Super Mario

There is no correct recovery time, each person is different. You will find recovery for most is long and slow. Advice is to take baby steps, if you don't you will find yourself going backwards. Many of us end up being a "new me" As for returning to work, it will depend on how you feel and the opinion of your consultant and/or your GP, although many GP's have no experience of SAH. You may find that to do a phased return is much better than jumping straight back to the hours you were working prior to the SAH.

Unfortunately DVLA do seem to drag their heels, you may as well ask "how long is a piece of string?". If you have read the driving threads on here you will see what I mean. You are not on your own regarding the lack of information upon discharge, it seems to be a common problem.

Smeg13, welcome to BTG. A SAH is a notifiable condition to DVLA so you must report it and often your license is suspended. You also need to inform your insurance company. There are several threads on here about driving and different experiences of members. In the search box on the top right of the home page put "driving" and search for the posts. Hope this helps.

Welcome to BTG. So sorry to hear about your brother. The people you really need to talk to are the doctors looking after your brother and follow their advice. We are not medically qualified so cannot give any medical advice but we are able to give you moral and emotional support.

Welcome to BTG Sally. It is understandable how you are feeling. You have to put your trust in the doctors. There are members on here who have had unruptured aneurysms treated by coiling or clipping and others who have them monitored. You have found the right place for unconditional support but we cannot give medical advice. I would suggest that you have discussions with your GP or even better the hospital you have been referred to may have a nurse specialist who you can talk to. There is also Headway or the Brain and Spine foundation who will help you come to terms with your diagnosis and be able to explain specifics. You can give either of them a ring and speak to someone. Sadly your plans for a US holiday will have to be put on hold but you will get there eventually.

Lise, welcome to BTG. There are quite a few members who have had coiling on unruptured aneurysms. The procedure, as far as I am aware, is relatively safe and recovery a bit faster than if coiling is done after a bleed. There is a possible time bomb lurking, isn't it much better to get it treated than take the risk of a bleed which could have devastating effects? On saying all that it is only normal to be apprehensive.

You are very early on in your recovery. The nausea and headaches should diminish over time, just be patient. Are you drinking lots of fluid? This really does help to alleviate the headaches.

My SAH was 13 years ago now and it is still taken into consideration as it is under the blanket term of "stroke". I was discharged years ago as well. I believe that insurers really should define the difference but that will never happen. I now have to pay an extortionate premium but that doesn't stop me travelling although Europe only, whilst I can afford it. I am not in the UK at the moment and wifi connection is dreadful so can't go into detail.

Thank you for the update. Now the appointment process is in place it should not be too long before you hear something. Meanwhile try to remain calm and any increase in your symptoms get back to A&E, you can't be too careful.

Yet more fantastic news. It will take time, possibly lots of it, but it does appear that your mum is improving. Just keep on talking to her whether you get a lucid answer or not.

No you are not being a pain with all your questions. It is understandable that you are feeling as you are. We will all support you the best we can and if it means you pouring out your frustrations and worries on here, so be it. Just to have communication with people who can understand how you are feeling will help. Pleased that common sense has prevailed about your travel plans, disappointing as that may be, it is much better to be safe than sorry. You should be able to travel once you have some definite answers, although possibly not in the immediate future Hoping your appointment will come through soon.

I'm afraid that you will have to be patient and wait for the neuro appointment. Another option is to contact the consultant's secretary to find out how quickly you will be seen, if you can get some idea of the timescale it may put your mind at rest a little. In the meantime if you get any worse, even slightly, go back to A&E, even if you have to dial 999. Please try not to stress, it won't do your blood pressure any good which in turn will not help

That is very good news, pleased to hear of the progress

It appears that your mum is getting the best of attention from the doctors which is good to hear. Her recovery will be in baby steps not in leaps and bounds. Are you able to converse with her yet? If not just keep talking to her, regardless of what about. Please keep us updated as to her progress

As has been said before no two people recover at the same rate, everyone's is different. As for talking to your mum, do it now, whether you get a response or not, it can only help her. To go in through the groin is much less invasive than a craniotomy.

Sophie, you are jumping the gun, until you have the appointment you will not know the full facts. Please try not to speculate at this moment in time. You are self diagnosing which is not a good thing. Google can be your worst enemy at times like this.

Sophie, you will need to declare it for travel insurance, but what can you declare? You have no firm answers and I suspect insurance will be denied at this point in time. I would look at leaving booking a holiday until you have definite answers and when you have get insurance quotes before you book, they may well be sky high and unaffordable at this present moment in time. For example, I had to pay almost £500 for the year, Europe only, last March and my SAH was almost 13 years ago now.

You are not stupid for going to A&E. I think that nurse was very condescending in what he said, and in my opinion shouldn't have said that. He obviously has no understanding of what the letter says and means. Personally I think you should have stuck it out until you were seen by a consultant. In the event of any further problems go back or depending on the severity dial 999. Please keep us updated.

Sophie, do NOT go home, we are all behind you to get some clarification and a correct diagnosis.

Sophie, wait you must. Hopefully you will have some good news to impart when you are able to get back in touch.

Sophie, you need to sit it out. I can't believe they are showing little concern. Without prying too much, which hospital is it? So very pleased you have taken our advice, it was the general consensus of opinion of our members.

Sophie, if you take the discharge letter saying suspected SAH I am sure you will be taken seriously and you won't look silly. There are people who go with cut fingers, this is far more serious than that. To your health, work is secondary. Do you realise a SAH is a life threatening condition. Brutal me saying that, I know, but please go.

Sophie, in your shoes I would go to A&E taking with you the discharge letter saying you need to be seen urgently to show them especially as you are still having problems. I suspect you probably won't have to wait long. If you do have to wait then so be it, it is your health at stake.

Maya, just what you don't need at any time of the year. Wishing your daughter a speedy recovery so she can enjoy all the presents she must have received. Look after yourself too. Remember we are always here for you. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you as well. Try to enjoy it as much as possible.

Talking about sticks, I look on them as a fashion accessory and choose them as if I was buying handbags or shoes. I have about 15 now, all with intricately carved handles and shanks, mainly bought from the Ukraine. Please try to look upon a stick like that, surprising how many compliments you will get with a stick very much out of the ordinary. The stick is the focus, not the person using it.