DebbieMcKenzie

Hi Jimble I had my SAH over 3 years ago now but I do remember, after coming home from the hospital, that I had severe twinges at the base of my spine going down my left leg. They were very painful but last only a brief time. I was told that it was the blood draining through the base of the spine. Fortunately for me the episodes went away over the space of a few weeks.

Terry, I am in Melbourne Australia. Whilst I do not have the answer for you I would contact Fair Work Australia and have a talk to them about it. There are unfair dismissal laws that may apply to you. They will be able to help you out. http://www.fwa.gov.au/index.cfm Hugs Debbie

Yes, I too have the hat on the head feeling although at first it was more like a tight rubber band around my head. I am 2 years post SAH and still get these feelings. I noticed it rather badly on the weekend when my hubby and I were looking at 3D televisions. I commented to him after having been using the 3D glasses that I had the tightening around my head again quite badly. I just put it down to my brain having to cope with the 3D effect. I have decided that 3D television is something that we won't be investing in in the near future as I don't think that my brain will be able to cope. But I have also noticed lately even though I am 2 years post SAH that I have been getting a lot of headaches behind my eyes and I have been getting very fatigued. Usually I can cope if I am a little bit tired but this is getting to the stage of I am starting to worry and may need to see someone about it.

I have 2 aneurysms. The one that ruptured is about 5mm in size and the other one that has since been coiled is only a couple of mm's in size. My bleed was classed as a grade 1 bleed, which is the least in a scale of 1 - 5. I have just uploaded some images from the angiogram that was done where you can see both of my aneurysms and coilings. I asked them at my latest checkup if I could have copies of all of my CT scans and angiograms and they very kindly burnt them on a CD. There are over 300 images. Here is the link to my album if you are interested in having a look. http://www.behindthegray.net/vbulletin/album.php?albumid=149

Yes, I too have been having these occurances, and like you I just sit and wait them out now. The last one that I had was in December last year when I had my last angiogram. JIt happened just after they brought me back from the theatre and I was doing my mandatory 4 hour lying flat. I think I frightened the poor nurse that was looking after me as she had had no experience of anyone experiencing that before. I mentioned it when I went to see the consultant in January but they couldn't tell me what had caused it. As far as I am concerned I am quite sure that this is caused by the SAH, merely for the fact that so many of us experience it after SAH. It makes you wonder why they don't do a study of SAH survivors. I am sure they would get a shock to find out that it is a fairly common occurance.

Hi Tracy I used to feel anxious all the time especially at night and couldn't really put a finger on it as to why I was anxious. I was so bad that I was also having panic attacks when I started back driving. But over time the anxiousness has disappeared. Hugs

I am sorry I have not posted much lately. I think that life has got in the way a bit over the past few months. But I do pop in regularly to see how everyone is going. I had an angiogram just recently, my second one since my SAH in June 2009. I went to my follow up appointment on Monday and have been told that my two coiled aneurysms are totally occluded and that I will be having yearly MRI's now to keep an eye on everything. I will be going for my first MRI in a month or two, when they have sorted out the appointment. This one will be done as a reference MRI so that they can check for any changes when I have have my subsequent MRI's. To say that I am relieved is an understatement and I feel that I have been given the best Christmas present ever.

I have had both of my coilings and a follow up angiogram on the right side. I am going for a follow up angiogram on Thurs for my second coiling and have been told to tell the neuro radiologist that they have to do it on the left hand side this time. I suspect that the right hand side must have had all it can take. Since the last angiogram 12 months ago I have had a dull ache in the right side of my groin.

Hi karen, I know how you feel re the vice feeling at the back of your head. It has been 12 months since my SAH and I still feel the occasional pressure at the back of my head. If I was trying to explain the pressure I was feeling to anyone I would liken it to having a very tight rubber band around my head. I also feel the trickling sensation. It's almost feels like my hair needs a good wash and I would love to give it a good scratch. I haven't received any counselling since my SAH but I sure wish I had done so. It has been a long hard road to travel on my own and I would recommend that if you are struggling to definitely seek help. It must be so hard for you with young children and having to try and keep a household running. Please do rest up and try and take things easy. Easier said than done, I know. Hugs Debbie

Well I am going to pit a spanner in the works. Down under here we have Vegemite. It is like Marmite but even better yum yum. Definitely Vegemite with cheese on toast. It is great for mouth ulcers too. But I am bit biased as my Dad managed the factory where they made Vegemite and we grew up on it as kids.

I was actually having a cigarette when I had my SAH. And as I didn't go to the doctors until the next day I was still smoking up until that point. But once the SAH was diagnosed I haven't had a cigarette since. It has been almost 9 months now and I have only just started to not feel like a cigarette. My consultant also said that it can be a contributing cause to SAH and has also told my husband not to smoke near me as it is not good for me. But who knows! Personally now that I haven't been smoking for a while I am glad that I have given up as it can only cause health problems. But you really need to be ready to give up and no amount of people telling you to do so will change your mind.

Good luck for tomorrow Saffy Hugs Debbie

Good luck with your scan Karen. I hope everything goes well for you. Talking about studies, I have also found the forms that I signed for a study that they are carrying out in the US. The study is Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA) Study - Phase 2. Quote ' The purpose of this research study is to identify possible genes that may increase the risk of stroke and specifically the development of aneurysms in blood vessels in the brain.' A total of 1400 people will be participating across America, Canada,Australia and New Zealand. Blood samples were taken and sent to the US for study.

