Skippy

Hi Debbie Welcome to BTG - I'm a veteran on here but I can still relate to everything you have said. I'm 7 years past SAH on 25th August and it was a good 12 to 18 months before I stopped needing my daily nap and being able to stay awake all day. Make sure you get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water throughout the day - the brain needs fluid to be able to function and heal. Its a long road to recovery, but feel free to take as many pit stops as you like and need - its your journey no-one elses - we're just the service stations that you need along the way really and will be here to help you all we can. Take care of you

Hey there Greatest feeling in the world getting your licence back isn't it - I cried more then than when I got the all clear lol

Hi Tricia No I haven't, sorry. Is there a specific reason you're asking?

Hi Anne No I haven't but its interesting as I may have to have surgery on my left thumb in the autumn. Will be very interested to see if they mention this to me also.

Hey David Can't help you on the magician front but it may be worth getting your wife to look in on the site and see that its not as easy as "its time to get better". I'm nearly seven years in and work 35 hours a week but I still need a rest when I get in. Its not like a broken leg where you rest it and it gets better - your brain never stops so take a heck of a lot longer to fix. Don't let anyone push you to get better - you aren't in control of that, your body is.

Dear Tulip I cannot imagine how you are feeling - sending my thoughts and love to you and your family. Keep the memories alive and dear to your heart, that way he'll always be with you.

Hey there It is a very hard thing to adjust to and unfortunately the only thing that will help is time. I had a punch bag in the garage that used to get my frustration and anger out on - but by far the best thing for me was to just cry and cry until I couldn't cry anymore - I always felt better after (even if it was only for a couple of days) and then when I felt bad again, I'd repeat the process - punch bag, bed, tears. I don't mean this to sound flippant as I've very much been in your position - but not fighting the "new" you goes a long way to the resentment, anger and frustration abating. Don't get me wrong, it was hard, but once I accepted that I wasn't going to be the old me again, the fight was easier and adaption was smoother. We're all here to help you through this as it is the toughest part of recovery I think.

Hey David I don't think any fully able person should have to work 10 hour days - isn't that illegal????? Before my SAH I worked 9am - 6pm and that was enough back then!! No job is worth making yourself ill over again buddy!! Are you in a union or anything - any Occupational Health team? It's not right working those long hours and feeling rubbish after. Take care of you - you are more important than any job!!!

Oh Win!! Poor you hun. Like Gill said, you never moan, so it must be bad for you. Sending you the biggest virtual hug ever!!!!

Yep - I'm 7 years in August and the two month mark was probably the time I came undone. I tried to fight it - but it was pointless. I saw a counsellor, who was a massive help and helped me realise it wasn't my fault, I was allowed to be angry but no need to feel guilty. Cry if you need to cry, laugh when you can and try to accept the "new" you. I've actually quite gotten to liking the new me - cos now I know my limits which I never did before and everything was done to the extreme - worked hard and partied hard too - now I know the meaning of everything in moderation. The emotional rollercoaster that can hit is all perfectly normal for a trauma such as this - all to each and every one of you - we're all here for each other.

Hi Lesley I think its more a "fluid" thing than just water (alcohol not included in this unfortunately) so things like de-caf coffee and tea would count as part of your three litres. Try putting some cordial in your water too - its stops it being boring

Hi there Welcome to another Nottingham bod - me too. I lost a stone in a week through not being able to eat when I was in the hospital - even the anti-sickness meds made me vomit!! As long as he's on the drip and is taking in fluid things should improve. He's in the best place he can be and recovery is a very individual thing. For the first two or three weeks I didn't know who had visited me at home or who I'd spoken to. Think of the injury as a broken leg and it taking time to heal - but the brain can't be put in a cast to rest it - its constantly at work so while the brain is recovering it tends to shut down on other "Unnecessary" things. I know its hard to stay positive and upbeat, but try to when you're with your partner - its ok to cry and get frustrated - we all do at times. Given time things will improve hun - glad you found us and I hope you get as much out of this site as I and many other have.

Hi Looby, its Sami - I contacted TAB so that you and your mum could have support on here - so glad that you posted hun. We'll help all we can.

