Skippy

Hi there No, I'm afraid I don't, but take heart in the fact that they are thorough. It's for your safety and the safety of others on the road. Ask them if there are exercises you can do to improve your reflexes etc.

Hey Sis There are a few on here that suffer from this, me included. The fluid surrounding the brain is to blame I believe. It "senses" the build up of pressure (almost like being on a plane or diving into a deep pool) and then makes you feel like you're walking around in fog and can give headaches too. When its overcast and we're due some rain my head bangs like a set of drums - its a nightmare. It's overcast here now and I can feel the beginnings of a headache starting - luckily we had rain a few minutes ago and this releases the pressure a bit for me - not sure why, maybe cos it "clears the air".

Hi Deb Congrats on getting through the first year (and toughest year in my opinion). I felt the same as you a year into my recovery - now nearly 11 years on, there are days when I barely register the fact. The sharp twinges get me now and again and the one thing my specialist said to me was not to worry about these as the brain itself doesn't feel pain - not that comforting when you're in the throws of panic about an alien pain!! If you get worried, get to your GP pronto. As for the fatigue, that first year for me was tiring and trying - for me the fatigue didn't really disappear until 18 months or so, but rest when you need to rest.

Hi Mandie Unfortunately that's like asking how long a piece of string is. Everyone of us is different in our recovery. I was lucky enough to be back at work 3 weeks later and 2 years on was working from 8.30am to 6.00pm everyday (I now work in a very busy school office from 8am - 4pm so my hours are less but that's because I changed jobs (more holidays and more pay too!!) Mine was a very small bleed by comparison and I have no physical reminders. All I can suggest is trying to keep your brain active - its like a muscle, if you don't train it it becomes weaker - simple things like crosswords and wordsearches kept me going and I still do them regularly. Also drink plenty of water - it helps keep the brain hydrated and working. So, to be honest, there is no straightforward answer - find ways to help you remember things like post it notes on the fridge, reminders in your phone etc

Welcome Boom I notice that you've posted elsewhere on the forum with what has happened to you, so I've moved your post here to get more responses.

Jan, darling, even though you have had depression before, it could be here again. It doesn't present itself in the same way every time and the effect it has you can vary too. Please make an appointment to see your GP darling, even if its to have counselling and/or anti-deps. Your mental state will affect your physical state and vice versa. Don't let this go on because you feel you have been beaten by the SAH. Be determined yet patient hun, but please see a professional. Sending you a world of hugs xxx

Iain - we can't give medical advice or provide information as to why you should or shouldn't take certain medicines - the ladies above can share what they are taking and why they have been told THEY should take them, but you need to see your own GP for clarification I'm afraid.

Hi hun That's a lot of travelling, but I can't imagine that you'd need an overnight bag for a scan - but if it makes you feel more secure and less stressed, then I'd take a little bag with what you need - just to put your mind at ease.

Get to your Gp for a diagnosis - we had another member on here who suffered the same thing and she was diagnosed. I can't remember the name of it now but it made her sick and dizzy too.

Remember - Google is NOT your friend My SAH was nearly 11 years ago and I've been on this site since then (the 9th member to join!) I don't know where I'd be without the support and openness of people on here. Its great to see how people progress in their recovery too and to know that you might have played a part in alleviating fears and encouraging people to stay strong is all the reward we could ask for. I hope that we help you through this tough time too xx

Riorita Completely agree with Sophie - someone once asked me if I'd rather the be the person going through it or the person watching. I said the person going through it as it has to be so much harder for the person watching. This was proved for me when my hubby nearly died two years ago in a motorcycle accident and I realised how hard it was for him watching me go through this. You're amazing - as are all the carers on here xx

That's a interesting statistic you've been given there. My specialist told me, that as I am a smoker, I have a 3% chance of it happening again, whereas if I stop smoking, I'll have a 1% chance of it happening again. I think a lot of these statistics are geographical and not global - so what might be classed as the correct statistic in the US or even in your State, might not be the same in another State or another country. It would help if there was a Global database for these sort of things, but I can't see that happening. Recovery is a very individual thing. The chances of it happening again?? I don't think anyone can really say if they don't know what caused it in the first place. No one knows why I have an aneurysm: how fast it grew, how long it had been there etc. so I don't see that anyone can realistically tell me what the chances of it happening again are.

