Laura

Thanks for this-after 3 years I still keep a diary of everything I need to do as otherwise I would not remember to do it. I can tick them off when they are done too. I still have days where I forget to check my diary, and thats when my day can go really badly, lol. But, for £2.99, a "week at a glance" diary is the best tool for memory problems for me-definitely recommend it!

I am 3 years 3 months post clipping for SAH, tried to return to work after a year but was unable to cope-when I was asked questions about work I found I just couldn't understand what I was being asked-it was very distressing for me, but I hoped it would resolve over time. It didn't and after 6 weeks phased return I just ground to a halt-couldn't get out of bed -exhausted, brain at a standstill. I was ill health retired, and now 3 years later I'm trying to get back into some admin work via volunteering, and really enjoying a few hours a week, but the exhaustion is back in force, and it is a bit scary that apparently doing so little, can cost me so much. The hypersensitivity of the neck and head causing headaches is definitely a problem too-knitting, sewing, gardening, walking, all aggravate it too! I need a perfect chair, lol, and then it will all be fine......every so often I take stock of what I am doing, what I can do with no penalty, and then I redraw my boundaries for a while, and then I find it hard to stay within them because thats how it is!!! I find this site such a comfort when I start to get frustrated because when my boundaries are closing in, I know its not really my fault-its just how life is now, and its still much better than it could have been. Thanks everyone for sharing so much, and helping us all cope that bit better than we would have otherwise.

Hi Daffodil I too have felt some of what you describe but to a much, much lesser degree thank goodness, you have my sympathies. Thanks to this great site, I have so much insight to the legacy of SAH, and when things like anxiety and tearfullness, brain fog and irritability, catch me out I try to roll with it. I was out for dinner with a pal from work, and on looking at the indian menu, realised I just couldn't read it, and concentrate on what we were talking about, so just asked her to order me something! She happily complied without turning a hair, and we had a great catch up over a fab curry. It helps that her husband is still recovering from a head injury, so she has been through the journey with him, and had no problem with my weaknesses. Maybe not everyone is so understanding, but every little helps. Good luck, keep recovering x

Hi Pat, Can I suggest that you go to CItizens Advice Bureaux as they have been very supportive of me when I had no idea what I was entitled too, never having been ill before or unemployed, and trying to cope with my numerous HR meetings at work. I was completely unable to process or understand any information in relation to benefits etc due to my cognitive impairment, and they were fantastic at filling in forms and writing letters to ensure that I got what I was entitled too. Its a shame you had to resign, that may complicate things, but please give them a try. I have had to take ill health retirement and was successful in gaining my NHS pension. CAB are fab! Good luck Pat x