Skippy

Hi Luke So sorry to hear about your mum. There are many complications after a SAH and symptoms and recovery vary from person to person. All you can really do at this moment in time is stay positive, be there for her and talk to her. I know it doesn't sound a lot but it will help her. she'll know people who love and care for her are around. Try to make sure she is drinking plenty of water throughout the day too as this helps the brain to function better. Tiredness is to be expected, it took me a year or so to stop needing to sleep during the day. I also fell asleep mid way through conversations with people and couldn't remember them being there at all when they told me about it. The brain never completely rests so the sleeping a lot is to be expected. Stamina and confidence will come with time - those are two things that cannot be forced or rushed I'm afraid. Any rational thoughts she may have will be tinged with fear and confusion at what has happened. Reassurance will help but also understanding that, at the moment, she can't do all she could and probably won't feel like doing so. Its a lot to process first time round so I can't imagine what its like second time around. Please keep us updated and I wish your mum a good recovery and you and your family all the strength you'll need. Take care

Hi there So very sorry that you're in this situation, but you have definitely come to the best place for experience and understanding. I'm lucky really in that I don't have problems with my short term memory - I just don' retain information that has no relevance to my life - i.e. if its not important then I tend not to remember. To me my memory is not as good as it was pre SAH (ten years ago) but my family tell me that its still better than theirs. Everyone is different and unfortunately that means the affects of short term memory will be different - but time is definitely a great healer and the brain takes longer to heal/mend than any other part of the body as it cannot completely rest. Lots of water should help with brain function though.

Hey Rob Nice to share the day with you - have a good one xxx

Gemma, your condition could also improve in the next three years hun x

Sorry Gemma, not had this experience. It may be that in 3 years time they review your ability to drive again and if they're happy, or you regain the ability to drive a foot controlled car, that they re-issue you with your permanent licence. Is there anyone at the DVLA you can ask so that you can be clear about they future of your licence?

Hi Irene Welcome to BTG. You'll find lots of information and support here. Most of us have suffered similar symptoms and after affects, so feel free to ask anything you like. We can't give you medical advice or advise you on medications, but we all know what you're going through and how it affects you. I'm nearly 10 years post SAH and I can say that I am one of the ones that is lucky enough to be 98% recovered. I work full time in a busy school office as well as doing my husbands accounts - it takes time but things do improve. I found that pushing myself a little further each time I reached a previous goal helped me get where I am today - it doesn't work for everyone but I didn't have any physical issues after my SAH, mine were all psychological and emotional. Look forward to hearing more from you and your progress as your recovery continues x

Hi Dory Welcome to BTG. You'll be surprised at how many people tell you you're lucky to be alive and (for fear of getting thumped) yes you are, you're just not at the point in recovery where you can realise it yet. You're more than a statistic - you're a survivor!! It can be a long road to recovery, and I always say this, but you can make as many pit stops along the way as you want. Right now you need to listen to your body, drink plenty of water as it helps the brain to repair and rest up as much as possible. I'm nearly 10 years in and I can vividly remember being where you are right now in the feeling that there is nothing lucky about this and how unfair it is - all mixed with a really unhealthy dose of guilt and anger. To be honest, I haven't changed my lifestyle at all since my SAH (I've dieted harder as I find the normal cardio exercise I did 3 times a week leaves me with a banging headache for days). Take things slowly right now and adjust to what you can do, don't compare it to what you could do before, just recognise what you can still do. We're all here for you if you need a rant, rave, laugh or shoulder to cry on. Take care and look forward to hearing more from you xx

Oh Julie - that's awful for you - was also under the same impression as SM above - everything crossed for Wednesday for you xx

Subs you put that perfectly and I totally agree - got everything crossed for you both Claudette xx

Hi Lucie Welcome back - can you remember what you're original user name was? I've been on here nearly 10 years so as hoping to recognise you under a different name. Jess, one of our Moderators has had two children since her SAH so I'm sure she'll respond to you when she looks in. In the meantime congrats on all being good xx

He's getting there Sis, his legs are still healing and he's improving every day - very scary time though. Shame you can't have a bath - it would definitely help. Get hubby to give you a massage in the area that hurts with some Tiger Balm - like Ralgex without the vile smell lol xx

