Hi
Did anyone seem to plateau in their recovery & felt they would never fully recover? That’s how I’m feeling right now. I am noticing teeny teeny improvements mainly the numbness/ tingling down left of my face & tongue is easing but still there. I know I am impatient and so frustrated but I am desperate to feel fully focused & see the world in HD once again. Any advice on others recovery journeys / timescales would be a super help please.
Lucy xxx
2 Likes
Hey Ms. Lucy!
Certainly recovery can plateau. I think it’s happened to all of us. The way I look at it is our brain needs a bit of a rest before it undertakes the next healing stage. Remember we have to think of brain healing in months and years rather than days and weeks.
When you plateau, enjoy a hobby and don’t dwell on it. One of the things I did was color. I was very happy when I found they’d had adult coloring books lol I did lots of non thinking things that helped my fine motor coordination. I also tried Zentangle, some easy crossword puzzles, matching games, Sudoko, etc. Things that encouraged my brain to try to make the new connections easier, allowing it to rest a little and still encouraging it to work if that makes sense. I will be seven years out from rupture in a few days and I am still healing. Remember slow and steady wins this race!
2 Likes
Thank you so much this is very helpful & supportive. You have gave me some good ideas & I will certainly give the colouring a go. I am struggling to get fully absorbed into books but colouring would be therapeutic & keep me occupied.
Seven year anniversary is amazing & highlights that I need to remember the ‘slow & steady’ mantra.
Much appreciated that you took time to share your advice with me.
Lucy xx
2 Likes
Hi Lucy,
I’m so sorry you’re having these issues. In my case, I felt as thought I plateaued in my recovery with issues of short term memory, word finding and moments of confusion. As time passed and I spent more time working with my CBT therapist, practicing mindfulness and trying to spend more time reducing my anxiety, a number of my own symptoms subsided. Like the previous commenter said, the more you can occupy your thoughts, the better! The busier I am the less I notice any of my lingering issues.
The largest one for me I thought would never resolve was intense pain from the metal plate at the site of my clipping. Over time, it went away and I never even notice it anymore.
I hope your recovery continues to improve.
Best wishes,
Grant
1 Like
Thank you so much for your reply / advice. I am continuing to make some progress although really slowly. I am feeling almost almost ‘normal’ & more focused with less numbness in my face and tongue.
I am back working full time which I am loving & keeping occupied with walks, yoga & exercise at home all of which is very therapeutic.
Not driving yet although I’m being patient waiting to see if I am allowed my license back.
I am getting used to the drain in my head and my hair has grown quite a lot.
I am so grateful for all of the support & advice shared on the site as it has been an enormous help in knowing I am not alone whilst going through this & my ongoing recovery.
Lucy 
2 Likes
There will be difference in the recovery process throughout the years depending on age. I felt good for a few years but with age and other health issues that has changed. The best I felt was about 1-2 years post craniotomy.
Really differs with each person and type of medical procedure. I was 61 at surgery and am now 71. Big changes. I have not gone to neurologist because I know I have another aneurysm and do not want to go through surgery again. I also ( after my last mri, mra in 2017) found out I have a brain tumor near the clipped aneurysm. Looking back in 2011 1st diagnosis I can now see I did have symptoms but never suspected anything serious till testing was completed. Good family support, friends & a supportive partner can make all the difference. I never had that. Only through BAF, I found friends that understood because they have been through this. Hope this helps & God Bless, Jeanne
1 Like
@Jeanne you’re right, a physical presence of support can be a good thing in our recovery and not everyone has it in their life. I’m happy we have found support here in a virtual family. It does make a difference to be able to interact with others who understand what we are experiencing and can help us stay positive.
I have a pituitary adenoma which my Neurosurgeon keeps an eye on every five years with an MRA that looks at the pituitary area. They are mostly benign and rarely malignant. If it grows large enough to be problematic, we will have a discussion then. There does come a time with age and health when everything has to be weighed carefully. Personally, I’m more the quality than quantity type, always have been.
Hope to see you active with posts and wisdom gained to share with others,
Moltroub
1 Like