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Diagnosed with subdural hematoma after a fall: What to expect?

Posted by susanfalcon52 @susanfalcon52, Nov 11 7:22am

Three weeks ago I had a bad fall. Bruised all on left side. Landed on face and had a black eye and bruising on cheek.
I went about my business - driving, shopping, working. A couple of days after the fall, I had a mild headache that didn’t go away. I told my GP and she said to go to ER. I did, they did CT scan and said that I have a subdural hematoma.
They called it ‘minor’, but I have to return tomorrow for another CT scan.
I haven’t changed my activities since the fall.
Anyone else experience this? I would like to know what to expect.

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susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Nov 24 1:23pm
In reply to @claudiajoyce "MMA - Middle Meningeal Artery embolization. Catheter inserted into arm or leg and guided to the..." + (show)
@claudiajoyce

MMA - Middle Meningeal Artery embolization. Catheter inserted into arm or leg and guided to the MMA to inject a liquid glue to block blood flowing to the lining of the brain. Reduces inflammation and encouraged the body to reabsorb the blood. Easily tolerated and I felt fine immediately afterward with no after effects. Unfortunately my SDH continued to grow - while slightly, it needed another more involved procedure a month later.

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Claudiajoyce,
How long does the procedure take? I’m hoping the patient would be asleep?

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claudiajoyce | @claudiajoyce | Nov 25 1:07pm
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "Claudiajoyce, How long does the procedure take? I’m hoping the patient would be asleep?" + (show)
@susanfalcon52

Claudiajoyce,
How long does the procedure take? I’m hoping the patient would be asleep?

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Oh for sure the procedure is under general anesthesia. It was very quick (perhaps an hour) however I waited in the ER to be admitted the night before so it was performed the following day. Why did I go to the ER?....I was instructed to go by the radiologists because my scan showed that the SDH was not being reabsorbed as was expected after the diagnosis. My assigned neurosurgeon also was labeled an "expert" in MMA procedures. I was released the following day. One thing I will advise though is to really rest after this procedure. I did not, - While I was advised to resume my daily routines. I would strongly recommend to allow your body some slack to work on reabsorbing the current SDH. The MMA does stop the blood flow, but my POV is give it some time, and take it easy. Hope this helps. Please reply if I can be of any help further. All the best.

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susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Nov 26 9:23pm

So, I saw the neurosurgeon today and he said that the blood had been reabsorbed into the brain and didn’t show up on the CT scan. Whew.
I’m scheduled to have another CT scan in February.

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susanfalcon52 | @susanfalcon52 | Nov 27 6:57am

Also, the headache that accompanied the brain bleed had started to fade.
I understand that this could come back.
The neurosurgeon was really happy.

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1 reply
claudiajoyce | @claudiajoyce | Nov 27 4:03pm
In reply to @susanfalcon52 "Also, the headache that accompanied the brain bleed had started to fade. I understand that this..." + (show)
@susanfalcon52

Also, the headache that accompanied the brain bleed had started to fade.
I understand that this could come back.
The neurosurgeon was really happy.

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So glad to hear.

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