Hey "Sis" I definitely feel pain more now than before the SAH - I have seven tattoos and the last 3 are post SAH (2 on back and 1 on wrist) and ones on my back definitely hurt more than the others on my back (5 in total) - whether that's because they're in a slightly more sensitive place, I'm not sure. I definitely feel headaches more and muscular pain more than before. I never used to take pain killers for a headache but now I can't stand not to. Hopefully resting and getting some decent sleep will help - other than that a nice warm bath with muscle soak bubble bath is great - my hubby has a severely broken leg from a motorbike accident last year (he nearly lost his leg and his life) and he finds a nice warm bath with the muscle soak really helps with his aches and pains - worth a try hun xx

Hi Claudette Hope you have a very happy anni-versary - it'll be my 10th on 25th August. To me the first year was the hardest, so raise that glass, toast yourself for your resilience and bravery and enjoy your holiday xxx

Awful mix up for you Julie, but I agree with everything Macca has said. You have a date now, concentrate on that and when it's all done and you're up to it, complain in writing. As for now, try to relax and prepare yourself for next week. We're all here for you Julie xx

Kerry - not strange at all hun - I've celebrated my "second birthday" every year since the SAH - its our way of being thankful that I survived. Enjoy xxx

Hi Nicola Yes, I suffered from the same thing. I was so paranoid that if I was left alone or went out alone then I'd have another SAH. It's a perfectly natural reaction to what happened but not a rational one - and rationality goes out of the window for a while after a SAH!! I went to see my GP after a particularly bad weekend and was referred for counselling. It helped talking to someone who wasn't emotionally attached to me in any way, shape or form. It helped me get rid of the guilt, the fear (to a certain extent) and the anxiety lessened dramatically. I would definitely recommend counselling or CBT - it would most certainly help you to move forward in your mental recovery.

Ian, its been scientifically proven that singing is good for the brain and can help ward off not only dementia but also depression. Can't vouch for the damage to the ears when our Win kicks in though

Ian, totally sympathise with you. I exercised 4 times a week - jogging, step aerobics, aerobics, and aqua aerobics - had to stop after my SAH and put on 3 stones in 3 months. I'd had enough of the weight gain two years ago and decided to diet without the exercise. I've managed to lose 2 1/2 stone through healthy eating alone. I don't deprive myself and if I want something I have it - everything in moderation. I get the depression thing too - I needed something to feel in control of my life and food helped. Stay strong because despite how you feel, you sound like you're doing well and are coping really quite well. We are here for you and, yes, by the grace of God we are standing together xx

Ian Welcome hun and please don't ever think that you're not worthy!!! Everyone is worthy no matter the lasting effect of a brain hem. I used to feel like a fraud compared to some on here when I first joined (ten years ago!) but it doesn't matter how or if the SAH has left you affected - you have suffered and we're here to offer support, advice, understanding and sympathy. I know that there are some on here who had their SAH before me and still are not able to do a lot and some that suffered after that can do much more - your capabilities are not in question here - your feelings and worries and recovery are what this site is about. Feel free to sound off with your frustrations and share your ups and downs - i can guarantee that there will be someone here who can empathise with all that this happening. Take care xx

Happy Anni-versary Weedrea - onwards and upwards hun xx

Trace - for me, humour was the main daily dose of medicine with a side helping of sarcasm - it still is and it works wonders

A nurse friend of mine advised against taking any opiate based drug after a brain injury - I was on codeine and got rushed back into hospital with a suspected re-bleed - they swapped it to Tramadol which was worse and also opiate based. Talk to your GP see if there is anything that is not an opiate based pain killer - don't just come off them though, follow your GPs advice.

Hey there The first year was definitely the hardest for me and the second was a period of acceptance and adjustment. For me it was about stopping the fight against how I was pre SAH versus post SAH. Acceptance is a great healer and the adjustment allowed me to push myself a little further each day, week, month. My emotions were all over the place and I'm still far more emotional now than I was pre SAH - but hey, you know what - that's what makes me human!! I'm a decade post SAH this year and I work 37 hours a week in a very busy school office where two days are never the same and its never quiet. I can manage it perfectly well now and have done for the past 5 years. Feel free to push yourself a little each day, but don't get disheartened or down if you can't - it's about the little things making big differences. Take care xx

I felt the same for a good couple of years - constantly worried that any headache was another SAH. 10 years on I still have moments when I get a pain and hold my breath. I don't think the fear ever goes away completely but it does settle. I had an aneurysmic SAH so I had a reason for my bleed. I have to admit that I haven't stopped smoking and haven't been advised to, but every specialist will advise differently. Drink plenty of water and try to stay as calm as you can xx

Fantastic news Gail. Now concentrate on you and your recovery. Sending hugs xxx