Certacito

My SAH occurred on a Friday around lunchtime. I had the trade mark thunderclap headache followed by pain and muted hearing along with stiff neck. I was able to make my way to an emergency appointment at my GPs surgery. Visiting the doctor is something that was a extremely rare event for me. I explained all my symptoms, he took my BP (which was very high) and came to the conclusion that I was having a migraine! I told him that I do not suffer migraine and in fact that I very rarely get any kind of headaches. But he stuck to his diagnosis, and told me that he would make me an appointment at the migraine clinic. Thankfully my wife and son could both see that all was not right, and they both insisted that I go to A&E. After a couple of hours of further pain I eventually agreed. The Doctor in A&E was told exactly what happened to me. He carried out the usual BP checks and checked my pupil reactions and mobility and strength. When he asked me to score my pain out of 10, he looked very surprised and almost unconvinced when I told him it was definitely a 10! He decided to admit me to a ward for the night. Apart from the nurses checking my BP at regular intervals, nothing else was done and there was never any comment made as to what the problem might be. I was finally sent for a scan the next day. That's when things changed, Doctors eventually took me seriously and there was a sudden change in their attitude and urgency. Fortunately for me I was immediately transferred to the RVI in Newcastle, where I was given a further more detailed scan. This confirmed I had suffered an SAH, and I was scheduled for surgery the following day. Needless to say that my GP is no longer my GP.

My SAH was also a grade 1, headaches started instantly. Coiling op was within 48 hours but headaches continued and even got worse. They lasted about 4 weeks, but started to ease off after 2 weeks. I don't want to tempt fate but I haven't suffered a headache since. But tiredness is a constant thing. If unsure you should consult your doctor.

Hi Daffodil Prior to my SAH I was quite fit, I did lots of mountain biking and road cycling. I believe this was partly responsible for my recovery. After my SAH I was absolutely shattered, never thought I would cycle or return to being a firefighter. But something inside just made my want to get out and try. I got back on my bike for the first time 5 weeks after my SAH, much to my wife's horror! I covered just 9 miles and was totally wiped out, but I recovered and keep going out and regaining fitness. I had a second coiling operation which didn't work, but went out on the bike the following day. My wife really went mad this time. But again I carried on and was determind to build up fitness levels prior to my craniotomy. Building up the fitness has been fairly easy considering what I have been through, but I think being so fit prior to illness has a lot to do with that. Don't get me wrong, I suffer with tiredness and can certainly sleep at the drop of a hat, but I have been lucky in every other respect, quick recovery and very little pain since the original SAH.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm not usually one to tell my story outside my family and friends. But surviving something potentially fatal made my want to try and give others some hope and encouragement. Don't give up, we survived for a reason.

Hi everyone I suffered my SAH in December 2012. I was a fit and active guy into cycling in a big way, also worked as a Firefighter and always fit and healthy. So my SAH came as a total shock. I spent 12 days in the RVI in Newcastle, were they found I had one ruptured anuerysm and an un ruptured anuerysm. I underwent endovascular surgery to coil the rupture, which was a total success. Then followed a lot of pain while the haemorrhage cleared. I spent the following 3 months off work, then just as I was ready to return on reduced duties, I was called back to the RVI to have the second anuerysm coiled (March 2013). Unfortunately this operation was unsuccessful and I spent a further 2 months off. The decision was made to clip the remaining anuerysm and found myself back in the RVI in August 2013. Having a craniotomy and surgery of this type was extremely daunting. But all turned out well and I returned to work (again) in November 2013. My own goal was to get back to being a fully operational Firefighter. I'm pleased to say that at the beginning of February 2014 I achieved this goal. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who has made a virtually full recovery. I'm so grateful to so many people, Medical Team, Family, Friends and my employers at TWFRS who were outstanding.