bsaints1

Hello Hendo24 - thank you for asking. Ten months later and it really seems like a lifetime ago that I was asking for medical attention while working out at the gym at my company, then an ambulance whisked me away to the intensive care ward. At about the seventh or eighth month, I began having fewer and fewer headaches. I still get them sometimes, particularly when I am tired, and then I get scared that it is happening all over again. However for the most part, patience and BTG, got me through those difficult early months. I am in a much better place now. I will always be grateful for this site and all of the wonderful people who post support. May 8 will be one year for me. I am really looking forward to that anniversary. I hope this winter ends by then, so I can have a BBQ bash.

You are not alone Jo. I am sure at some point, each person on this site asked "why has this happened?". Like "i" said, don't lift anything right now. You will need to bring the diaper down to the floor if you are going to change the one year old. Been there. Stay strong, stay positive.

This is very interesting to me you guys. It is going to push me to get a second opinion. I had my NASAH back in May, coming up on my 3 month mark, they said there is no known cause and should never happen again. I seem to have short term memory loss and slight, almost annoying more than painful headaches most evenings. I was in denial about the memory loss thing, but then my loving wife called me out on it. We are talking about how weird it is and it concerns her. I am also generally tired, but that doesn't seem to slow me down much. I appreciate this post!

Dave, I agree with Desy, you need to avoid information overload and take I easy when it gets bad. That is the only remedy, I find. I can literally tell it is 5 o'clock everyday because that is when my headache shows up. Depending on the day, it gets worse or normally it is just enough pain to be annoying. I think water and rest is a helper. Brian

Desy, Great to hear your story and your awesome attitude. You really picked me up tonight. Thanks.

Thanks for posting this Vanessa. I feel I can relate. While I am barely two months in, and I know that is early, I want my mojo back. I am an impatient person and know by reading the posts on BTG that I need to get patient. Your drive is admirable and I am sure your mojo will return. Take care of yourself during these days.

Jessica, It doesn't sound like either Neuro is "good". There must be other Neuro's in Bama. Use your GP to refer to you someone else. Have the Neuro office send your file to the new Neuro. Have you talked to your GP? I found my conversation with my GP was better than any conversation I had with my Neuro. However it was through the advice on this site where I moved from talking to the Neuro Physician Asst to the actual Neuro. But even then, my Neuro wasn't very informative. It was my GP where I got satisfaction talking like human beings. Either way, like Louise said and I agree, you need to get checked out to make sure you are OK.

"BTG listened. 'Others' did not." Ain't that the truth. Just remember, nobody understands like your BTG friends. Don't hold it against those that do not understand. They still love you Dave, they just do not, and cannot understand. You know when you have to get in and get checked out. You have a lot of people that care for you Dave, that is certain.

Lesley, I am not familiar with this symptom as I did not have a craniotomy. Sorry! I hope it passes. I am thinking of you and praying it does, before it drives you nuts! Brian

I feel for you Dave, regarding your employer. I have to say, my boss told me to shorten up my days and take it easy. The people at work have been super supportive. I did bypass the physician assistant and met with the Neuro last week. Good meeting. Went as expected. He sent me back to work this week. I am transitioning back into work mode. Like you guys predicted, exausted by mid afternoon. My wife continues to be great when I get home. I have so much love and support in my life, I am lucky. Thanks for caring BTG-all.

Since all the ladies are giving you advice, I figured it is time for a guy to chime in and support the message. None of us regret asking for help when we first had our issue, don't change now. Go to the doc and ask for that help. Good luck Dave.

Laugh all the way to the Doc, Win. You will be healed in no time. Prayers headed your way from the other side of the globe. Brian

One month SAHnniversary for me today. Happy to have lived, happy to be progressing toward a one year SAHnniversary. (I love that reference Teechur, very clever!) I am so happy I decided to tell somebody I needed medical attention. The alternate decision would have ended much differently. I too love this site. I find myself coming to it often. Thank you Karen for your creation and thank you to everyone who posts. Your comments are so worthy and helpful.

I agree Iola, Lin-lin thank you for that response. It is my pleasure to meet you too. I totally agree that "snap out of it" is an unfair expectation and not realistic. Expecting that will only make me more frustrated. I was just wishful thinking. I love the exercise suggestion. Given that my SAH occurred when I was exercising, my intention was to cancel my membership as soon as I get back to work. I have changed my mind. Instead I am going to transform my workout from intense cardio and weights, to light cardio. I need to stay active. I am not so sure about the counselor idea for me at this point...however, I would love to hear what you learn in how to respond to other people's comments!

