Super Mario

Just answer honestly but don't make an effort to get dressed up for it, usual daily clothes. I hate to put a dampener on it but don't be surprised if the assessor twists what you answer. Happens often, so be prepared for it to be refused and have to go to a Mandatory Reconsideration and then onto Tribunal. This is happening to a great number of claiments. If you are on the changeover from DLA to PIP please be aware that the criteria is very different.

Well done Subs, a tidy amount that will be put to good use.

Is it possible for you to make an appointment to see his medical team for when you can get there? Another alternative could be to have a telephone consultation with them. I do hope that you can find some way of talking to his team to answer your questions and clarify things for you.

I had a replacement knee, although it was 10 years after my SAH and only had a spinal block. I seemed to recover pretty quickly and was back in the pool doing limited exercise after 3 weeks. I had an hysterectomy many years before my SAH and found recovery did take a long time. It is a major operation and I suspect you are expecting too much too soon. Take some steps back and start again very gently and do not push yourself. Baby steps in the first instance. Your depression could be a result of wanting to do and finding yourself unable to achieve what you want to achieve. It may well improve as time passes and your recovery continues. Failing that, see your doctor again and he may give you something short term to help you climb out of the pit you find yourself in. There is also the option of requesting counselling as well.

I use post-it notes and notebooks for important things that need to be remembered as I can never remember anything that has happened recently. Once I have acted on what is written on the note I tick it off. I regularly ask or tell hubby something and again after a few minutes because I can't remember doing it in the 1st place and even ask a third time. It must be very frustrating for him and it does look as if I am nagging. Lists upon lists in this house, it is the only way I can cope. Blow what other people think, if that is how you manage, so be it.

Regarding benefits, other than CAB your local council or county council often have Welfare Rights Officers. You should be entitled to something. Found these http://www.thetimenow.com/united_kingdom/paisley/social_services-1558/welfare_rights-69523 and these http://www.shiftbusiness.co.uk/profile/welfare-rights-paisley.html Google Welfare Rights in your area, there seems to be some apart from those I have listed.

My first symptom, although only realised it was in hindsight, was a pain behind my left eye that came and went. I put it down to iritis which I used to get occasionally. Second was the feeling that my head had exploded with pain and hubby called an ambulance. I then started vomiting. From that point onwards I cannot remember anything.

I have had a knee replacement a year or so ago. On saying that I was coiled and my knee surgery was done with a spinal block. Take advice from a neurosurgeon as Jess advises.

Claudette, please do not try to worry, we have members who have had coils added and all have been fine. I know you are assuming but until they tell you what is what you are totally in the dark. I think it was a bit naughty of the to mention anything to you until a decision was made on further treatment, then they could have given you the full picture not half of one causing this worry. It is only natural to be frightened, anyone would be. As to a decision, only you can make that after discussion with the medics.

Sarah, sometimes painkillers themselves can cause headaches. Possibly that was what was happening to you. Hope today is as good as yesterday and keep up the fluid intake which will help.

Congratulations Daff, you have come so far and you are a true inspiration.

You are in a stressful job at the best of times. You are early on the road to recovery and maybe you have tried to go back to work too soon. Many have had to take 12 months off before starting a phased return.

Welcome to BTG. There could be many reasons for the headaches to have come back, not necessarily anything to do with the SAH. Raised blood pressure can cause headaches as can anxiety. Have you had your BP taken by a medical professional or have you just done it yourself? As we are unable to give any sort of medical advice I suggest that you see your doctor with your symptoms. If nothing else it will give you some reassurance.

Hi, just about everybody has the fear of a re-bleed initially but your fear has gone beyond that. I would say a visit to your doctors is called for with the view of asking to be referred for counselling to help you come to terms with what has happened.

Now you can ask SZ to guide you in that direction, he is the expert. Welcome to BTG, lots of support on here.

Congratulations Clare, you have achieved so much in the year and a new job as well.

I wear a hat in winter because the cold freezes my shunt so much it seems to burn through my skull. Same in summer when it gets heated by the sun for the same reason. Luckily I do not seem to have a barometer head.

You lot are making me blush Believe you me, I didn't have that attitude in the early days. As time passed I thought to myself, this is stupid, make the most of what you have got. Luckily I am the type of person that has a strong mind set possibly because of all the ups and downs I experienced in my earlier years. I dragged myself out of the mire many times. I now look on the fact that the SAH did me a favour in many respects. Early retirement, decent pension which enables me to do most of the things that previously I could only dream about, albeit in many cases in a different way to how I would have done them prior to it. Yes, I use a walking frame, yes, mobility is a struggle but I have learnt to adapt. I have no embarrassment now when I fall whilst out, just hope for a hunky young fellow to come to my rescue and pick me up. Life can teach us a hard lesson but there is no point in moping about it. Pick yourself up and carry on.

Not celebrating, still have that bug. SZ, my favourite places are a small village in Turkey where I go yearly if possible and the very tiny Greek islands that are only accessible by ferry, places that are frequented by the Greeks. Another favourite is Lopud Island, Croatia but it is too expensive now. I actually arrived there by speedboat. All beach type holidays. Most impressive place I have visited is Petra in Jordan as well as the Egyptian Museum in Cairo where King Tut's treasures are on show, all that gold and the mask is breath taking. The temples along the Nile are awe inspiring. Nearly forgot, although pre SAH, the Pope's Easter Mass in Vatican City, Easter 2000. Something that will stay with me forever.

12 years ago today my life and that of my family's changed in a split second. After recovery I had to cope with disability which also affected those around me. I now look on the SAH positively in one respect, no point in brooding, it happened and you can't turn the clock back. A teenage girl once said to me that I have made a new life. How true that is. The SAH afforded me to live my life as I wanted, without any work constraints doing what I want when I want. That is the bonus. Because I was no longer able to continue in my job I was retired early, leaving me with the opportunity to continue my love of travel without being restrained by holiday entitlements. Travel I have done, to places I could never have thought I would visit mainly due to high prices. Now I can pick and choose the most affordable. My whole attitude to life changed 12 years ago, there is more to life than work, work and more work. My motto now is "Live life to the full to the best of your ability, blow tomorrow, it may never happen"

Regarding noise, 12 years down the line I still cannot tolerate any noise at all other than the quietist. I do not have a radio on, even though I tried it on very low to try to train my brain to accept the continual sound. That didn't work, I don't even watch tv now as the noise and movement makes me feel ill, besides which I cannot remember what has gone before.

Found the same story in The Scotsman which is wholly readable.http://www.scotsman.com/news/orkney-man-recovering-from-brain-aneurysm-in-thailand-1-4005944

Information about PRES https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posterior_reversible_encephalopathy_syndrome

Thanks for coming back and letting us know of your progress. Best of luck with your new job. Happy New Year to you too.

There is such a thing called Terson's Syndrome http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1227921-overview It may be worth getting the doctors to investigate for it. I had it in one eye and it didn't clear up so had an operation and my eyesight is now back to what it was.