When they said it can take a while......

[Ukulele_Pete]

Hi, new to this site though I have dipped in before. Didn't think I'd get to post as I wasn't expecting to still have symptoms 4 months on.

Having had a weekend of what I thought were migraine type headaches (with nausea) I went to my GP. He advised me to rest up with painkillers and if I got worse to come back or go to A&E (this comment should have rung an alarm bell).

I had an horrendous night of bringing bile up all night and so took a taxi to A&E where my symptoms were treated very seriously, to the point were I found the whole thing surreal, it was headaches and sickness surely not VM!

There followed a CT scan, a dose of anti-biotics, chest x-Ray and an admission to a ward. It appeared there enough markers to suspect VM so a lumbar puncture was also carried out which confirmed VM.

The nausea had gone and the painkillers had taken the edge of the pain in my head so I was discharged the next day to take the following 6 weeks of work.

I believe, looking at some posters, that I've been lucky, having quite mild symptoms but isn't the recovery time so slow!

Even 4 months on I'm still barely able to cope with 5 hours a day at work. Luckily I work for a large company with an excellent occupational health department who have given me a manageable phased return and aren't forcing me back to full duties too quickly.

My main after effects now are a continued need to take at least a rest every day (some days after work it is all afternoon) and reduced concentration. My headaches have largely disappeared over the last 5 weeks or so but have been replaced with a noticeable noise in my head, particularly if around me is quiet enough (I'm seeing my GP about this this week).

This weekend I've got what would normally be a mild cold but it has floored me and I feel so tired and headachy today. I feel a bit pathetic but fortunately my wife is really understanding about my condition.

Thanks for reading. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has got a "noisy head" post VM. Depending what he says, I'll let you know how I get on with my GP this week.

Thanks

Pete

[rowenafly]

Hi yes I get sonic noises and when really tired noise is so loud! Many report tinnitus which is common. So yes I get a noisy head too and it's 1.5 year since I contracted it. But I only get it when exhausted so it will go away.

[rowenafly]

Oh I wanted to tell you that if you build up slowly your endurance will improve. I was doing 6 days a week of cardio for 7 months before I went back to work. But I have gone to 4 full days a bit quick plus so busy on my days off that I have crashed with exhaustion for the last 5 days. So it can be a thin level of endurance so you do have to go slow. I have a lot of trouble going slow. But if you pace yourself you will be ok.

[NorthLeedsJohnny]

Tinnitus here too, along with marked high frequency problems in my left ear to a point where deep noises are really troublesome. These are still problems for me despite the VM attack in Nov 11. An audiologist has effectively told me that it's permanent damage caused be the swelling at the time.

I was much like you, with a very long recovery period, though the consultant I saw months later was surprised I had returned to work when I did. He said I'd had a very severe strain of the virus.

I've found, over 2 years later that I've never really regained the energy I had previously. I suppose we just need to cope as best we can. Unfortunately VM seems the poor relation of BM but after effects can be very long lasting.

I've recently taken part in a sponsored trial, to see if after effects can be helped by complementary therapies. Mine was 10 sessions of cranial osteopathy. I have to say that, despite a minor improvement in my perceived concentration, I've not really noticed much of s difference.

[Weekazaa]

To be honest it sounds like you're lucky. I'm 2 yrs on and can't walk unaided with the nausea and headaches and can't write. Just make sure you're looking after yourself

[paul1224]

i pete

dont rush just go with the flow some things may never go away i am now 10 years post bm and i still have a lot off problems

so take it easy one day at a time

[Ukulele_Pete]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I went to see my GP on Thursday about my noisy head. He's thinking it's tinnitus, which we all have but can all usually tune out of. He says I should be able to tune out of it in time but if I'm still bothered by it in 2-3 months to come back and he will take it further. He mentioned there's medication that can help but I'm hoping it doesn't come to that. I guess it's just another aspect of VM that requires patience!