Aneurysm Recovery Effects?

[Redbird]

This website is wonderful! I had an aneurysm 4 months ago. A coiling was done and then a week later I had an angioplasty due to vasospasm. I went back to work a couple of months ago. Overall, I'm doing pretty good. Had some short term memory loss at first. The headaches haven't happened much in the past month. Like most everyone else, I'm experiencing a lot of fatigue. I think I have been depressed to some extent since I can't do as much with my two young sons. I've certainly been moody.

My question is, since I've been home, I went to my regular doctor and he noticed that I now have high blood pressure. It's always been on the high-normal side, but not like it is now. I'm on 2 blood pressure medications. I also have had some serious itching attacks mostly on my torso and itching/tingling in my extremeties if I start to exert myself. I think the blood pressure medication has helped to some extent. Has anyone else experienced these problems?

Learning of this site has really picked up my spirits. It's been great to know that what I've been going through is normal and that I WILL get better, over time. Thank you.

[JulieNH]

Welcome Redbird!
What you've been going through (the fatigue, the depression, the memory loss, the moodiness), I think we can all say we've been there, with you. As far as the blood pressure, high normal and the itchiness, I think you need to speak with your doctor about perhaps trying a different medication for blood pressure. My husband had that same itchiness reaction and found he was allergic to something in his medication. It wasn't bad at first, but as his blood pressure went up, his doctor increased the medication and he had a full blown allergic reaction to the medication. Also, the doctor found something that worked better for him by changing the medication. So perhaps you could discuss trying something different. Have you mentioned to you doctor the itchiness?

We, here on this web site, have had many discussions about the importance of keeping your blood pressure low, and finding a doctor (either a great neurologist or a vascular specialist or a great GP who really GETS the importance of cerebral vascular health) who can help you get a control on your blood pressure. Keep looking until you find a doctor who understands how important blood pressure is to aneurysm survivors.

Again Redbird, welcome, to the strongest and most loving family in the world, the family of aneurysm survivors, their family members and caretakers.:)
JulieNH

[ChrisC]

Redbird - welcome to the site - it's truly a wonderful group of people who care for each other!

I wholly agree with Julie - sounds like an allergic reaction to me! He needs to call his doc as soon as he can and see what he has to say. You can always just show up at the office on Monday and tell the receptionist that you think you're having an allergic reaction to the new medicine he put him on for his BP. Someone should see him within minutes, I would think!

On the subject of BP and keeping it down - watch the salt and fluid intake with your BP meds - some are diuretics and take not only extra fluid but take potassium as well. Salt, of course, retains water, so it could be a vicious circle. Find out HOW the medicine works to keep his pressure down, and you will gain good information on what to do in everyday life (diet, exercise, etc) to help it stay down.

It's good to have you here!

[Redbird]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I realize that I need to clarify something. The itching and tingling started happening before I saw my doctor and he noticed that I have high blood pressure. He prescribed one blood pressure medication and then prescribed the other a couple of weeks later at a follow-up visit when the first didn't do the trick. He doesn't seem sure about the itching/tingling symptoms except to say that they could be a symptom of the high blood pressure. The medications have brought the blood pressure down some and the itching and tingling have decreased. I was just wondering if high blood pressure and the itching/tingling sensations are a typical side effect during the recovery phase of my an aneurysm. My blood pressure was not above high-normal before the annie and now I'm at "pre-hypertension" readings. Thanks again.

[joannef]

Hi Redbird,
It's too bad we can't access the "old" (pre-crash) BrainTalk, because we had a great thread going once about high blood pressure after a rupture. Yes, I too developed high blood pressure after my rupture (or it may just have been discovered then and previously undetected -- I'm no doctor but I personally think bp goes up and down constantly and it may be the spikes that do us harm). But by all means, keep in touch with your doctor if you're not improving. I never had any itching that I recall and my bp med (Toprol) controlls my high bp completely. I avoid salt like the plague and I exercise a lot and I think that helps too. :)

Hang in there. Sounds like you're doing great otherwise!

Joanne

[FireflyR7]

*cardinal Welcome to the site!! It definately sounds like you have a allergic reaction or infection of some kind going on!! *doc You need to show your Dr.! I have to take benadryl to help me to tolerate my med's!! I take a lot though. I always got a rash on my torso too?? You should get checked out though!!

:o I too am on high blood pressure medicine, never had it before! Use to be more on the low side?? I don't know why many of us seem to have high blood pressure after our anerysms?? Are you on any other med's?

