Skippy

Hey there "Lucky Girl" Where abouts in Nottingham are you? I live in Nottingham too but was treated at Derriford as I was on holiday when I had my SAH. Hope you're doing well xx

Daff I can sympathise totally with you - even nearly seven years on. In fact at the weekend I had to explain to my parents that there are still days when I feel like I'm only a couple of weeks into recovery. The trouble is because we're walking and talking people automatically assume that we're Ok and over it. I tried to explain to my parents and hubby that just cos I'm working full time again and am doing nearly all the things I did before the SAH it doesn't mean that I'm completely OK and fine with everything. I still get very angry at what happened and then frustrated that I've gotten angry about it!! The only advice I can give you is to proud that you have 1) survived 2) come as far as you have as well as you have and 3) ignore the people who will never understand what its like constantly living with an SAH and its aftermath. And when people talk about headaches - I just look at them and, depending on who it is, say "You don't know what a headache is - I am the Queen of Headaches". Hold your head up high Daff - you're an inspiration on here. Unfortunately there are always people who do not and will not understand - that's why we are all here

Hey Bernie Although you didn't have the SAH, you are just as much a victim - it has affected you too. The early days after are very hard for both parties involved. I felt the same way as your hubby did and often wished that the blessed thing had killed me - its a natural reaction to have to something so severe. It basically strips you of who you were before and you have to adapt to being a whole new person with a different range of abilities. All you can do is be there for him and let him know that whilst you don't what its like for him, you are there to support him and help him through it. Plenty of water will help with the constant headaches - sometimes its due to the blood dissipating back into the body. make sure he rests when he can and, I know it's hard, be patient but strong. We're all here for you any time you need us - both of you xx

Good advice Chris. This is what I did and was told by my GP not to take ibuprofen as it raised blood pressure and that wouldn't be good given my circumstances. However, it may be that this was because it was the direct weeks after my SAH and as I've never suffered with or had high blood pressure could have been a precautionary measure. But as we all know - all advice seems to differ with each specialist/consultant/gp.

You're welcome hun - my dad can't take them for the exact same reason xxx

Hey there, Ibuprofen is an anti inflammatory but also increases blood pressure which could be why you were told not to take it directly after SAH. I couldn't tell you whether or not you would be ok to take it now though. Sorry.

Hey David It's Sunday here now so I hope you managed to get to the dog show. We've always been really into the MOTOGP (Motorbikes) and have always gone to the British GP. It was at Donington park (which is about 12 miles away from us), now its at Silverstone which is about 70 miles away. We do the whole weekend and camp - get there Friday and come home Sunday evening. After my SAH it was a huge thing for me - thousands of people and lots of noise - so I just decided to bite the bullet as it were and not let the SAH stop me doing what I loved doing. this year it's concerning me as it's the weekend before Igo back to work after the summer break (6weeks) - I know it'll mean getting up at stupid o clock on Sunday to make sure that we have good seats - then packing the tents etc back into the car, driving home again, emptying the care, collecting the dog from step daughter's and then having to go to work in the morning and it being the first day of the new academic year!!! Do I do it - don't I? I don't think you can plan for something like this - you just have to make sure that you are prepared for anything. Somewhere to rest if you need to sit down, plenty of fluids with you, not too tired to drive back or let your wife drive back - whatever you do/ did I hope that you didn't let the SAH stop you completely. I hope that you managed to get there even if it was for a couple of hours rather than all day.

Hi hun How awful for you - it must have been very scary!! I know that I get the aura when I've not had enough sleep and/or things have been hectic and stressful at work - being in a primary school with 378 children, this is a normal day lol. I've not actually been sick through the migraine aura though and haven't suffered with the pain that goes with it. I think it's probably a culmination of not sleeping well and the interview etc. Hope things get better for you hun.

Donna There's some fantastic advice on here hun. There are a lot of bugs going round at the mo and the one near us is a sinusitis virus - my head has been in full fat pain mode since Saturday and I've been getting waves of dizziness and nausea. I'm at a point now in my recovery where I feel 100% a majority of the time so when something like this hits me I feel terrified too. But you know what? I'm now past the point of worrying about something I cannot change - I couldn't stop it happening before and I won't be able to stop it if goes again, but I'm making sure that I live my life to the fullest and doing what I can when I can. There are days when I wonde if its all worth it but deep down I know that it is and that I am truly blessed to be alive. Worrying does add to the symptoms hun and I know it's hard to stop worrying but try to. Just as a matter of interest - have you been tested for labrynthitis? The Head at my old school had this and she felt dizzy, anxious and nauseaous to the point where she couldn't get out of bed for two months and she hadn't had a SAH - just worth asking your doc if its a possibility. Take it easy hun. Lots of love

Hey ladies Though I couldn't nominate for the volunteer section without the ID number - I have nominated said person for the adult courage award.

