Living with headaches post SAH

1. Guest 19 May 2008 at 22:30PM
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   I am 39 and suffered SAH 5/2/8 am now back at work (maybe too early). I was wondering how other people felt post SAH. I am experiencing headaches on a daily basis that appear to get worse the more stressed I'm become. The headaches are not like headaches I have experienced before and pain killers only numb the pain for a while. I don't feel my self and feel spaced out at times and frustrated. I notice that I can't deal with stressful situations as well. I am also very tired and grumpy (at times)!! Is this common with other people and does it get better? My GP doesn't really know much about it and my consultant just says it will get better but gives me the impression that maybe I'm thinking too much about it and they aren't really headaches (more psychosematic). I don't believe other people actually understand what is going on in your head as you look normal on the outside (well, hopefully I do). Any experiences of other people would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

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2. Guest 4 December 2008 at 23:11PM

   Drew,

   I also had a SAH 2 years ago at the age of 38. My experiences with headaches are very similar to yours still even 2 years post. I have learned to deal with my headaches and know what triggers them. Too much stress is one cause and/or lack of sleep is the most common cause. I feel very fortunate that I'm physically normal on the outside however there are days that my head hurts so bad all I can do is go to sleep and pray that when I wake up the pain is gone. I do not like to take pain meds and have found that they really don't help. Keeping myself hydrated also helps. My neorologist told me that if my headaches did not go away by 6-8 months post then they probably wouldn't. I will say that I do get less headaches that a year ago, maybe 1-2 every couple of weeks now. As you said, they are unlike any headache I had pre SAH. I kinda feel like I'm in a fog also.

   As for work, I did not return to my job for 3 months post SAH, then found myself feeling worse with the stress and fatigue. After approx. 9 months of working my husband supported my decision to quit my job and staying home with our children. Now I spend my days enjoying my family and friends and thankful that I'm alive. As I type this response I have a really bad headache but just have to keep reminding myself that I'm very blessed to be alive and here to enjoy life.

   Tia

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3. bogbrush 5 December 2008 at 09:02AM

   Hi Drew

   I had SAH over 2 years ago at the age of 45 and I would say that the headaches and fatigue are the worst things to deal with. My headaches virtually stopped at around the 6 month stage and now I don't really get headaches at all. I went back to work at 3.5 months and took a step back in my recovery. I do tend to feel dizzy and ill if I get stressed, and as Blessed said, lack of sleep can make things worse. Certain pain medication can actually make headaches worse - something called rebound headaches.

   There is a very good SAH support group at http://www.behindthegray.co.uk where there is a lot of good information and you can read other peoples experiences and join in forum discussions with people who actually understand what you are going through.

   Regards

   Keith

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