andyp

..Hey that is brilliant news-it's great to hear something like this-gave me a lift!

It makes you appreciate your loved ones so much more.

Congratulations!

Well I didn't have a fit so I was told by Southampton General no driving for 3 months which I passed on to DVLA voluntarily.

That seems a good way to do it so I am told.

I was back driving after 3 months but my GP approved that when I visited him before going back to work.

You need to give the DVLA about a months notice that you are intending to drive again..they did check things out I believe but I hadn't given much notice so I phoned them-They said verbally that I could carry on because I had sent them my licence voluntarily.

If you have afit then I am told 12 months is standard for no driving.

You must tell your insurer as it is a change in health which could render your policy invalid if you don't and had an accident at any time!

My insurer was fine and I didn't get an increase in my premium.

The other issue is having to declare this on your travel insurance-that was a pain because I was told I was unlikely to get a recurrence.

15 months later we went to Disneyland Paris and I had to pay an extra £30 for the priviledge..I thought that was a rip off!

But..better safe than sorry-I wouldn't want problems if I needed to be flown back or something.

Also the E111 should cover most things..but still I felt easier having declared it.

Mind you-how long will that go on I wonder????

Hey Keith are you a real ELO fan...I am....!

Hows about Confusion ..and Livin thing??

Very glad to hear your news-did you give him a rendition of anything whilst you were there?

Andy P

Hi Therese-great to hear from you and so soon!..I must look that up then!

Take care and all the best-i am sure we will keep in touch with you.

Andy P

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Karen-strangely I had a long chat yesterday with a chap who hopefully will be looking on this website soon.

Soton asked if I would mind talking with him as he was similar to me with an SAH no cause found ....but a year behind me.

We discussed the anti dep issue in depth and he is having issues a year down the road from the SAH-I also had some of my own a year ago.

We had quite a few common things between us including our age.

There is a point where only you know how you really feel and Prozac is very good..my wife had it for over a year and it helped her.

It is getting off that is the thing to do very gradually.

Anyway..I hope you will be all the better for it.

Hurry up and get your IP sorted!!

Best Wishes

Andy P

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Hi therese-I know you won't get this for a while..but you have been on my mind today so thought I would send a quick post..how are you?

I so hope that you are feeling ok and all is now sorted..do let us all on here know??

Andy P

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I am sure that was quite a shock...but at least try to see it that they have spotted a problem and are going to deal with it.

I guess there are only 2 ways but I am sure they will take the least risk and most effective.

Where are you in the country? What is your nearest Neuro?I will be thinking of you on wednesday and wish you all the best.

I wonder if anyone else reading this has had 3 coilings at all?

Hang on in there Therese.

Best Wishes

Andy P

How about you giving us a rendition and adding to your website Keith??

I liked your version of Eidelweiss..you are certainly talented..and i bet you could re-create the Tony Hart Programme tune!

Best Wishes

Andy P

Well Keith that would be "Left bank 2 " of course!

Wasn't morph in both then?

I guess you would know..like the icon!

Andy

Hi Keith-I was fairly fortunate in that I reckon a lot of the headaches were gone after 6-8 weeks but I still had weird head twinges for nearly a year after when I bent down.

As for booze that was weird..I couldn't take much for months and I felt more affected even with a half pint fpr months..

Anyway I am back to normal on the alchohol front now.

I remember Morph from "vision on"...how old are you?????

Hello to you Cassidy and welcome to Karens website for SAH sufferers and family..It would be great to know a little about you if you are happy to share that..if not..never mind..we are all here to share/encourage and help each other..so welcome..

Hi Karen-and Zebedee!

All I can say is that depression not only affects you but can affect your family-they can sometimes pick up on how you are and it may be worthwhile discussing the issue with them and how they see it.

I think that a change of scenery can help-a break if you haven't had one too..I know you may not feel like it but sometimes just to get away for a few days and unwind somewhere nice can be a great tonic.

I am not belittling how you feel..I felt bad a year ago for various reasons

and I understand you being concerned about seizures but there must be many different drugs -some I assume are less likely to cause problems like that.

