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Kempse, I was in the same ward as you and my grandson visited me because he was asking to, he was 6 at the time. His mum did ask though and they said yes. Apparently they covered all the equipment and tubes as far as possible so as not to frighten him.

Hi Melbury I can only tell you of my experience. I also go very dizzy when my head is in certain positions, for example, if I bend down, look up or look left to right. I have found that if I close my eyes or focus on one particular point when making these movements helps. It has improved slightly over time, but after 6 years I doubt that I will get any better for me, but who knows. Your husband will learn coping strategies that suit him and you never know the situation may change in the future. Sorry I can't be any more help.

For what it is worth my opinion is that you have made the right decision. It would be like living with a time bomb in your head causing you constant worry. There is a lot to be said for ignorance is bliss. Many of us didn't know about our aneurisms until they ruptured causing a life threatening event. In my case it left me disabled and you wouldn't want that, that is not to say the same would happen to you if it was left untreated. Reading the above it seems very harsh so sorry but it is only what I think.

Hi John, I totally lost 8 weeks and then have only a few memories of the ensuing months. I also presented with bizarre behaviour and comments. Like you I have been told by my relatives, so it is just hearsay really. I also have a shunt and that area is no longer tender but I still have a habit of of poking my finger into the hole where the emergency drain was inserted (I had dropped into a coma and had to be put in in a matter of minutes) I went through a period of thinking "why me" but as time has passed I have come to accept it happened, you can't turn the clock back. Even though it left me disabled I now live life to the full the best I can and enjoy it.

Hope everything goes OK for you with the scan.

Thinking about white boards, I put my shopping list on one, when I run out of things I note it down straight away and before I go shopping take a photo of it on my phone. Instant list without having to copy it down.

Welcome to BTG Laura I think that you have to listen to the doctors. Sleeping is a big help in the healing process. It is very early days for your mum but it is impossible for any of us to predict the future for her. Read around this forum and you will find lots of information that may be relevant.

I often repeat things over and over again to myself, I find the repetition helps. I also use a notebook, put everything on the calendar and post-it notes all over the place, especially on the fridge so the memos are staring me in the face. I also put them in relevant places like on my walking frame if I need to take something out with me.

Welcome I had so much blurring in one eye I was almost blind. It was caused by debris left after the blood that had forced its way down my optic nerve had cleared. I had an operation to clear it away and my sight is now alright. I am not saying that this is the case with you but the possibility needs investigating.

Yes certainly ask all the others for reports and forward them. Keep copies and send them by recorded mail. The more evidence the better, you cannot have too much. Her consultant may not know the full picture and certainly not of day to day life. Besides which, consultants often do not reply to the DWP. It may be an idea to contact his secretary to find his views on doing reports. Even if you get a positive answer still submit any extra evidence you are able.

Hi Momo It is difficult to come to terms with losing a chunk of your life. I totally lost about 2 months and only have vague memories of the ensuing 6 months or so. I only know what I have been told by my family and I suspect that has been edited. They have told me some of the funny things I used to say and do though. For example, I said that the staff were poisoning me with the food, then I promptly offered my then 6 year old grandson a piece of cake from my tea that I didn't want. My advice is to just look forward, the past is over and done. The blessing is, you are still here.

Welcome! You will find lots of support from this friendly place.

I had a seizure at the time of the SAH and was weaned off the drugs some weeks later. I have not had any problems since. Each person is different and only time will tell if the seizures will continue.

I have not got a card. When I asked about one I was told that they had stopped doing them as people lost them. Hubby keeps meaning to make me one with date fitted, where fitted with a contact phone number for the hospital, type and setting but it hasn't appeared as yet. I have got and carry cards for all my cardiac stents so I would have thought it prudent to have one for the shunt, especially as I travel overseas quite a lot.

IB finished last year unless you were already on it or had an underlying entitlement. It is now ESA and to be called for a medical is more than often the case. Was the form you filled in an IB50? Look up ESA, if applicable, on the DWP site and it will explain it. If you were on IB your stamp should have been credited. Find a Welfare Rights Adviser to explain it to you, look under Welfare Rights in the phone book. If you are in Derbyshire they are based at Ripley and usually attend Dr's surgeries otherwise CAB could help or sometimes your local Law Centre has WRA's. To find an adviser locally you could also look on The Community Legal Assistance site. The link to find an adviser in your area is at the bottom of the page on the left hand side. IB was not means tested as such but any pension income over a certain amount reduced it, eg £5 for every £10 over the limit. The only exception was if you got DLA HRC, when then you received the full amount Be wary of the medical as the doctors from ATOS will twist what you say, they will ask catch questions as well. It has been known that their reports say the opposite to what you have told them. As a note, I have a friend who taught and got her pension from County on ill health grounds. She does not get IB because her pension wipes it out but her stamp is paid.

