Skippy

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

Hi Paul - I have responded to your post in another forum, but welcome again Feel free to ask anything you want and we'll do our best to get you through this, however, we cannot give medical advice as we're not qualified but we can support you through the ups and downs of recovery. There are great people on here who have a wealth of experience and the biggest hearts ever. Take care.

Hi Paul and welcome. I don't have a shunt, but as Win says, try not to get to stressed. I know that its easier said than done, but try to relax as much as possible and drink plenty of water. Take care

I had severe depression after my SAH - it kicked in after the end of the course of Nimopodine. I went to my GP and discussed this with him. I was given two options - anti-deps or counselling. I opted for the counselling and it was amazing. It helped me to realise that none of this was my fault and that I wasn't going mad with all the thoughts running around my head. I'm not totally against anti-deps but I wanted to get through this without the aid of drugs which to me - and sorry if this offends anyone - would treat the symptom but not the cause. I agree with Macca too - interaction and stimulation also helped me a great deal - I did crossword puzzles a lot and I joined BTG and have been here ever since. I appreciate that we are all different and what might suit one, does nothing for another. At the end of the day your Dad should be given the option of anti-deps or counselling, not just prescribed the anti-meds. I wish him all the best in his recovery x

Karen, it's an honour to know you, a privilege to be your friend and I'm so glad I found this site 9 years ago. To be a part of this community and know that I can give back the valuable support and experience and help others get through those very tough first few months/years, is all down to you my very dear friend xxx

After my counselling for the aftermath of SAH it was evident for me that the anxiety was directly linked to the SAH and the emotional trauma that followed. I was never an anxious person pre SAH and took everything in my stride and all hits on the chin. Since the SAH I do get anxious and, just after, the anxiety was almost debilitating but with counselling and time it has got considerably better to the point where I now very rarely get anxious. See your GP and ask if you can be referred for counselling - it does help more than you can imagine x

Hey Hun We're all entitled to a pity party now and again - it proves we're human and have emotions - I normally make sure that everyone is invited to mine

Hi Mandie I know exactly how you feel as my aneurysm burst just after intimacy. Check with your GP / Surgeon that all is OK. I was told it was but my case may be different to yours.

Hi there Annie Welcome to the site - I totally agree with what Tina has said - anything you are not sure of, contact your GP and get it checked out.

I like the saying "I look well from afar but I am far from well"

Hey there I'm from Nottingham too - which part are you in? Anything that causes you concern - go see your GP - we can't offer medical advice on here as we're not qualified to do so.

Just remember - we are lucky - you may not feel it, but we are. What happened TO us was unlucky, but we are lucky to have survived and to have the ability to talk to each other on here and link up with people who know how it feels. We are very unique and that should put a smug smile on your face the next time anyone who, like Karen says, isn't aware and doesn't know, says something that we now feel is insensitive. I often look around Tesco knowing that I am probably the only one in there who has what I have and has been through what I have - that makes me feel very very proud and very unique.

Excellent letter to the family - can totally relate. I have a woman at work who is ten years older than me and all I get from her is "well when you get to my age, you don't remember everything..." Her age is an excuse for everything, so I turn round and say "I'm lucky I reached my age, let alone yours and my brain is still recovering!" It shuts her up - which suits me fine lol,

No shunt fitted but definitely get the barometer head - specially when its cloudy and/or raining and stormy - still best to get it checked tho x

Ditto to what Macca has said hun. I'd request to see a copy of her report and definitely get in touch with your Union rep if you have one. Do they have a deployment scheme where they can move you to a more "suitable" position if they're saying that they have concerns. My blood pressure would be through the roof and my head would be banging if I'd been told what you have hun. Try to put it to the back of your mind and enjoy your break, recharge your batteries and then go back and sort the issue with them - please don't let this ruin a well earned break xxx

Excellent news Loobie - just a shame that they messed you around for so long xxx

Hey, hope everything went well xxx I remember when I had my MRI - the music playing was Gnarls Berkley - I remember, I remember, I remember when I lost my mind......I think i'm craaazzzyyyy" - enough said

ALL HAIL QUEEN WIN !!!!!!!! Now then is that Dancing Queen I hear being murdered in the background????? Ah no, its Win singing - love ya you crazy, wonderful lady you!!!!

Sub - great news about the scan - so pleased. Unfortunately not much cake left after family descending in and out all day - could spare you some crumbs though

Heather, its wonderful that through this tragic event you and your daughter have grown closer. My SAH pretty much had the same affect on the relationship I have with my dad - I was 35. I wish Heather well in her recovery and her strong will will get her through this - according to my hubby, I got through so well because I'm stubborn! Strength of character and a good sense of humour are definitely two attributes worth having at a time like this. Sending you and your family lots of love

Heather - to put this into perspective - a broken leg takes approx six weeks in plaster to heal - time that by six again and you have a rough estimate as to how long it can take the brain to even begin to heal let alone completely recover. She must rest and drink plenty of water to help her brain recover - otherwise it's like expecting a car to run without petrol and a gearbox to work without oil - it will ultimately burn out - let her recover at her own pace. Just be there with support and love - its such a young age to be devastated by something so tragic xx

Hi Hun We can't advise you on the meds you can and cannot take - you need to speak to your GP. I got pains in the same place after my bleed and I was told it was the blood dissapating back into the body. My SAH wasn't at the back of me head though. Please seek professional advice is you're unsure or worried about anything.

Hey there Welcome to site and to the family. Glad you found us, but we always wish that you wouldn't have had to. Loving the pic by the way - you seem like you have a sense of humour and its important to try and keep that as much as you can - you'll be surprised how much it can help. Chat soon