Hi there I got the creepy crawly feelings too and I was coiled - I was told it was the blood from the SAH dissipating back into my bloodstream - but I guess it could be either.

Hi Irene There are a few of us on here that get this and we refer to it as our Barometer Heads - unfortunately it does seem to be an after affect of SAH and can really be quite painful, so please don't feel silly about it - or anything else for that matter. We have been through a very scary thing and unless you have experienced it (there is no text book that can explain it) you don't know what its like, only us, just us!!

I'm late to the party to Chelle -happy anni-versary and well done on how far you've come xxx

Not had any contact or follow up since 18 months into SAH and that was just an MRI -no follow up after. Basically set adrift after that - nearly 11 years since SAH and never been invited for another MRI or consultation!

Hope your follow up went well. At this point in your recovery the slightest thing health wise will make you panic - naturally of course. Always consult your GP if you're worried about anything - that's what they're there for x

Jan - its a given we'll meet but not sure when - I only get time off during school hols, so I'll have to try and sort a time when hubby can take a break too xxx

Sis - be very proud of yourself - you give us all credit but you're the one who was determined enough to listen, take advice on board, to keep going, and not bury your head in the sand and give in. I've not met you yet, but you can guarantee that when I travel up to your neck of the woods, I'll definitely be looking you up my dear xxxx

Jan - we are your family hun - we're all here to listen, advise and laugh together. Look forward to your wedding - it'll give you something to stay positive for...and remember, those you can't be bothered are not worth bothering about. Sending you much love and many hugs xxxx

Hi Chelle I often get this feeling, but not the pain. It's almost as if warm liquid is trickling over my scalp under my skin. Its over as quickly as it starts but I don't get the pain, so I don't worry. Get yourself to your GP though to get it checked out - then let me know what they say hhahaha.

Gemma, your mum sounds like she has made excellent progress - fantastic. We cannot advise you on whether she would be safe to fly or not as none of us are medically trained. Some of us have flown post SAH but not sure that any of us have done with 3mm of an aneurysm not occluded though - you do need to check with her GP / Specialist and its also advisable that you inform the travel insurers too. I don't know if this will increase the premium or not but if she gets the OK to fly you must inform them of a change in her medical conditions.

Hi Steve The mental pain is the most difficult aspect as people think that you're OK because you're walking and talking etc. There's a saying that fits this perfectly "I look well from afar, but I far from well". Try not to worry too much as this will (and has) made things a million times worse in your mind. Just because you may not have physical signs of a SAH the mental signs are still there and evident to your GP. Maybe email your boss to explain the situation and that although you were able to do some physical activity that mentally you are still exhausted. You could explain that seeing your colleague and them seeing you made you panic into thinking that everyone would think that you were "skiving" but in actual fact you are still not well enough to return to work as collaborated by your GP who states that mentally you are not strong enough. The turmoil of emotions that you are feeling are tantamount to the fact that you have not recovered enough to return to work, and again, your GP backs this up. The three month mark was where it all got a bit much for me and I had similar thoughts to the ones that you have had. My stubbornness, this site and my husband got me through, as did the counselling that my GP arranged for me. You are probably suffering from PTSD, as most of us have in some way, shape or form since our SAH's. Try the meds with an open mind and no expectations or impatience - if they don't work, ask your GP for counselling. Above all, do not feel guilty for taking the pleasure that going on a slide with your daughter gave you - it's these little moments that go toward that goal of recovery. Take care and remember.......we're all here for you xx

Hi Ian Welcome to BTG - amazing that we were recommended by a professional. SAH is OK for them to fix but they know very little about recovery, that's why sites like this are invaluable for people like us. I returned to work 3 weeks after my SAH but I'm lucky in the fact that at the time I was working with my husband in our own graphic design company and could take rests as and when I needed them. Plenty of fluid, as little stress as possible and most definitely listen to your body. If you can find "A letter from your brain" on here, it's actually very accurate and moving. 11 years on I'm working 37 hours a week in a busy school office and people are genuinely shocked when they learn I've had a brain hem as I have recovered so well - it did take time, a lot of patience and a mountain of stubborness, but I got there. We all have a a laugh on here and a general daily chat in the Green Room, so please feel to join us xx

Steve, don't be to downhearted - it can sometimes take more than a day, but as time passes the recovery will improve and the time it takes to get over a "bad day" will get shorter. Rest again today with plenty of water x