Skippy

I've had a thumb fused under general anaesthetic since my SAH and it took about 4 hours, but I had my aneurysms coiled. Take Macca's advice and get numerous opinions if necessary. Not a decision to be made lightly.

Hi there Have you had your Thyroid tested? SAH can sometimes have an effect on thyroid function. I put on over three stone in three months after my SAH and nearly ten years on I still have half a stone to lose. Its taken me two years to lose 2 and a half stone but I got there. I don't exercise but I do watch my portion size and the fat content. I give myself weekends off as it seems to boost the diet after. Worth talking to your Doc re weight gain and see what they suggest.

Hey hun Well done on your progress - its an amazing feeling when you get part of the "old you" back and a little independence. Don't blame you re the cooking though lol

Apparently it's been proven that singing not only helps the brain repair and improve memory but it also reduces stress as you'r tricking your brain into believing that you're happy therefore reducing the effects of stress - not such a bad idea Winnie Pooh xx

Hey there I still have headaches nearly 10 years later but they're not all to do with SAH. You're early in your recovery and hopefully they will ease with time but we're all different. You might just be having an every day headache but because you've had an SAH putting it down to that - I know I did. Try to relax as much as possible and make sure you're drinking plenty of water.

Congratulations Clare - the flowers and poem are beautiful. The first year was the hardest for me - getting past that first anniversary was nerve racking but it got easier after. I'm ten years this year and though I still feel the head on bad days it doesn't rule my life anymore and isn't my first and last waking thought. Onwards and upwards my dear xx

Yep also suffer from barometer head. Worse when the pressure is low and its about to rain - then the headache is full fat as opposed to the skimmed that it is most days. I always wear a hat now when it's windy and rainy.

SM -happy anni-versary to a lovely, big hearted and inspirational woman. It's been a pleasure to moderate with you and to meet you xxx

Neil - that's brilliant. All positive news in the grand scheme of things -keep hold of the positive and there will come a time when they outweigh the negative stuff. Onwards and upwards friend!!

Hey there Everything you said rings very true with me. I had counselling and that helped a great deal - it made me realise that I was not responsible for what happened to me and therefore shouldn't feel guilty. I used to cry for no reason and couldn't stop it - it felt like I was in a bottomless pit and it just felt cold and dark around me. Then guess what??? I found this site and have never looked back - this site is just as good, and in some cases better, than counselling in my opinion. It took me a good year to stop sleeping for a few hours during the day. And it wasn't until then that I started to feel like me again - that I had purpose and meaning to my life. Advice? Easier said than done, but once you accept the "new you" and stop fighting so hard against what you can no longer do, it becomes easier to cope with. I have grown to love the "new me" a hell of a lot more than I liked the "old me". Financially I was lucky enough to work with my husband in the family business so lack of income was never a problem. I'm assuming from the fact that you have medical bills that you don't live in the UK and that your insurance doesn't cover the extent of your costs. Is there any other services that allow you to claim on loss of income due to illness?? Please look into anything and everything that you could be entitled to. We are all here on BTG to support, sympathise and understand what you have been through and what you are going through. Good luck my friend, and I pray that your health and your situation improve xx

So sorry that you're separating but I can fully understand why. I can imagine it's been incredibly hard for you but now is the time you need to do what is best for both of you. It's good that you're staying friends though. Wishing you all the best xx

Wow Sarah - you've had more than you fair share of tragedy and heartache - puts my current predicament into complete perspective (hubby in hospital after a near fatal motorbike crash). You are truly an amazingly strong woman and after reading the above, a total inspiration to those to feel that sometimes it's all too much to deal with. Congratulations on your 7th Anni-versary and know that you are treasure and loved by all that have had the privilege to know and meet you xxx

Hey Loubie Only just caught this thread what with everything happening here. Congratulations my dear friend - you were a great help to me when I first joined BTG and you've stayed so as well as being a great inspiration ever since. Much love to you xxx

Hi Claudette Welcome to the site and to the family. Its a long road to recovery but you get to the end in your own sweet time - no-one else's. We're all different and all recover at different rates. The emotions that you're feeling are perfectly normal after SAH and I found that counselling helped me to deal with a lot of what I was feeling - as did finding this site. I'm nine years post SAH now and love seeing people progress on here. BTG was a life saver and a god send to me and I hope that you find as much support, reassurance and understanding as I have over the years. Feel free to rant, rave, share and grow with us all xxx

I wasn't told not drink or not to smoke and I still do both. I'll have about four pints on a Friday night with my father and hubby but don't drink throughout the week and never have done. As for smoking my consultant told me that it increases my chances of it happening again by 2% - put every situation is different and personal so you're over all general health before and after would play a huge part.

Hi Michelle Thank you and you're welcome hun - had a lovely day and just appreciated life

Karen, I love that I am now in a position, both mentally and emotionally, to be able to give back all the support, love and care that I received on here 9 years ago. I really don't know where I would be now if BTG hadn't got me through those early days - I will be eternally grateful xxx

You're more than welcome Louise -its a pleasure xxx

Ohh you soft beggars - I've got all tearful - love you all ssoooooo much xxxx

Hi all Nine year anni-versary for me today. My daughter realised that she has lived with me living with this for half of her life, and whilst she is an amazing person and has coped so well with it all, it does make me sad. Just want to take this opportunity to thank Karen and her family for setting up BTG - it was the best thing to aid my recovery and it helped so much knowing that I was not alone with all the fear, anxiety and anger that I had in the early days. I've made, and met, some very good friends through BTG and it is a privilege to be a part of all of your lives - although I wish it were under different circumstances. Take care everyone xxx

Hi Megan Welcome to the site and to the family. Although we help with the experience that we have had, we are not able to offer medical advice on conditions or medications as none of us on here are qualified. Maybe you should go back to your doctor and talk about the symptoms and reactions you are having to the meds that you are on and see if he recommend an alternative. You are in the right place here to vent and know that you are not alone in your recovery.

Smart move Elizabeth Try to find a common ground where you can do something you both enjoy but doesn't wipe him out physically but makes him feel good about himself. Good luck xxx

I know the feeling well Gillian - I did everything at a million miles an hour and many things at once. I've accepted that now I can only move at a hundred miles an hour and few things at once Give yourself time - and please do not feel guilty or beat yourself up because you cannot do what you used to be able to.

Hi Gillian The problem with being told that in six weeks everything will be "normal", is that you believe what the so called experts tell you. It took me a good year to stop needing to sleep during the day and for the pressure and headaches to subside. The most important thing to remember is that we all recover at different rates and what is deemed normal for one person might not be what you consider to be so. I'm nearly 9 years post SAH and my family consider me to be "back to normal" as my memory is as good as theirs - what they fail to realise is that I know my memory is not as good as it was before. Because I am working 35 hours a week, they think that I'm all fixed but I still need to have a cat nap when I get home - whereas I never used to - but to them I'm "normal" because I'm back at work. We're all individuals so "normal" isn't a condusive outlook - being comfortable with who you now are and knowing your limitations is far more important than aiming for "normal". Please seek professional advice regarding the headaches and fatigue - but rest, drinking plenty of water and trying not to get too stressed (i know that's easier said than done) will all help.

Hey there Know exactly what you mean - I use sponge earplugs instead of wax, less chance of wax breaking off in your ear and they mold perfectly to the shape of your ear. Everything was very noisy for me in the early days, it did eventually calm down but my hearing is still more sensitive than it was before x