When Sarah Roberts first developed what she thought was a routine headache, she never imagined it would nearly cost her life. The 34-year-old mother from London visited her GP multiple times, only to be told she was suffering from nothing more than a "head cold" and stress.
But behind the dismissed symptoms lurked a dangerous brain aneurysm that would require emergency surgery and leave her fighting for survival.
The Warning Signs Everyone Should Recognise
Sarah's ordeal began with symptoms many would consider ordinary:
- Persistent headaches that worsened over time
- Blurred vision and sensitivity to light
- Nausea and dizziness
- Neck pain and stiffness
"I kept being told it was just a virus or stress-related," Sarah recalls. "But something felt fundamentally wrong. The pain was different from any headache I'd experienced before."
The Terrifying Diagnosis
After weeks of worsening symptoms, Sarah's condition dramatically deteriorated. "I collapsed at home and was rushed to hospital," she says. "That's when scans revealed the truth - I had a brain aneurysm that was leaking."
Doctors delivered the shocking news that she required immediate surgery to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing completely, which could have proven fatal.
Life-Saving Surgery and Recovery
Sarah underwent a complex procedure where surgeons inserted platinum coils into the affected blood vessel in her brain. The successful operation prevented a catastrophic rupture, but the recovery process proved challenging.
"The psychological impact has been as difficult as the physical recovery," Sarah admits. "I'm now living with the knowledge that this could happen again, and that the symptoms were missed for so long."
A Vital Message About Trusting Your Instincts
Sarah now shares her story to raise awareness about brain aneurysms and the importance of advocating for your health. "If I hadn't pushed for answers when I knew something was seriously wrong, I might not be here today," she says.
Key symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention include:
- Sudden, severe headache unlike any previous experience
- Vision changes or double vision
- Pain above or behind the eye
- Difficulty speaking
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the face or body
Sarah's message is clear: "Don't let anyone dismiss your concerns about your health. You know your body better than anyone. If something feels wrong, keep pushing for answers."
