Crispy Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 It is 4 months since my sah which came totally out of the blue and I am struggling to regain some normality. My mobility is not too good as I suffer from severe osteoarthritis of a knee . I now find myself fairly immobile and have become very depressed . I should appreciate any advice. Has anyone else found this ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 Hi there Welcome to BTG. Could you give us some more information about yourself? Age, Location, what was happening when you had your SAH, type of SAH - it's not that we're nosy (well, we are but.....) it will help with the responses that we can give. You are very early in your recovery and lots of rest and plenty of water will be extremely beneficial for you at the moment. It can be a long road to recovery, but you're allowed to make as many pit stops along the way as you like. Look forward to hearing from you. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispy Posted May 9, 2017 Author Share Posted May 9, 2017 Hi there. Yes I find it depressing that I'm not far into my recovery. There's obviously a long way to go. I was watching television when I had my sah .My partner said I just went unconscious. He phoned the ambulance, but I don't remember anything until 2 weeks later and then intermittently. After initial assessment at our local hospital , I was sent to Addenbrookes for specialist care then coiling. Eventually I went home after 7 weeks . Everyone said how well I was doing but I didn't see it like that. My mobility was bad due to osteoarthritis in my left knee and other aches and pains. I was very weak after a prolonged stay in hospital and still am . I use a stick recommended by the physio. We have just had 2 weeks holiday to Fort Lauderdale and cruising bac to U.K. To be honest. It was way too early to go away and I struggled. The depression has hit me and I am going to see my gp. It is terrible, and the fatigue and apathy overwhelming. Will I ever get a degree of improvement ? Thank you for replying. lots of love Crispyxxx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 Hey there It was about 2 months after mine that the depression hit - I was diagnosed with PTSD, so you're doing the right thing by seeing your GP. I was offered counselling before medication and, I have to be honest, between the counselling and this site, the depression lifted and I started to feel more positive about things. Hang on in there, things will improve, but don't be impatient and you then end up in a vicious circle of impatience and depression. Let your brain heal and the rest should follow, maybe slowly but most certainly definitely. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharlua Posted May 9, 2017 Share Posted May 9, 2017 Hi Crispy Welcome to site, pleased you have found us. After my SAH I became very depressed I too did seek support and counselling helped. I am fine now but it took a while, it is early days and having your mobility issues must add to this. I too tried a holiday just after SAH and again found it too exhausting and too soon. I think that having a SAH is a tremendous shock to the system and naturally it has some impact on your emotions you are doing the right thing speaking to GP, hopefully you will also get lots of support from this site. regards Sharon xx 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispy Posted May 10, 2017 Author Share Posted May 10, 2017 Thank you for your post Sharon. I found the holiday was difficult. It was prebooked and a cruise so thought it would be doable but I couldn't wait to get home. That's a terrible thing to say about a holiday! Now I am clutching at anything to feel better . On this site I should speak to people who know what I'm on about. Even a lot of doctors don't seem to have a much experience with Sah. By the way I'm 70 and was fairly fit before this. I feel if the awful depression would ease I'd be better able to tackle some of the other issues. I'm glad to hear that you are well now. Any tips would be gratefully received. Love Chris xxx 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispy Posted May 10, 2017 Author Share Posted May 10, 2017 Thank you for your reply. Not used to forums. Just testing with this response ! Love Chris xxx 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffodil Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Hi Chris, well done for dipping your toe in the water of the forum and don't worry about making any mistakes as any of the moderators will help and also answer questions if you need a bit of coaching or are struggling to do something. like Sharon and Sami I too hit a 'wall' in the months after my hospitalisation and SAH. I had tests at my doctors who diagnosed PTSD and so I had counselling but also I was fortunate in that my employer also provided a service where we could access a counselling helpline so I phoned that whilst I was waiting to see someone on the NHS. I think main thing is to talk about things and be honest with yourself how you feel, if you need to cry then cry, if you need to sleep then sleep. The early months is actually all about being kind to yourself and acknowledging you can't force yourself to bounce back into the previous moulding you had. Now is about change. Age means you have greater exoerience to draw on, you know that other calamities whilst awful and distressing that have no doubt happened do not stay forever but their effects will always leave their mark. That's your bleed. You need to ask for some help to deal with the black cloud and do what's right for you. Tips i think That helped me. get outside everyday and just notice and have some still time enjoying the spring. find a way to relax and settle the brain. I do mindfulness meditation but anything that soothes you will help. set yourself three small goals each day , not biggies but something to do, it could be as simple as folding the washing write a night diary, get a lovely book and write in it before bedtime things that made you smile and anything that worried you. Track your progress. get a good sleep routine look at what you are eating, post SAh minerals go haywire and I think a lot of the depression is the chemical inbalance, you can 'tell yourself' all the right things but you still have that feeling so eat good foods that help. I give myself a gentle shoulder massage each night with an oil which fragrance I particularly like and is good for depressive which is rose but not everyone likes that odour but maybe find something that works for you Chris just be kind to yourself here. You haven't done anything wrong, you wanted to go on holiday that's understandable, you could walk o you thought why not . Your brain went this is all a bit too much too soon, so start again, baby steps and find your new balance. good luck. