Hi everyone, forgive me if I'm repeating a prior question. I'm new to this group and haven't figured out how to navigate this site fully.
I had the clipping procedure done the end of June this year. Had two aneurysms removed. The surgery was successful and my surgeon was wonderful. My recovery was a bit uncomfortable but I was back at my job in 5 weeks, doing great and I feel wonderful for the most part...except for a heart condition that I am also dealing with.
My question is, not that I was the most patient person before my surgery but I've found that I'm really sensitive to noise now especially when a lot of people are talking at once and I also get annoyed VERY easily. I feel like I'm turning into a big grouch at times. Somedays I feel like the happiest person in the world but some days I feel kinda depressed and irritated.
Is this from my surgery and will it go away? It really has me worried and I don't have anyone to talk to about it because unless you've been thru brain surgery you can't relate and the whole subject makes some people very uncomfortable.
The meds I'm on is 2.5 mg of lisinopryl (spell?) and just started 5mg of Crestor for my cholesterol. I don't think though that it's related to the meds.
Hi Valerie...oh it is so normal to have all these feelings and emotions...it is a "roller coaster ride"...I was told in ICU it has something to do with the brain being touched...whatever that means...I sorta get it...also, I was coiled...and I must tell you...noise and crowds were awful to me...now...here's the thing...I am almost 2 years from surgery...and my emotions are so much better...(it took time)...and I am still a bit bothered by loud noises...some feel like a loud echo in my brain...in time...all should improve and what doesn't improve you learn to work with through this journey...You are so early in your healing, give yourself time and rest to continue to heal...~ Gotcha in my Thoughts ~ Colleen
I had emergency coiling done on 9-7-12, and I am experiencing the same thing. I can't stand when multiple conversations are happening around me. Last Saturday evening I had a friend drive me to one of my usual social gatherings. My boyfriend had to "stand guard" to make sure not too many of my concerned friends (all happy to see me alive and standing) were talking to me at once. Sunday I went to a wedding. I was fine for the ceremony, but the reception was hell. I had to beg a ride home from someone leaving early.
I can only assume this is something that will improve in time. My vision and light sensitivity have certainly improved. Keep me posted on your progress and I'll keep you posted on mine?
thanks Colleen! I foolishly felt like once I went back to work, that was it, I was done....cured! I never knew that I would be healing mentally and emotionally as well. My doctor never gave me a clue that this might happen, in fact he was so impressed with me at my 6 week check up that he told me he didn't need to see me for a whole year. I honestly never worried about my surgery or even cried when I found out, maybe all of this is a delayed reaction. Plus all my friends and family think I'm doing wonderfully so no one asks me anymore about how I'm feeling. If I complain about anything, memory loss or whatever they just say "oh that happens to me all the time". It really isn't the same I feel like telling them. I once sat in my car for almost a minute trying to remember how to turn it off...lol!
I'll try to give myself more slack. I unfortunately am single and not currently dating so I'll have to pamper myself :)
wow, I am so glad I joined this site, I honestly could cry right now. When I started experiencing these things I just tried to push past it and ignore it until I realized they were effecting my social experiences.
You're lucky Sarah to have someone in your life that understands what you're going thru. It's hard sometimes to go thru it alone. I'm glad that I have a place to vent to now and that I don't have to pretend to be such a strong person all the time.
I don't have anyone who completely understands what I'm going through, but my boyfriend comes amazingly close. He has been extremely attentive through this entire ordeal and not only listens to my needs but tries to anticipate them. He came to the hospital everyday. Once my double vision went away, he brought movies that we watched on his laptop. He was the one who informed my entire family as well as my work of the aneurysm. He also updated my facebook friends on my progress. I really don't know how I would have gotten through this ordeal without his support.
I also am really glad I found this site (most of the websites I visited sent me into crying fits...and not the happy crying fits I get from this website). I know what you mean about pretending to be a strong person. All my friends know how determined and strong willed I am. When I have visitors, I feel like I have to be on stage -- cracking jokes, showing how positive I am, showing that I am making a good recovery. The act lifts my spirits, but it is also extremely tiring. I'm usually glad when my visitors have left. Chris (boyfriend) is the only exception. I don't have to put on an act for him. I can just relax. As a result, I often fall asleep when I'm around him.
On my own, I have decided to talk to a psychotherapist. I asked my primary care doctor to suggest someone. I think its going to be really beneficial to be able to talk to someone in person (other than Chris) that I don't have to put on a show for. I really think its going to help me. I'll let you know if it helps. Have you considered doing the same?
I wrote that the zombie pic was very coincidental. I'm part of a zombie flash mob group that performs each Halloween. It's great to have the distraction right now too. I told my group last rehearsal that it's too bad it wasn't earlier when I still had the staples in my head. It would have helped my costume....lol!
yes Valerie-this is normal-but whats not normal is we were never warned this may happen althou a occ. therapist once told me i could laugh or cry for no reason! Everything for me is magnyfied- irratated= angry, blue=depressed, looking forward to an event=overly anxious, concerned=worried etc etc. i am currently 3 yrs post sah coiling and working hard at keeping an even keel- it does get better especially if you recognize theres a problem, and then work on it-this is half the battle. Everyone has these emotions and learning to control them is the tricky part -more so for us i think. Hang in there better days are ahead! Many times i've recently stopped myself from blowing my stack-with 5+ teens here they keep me in good practice! Almost every time i was glad i handled it differently,sometimes i just walk away & stick my head in the sand like an ostrich! its an long ongoing process to decipher the best course of action-if any at all. So don't worry too much-with time and perserverence we will improve, the fact that your concerned tells me you care & you'll naturally improve!! You're doing great tho!-glad your here & thanks for sharing-- it made me reflect & realize i've improved! May the good Lord bless you all!
I love zombie flash mobs! The end of this month I was supposed to go to Reno for a zombie pub crawl. I don't know if that is still on the table. It going to depend on how good I am at managing my fatigue by then, how well I'm handling noise, and how soon I'm allowed to drink. Even if I still go, I have a feeling I'm going to have to call it a much earlier night than I did last year. I'm going to talk to my neurologist about it when I see him tomorrow. If I couldn't handle a wedding last Sunday, I doubt I'll be able to handle bar hopping zombies. =/
I'll let you know how the appointent with the psychotherapist goes. I read online that most aneurysm survivors end up needing to speak with someone. I'm really looking forward to the appointment with her. I hope it is the release I' looking for.
I am also new to this… You are so right, Jo! That was the one thing my surgeon never told me before having brain surgery. The emotional roller coaster can get quite steep at times. It has been almost three years since my surgery and I am still on the roller coaster of recovery. We are blessed to be alive!
thanks Laurie! I've found that just talking about these problems here have helped. You kinda feel alone when you don't know anyone that's been thru this and your surgeon doesn't let you know any of this can happen. Maybe he thought that telling me all the risks might put ideas in my head and be psychosomatic, who knows.
Anyway, everyone's support here has been wonderful and my family has been asking me what's going on as I'm happier then I've been in a few weeks.
I've realized that whether I'm having good days or bad days it's perfectly normal. I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.