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Skippy

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Everything posted by Skippy

  1. Hi Charza Totally sympathise with the jerking awake. Mine was caused by the meds I was put on for the pain. It might not be the same for you, but it's worth asking your GP - I was put on Tramadol and it didn't agree with me at all, so the GP took me off it. Don't stop meds prescribed by your GP without their say so, but definitely speak to them.
  2. Hi Charza I suffered from exactly the same and it was down to the medication I was prescribed for after care. For obvious reasons I can't state which one, but as soon as I stopped taking them, the jerks stopped too. Talk to your GP if you're taking pain meds and you think they might be having a side affect - they may be able to prescribe something different. 3 months is early in recovery so it may have nothing to do with meds etc, but definitely get it checked out.
  3. Congrats on you're anni-versary. Mine is 17 yrs now and yes, there are days when it feels like yesterday - but there are also days when I can almost forget it happened at all. Well done and cheers to the future xx
  4. Congratulations Loobie I remember when we all first joined - you weren't that long after me. I'd only just had my SAH but you were already years ahead and were a massive help. You've been through so much since but you've always fought and have continued to support anyone here who needs it. You're amazing xxx
  5. Hi Jim That's generally the problem with SAH and NASAH - GPs don't know enough to be able to help and we end up referred back to the specialists. There is also the issue of the the number of SAH / NASAH patients who are able to discuss the after effects to widen their knowledge either. You are definitely not alone - and for me realising that was also a revelation that I wasn't going mad and the ailments were real!!
  6. Hi Jim Please bear in mind that we are all different and so is our recovery - having said that, yes, the back pain was awful and was also told that it was the blood dissipating through the spinal column - the pain is due to the fact the blood shouldn't be where it is. I don't remember the being hot one minute and cold the next, but since my SAH (17 yrs ago) I've not been able to regulate my body temperature. I have to physically warm up or cool down - my body can't do it itself.
  7. Congrats Jess xx You've come so far and have been a fantastic help to all on here!! You're an inspiration for what determination can achieve xxx I can remember the Notts meet when your youngest was just a toddler!!! You're a star xx
  8. Jo, it was one of the hardest things for me too. Once I realised the "old" me was never coming back, I stopped fighting and accepted that this was it. It did get easier after that, and I can honestly say that I am 98% back. I work full time in a very busy school office and have multiple roles within. There is never a day when I'm twiddling my thumbs. Staying positive and good sense of humour help I'm nearly 17 years post SAH and it took a while to get where I am - though I still can't tolerate high impact exercise (I used to love running and step aerobics) as it's giving me a thumping headache for days after. Please do keep us updated, it's heartening to read of people's recovery journey and to know that we've been there with you and for you xx
  9. Hi Jo I can relate to everything you've said above. A good thing to say to those who don't understand?? "I look well from afar, but I am far from well" My friends stopped inviting me out for a while purely because they either didn't know what to say or they were worried that they were putting me under pressure to come out by asking. If you're particularly closer to one friend, message them to ask them to let you know next time you're all going out, but not to mention it to others in case you're not up to it on the day. That way you can let that one person know at the last minute if you change your mind, rather than having to let loads of people know. As for the emotions - I used to cry at the drop of hat. I've always expressed how I feel and could control the tears, but after - nope - I was a wreck. The best thing I did was speak to my GP and be referred for counselling. I was diagnosed with PTSD and had a few sessions with a therapist! Worked wonders in all areas of my mental health. Don't get me wrong, there are days now when I'm over emotional and days when nothing bothers me - but I think that's more to do with the menopause than the SAH. I declined the meds in favour of trying the therapy and it worked for me - but there is no stigma in taking meds for anxiety. If you have a headache, you take a pain killer - no difference for me - if it helps you live your life to the best fulfilment you can, and it works for you, then go for it. Take care lovely xx
  10. Hi there - you definitely need to take regular breaks. Its the fact that you're concentrating whilst looking at the screen that causes the headaches - I'm on mine from 8am to 4pm every day and I take a few minutes every half an hour just to get away from the computer. Might be worth looking into an anti-glare screen to sit in front of the monitor too.
  11. Hi there I used to do intense cardio 3 times a week - never into lifting weights though. I'm nearly 17 years post SAH and I still cannot tolerate high intensity cardio - it makes my head pound too much - but I have two coiled aneurysms. For about 18 months after I could feel a pull up into my neck and head when I lifted a heavy shopping bag too. I'd speak to your GP to see what they suggest - but don't rush straight in - might be better to build gradually from light weights after the 6 months, but get the OK from your GP or Specialist.
  12. Hi Gareth I agree with the others - don't rush back to work. Personally I think even 15th May is too soon. Think of your brain haem like a broken leg - it needs to rest as much as possible - and bearing in mind it can't ever completely rest, it's not like putting your leg up whilst the bone heals. If you really have to return to work so quickly, see if you can work from home - at least then you can rest when you need to - and your body will definitely tell you!! Plenty of water to help the brain heal too! Please don't rush back too quickly - there is a saying that fits us perfectly "I look well from afar, but I am far from well"
  13. Hi there So sorry to hear about your mum. Unfortunately there is nothing "normal" when recovering from an SAH - everyone has, and will, experience something different. The lack of response could be due to the infection, but you'd be better speaking to her specialist / surgeon. Have they put her on anti-biotics for the infection?? Write down all the questions you want to ask her care team and write down the answers they give you. We can't offer medical advice as we're not qualified to do so - all we can offer is experience and comfort. I have everything crossed that your mum makes a full and speedy recovery x
  14. Hi Dave So glad to hear that things are improving for you. 16 years on and I can do everything I did before, apart from high intensity workouts. I used to do step aerobics three times a week, but when I've tried since, my head pounds and I get the most horrendous headache. Not been able to return to running either; something I only did a couple of times a week and not for great distances, so well done you. Take it steady and build it up. Really pleased for you.
