Super Mario

Debbie, welcome to BTG. You may get more replies if you start your own thread in "Introduce Yourself" A letter from your brain http://web.behindthegray.net/index.php?app=core&module=search&do=search&andor_type=&sid=df3bd081bc0a23f560fab803a0f0adec&&search_app_filters[ccs][pages][sortKey]=date&search_term=a+letter+from+my+brain&search_app=ccs&search_app_filters[ccs][searchInKey]=database_1 Any posts on here do not appear on facebook.

Greg, I think I am correct in saying, if you get contribution based ESA, which you should as you have been working, it will be added to any other income you have and the full amount of income is taxable, less your personnel allowance of course. You will have to inform the tax office and your tax code will be amended accordingly as tax will not be taken off ESA but your other income. If you don't inform the tax man then you will get a bill for a lump sum after the tax year ends. Just makes life easier to pay as you get the money. Just keep that in mind when you get the award or tell HMRC now if you are on the assessment rate.

Thank you for clarifying that. As an explanation, there are too many folk out there who are inclined to self diagnose from the internet. The internet is a wonderful tool but one can get false answers from it as not everyone's symptoms are exactly the same. One should see their doctor for anything causing concern, not depend on getting an answer online. On another note It is far too easy to blame ensuing problems as being caused by a SAH, when in fact they are not related at all.

Sue, there may be other reasons why your bladder acts as it does. The SAH may just be coincidental. Self diagnosis is not always a good thing. I suggest you see what your doctor says. Thank you for the link anyway, as you say it may be helpful to others.

Greg, your Gp is correct in that if you fail to be awarded ESA then you can ask for a mandatory consideration and if you fail that you can go on to a tribunal. Be aware though that it is not the person with whom you have the face to face interview who says if ESA is awarded or not, it is the Decision Maker at DWP and the assessors are notorious for putting the opposite to what you say. When you arrive at the assessment centre you will be watched all of the time, even from leaving your car. Just like Big Brother It is advisable to take someone with you too. Regarding the recording, you have to book it with the assessors in advance and their own equipment is used. Covert recordings are not allowed and should you be caught will invalidate the assessment. Covert recording cannot be used as evidence. Look at the top of this forum and there are stickies with links to forums that will give you more information about this. One of them I strongly recommend you join for free http://www.youreable.com/forums/forum.php where there is a wealth of knowledge. Have a look round that forum and feel free to ask any questions

myratas, not the same as hydrotherapy but similar. I go to an aqua fit class at a private swim school where the water is warmer than usual. The session is specifically designed for stroke survivors. Over the years I have seen very gradual improvements of movement in members. If you can stick at it, it will more than likely help.

Win, I am not a guru of anything but thank you for your vote of confidence. Sadly I know nothing about life insurance. The only thing I could suggest is to contact The Stroke Association and see if they can suggest a provider. The other option is to wait until the review and see what they say. You may be able to get it then but I suspect the premium will go up horrendously.

I have balance issues 11 years on. I can't remember the early days at all but seem to think that I was okish at first then a week or so after discharge I kept falling over. It is much worse when I am tired or fatigued and I can't stay on my feet at all then. I use a walking frame all of the time now and still manage to fall. I also have a shunt and often wonder if the original hydrocephalus was the cause of my balance issues rather than the SAH but nobody can answer that. It is unknown when the damage causing the problem was caused.

Congratulations on the 7 years Sarah. Life does throw some s**t at us, some of us more than others, and you cope admirably. All kudos to you.

Louise, the difference is, we understand, chances are that your family don't even after all those years.

There is not a time scale and each case is looked at individually. May be worthwhile ringing your consultant's secretary to check whether he has actually replied as they are busy and may not have got around to it yet. Even if the consultant has replied it will still take DVLA ages to act upon his report. Ringing DVLA may help to hurry thing up but don't hold your breath. If you look around the site there are several threads about driving. eg http://web.behindthegray.net/index.php?/topic/3563-dvla/?hl=dvla

Welcome to BTG. Unfortunately you are not allowed to drive until you have been cleared by DVLA to do so. I suggest you ring them and see where you stand. DVLA are notoriously slow and will more than likely want a report from your doctor/consultant before making a decision. Sorry that this is not good news.

Disability Employment Advisors are employed by DWP and found at Job Centres. Their job is to get you into work regardless of your condition so I don't think they will be of any help. I would presume you are in a union, they will be the people to ask advice from or failing that try ACAS.

Frank, that is a question you will have to ask your doctors as we are not medically qualified. Sorry,

CW, forums can be of so much help but don't forget that folk often go to forums and only post the negative. The number of people posting on that forum will only be a small minority among the thousands, possibly millions who live with shunts, although it may seem that here are many on there.

Clare, it is known that DVLA drag their feet for ages, meaning months.

If you get no joy from any of the suggestions above I would suggest that you consider contacting your MP. Sometimes, when they get involved there is a sudden change of heart and they pay out. As Karen says insurance companies are quick to take your money off you but try every trick in the book not to part with any.

One of the things that is advised after a SAH is to drink 3 litres of water a day. It helps with healing and helps to keep the headaches at bay. How, well it will be medically proven but I certainly don't know other than to keep well hydrated.

Many congratulations on your graduation and thank you for posting your achievement. It will certainly help others to realise that a SAH is not the end of the world.

Please can we keep on topic, this one is about alcohol. If you want to discuss smoking then please start another thread. Thank you

I drink within moderation, I was never told not to. This is a question you need to ask your doctor because what is OK for one may not be for another.

Yes, mine is programmable.

Welcome to BTG This thread is a very old one and the originator no longer posts. It may be prudent to start a new thread and there may be someone who has had similar experiences amongst our current members who will reply

I don't experience it either. The possibilities are that it is not needed as the pressure has returned to normal therefore no drainage or it could be the type of shunt and that is why I feel nothing or I have just got used to it. I think some people have remarked on sensations when the shunt drains on your original thread.

1) Do you get headaches from the shunt? Not at all now 2) Any pressure like high or low? None whatsoever 3) Or do you not feel anything at all? I feel nothing at all