My shunt is very sensitive to heat and cold and the area still hurts if I lie directly on it. This is 6 years down the line.

I have balance problems and continuous dizziness that are so bad I have to use a walking frame. I walk as if I am drunk all the time unless I have support. I find if I am somewhere where there is movement round me it makes me worse so I don't go anywhere when it is busy because of movement passing by me. When I travel I have to keep my eyes on a fixed point, the same as when I am walking about, that does help. Also looking left and right makes me so dizzy I find it almost impossible to cross a road and for this reason I am not allowed to drive. It is as if my brain can't catch up with what my eyes are doing. I was led to believe that it couldn't have been the SAH that caused this and it was my existing medication that I have taken for years, I was not convinced because prior to the SAH I had no problems. Reading other peoples experiences, I am now sure that my problems are due to the SAH regardless of what the medics say. I wouldn't even dare go through a car wash unless fixing on a focal point would help and that I can't say unless I tried it.

Yes she does get high care component. Will that make a difference then? No, I just wondered if she was getting the correct level of care. Mum does go out Penny but only when she is hoisted into the wheelchair and took out by either me or my sister etc because she can't push it for herself. Do you think that will make a difference? That shouldn't make any difference. If I remember rightly there is a question about walking and your mum is unable to do this. DLA is about the help needed, therefore she could in theory be paying someone to take her out. Just make sure you get the GL 24 form back withing 28 days and you could put further evidence/information to follow later. That is allowed. Also collect as much evidence as you can from GP's and Consultants and make sure that they realise the severity of your mum's problems as often DLA will contact to them. The appeal process is a long drawn out thing and it may be months before the appeal is held, unless the award is altered on reconsideration. If it is successful all monies will be backdated to the original application. Please be aware that they can look at the care component as well. A qualified WRA will be able to ascertain if the care award is "safe". In my opinion, and I am not a professional, it should be, but who knows how their minds work Sadly Karen is right and even people who deserve DLA are having to fight for it. I personally think you need to find a WRA that is not from the CAB because I have heard that they are in league with DWP, may or may not be true. You do not need legal help but help from an adviser trained in Benefits. From doing a search for your area your Law Centre has specialist welfare benefits advisers. http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/en/directory/directorysearch.jsp I hope to post this link is permitted.

Hi Laura Ring DLA and tell them you are going to appeal and to send you the GL24 form I think it is. You must register your appeal within 28 days of the decision. You need to opt for an oral appeal. Once you have done this you have to prepare a submission. Really you should have gone straight for appeal as the decision is looked at again as part of the appeal proccess, thus saving time. You will not get high rate mobility if your mum doesn't go out. Does she get the care component? You really need help from a Welfare Rights Adviser. You may find one at the Citizens Advice Bureau or your County or District Council may employ them. Look under Welfare Rights in the phone book. Appeals with the help of a WRA have a much higher chance of success as does an oral appeal. For someone to help with the appeal if you are finding it difficult to find a WRA you could look on the Community Legal Advice website. There is a link at the bottom of the page on the left to find an adviser in your area. They will only help over the phone if you are eligable for legal aid. I could direct you to a website for help if you do it yourself but there is a membership fee. Hope this helps.

I have to rely on public transport because my license was rescinded and the disability the SAH left me with means I will never get it back. Never mind, I cope.

Hi Sarah, I was also in the Hallamshire, were you under Mr Patel? When I go to OP now I use the tram because of the parking there. Bit of a haul from the uni stop but I can do it very slowly with rests on the way as it is all uphill.

I always start with Paracetamol and if it hasn't eased within 30 mins or so I top them up with Tramadol. Usually works. I prefer to take the lesser of two evils first knowing I can take the stronger one on top of them if needs be.

Ramipril is a long term medication but it may be changed for an alternative or withdrawn if BP becomes too low with them or within normal limits without them. Be aware that one of the common side effects of Ramipril is a dry tickly cough which can appear after quite a long time on them and it is very annoying. Sorry can't answer the other part of your question.

I have had 7 angios in total, cerebral and cardiac, they all used the same entry site. It does ache for quite a while afterwards. It feels like deep bruising. If a plug was used in the punctured artery to seal it you can feel a hard lump until it dissolves.

How pig headedand ignorent are your employers, don't they realise that epilepsy stops you from driving. It appears that they want you there full time and will not allow a gradual return to work, that is very wrong. I would let them take advice from a doctor, but make sure it is from a specialist who knows about SAH. Non specialists seem to be very limited in their knowledge of "after effects" Are you in a union, they could help. There is also an adviser at Job Centre Plus who can help with back to work issues including Access to Work where DWP provide and pay for taxis to get you there and home. If you are going to use the discrimination route, try your local Law Centre, the work on discrimination issues free of charge.