sam.dixon Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Hi. My name is Sam and I have just discovered this site, 10months after my SAH. It's great to read other people's experiences so thought I should share mine. I was 43 and fit and well at the time of my SAH, although working very long hours - I am Deputy headteacher at a primary school and also teach a year 6 class three days a week. I had been out for a football club dinner and had had a few drinks. I was just getting into bed when I suddenly had the most horrendous headache and was then violently sick. My first thought was that it was too much alcohol, although I had only had a few glasses of wine and a couple of shorts. I was sick again, so began to think it was food poisoning. Each time I was sick, the pain came back with avengence and I was crying with the pain. My husband was putting cold flannels on my forehead as the pain was so intense. We took my temperature as we thought it could be meningitis (which has very similar symptoms I have read since) but this was normal. My next though was migraine - my Mum suffered these and I remember she used to be sick and the doctor would come and give her a morphine injection. I needed something for the pain as it was so bad, so we called the hospital for advice. They weren't that helpful and said it was up to us. We could come down if we liked! So we rang our GP. He suggested paracetamol-which I promptly threw up! After being sick 5 times, we called the doctor again and he came out at 5am. He said he would give me an injection to stop the vomiting, but was not prepared to give me a morphine injection. He told me he wasn't happy and said that although it might only be a virus, he would like me to be checked in hospital. As we had both been drinking, he called me an ambulance and I was having a CT scan by about 8.30am. My husband had gone home while I had the scan, as we have two children and they told me to get him back as they had found the cause of the headaches. When he came back they told us that I had had an SAH and that they needed to fly me to Southampton Hospital to the Neurology ward. I was gobsmacked as the painkillers were working by then! My husband went home to get bags packed and by the time he returned, I was lapsing into unconsciousness. I have no recollection of the trip from the hospital to the Air Ambulance, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in Southampton with a drain in my brain and half my head shaved. I had the memory of a goldfish and kept asking my husband the same questions over and over. I stayed in Southampton for two and a half weeks. I don't remember much of the first week at all. Apparently I went downhill at one point as I suffered a vasospasm and ended up back in the high dependency unit. It was a terrifying experience for my husband and family, but the care we received was amazing and I was definitely one of the lucky ones! 10 months later, I am back at work full time, my hair has almost completely grown back and I feel fit and well, with no after effects, except perhaps getiing tired more easily. Sometimes I ask the same question twice or tell my husband something twice - but that may just be my age! I'm really pleased to have found this site and realise how lucky I am when I read other people's stories. Thank you all for sharing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gill C Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Hi JO & welcome to BTG, I too was treated at Wessex,clippped although my anni didn't actualy burst or bleed Looking forward to chatting to you more, don't be afraid to ask anything - everyone here is amazing & supportive xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod123 Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Hi, Sam sorry to hear of your illness, you seem to have come through it very well, i am a carer for my wife who had an sah 22 months ago and i think when it happens it's a scarey time for everyone, anyway welcome to the site.Best wishes Rod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jess Posted January 29, 2011 Share Posted January 29, 2011 Hi sam welcome to btg look forwrd to chatting sometime. Jess.xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandi K Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi Sam and a very warm welcome to BTG! This is a great place to share experiences and learn from others. Everyone is so supportive. I was lost and felt blindfolded until I found this wonderful group of people. I'm glad you have joined us! I read your story with interest today, you are indeed one of us 'lucky ones' in that your doc sent you to hospital. I read on your other post that you want to create awareness and I think that's fantastic. Most of us had no idea what hit us and many clinicians don't recognize what's happening to patients experiencing the symptoms. I look forward to hearing more from you. Sandi K. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelvz48 Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi and welcome. I am sure you will find all the help, support and advise you need from all the wonderful members of this site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louise Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi Sam Warm welcome to the site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB-R Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 G'day and welcome to the site. So glad to hear how well you are feeling and that you are back to work, im 7months post SAH and hope to be feelings as well as you in the next couple of months . Take care Rhiann x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi Sam Welcome to the site its nice to hear that you are recovering well and have been able to return to work. Look forward to hearing more about you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kempse Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi Sam, a warm welcome to BTG. It sounds like you have done really well, returning to work - full time after 10 months is a praiseworthy achievement. Returning to a class full of Year 6 children, in itself must have been quite tough. I have one Y6 in my house and that's plenty!! I also read that you are trying to make awareness of sah which can only be a good thing. It concerned me when I rang the emergency services (when I was actually having my sah) that even the paramedic who came didn't recognise it and left me at home:frown: Anyway, despite another few other medics missing it too, I did eventually get treated and like you, despite severe vasospasm, came out of it all remarkably well and consider myself to be one of the lucky ones too. I wish you all the best for the future Sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winter Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi Sam! Welcome to BTG - glad you found us here and thank you for sharing your story. So glad to hear you are doing so well! That's always encouraging to everyone!!! Yes, we are the luck ones! Any help toward awareness is great!!! Hope to hear more from you. Carolyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayKay Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 Hi Sam! Lovely to "meet" you and welcome to BTG. Gosh you've been through the mill, and back at work already? You ARE clever! Take it easy - don't push yourself, and see you around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Hi Sam a very warm welcome to BTG ! Well done on getting back to work ! Look forward to hearing more from you. Take care Love Tina xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sam.dixon Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 Wow! I've just logged on again after a week and can't believe how many of you have posted me a message! Thanks so much. I'm glad I found this site. You are all so welcoming! I told my OT (from the stroke team) about your site as she hadn't heard of it. so hopefully more people will be able to benefit from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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