Super Mario

Noise, can't abide it. At the gym I manage to switch off usually but have cut sessions short at times. TV - don't watch it at all, can't tolerate the noise, constant movement and can't concentrate or even remember what is happening. Makes me feel sickly to even try to watch. Radio - never have it on even low volume. I would like to live in a silent still world.

I also love to be in the sun and go in search of it regularly. The only concession I make is to wear a hat because the metal in my shunt gets hot and seems to burn through my head.

Found this on the BBC News page. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20985194

I use my slow cooker regularly. Swich it on and no need to remember or bother about it.

I use timers for everything when cooking. I also have problems working out what needs to go on and when. When a timer goes off I have to act immediately or I forget it has gone off. Here we have lots of burnt offerings, hubby is getting used to them. :lol:

Welcome to BTG Mariella. Your mum is still in the very early days of recovery. Confusion and disorientation is usual after a SAH plus your mum has had other problems to contend with. Recovery can be very slow and hopefully she will improve over time. She must drink lots of water to keep herself hydrated. Everyone is different. After having a shunt fitted recovery is not instant, her brain will have to heal itself and that takes time. Others will be able to give you more advice.

You should have a volunteer centre near you. Try them as they have 'job' sheets.

Wem, just a tip, before you book anything just check that you can get insurance. I don't think there will be a problem if it is just the SAH to declare but DON'T take my word for it. Check first before you lay any money out on a deposit.

I have forays abroad 5/6 times a year although I usually only do Europe and countries bordering the med. Last year I had 2 days in Jordan for which I had to pay extra on my insurance. Look carefully at the insurance medical criteria and ring the medical screening line if you answer yes to any of the questions. My insurance is pricey because of heart problems but my SAH after the 1st year didn't seem to make any difference. Flying is not a problem. There are lots of wonderful places covered by zone 7(?) insurance. I have been to Egypt (Nile) Red sea cruising, Canaries, Bulgaria, Turkey, Greece to name but a few. Many of these places I have visited many more times than once. Whatever you decide, enjoy it.

Jess had her 2 boys after an SAH. I am sure she will post further when she sees this thread.

Welcome to BTG, I have sent you a Private Message regarding benefits.

Welcome to BTG. Short term memory loss is a common effect post SAH and multitasking is also something that many of us struggle with. I am sure others will be along who will give you more information. You are not being an idiot, just recovering.

Yet I can actually drink more and until my knee made it painful for me to walk far was having a couple of pints of porter from our local real ale pub nightly. Just a sip of red wine gave me a blinding headache pre SAH, now I can quite happily drink a full bottle and have no after effects. Not as though I do that very often although whilst I was in Gozo I drank 1/3rd of a bottle in my room and then had 1/2 a bottle with dinner.

Firstly, not brave at all travelling on my own. I was doing it for quite a few years before my SAH. Secondly I started with hydrocephalus about 3 days after my SAH, I apparently dropped into a coma rather rapidly and had to have immediate surgery to put a temporary drain in, the surgeon told my relatives that they didn't even have time to scrub, it was gloves on and do it. I think he said they only had 10 mins to relieve the pressure or else it would have been curtains for me. My own drainage system did not start working again so I had to have a permanent shunt fitted after about 3 weeks. I have no symptoms because the shunt is keeping the pressure correct. In fact other than the burr dent above my forhead and a lump at the back of my skull I forget I even have one. All this is what I have been told by my family as I have no memory whatsoever for the duration of my hospital stay of about 2 months and only hazy memories of several following months. I would say that yes you would have a headache, quite a severe one with it as non drainage causes pressure but I am NOT a medical person. You need to ask your GP that question.

Be positive, I am, I have learnt to cope and so will you if needs be. There are ways of doing things that alleviate some of the nausea involved with the dizziness. In spite of it I lead a full life and enjoy life. You may have gathered that I travel lots and on my own. May take me so much longer to do things but I do them. Just give yourself time, not easy I know with kids to look after. Try to explain to them what is happening and how you have to behave to alleviate some of the problems. BTW I was told that my balance issues were down to brain stem damage, this may not be the case with you but just part and parcel of your recovery. I believe my damage was done not by the SAH but the ensuing hydrocephalus that wasn't picked up until I fell into a coma. That is just my opinion though, not a medical one.

My spaced out, dizziness and balance problems are still with me nearly 9 years down the line. I have learnt coping strategies and use a walking frame all of the time, that is not to say I don't fall over, I do. I look as if I am drunk all of the time. Not really want you want to hear but on the other hand you may be one of those who will eventually recover. Just give it time, you are in the very early stages of recovery.

It could be the stress of being home alone with the kids. I had a headache just like that once and my GP sent me for a CT scan as I thought my shunt was playing up. It was clear and the docs told me it was a tension headache. Looking back I had been trying to do something it was obvious I couldn't manage and getting extremely frustrated with myself so the medics must have been right.

Almost 9 years down the line I still have persistant dizziness and very little sense of balance. I avoid crowded places, bright liights, flashing lights and noise as they seem to make me even worse. Also things do not register with me like seeing traffic when I am trying to cross a road. Had quite a few near misses with this so I try to stick with crossings or one way streets as they are easier to cope with but, of course practically, that is not always possible.

I just can't think what to say!

Makes one wonder doesn't it. I had whooping cough as a child before I was vaccinated.

There are many that have suffered from dizziness, do a search on the forum for dizziness.

You will get your life back, it will take lots of time and patience though. Please do not get upset about not feeding the little one any more, these things happen and it can't be helped. Just bear in mind that he has had a better advantage than lots of babies (I am all for breast feeding) and you have fed for much longer than most. The little one will get used to it eventually, you know how adaptable they are. Just give him lots of cuddles as often as you are able.

Welcome to BTG, what you are experiencing is quite normal, most of us have felt the same. It does get better over time. Drink plenty of water to help the headaches and do not push yourself too much, you have to give the brain chance to heal so listen to your body. Recovery times vary from person to person. Please see your GP and tell him how you are feeling, there are drugs that can be given in the short term for your depression. Meanwhile grasp all the help you can get with the children so that you can concentrate on recovering.

The forms are very tricky to fill in and you do need help as key phrases and words are looked for. Your local council or county council should have a welfare rights dept or failing that the CAB. My advice is to try the council first as their officers sometimes visit doctors surgeries and I have found them to be much more efficient than CAB. Hope you get Jim home in the very near future.

Wonderful news Karen, male sure you look after yourself too make sure you have some "me" time as well.