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Hi Chris/Crispy, You need to take your time and remember what you have been through. You will get better as time goes on, I was told I'd never walk again but 200 yards, and on a bad day 5 steps lol. We need to cheer ourselves up and remember not to rush things as brain needs to heal firstly and we will get there. Do not listen to sob stories we do not need to hear them while mending, singing helps me as I came from a Family who loved to sing. My Surgeon said no stress so I sing when stressed and it disappears, or the room empties and I get peace lol Take care and keep happy All the Best Win xxxx There is a life after SAH/ Brain Bleed xxx 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelle C Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Hi Chris, Welcome to BTG, sorry to hear you are having such a difficult time at the moment. I can only agree with what the others have said, all good advice from everyone. I had my SAH in June 2014 and like you I suffered with depression, I did have some counselling and it did help, I think being able to talk to someone other than my partner or family member's did help, allowing me to let go without feeling like I was burdening those close to me, it also helped me to be able to get across to those close to me exactly how I was feeling and what they could do to help. It is still very early days for you on your recovery journey, your body and your brain have suffered a huge trauma, they both need time to heal. As Daffodil said, take time to be kind to yourself, the tips she has given you are brilliant. You have certainly come to the right place for help, advice and some much needed support and you will get that in abundance here. The recovery road can be a bit of a bumpy road at times and we will all do our best to help you along it. Keep reaching out as we are always here. Sending you a big hug and best wishes. Love Michelle xx 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris G Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Hi Chris, Depression and continued mood swings seem to be a common occurrence after a bleed. I just had a NASAH, so I got off easy, and I still have some gloom from time to time. My only advice is to be patient and remember you are a survivor. You got through the injury and with time will continue to put it behind you as you recover. So when you start to feel down, just remember you are the winner over this thing that went after you. I hope, with time, your depression can be replace with a small sense of pride at all that you have and will overcome. Welcome to the site. Chris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Macca Posted May 10, 2017 Share Posted May 10, 2017 Hi Chris, Remember too that every day that passes means you are further away from the 'event.' When you are down - look up, because that's where you are going next. Don't dwell on the issue, just go and talk to someone. It will do two things, it will distract you and it will lift your mood. Hey, you got up today, you breathed the air, you spoke to people, you wrote your post on here, you rationalised your feelings and more too. Those are all positive steps. It's still very early days for you and every day represents progress. Keep it going. I wish you well. Macca 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispy Posted May 13, 2017 Author Share Posted May 13, 2017 On 10/05/2017 at 14:00, Winb143 said: Hi Chris/Crispy, You need to take your time and remember what you have been through. You will get better as time goes on, I was told I'd never walk again but 200 yards, and on a bad day 5 steps lol. We need to cheer ourselves up and remember not to rush things as brain needs to heal firstly and we will get there. Do not listen to sob stories we do not need to hear them while mending, singing helps me as I came from a Family who loved to sing. My Surgeon said no stress so I sing when stressed and it disappears, or the room empties and I get peace lol Take care and keep happy All the Best Win xxxx There is a life after SAH/ Brain Bleed xxx Thank you all for your replies i am finding this all very frightening the confusion is particularly troubling . A nightmare. I spoke to my go who has prescribed me Trazodone. Only on 3rd day. Hope some of the side effects wear off . Has any one had experience of this drug ? i take low dose aspirin so unfortunately Fluoxetine is not recommended as years ago that suited me perfectly. Any other tips or ideas love Chris xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skippy Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 Chris we cannot give medical advice or advice on medications - you would have to discuss this with your GP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winb143 Posted May 13, 2017 Share Posted May 13, 2017 If in doubt see Doc as Sami has said, you might be given a pill kinder to you and we are not allowed to give advice. You do not need stress so see Doc and tell him about the pills and ask his advice. Come out of surgery with a smile xxxx and perhaps a milder pill xx I only take paracetamol along with a song xx Love Win xxxx Hope you get sorted xxxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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