  15. Hi Dee Mine was very emotional too - plagued by irrational thoughts that it was going to happen again on that day. We ended up turning the day into a "second birthday" for years to help me get past the anxiety it always caused. Sixteen years later I hardly think about it now - enjoy and celebrate xx
  16. Hi Jo Have also experienced what you're going through. The anxiety was diagnosed as PTSD and, although mine was an aneurysmic bleed, I have never felt comfortable enough to return to the high intensity fitness regime I had before - jogged, step aerobics, aerobics etc. Even back pre SAH when doing these activities I could feel my head pounding - who knows the aneurysms could have been there then. I think you may be running before you can walk - took me a full year to be able to work all day without a sleep and the headache eventually abating. I now work 37 hours a week in a very busy school office where there isn't five minutes peace. Accepting the "new" me was the hardest, but once I had and had come to terms with everything that had happened - my recovery was mentally easier. The counselling that I received for the PTSD was a massive help too. This forum saved my sanity and my life - so welcome to the family. My favourite thing to say to newcomers is "it can be a long road to recovery, but you can make as many pit stops along the way as you like". Take care, and like Jess said, make sure you're staying hydrated - it helps the brain massively.
  17. Hi there Welcome to family You seem to have the best way to recover already sussed, so well done! Besides what you're already doing, make sure you keep hydrated - helps massively with brain function! I loved Fraggle Rock as a kid - changed a bit since then though I think!! Keep us updated with your progress - it's always a help for those starting out on there road to recovery. Take care
  18. Hi Gary To be honest, we can't really advise you on the best course of action for you. I had my SAH in August 2006 and it wasn't until August 2007 that my headaches abated and I stopped needing to sleep during the day. The more I stressed about not being where I wanted to be in my recovery, the worse the headaches became. Once I realised that this might be the "new me" and accepted that I may no longer to be able to do the things I did before, the easier it all became. 16 years later, I'm working full time again, but I can't do the high intensity training / workouts that I used to do as they cause banging headaches that last for days after. I think Super's advice is sound - you need to contact your GP, see if there is a specialist nurse and most definitely consider the costs of going private.
  19. Happy 19th Anni-versary Super. You've had a tough year that would break some people -but you've come through - "Super" by name, "Super" by nature. Lots of love xxx
  20. Hi there I can completely understand what you're going through - it's exactly how I felt! See you GP and ask to be referred for counselling. I was diagnosed with PTSD and speaking to a complete stranger, with no emotional attachment was an almost instant relief for me. In the end I only needed 3 session before all the negative thoughts, flashbacks, guilt and nightmares became manageable. I highly recommend going down that route. Of course, we'll all be here for you, but that face to face, instant response is great. Take care
  21. Hi Diane I can't see anything yet - click on forums / introduce yourself and the click on "start new topic" Give it a title and then type away
  22. Hi there. It would be useful to us if you could post in the "Introduce Yourself" section and give us more information into your experience with SAH. You'll get a lot more responses and support if you give you back story - that way there is bound to be someone who can identify with what you're going through.
  23. Hi Dave Glad you're hydrating - it's a massive help. The thing that also helped me was to keep a diary - not masses of detail, but general feelings, stamina, level of headaches etc. When I had bad days and thought that I'd never recover, it really helped to read back and see just how far I'd actually come and just how much the headaches had abated and how much more energy I had. Please do keep us updated - and like Subs said - it is useful to let your family have a look at this site so they know how it really is for you xx
  24. Hi Dave Welcome to the family Glad you found us. We're a special lot here with a wealth of experience and "advice". There are some absolutely fantastic and inspirational people on here. As you guessed, we cannot offer medical advice or recommend particular pain relief or drugs. All recoveries are a individual as the person themselves - so as far as sore neck and headaches being normal, for some they are and some may never experience them. The best advice I was given on here was to listen to your brain - it will tell you when it needs to stop. Also, keep up the fluid intake - avoid alcohol and caffeine as much as possible for a while - a hydrated brain is good and does help you to think more clearly. I had the tingling sensation down the side of my head, which I was told was the blood being reabsorbed by the body and at first the headaches were horrendous. I was taken back into hospital 3 weeks after my bleed with a suspected rebleed, but it turned out to be an analgesic headache because of the medication I had been prescribed. Luckily a nurse lived across the road from us at the time and told me that she was surprised they put anyone with a brain bleed on that certain type. I resorted to good old paracetamol and was cleared to take ibuprofen also (not all brain bleeds sufferers are so please do not take this unless your specialist has cleared you to do so). Please do not put much into the timescales you have been given. (I was back at work 3 weeks later - luckily my husband and I ran our own company, so I could rest throughout the day when I needed to). You will recover at your own pace and only you will know when or if you are fit to return to work. It's not like having a broken leg, where the standard is a few weeks for the bone to heal; you cannot rest your brain like you put your leg up! Basically, take is slow and steady, listen to your brain and your body and, most importantly, find a new "normal". For me, once I realised that there was no point fighting what I could not change, I accepted that I would not be able to do things I did before (high impact exercise 5 times a week) and that I needed to slow down instead of working and living at 100 mph. It can be a long road to recovery, but you're allowed to make as many pit stops along the way as you need to. Take care and we look forward to going to on your journey with you.
  25. Hi there I had that problem until I bought V shaped pillow - I found it eased the pressure a lot and I slept better. Like Clare still uses her memory foam, I still use a v shaped 16 years on. I even take it with me when I'm stopping somewhere overnight.
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