Thank you all for the kind advice. I do appreciate it. I feel better today. I will be patient as you suggest. Lesley - Yes. May 8, 2013. We both share the same "birthday" then! Working out at the time, lifting weights. All of a sudden it felt as though the top of my head filled with fluid and my temples were in pain. Ten minutes later, the pain shot to the base of the back my head/spine. I told the security guard I needed medical attention. Twenty minutes later I was enroute to the hospital in an ambulance. After an emergency CT scan, the doctor told me I would have been dead in the morning if I hadn't gone to the hospital. It was at that time, my friend (and Catholic Priest), annointed me Last Rites. I never felt more at peace at that moment. Anyway, that was my unique beginning. After that, I think it is a similar story to others. I spent five days in the Intensive Care Unit, and five days in General Population. I was home on May 18. To your point, it is the little things that get to me. Lately, it is my well-intentioned friends. They ask me if I am back to 100% now and ready to go golfing. I tell them 'no, it is going to take a while'. They seem surprised that I am not back to my old self. I just have to be understanding that they don't and cannot understand. I am off to my family doctor. This will be the first time I talk to him since the SAH. I want to make sure he is aware and helps manage the pain meds. Thanks again BTG for all the support and being there. Brian

Today I felt down in the dumps. It was really the first day I felt depressed since my SAH. As I look into the future, I wonder if I will ever "snap out of it". I hope so and I look forward to that day!

Sarah - Yes. Pressure head ache. It is constant. I understand. It is unlike the "splitting headache" you have had in the past. I have had this since my NASAH on May 8. The great people on this site have posted comments that have really helped me put this experience in perspective. The only thing that seems to solve that pressure, is sitting down and resting. As soon as I sit down however my kids jump on me! Hang in there Sarah.

Mick, We will learn together through this experience. Brian here. I had a NASAH on May 8 (I am learning the acronyms and more on this site than any doctor told me!). I think I saw another one of your posts saying they thought yours was a hangover.?? I enjoy a pint as well, however no interest since I got out of the hospital. I love this site. I learn something new everyday. The latest is that friends I run into say, "you look great!" Well thanks, but I don't feel great. I feel like everything I do is going to turn into another 'brain bleed' and I will end back up in the hospital. This site reminds me that I am not alone. I thought I was, but we are not. Anyway Mick, good luck in your recovery.

Thanks David. That is good advice. I talked to the PA and told her I would be talking directly to the Neurologist from now on. She actually agreed. I have an appointment in about two weeks with the Neurologist and will discuss my progress directly with him.

I am slated to go back to work on June 17. I am nervous about this. I had my SAH on May 8 and was out of the hospital on May 18. The Neurologist PA stressed me out from the beginning on this topic. When she told me I was ready to leave the hospital she said, and "you can go back to work next week". I told her no way, I need more time. She then said June 3 is my back to work date. I thought this was aggressive. I ended up back in the ER on Sunday with Hematoma and significant pain as a result of the blood resting on some nerve endings in my tailbone region. I talked to the PA and due to the hematoma, she gave me until June 17. I don't know if June 17 is the magic date. I hope it is. I will just have to take it easy when I go back. My boss is great so I am sure I will have support from that perspective. Why would the doctor's office be so aggressive on getting me back to work? I know I have to go back, but it bugs me. Brian

IKim - you just told my story! I am also new to this site. Just found it yesterday. I had a one-time spontaneous brain bleed (SAH) due to weak blood vessels on May 8, 2013. I was working out at the gym at my place of employment and POW!! My workout was done. I had extreme pain in my temples and I felt like my head filled up with fluid. Took a shower and the pain "mohawked" back to my spine and base of head. After the ambulance rushed me to the ER, they did a CT scan. The ER doc told me that if I went home and to bed, I would have been dead in the morning. That was the first of two times I would receive 'last rites and apostolic pardon' from my priest. I spent five days in ICU and five days in general population and am recovering at home now. I have had one complication. Hematoma. The blood that was supposed to have absorbed itself co-mingled with my spinal fluid and is now resting in my tailbone region irritating some nerves. Pain. They gave me Percocet, but it barely dulls the pain. I am 44, married with five kids under 16. My family, priest friends, friends, neighbors, co-workers have been so supportive. I am very lucky to have big support. From reading the posts on this forum, I think I am going to like this site. If I learned anything so far, it is to reset my expectation that it may take longer to heal. I am walking around on eggshells afraid it is going to happen again. Brian