Diagnosed with right side subarachnoid hemorrhage

Posted by ourlife2017 @ourlife2017, Jun 21, 2017

I've been in Richmond University Hospital for 21 days, with only test still being done. The pain is migraine headaches to the thousand. And I feel at this time, just like a lab rat. Now what's causing the pain in my head is the high blood pressure, hypertension. I never had high blood pressure in my life. Hospital wants to do "lumbar puncture" to see if that's causing my high blood pressure. I'm very afraid and don't know if I should go through with this procedure..?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Stroke & Cerebrovascular Diseases Support Group.

@ourlife2017 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. It sounds as if you have had a really rough 3 weeks - I'm so sorry to hear of your health problems. I can understand when you wrote, "I’m very afraid and don’t know if I should go through with this procedure." I see that your doctor is suggesting a lumbar puncture. I believe that is it really important to educate yourself regarding procedures. Have you asked your doctor what he/she is trying to diagnose (or rule out) with this type of test? Teresa

REPLY
@hopeful33250

@ourlife2017 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. It sounds as if you have had a really rough 3 weeks - I'm so sorry to hear of your health problems. I can understand when you wrote, "I’m very afraid and don’t know if I should go through with this procedure." I see that your doctor is suggesting a lumbar puncture. I believe that is it really important to educate yourself regarding procedures. Have you asked your doctor what he/she is trying to diagnose (or rule out) with this type of test? Teresa

Jump to this post

The right subarachnoid hemorrhage was the diagnosed, and the lumbar puncture is a way to find out if the blood pressure will lower inside my head, along with testing the fluid from the spinal tap; because every other test came back negative.

REPLY
@hopeful33250

@ourlife2017 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. It sounds as if you have had a really rough 3 weeks - I'm so sorry to hear of your health problems. I can understand when you wrote, "I’m very afraid and don’t know if I should go through with this procedure." I see that your doctor is suggesting a lumbar puncture. I believe that is it really important to educate yourself regarding procedures. Have you asked your doctor what he/she is trying to diagnose (or rule out) with this type of test? Teresa

Jump to this post

@ourlife2017 The added information is helpful. At this point, do you feel comfortable going forward with the lumbar puncture? Teresa

REPLY
@hopeful33250

@ourlife2017 Hello and welcome to Mayo Connect. It sounds as if you have had a really rough 3 weeks - I'm so sorry to hear of your health problems. I can understand when you wrote, "I’m very afraid and don’t know if I should go through with this procedure." I see that your doctor is suggesting a lumbar puncture. I believe that is it really important to educate yourself regarding procedures. Have you asked your doctor what he/she is trying to diagnose (or rule out) with this type of test? Teresa

Jump to this post

Yes, because of your response, I asked questions and felt comfortable with the answers... two thumbs up the procedure was done after 12 p.m., waiting for the results. It wasn't bad as I thought it would be.

REPLY

I was released from the hospital Friday the 23rd of June. I have 55 to 60% of my Mobility and responsiveness. Can anyone with history share on the steps to getting well.

REPLY
@ourlife2017

I was released from the hospital Friday the 23rd of June. I have 55 to 60% of my Mobility and responsiveness. Can anyone with history share on the steps to getting well.

Jump to this post

Hi @ourlife2017,
You'll notice that I moved your latest message to the other discussion thread that you started. I also moved the thread to Cererovascular Diseases group to help introduce you to others who have experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage and/or brain aneurysm. I'm tagging @kariulrich @tazi0 @lakelifelady and @strokesurvivordynamo in the hopes that they may have some thoughts about recovery to share, and to help you know what to expect.

While we wait for others to respond, you may be interested in reading these discussions:
- Balancing risk: Hemorrhagic stroke and Afib http://mayocl.in/2tW9eS8
- brain bleed http://mayocl.in/2tVPH4p

Ourlife2017, were you setup with plans for rehab when you were discharged from the hospital? What are your next steps?

REPLY

I wrote a new post. Not sure is it posted to correct place,
@lakelifelady

REPLY
@lakelifelady

I wrote a new post. Not sure is it posted to correct place,
@lakelifelady

Jump to this post

Thank you @lakelifelady for your reply to @ourlife2017. I'm sure she'll appreciate hearing from someone who has been there and how they are doing. You posted your experience in another thread here: http://mayocl.in/2tYqRRr

For convenience, I have copied and pasted it here:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Posted by @lakelifelady, 1 hour ago
It has been two years now since the accident. I continue to be dizzy nearly every day and take a small dose of Lorazapam twice daily which helps some. Noise and noisy places where many people are talking at once continue to overwhelm me. My head feels like it swells up to a larger size and a loud buzz in my ears takes place. It is very tiring and small talk is difficult. Bright lights do the same as does bright sunlight. Concentration is better, but I am forgetful if easily distracted. Driving in a car is anxiety producing and I over react to perceived threats. Once when we came upon a bad accident on the roadway, I began gasping for breath like I was having an asthma attack. Then I cried for some time. This happened twice.
At first PTSD episodes bedeviled me………now, not so much. I can use relaxation exercises and cognitive reframing to combat panic. Anxiety persists, although diminished.
I continue to play the piano, flute, paint and sing although all activities seem to exhaust me. Walking has improved but much diminished and it feels like all those terrible injuries healed together crooked and it hurts. I still go on no matter. I have accepted that my life has been impaired and so be it. I will do what I can as much as I can and enjoy what is.
@lakelifelady

REPLY

Is anyone else familiar with this type of brain bleed. We are on day two. Its hard for them to manage my husbands pain. Nausea under control at this time finally. Any words of advice or incouragement greatly needed.

REPLY
@0629

Is anyone else familiar with this type of brain bleed. We are on day two. Its hard for them to manage my husbands pain. Nausea under control at this time finally. Any words of advice or incouragement greatly needed.

Jump to this post

Welcome to Connect, @0629
You may have noticed that I moved your message about subarachnoid hemorrhage to this existing discussion on the same topic. Click VIEW & REPLY in the email and you'll be able to read the past comments and meet members talking about SAH, like @kariulrich @tazi0 @lakelifelady @ourlife2017 and @strokesurvivordynamo.

First and foremost, 0629, I want you to know you are not alone. I'm glad that you found this virtual community to be by your side as you navigate unknown territory. How are YOU doing? Is your husband in the hospital or has he returned home already?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.