Hey there You are in no way a failure because you are using medical intervention - that's what its there for. If you had a cold you'd take Lemsip etc, headaches - paracetamol etc - so Anti D is in no way weak or failing - it's necessary for you to get your mind and heart back in sync and where they should be. Personally, I think it takes a stronger person so accept they need help and to ask for it than it does someone who denies it and does nothing.

Hey there Yes, I felt very very anxious the first time I was left alone after my SAH. I ended up going into work with my husband (worked with him at the time) and sleeping in my office. Its a natural reaction, but take Win's advice and keep the phone by your side and do something simple to eat. Try to relax and enjoy time with your little one.

Nope - never had any dental work done and had not had hair cut for a good three months before brain hem.

Hey there A short term fix would be to use a light reflecting concealer - L'Oreal do a Touch Eclat, but mega expensive - Avon do something similar for a lot less pounds -go online to order. Cucumber does help and apparently so do cold, used tea bags

Hey there. Never had it and was vaccinated as a child xx

Hi bev, sorry to read about your problem. I had my sah in march, at first I thought I was doing really well, I was coping with the head aches etc and I was glad to still be alive. 8 months on, I seem much worse, I have problems with my vision and balance, the optician says that it is not my eyes but my head, she has referred me to a specialist at our hospital but as yet no appointment. I am now losing my confidence about my ability to do thi gs regardi g decisions. as my memory is poor also my balance. Having lost my driving license, the DVLA. have now. Decided Ihave to a 3 hr assesment before they decide whether I can drive. Did thet take your licence away? I feel that loosing my independance. has really affected me. Best wishes jillbb

Hey Andy Welcome to the site and to the family. So sorry to hear about your wife. I was 35 when I had my SAH - I also drank and smoked a lot and had a very stressful job working 8.45 until 6.00. I was lucky in a way as I wasn't in hospital long but when I wasI never tried to stay awake for visitors and, to be honest, they didn't really expect me to. Just explain that its her brain thats trying to heal and it can't do that if she can't rest. The scrap book is an excellent idea and maybe a "visitors" book who can write her a message if they've not managed to see her. It would be beneficial to you both to keep a kind of journal of her progress so that, more than anything, she can see how well she is doing and how far she has come. I always say this, but it's a long road to recovery and your wife is allowed to make as many pit stops along the way as she needs to. Sending you both best wishes and love

Actually Win, thats a really good suggestion - I used to take two paracetamol if I was going out in the evening, just to combat any pain that I might have got - it worked a treat David hun, unfortunately some people who have a SAH are destined to have headaches for the rest of their lives -my neuro specialist told me there are 3 categories generally - those who never have a bad headache again, those who sill suffer occasionally and those that will suffer chronic headaches. Your brain can't actually feel pain so I doubt that its completely SAH related - I can imagine a lot of it is stress and tension, poor lighting and ventilation (if my office is anything to go by) and not getting enough fluid (water can be boring but it clears the brain and helps concentration). I know I used to get anxious before going out knowing that I might not last the night, that can also contribute to your headaches.

Great news for you Karen - so pleased x

Hey Stephanie Well done - and even though you may be feeing a little wiped out now - you did it, you coped!! Good feeling isn't it - onwards and upwards my dear

Hi there I'm with Penny on this one - ginger biscuits are great for nausea - we for me anyways. Also dry toast -as horrible as it sounds - is also good for settling the stomache.

Hi Ceekay Welcome to the site and welcome to the family. At this time in your recovery some good advice is to drink plenty of water and rest lots - listen to your body. Look forward to getting to know you some more. Take care hun

Hey there My daughter was 9 when my brain popped and she witnessed the whole thing. She was terrified during (obviously) and for a while after - to the point where she wouldn't even touch my head in case it happened again. I went for counselling and this helped me to help her. I told her that it was OK to be worried but that everything is and would be fine. We cried together when we needed to and laughed together. As she saw me coming to terms with things and recovering, so did she. Children are resilient and she's certainly proved to be that. She was taking her Year 6 SATs the year after my brain hem and she came out with top marks She has now passed all of her GCSEs with flying colours. She also had the benefit of having a fantastic teacher at the time who I explained everything to and she kept an eye on my daughter to make sure that everything stayed as normal as possible for her at school but also to be there if she felt a bit down or scared. Can you talk to your child's/children's teacher too? Just be there to reassure as much as you can.

Well done David - be proud of yourself even though it may seem more trouble than its worth - your brain and body will adjust. I wouldn't bother driving home to rest at lunch - take a pillow with you in the car and sleep there at lunch time - I do if I've had a particularly busy morning.

Hey there I just say I had a brain hem caused by a burst aneurysm - and refer to to pre SAH as "before my brain popped". You'll be surprised by how many people will a) be surprised tell you you're lucky (ironic but true lol) and c) ask what it felt like.