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Recovering from a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
A guide for patients and carers
Loss of movement and/or feeling
A sub-arachnoid haemorrhage can cause some loss of movement in your arms or legs and the severity of the problems experienced will be very individual. Problems can vary from a slight arm or leg weakness, to complete loss of power.
You may also feel odd sensations in your arms and legs and it is often very difficult to describe the changes. The feeling of clothes against the skin or the touch of another person may be exaggerated. Limbs may feel heavy and numb or you may experience pins and needles. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish between hot and cold, so you should be particularly careful when taking a bath or shower to avoid getting burned.
You may experience any combination of these problems and therefore you will need an individual assessment and exercise plan. This plan will be devised by a physiotherapist either in hospital or in the community. Do not try to over-exercise as this can lead to injury and recovery may be delayed. It is better to do little and often.
It can be helpful to regularly apply body lotion or massage oil to your affected limbs. This maintains good skin condition and helps to keep your muscles supple.
You may experience any combination of these problems and therefore you will need an individual assessment and exercise plan. This plan will be devised by a physiotherapist either in hospital or in the community. Do not try to over-exercise as this can lead to injury and recovery may be delayed. It is better to do little and often.
It can be helpful to regularly apply body lotion or massage oil to your affected limbs. This maintains good skin condition and helps to keep your muscles supple.
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Contents
- Introduction
- Recovery following a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
- What do the main parts of the brain do?
- Tiredness and restlessness
- Headaches
- Unusual sensations
- Loss of movement and/or feeling
- Senses
- Sight
- Smell and taste
- Speech
- Memory
- Feelings and worries
- Emotions
- For friends and family
- Getting back to normal
- Further reading