Hi Saffy, I had my first aneurysm coiled after it ruptured in June last year. They also found found an unruptured aneurysm which I had coiled in December last year. The coiling of the 2nd anerysm was so much easier as I didn't have the SAH to deal with as well. When I was told I had the second aneurysm and given the choice of having it coiled I was also told what the percentages were of it bursting. But I was also told that these percentages go up every year that you don't have it treated. I know it is a very hard decision to make but I wouldn't hesitate to have it done again as I now know the consequences of a burst aneurysm. I now have the peace of mind and can live my life to the fullest knowing that the chances of either of those 2 aneurysms rupturing are very minimal. I wish you all the very best of luck. Hugs Debbie

I am so sorry to hear that your meeting didn't go as planned Kel. I can understand how upset you are. I also think that you can't ease back into work in 2 weeks. I remember how hard it was for me. I think employers sometimes need a real good shaking. They are only worried about their own interests. I think you really need to get a letter from your Doctor what is an acceptable period for a phased return to work. Whilst my boss has been great with the phased in return to work after a few months he put me onto casual. I used to be on permanent part-time, only working the 3 days a week. Putting me on casual meant that he didn't have to pay me sick leave or holiday pay anymore. His excuse was that it took the pressure off me and that it meant that if I was ill I could take the time off - without pay. I think it just boils down to a money issue with him. He has always said that as soon as I felt able that I could have my permanent part time position back. But when I spoke to him about it the other day he is holding off until it has been 12 months.

Hi Kel I started back to work on a very similar program to the one you are proposing. My normal work hours are from 9 - 5 Wed, Thurs & Fri. I only work 3 days a week and have a 4 day 'long weekend'. I started back working 10 - 4 and then slowly increased the hours when I felt I was capable of doing so. Even only working the 4 hours initially I found that for that first week or so I was extremely tired. I work in sales/admin in a floor covering retail store and on my first day my first customer was a real doozy (PITA) and it really took a lot of effort on my part to serve her. I have only just got back to working my normal hours. It has taken me about 6 months but I have done it slowly. I didn't feel that I was capable of doing it any quicker. You may find things easier for you. It is great that you have that weeks holiday up your sleeve because it does give you that extra day to recover. I found that my 4 days break in between was a godsend as it meant I was refreshed to start work again the next week. I wish you all the best for your meeting. Phased in work definitely worked for me Hugs

Hi Anne Great news!! I had my untreated anni coiled on Dec 1st and I am back at work and have suffered no ill effects. Good luck with your return to work Hugs

Funny that you should bring this up. My hubby Paul and I took both our cars to the car wash the other week and I made Paul take my car through as I just knew that I would not be able to cope with it. I think I would have had a panic attack. So unless someone is with me I will be washing my car by hand.

Hi Geraldine Welcome to BTG. Hope to hear from you soon when you are feeling more up to it. Hugs

Hi Sarah, Welcome to BTG. Thank you for telling your story. I can well understand how much noise affects you still. I am finding that as well. I went to see Avatar at the movies the other week in 3D and found that I couldn't cope with 3D effect with my eyes. I tried taking the 3D glasses off but that is worse as most of the screen is blurry without the glasses on. I just had to cope with it until the film finished. There is a great thread regarding those flashing lights that you have been experiencing. http://www.behindthegray.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=5495&highlight=scintillating I have experienced them twice. The first time, the day after I came out of hospital. I didn't have any idea of what was happening and I ended up back in the Emergency at the hospital. No one had any idea about what they were.

Hi Kelley What a story! I wish I could remember half of the details that you have about your story. I too have problems remembering the words for some things. It gets a bit frustrating at times but fortunately everyone that I know understands and I have a bit of a laugh about when I really get stuck for a word. I wish you well in your recovery

Fabulous news Debbie. I am so pleased for you. Well done!

Hi Debbie, Although I have not been diagnosed with post traumatic stess I do feel that I suffer with it. I am 6 months on from my SAH and I am getting better but I do have my periods of anxiety. Sometimes these go on for a few days and I have no idea what I am anxious & depressed about. I have only recently started back driving and I have suffered a few panic attacks whist out driving and have had to ring for people to come and rescue me. But these panic attacks are getting few and far between. So I am coming to the conclusion that with me these things are improving over time. But I would dearly love to be able to talk face to face with someone about it.

Hi Anne, Welcome to BTG!! I can understand the frustration of not being able to do things but please don't push yourself too hard. I too wanted to get back to work as soon as I could and I still remember my first day. It all felt so surreal and I really wasn't well enough to be there. I work in sales in a retail floorcovering store and to top it all of I got the customer from hell for my first customer. I did a gradual return to work , only working 4 hours a day for 3 days a week and have slowly increased it. I am now working 9-5, 3 days a week and I think that I have reached my limit. I work Wed - Fri and by Fri I have had enough and look forward to the next 4 days of recouperation. When I look back on how I was initially I have come a long way in the past 6 months and I fully expect it to be a while before I am feeling anywhere near where I was before the SAH. I wish you well in your recovery and look forward to seeing you around BTG. Hugs Debbie

Hi Debbie and welcome to BTG. I can't add anything more except to say that BTG is a wonderful place to be.