. It's not a why me thing it's a when is this gonna stop thing. I still get headaches and live on Tylenol. I've tried it all and what helps me is a simple massage. It really quiets my mind and relaxes me and helps my head feel better. Lack of sleep is the worst and stress from work does not help. No, do not expect anyone to understand you. They cannot until they experience this. They see the same you. What you feel inside is not the same you. You but different. I was told I was much more introspective these days. True statement. We are what we have to work with.

Hi, I was a big martini drinker prior to my bleed. It's been over 2 yrs and I have a time finishing one drink. I hate feeling drunk anymore and scared of the headache. Iola

Wow, what an achievement. Thank you for sharing.

Hi, I am well aware of little support at work. I did have a few that truly cared but my HR dept was the worst! Cared all about the paperwork and policy and laws. No feeling or caring involved. I stay as far away as possible to my HR. Iola

Hi, Thank you for your post. I live in Maryland. Just couple states away! I had mine almost 2-1/2 yrs ago. Still have headaches so it is good to know it keeps getting better. I've read it before but it is always a blessing to hear. IOLA

I'm glad you are here Macca! Truly.

Hi, I'm from the US too! Maryland! It is such a journey back to whatever feels better. I can't say normal because for me that does not exist. I am blessed that is for sure and I can do just about anything I did before but I feel like a stranger in my own body sometimes. I still see me but the old me is a distant memory. Still get weirdness feelings in my head and God forbid when it rains. I hate the rain. Makes my head hurt. Keep moving along and each day a little piece of you will reveal itself. Iola

Hi, I understand completely how you are feeling. Everything changed in a split second. You almost die then they send you home to recover and you are scared and feel the worst you have ever felt in your life. The grueling road to recovery can be long and frustrating. One day you think you jump forward only to feel like you fall backward the next day. I am two and a half years out and it can still be a challenge and six months is still the early stages so give yourself time. It will get better and better days are ahead. They really are. There will also be days of frustration too. It is a roller coaster ride back to familiar. Iola

Wow, wasn't God looking out for you. Amazing your small aneurysm led to the another that can now be monitored. I am so glad you are here with us and hopefully feeling better. Thank goodness for a concerned doctor that did the right thing. When I has my bleed I was five hours from home so I do know what it is like to be alone and scared. Take care of you. Iola

Happy anniversary! I can't wait to say nine years! Well done!

Hi, Congrats on the one year! What a move to make leaving your husband and having a SAH. As for the weirdness, please go see your doctor. I still have weirdness two years on but piece of mind is priceless and your doctor will help. Iola

Hi, I have to admit I still think about it. I've struggled quite abit with my mortality. I have deep faith but also Catholic guilt as any Catholic would understand. This tears at me. I get up every day and move on and work and pray and watch my daughter grow and wonder. I'm sure I need counseling but just continue to move forward. The fear is with me and I've yet to figure out how to let it go. I guess it is different for everyone. I

Hi Xmartz, I was in Philly for work when it happened. Live in MD. I do hope you are feeling better. It does take a while. I

Hi Mandie, Where in Philadelphia? I was at Jefferson and had a fabolous dr. I had three angios and they will put you to sleep there. Nothing to be worried about. I hope all is well. If you are at Jefferson, you are in great hands! Iola

Yes, my favorite is, "So, you are all better now?" Topped with, "You don't look sick." Daff, you hit the nail on the head! I was told not to long ago that I was not empathetic to others pain. Well, sorry. Everyone looked and still look at me like I'm joking when I say, "I just don't feel quite right." I even had a foot doctor tell me my bleed was not a stroke and I should feel just fine now. Really? Stick to what you know foot doctor. URRR...... I

Hi, I had my NASAH over two years ago and I still get very fatigued and tired in the evenings from work. When I exercise or just work in the yard I feel great but at the end of the day when I finally sit down it's like this heaviness falls on me and I am done for the day. I started going back to work part-time, like you, and really over did it. Suffered some pretty nasty headaches because of it too. I still get them during work and still pretty wiped out after. Doctors will tell you that you should be fine but you know how you used to feel and it's very different now. I am a mover and a shaker but there are times my brain and body says ENOUGH and I have to relax. Take your time and do not worry about anyone else's recovery timeline they may have for you. It's your brain and your body. Iola.

Hi, I went back to work 4 months after mine and it was part-time. It was hard and exhausting. I had terrible dizziness and headaches. Take your time going back to work. Once you're back you're back. People will feel for you but the job must get done and others will see you as well enough to do it. Be kind to you because no one eles feels your brain like you do. Iola

I cannot tell you how much I need to read these posts. I do understand, as we all do, how hard it is to go back to the life you had. I honestly do not think you can. You can try and work extra hard to be the person you once were but I think it is impossible to be that person 100%. At least it is not doable for me and believe me I've tried. I work and on the go quite a bit but there are times my body literally cannot take any more and a fall out and sleep. When that happens I cannot wake up. I've never been so tired in my life when my body shuts down like that! It's the knowing and the accepting that is hard. I still fight it. Iola

So glad you are with us Win.. You make the world a better and happier place to be part of. Congrats to six years! I can't wait to say that!