You are still very early on in your recovery to be doing so much! I don't know how you are already back to work?? You must be recovering very quickly! :)
It is normal to go through many different changes, emotions and "moods" as you heal! :o Fatigue and depression is very common! Our brain needs good sleep, rest and stay hydrated to heal. Did you have a rupture?? Where is it located? You have been through a lot sweetie, your brain is the most important organ in your body and needs to be taken care of! You need to think about your long term health, over doing it can set you back if you are not careful! I had a rupture 2 years ago and still recovering. I am so glad I don't have to worry about having to take care of kids!! It must be hard for them too?? How old are your sons?? How are they dealing with this or don't they really know?
You might want to concider an anti depressant?? I take one, many of us do!!

I think many of us suffer from "post traumatic stress syndrome". My huband is too, he is thinking of going to the Dr. about it. We may even go to counceling? A friend of mine is going to take her kids, she has had a rough time!! This is not an easy situation for many of us. I take it day by day!!

*hoppinstar I hope you continue to heal so quickly!! This is a great place to come for support or answers!!!

I am Tricia and this is how I feel most of the time!! *ack I have just have a long recovery!! :p I am coming along though!! :) Take care and I will be keeping you & your family in my prayers! We are here for you! Tricia

*cg20 God bless you hun!!

[Suzanne*Canada]

HI there and welcome to this great site!

Yes high BP is a very common thing after and aneurysm and it is so very important to get it back to a normal range. As for the tingling.. do you mean as in loss of circulation?? If the BP meds are starting to work, watch your diet very carefully for hidden sodium (oo that nasty stuff is snuck into sooo many foods!!), don't add any salt at all to anything you eat, and starting on a walking program will greatly help your blood pressure get down to where it needs to be. Start walking slow and for as little as 10 minutes at a time and work your way up.

Good luck and keep on posting!
Suzanne

[Redbird]

Yes, I had a rupture. I'm not sure if the tinglilng is a loss of circulation. My doctor said he thought it might be from breaking down co2, at least when I'm exerting myself. I've got a follow-up with him tomorrow. Depending on what he says, I may decide to see if I can find a doctor who specializes more in vascular problems, as I've read some other people have done.

[FireflyR7]

I am glad you have an appointment, can't wait to hear what they tell you!! Remember it is still early in your recovery. A rupture takes longer to heal. your brain is absorbing blood and it doesn't like it!! Could be part of the tingling & itching as your brain is irritated by the blood kind of like sand paper??
I hope you get some answers today!! I see a Family Practioner who see's a lot of Vascular Patients like us, stroke, heart... He has help me so much in my recovery!! You should find a good Dr. for your long term care. I found a wonderful one, he is very caring and knowledgable! He keeps very close tabs on my blood work, symptoms & progress!!
I am keeping you in my prayers!! ;) Please let us know what you find out!!
Love Tricia

[RUTHIE]

Hi Redbird,
Nice to meet you and glad you found us.
I had a rupture and vasospasms afterward, had a clip to repair the annie.
I had itching of all kinds, but mine were due to drug allergies, although I can't say I have had much tingling sensations, maybe once early in my recovery, probably related to the circulation or lack of it from when I was hospatilized, I was in for 3 weeks. Gradual exercise is so important to get the muscle tone back, I started with a beginner yoga tape and worked myself to walking outdoors. Whatever exercise you get, just a little is better then nothing. Hope this helps, always remember to ask the doc first, Take care,
RUTHIE

[Redbird]

Just a quick follow up for all the nice people who responded to my thread. I saw the doctor and the appointment went fine. I'm going to stay on the blood pressure medication, unfortunately, but it was down to 140/77, the lowest its been in since all this happened. We didn't really discuss the tingling/itching. I just didn't think he'd add much more in terms of suggestions. I may try to set a meeting with my neurologist, but for now it's just an occassionnal annoyance. I will be patient...for a while.

One other thing. I've really decided to try to take charge of the things I can control. I'm taking it easier at work, which is hard since I'm sales. But I'm starting to recognize when I need to take a break, or go out to lunch and not think about work for a good hour. I'm cutting back more on the salt and caffeine. Drinking more water. Taking walks when I can. I'm going to bed earlier. I feel like I'm getting some energy back. We had a heat wave a couple of weeks ago that really sapped my energy (I go out on sales calls during the day). Maybe the milder weather has helped, but I think changing my outlook has helped too. I really appreciate all your suggestions. The changes I'm making are from reading the posts on this website. I now know that I've got a long road to recovery and to be patient, and that there will be some peaks and valleys. I'll make sure to get some feedback (and maybe start to give some) as things progress. My first 6 month follow-up is in November, and I'm a little nervous. Thanks again...
Redbird

[ChrisC]

Redbird - you're making excellent changes in your life! Those things indeed are things you can control! I'm proud of you! It will be a bumpy road at times, but you are doing all the right things! Glad your appointment went well, and I am sure that you will have a great report with your followup in November. We're all here for you!