Hey there The procedure for this has been a bone of contention for many on here. I was told I had to surrender my licence to the DVLA, I did so and they said they would get back to me when my GP and consultant had contacted them to say I was fit to drive. Luckily for me the whole process only took 3 months - I also informed my insurers who assured me that it would not change my policy and now that it's over five years ago and I have changed insurers, I don't have to declare it going by the questions asked by my new insurer.

Here I am!! I work from 9am - 4pm Monday to Friday in an extremely busy School Office. When I get home there are days when I too could "happily" amputate my head - but then more often than not, I have accounts to do for my hubby plus doing a School Administrators Diploma (school's way of proving they are investors in people!!). I can cope with my school hours but back in 2008 I was working from 8.30am to 6.00pm doing a mixture of working with 2yr olds in the morning and then office work from lunch until 6.00pm - absolutely shattering but I enjoyed it. Now I do a job that I love (I do get 14 weeks off a year ) but I don't think I could go back to a job where I was working all year round - I love the school holidays!! It is a hard struggle and I think (if we possibly can from a financial and health point of view) try to regain some sort of happy medium. Unfortunately with unemployment being so high, its not as easy to swap jobs. I really have no advice as I'm comfortable with my hours but I do really feel for those of you who are working 40 hours a week - I don't think I could go back to that.

Congrats Daff - go for a pootle

Hey there I was concerned for my daughter too after I had my SAH - both Doc and neurosurgeon advised me that unless two direct family members had suffered then it being hereditary was highly unlikely (no one else in my family has ever had a SAH). It may be worth asking if she can screened but, as already mentioned, it would be her choice if she wanted to should she be able.

Hey all The way I used to describe it was as if my brain was trying to wade through treacle whilst wearing steamed up goggles and ear plugs - but maybe that's just me

Hey Rachel So sorry for your loss. My words were "I've just felt something pop and it doesn't feel right". My hubby said that my face drooped and I passed out. I didn't feel any pain at all. Again, I was calm and can vaguely remember things but no pain initially - not until I came too. My best friend's father died in the same way as your mother and her main fear was that he would have been in pain, but after knowing what happened to me and others, it has put her mind at rest, I hope that we can do the same for you.

Hi Rachel So very sorry for your loss. As Gill said there is no rhyme or reason as to why, where or how this happens or how each of us are left affected. I had no symptoms before my SAH and was relaxed and on holiday at the time. I really do not have advice to offer on getting through this very tough time and not meaning to sound trite, please hold on to all the memories and love that you have for and of her. If they could not get your mum to respond to CPR etc then they wouldn't operate to coil or clip as, unfortunately, it wouldn't have helped. Please do not think that it's because they didn't care etc. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Hey there Yes this has been happening to me too. Soooo glad that you've brought this up. I've had conversations with my daughter and her friend - when I've been totally sober I might add - and then apparently I've said the same thing to them the next day!! I could have sworn that I'd put the heating on and then when it doesn't get warmer in the house, I go check and no I haven't put it on!!! I've also had the scenario where I have done something, but have no recollection of doing it!! I don't think mine is caused by work as I've been back at work for over 6 years now and this is something that has only just started happening. My Dad reckons its just an age thing - cheers Dadio I'm only 42 on Monday!!! I do worry that this is something to do with dementia brought on by brain injury but after researching and googling a lot, apparently after this length of time (for me nearly 7 years) its highly unlikely. Perhaps my Dad's right - perhaps its just age

Very Interesting read Mat. You should take a look if you haven't already. I was diagnosed with PTSD and was referred for counselling which helped me enormously with coming to terms with what happened and to stop feeling guilty about it. I would recommend it to anyone who can get it. Take care

Hey Notts bods? I'm in Rise Park ladies. When you're both feeling up to it - maybe we could meet up for coffee or something. It helps meeting a couple of people face to face when you can't face a huge group.

Hey there I think that sounds like a very plausible theory. It would be interesting to know if those of you that feel/felt this way had your SAH in the same part of the brain. My SAH was near the emotional sensors apparently - which would account for me crying at the daftest things and laughing hysterically at things that were only remotely funny! But yes, a very plausible explanation.

Hi Sarah Yes I can understand and sympathise with that - however at the same time I'm at a stage, I think, where I'm quite proud of the fact that I survived and have come as far as I have. The shock on peoples faces never fails to amaze me when they find out - and I still get the "Gosh you're lucky" and still reply "I feel like that now, but had you said that 6 years ago and I would have disagreed"