Only you truly know how you feel-you have time to think it over...but I honestly think a break may help.

Best wishes

Andy P

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Keith..just being nosey..How did you pick your nickname?

I assume it might be your hair style and not what job you do???

Andy P

Well guys I thought it might be good to ask you all what one piece of advice you would give to a new SAH patient based on your experience to date?

It could be to help them cope/to change something/to make the best of life..anything that strikes you..but just one!

I will kick off and my piece of advice is:-

"Make your life count -but don't sweat the small stuff-think what really matters most"

OK..now over to you guys..lets see what you feel is important!

Andy P

Karen-all the best for tomorrow..thanks for the chat! Just keep at the ironing!!!!!!!!!

Sami-good news for you..that is great..better tell DVLA cos they can take a while to sort things-they told me over the phone to get back driving after 3 months but they can take 2 months to check things with the medics!!Sounds like you will be given the green light though!

You amaze me Sami-you seem to do so much so soon..but well done you!

I saw the dentist who was refering me to a specialist re referred pains but he phoned me yesterday to say he decided he wants to have another go at my root canal in 2 weeks..ooeerrr.

I had several root canals done a year ago...but have had ongoing problems which i won't bore you with.

Anyway all the best..and to you Annie!!!

Andy P

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Hi Annie-I only remember this being an issue when in hospital-3.5 litres a day was what they said otherwise it would mean going back on a drip.

I don't notice much in the way of headaches related to a lack of water..but I am sure drinking plenty (within reason) is always beneficial to the whole.

By the way my second anniversary of the SAH is on the 7th Nov..another milestone!!!!

Hi Amber

Well-Obviously she had no choice and had to go with the flow.

I think she struggled earlier-thinking about having me at home for 3 months..we did get on better..but i really relied on her a lot and became a bit child like at times.

I think 6-9 months later the shock hit her more!

I am still not the same person..i guess the experience changes you-but I am working through things still!

Best wishes

Andy P

Well Jen-there are few things in life that will make you reassess your situation than this!

I am sure that it has thrown a new perspective on life for you and you will be doing as i did...re-prioritising what is really important..what really matters ..and making your life count.

It isn't being 30 that is bad..it is now a new opportunity for you to see what really is important as you have already said.

Life's prioities take on a different form after such a major life changing event..but hey you are 30 and you are now at an advantage-you know what they are and you can have many happy years making the best of them with your newfound knowledge.

It is a hard way to learn..but there is always a flipside!

All the best with your recovery and for the future!!

Andy P

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hi Ember thanks for that-my wife works on ICU so she knew the likely scenario that I was in.

I understand what you mean about the security of being in hospital as a patient-I think I could have become used to the regime and even being institutionalised under the circumstances at the time!

Are you in the UK?

best wishes

Andy P

Hi Ember-My wife is a critical care nurse.

Tell me-did your professional knowledge affect your perception of the SAH.

I assume it must have in some way?

Do you have a specialism?

Glad you find that this is a supportive site!!

Andy P

For information I heard today that the above is now in the final stages of editing and will be available soon.

Southampton Neuro say it will be available to buy if you want a copy.

I will keep you all updated as I think this will be of help to many sufferers who are looking for information!

Andy P

Jen-that was a really sweet reply...

maybe try a chat room session when you feel up to it?

It is early days for you so it will take time!!

Don't worry ...you will get there!

Andy P

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Hi Jen-welcome to Karens site-she has done brilliant in setting it up and it is great to find International guests like yourself.

The site is quite active and gathering momentum as the Hospital site from Southampton and salford appears to have gone-so Karen did this herself!!!

You will find lovely people her who can offer support and share their experiences.

Do take time to read the articles which may help.

I had a non aneurism SAH 2 years ago-only real issues now are still tiredness and emotional.

So glad you have found the positive side as well as the negative...Karen has eyesigt issues so she will no doubt be in touch!

It must be really hard with young kids-I hope hubby is good to you..It must be hard for him.

Keep in touch and it is great to hear from you

Andy P

Strangely i was reading today a bit about biological evolution and you may not be far wrong with the appendix..We used to need it but it has evolved that we don't over many many years!

Andy P

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