Meningitis

[fallen_leaf]

Has anyone had an elderly relative have bacterial meningitis and did they recover and how long was the recovery process? I’m trying to figure out if I need guardianship proceedings for my aunt. The caseworkers and doctors aren’t very organized. It’s been two weeks and i still haven’t been able to give the doctor the paperwork for her medical opinion on if proceeding are needed. It’s been four weeks and very very very slow minor improvements for my aunt.

[Hidden]

I had gf who had that did take over six months left her scared but did improve guess it’s like pneumonia as that can take months if ever

I had pneumonia that turned into sepsis though GP inaction AND that trashed my lungs and took 4 years to get over

[fallen_leaf in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the info. My aunt is in her seventies and recovered from cancer. The meningitis did cause sepsis. Trying to figure out what to plan for. She has a house but wondering if assisted living will be better or home care

[Hidden in reply to fallen_leaf]

I would talk to aunt and hospital OT’s really as only your lot will know what can can’t do and what to expect from recovery.

Hope all go’s well and it gets sorted with min stress

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello Fallen_leaf, sorry your Aunt has been so poorly with Meningitis and septicaemia.

It can be a long process with recovery.

I think talking with her Doctors for some answers to your questions. Then contacting a charity that works with Meningitis sufferers and their relatives. The one I have included below is a fantastic charity that will support you through the process of the bacterial disease and give you realistic replies to your questions.

Good luck with everything and do let us know how she are you are getting on.

MAS Nurse & Moderator.

meningitis.org Helpline: 080 8800 3344 9am until 5pm Monday - Friday.

[Hidden]

Hi again fallen_leaf,

I haven't any personal experience of relatives who've had bacterial meningitis, but I did nurse several elderly patients some years ago in a charity run home for disabled elderly ladies, once they were released from hospital.

I'm probably not the best person to try to help, as probably treatments have moved on. Both of the ladies I looked after did get better after intravenous antibiotics, one quite quickly and the other had some brain swelling and it took much longer, but she too eventually recovered.

Whether someone will completely recover depends a bit on their general age and condition and how quickly the infection is diagnosed and treated. It's probably as urgent today as it was then to start treatment quickly. That gives the best chance of a quick recovery. Hopefully, although your aunt is only progressing slowly, she will eventually recover, at least to a great extent though there can sometimes be longer lasting symptoms, such as severe tiredness for a longer period.

I hope that your aunt will recover and do come back and let us know how she's getting on.

Very best wishes, once again.

[Hidden]

Well, I think your aunt should be in hospital for about six weeks as meningitis is a very life threatening illness these sort of things are slow but people can recover from it and others can and do die from bacterial meningitis its inflammation of the brain. Your aunt should be monitored by a neurologist not just the GP or caseworker as they should have referred your aunt to a neurologist long ago because they do not understand inflammation of the brain most people don't. However I wouldn't worry about the paperwork as yet Do explain to the doctors and caseworkers that your aunt needs to be in intensive care in hospital with neurologists and nurses to look into it and take care of her and give her some medication to treat it as well as any complications thereafter with medication . It's a medical emergency!! tell everyone involved.

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear that your aunt has developed sepsis which is another life threatening condition that my uncle suffers from as well as other numerous problems.. I would think supported assisted living for your aunt. Hope she gets the right treatment soon