Dizziness, nausea and fatigue.

[EmzG]

I had meningococcal meningitis last November. I was very lucky and although I had septacima, liver and kidney faliure. I dont really remember the headache or much else of how I felt apart from aching all over but particularly my legs and was unable to walk and feeling overwhelmingly hot and everything hurt to touch. I was immediately given antibiotics, antivirals and steroids for my hearing.

Although things have slowly improved the dizziness, nausea and fatigued are still daily and sometimes still over bearing. I tried one medication but it aggravated my asthma so had to stop it. Im due to start craniostopathy next in a hope that may help.

I also have lost some vision and have tinnitus but my hearing has been unaffected. I wondered how others have overcome this and how long it may take.

[StrawberryCream]

Hi EmzG

Am sorry to hear your suffered the nasty Menningococcal Meningitis and was seriously ill with other organ failure. You are clearly a very strong person that you survived. It is very difficult though when you are then faced with long term after effects. Like you I defied the odds but have been left with problems. I am now nearly 4 yrs on. I am wondering if you have been referred to Neuro Otology as that maybe helpful to get a specialist assessment of you dizziness and tinnitus. Although your hearing has not been affected it is possible that your higher vestibular balance has been. I was left with balance problems, a sensation of rotation/giddiness, tinitus. I was given higher vestibular exercises to do, which I did over a long period of time and have improved things quite a lot. I am still reviewed. However, I am now being told these problems will never fully recover and things like fatigue, darkness and being overwhelmed will always have a detrimental effects on my balance. I do not suffer from nausea though and that must be very hard to cope with. Although you tried one medication that negatively affected your asthma, like for most problems they are usually several different tablets available so I would suggest you ask your GP about trying something else as it is often trial and error to find what works and is tolerable for you.

Best wishes

[betezel6]

Hi! I, too, have lost some of my hearing and vision. Also I have tinnitus with a balance problem and headaches. I'm lucky to be alive no matter what my symptoms are at this time.

[EmzG]

Thank you! Part of me feels a fraud for moaning about these things when others have lost their lives and limbs etc.

I had bloods on Thursday and am going back for the results of those and to see what else can be done.

I did see a neurologist a few weeks ago but he just kept saying I hadnt had a stroke and just get on with it basically.

[ignoreit]

Most of all I remember the pain...EXTREME pain in my legs & toes area! Pain so extreme I frequently could not stop screaming in the hospital. (MUCH MUCH more painful than childbirth.) After about a month in the hospital, I was made to sit on the side of my bed and "dangle" my toes for about 20 minutes everyday. Excruciating pain!

After 6 months I was released from the hospital. I could barely walk with a walker. I was only 33 yrs old. I couldn't believe my ears when my doctor said, "Don't use a walker now when you're released." "What, is he crazy????", I thought. That turned out to be the best advice of my recovery. I moved around my home by holding on to furniture & grimacing with tiny slides to the bathroom & kitchen. The rest of the time I just laid on the sofa and concentrated on how I would get back into the work force with this new "handicap." Six months later I could tolerate the pain of open toed sandals and I went back to work. I NEVER mentioned the illness or side effects at work because I didn't want my evaluators to have any excuse for my not getting promoted. (I had many promotions and was successful.)

It's now been 37 yrs since I was stricken with Meningococcal septicaemia with complications of DIC. I still have daily headaches but I can basically control them with Excredrin extra strength. My feet still hurt 24/7...but usually with only moderate pain.

No dizziness or balance problems anymore.

Things really DO get better...MUCH better!

[Jeffery]

Hi, I hear you about the dizziness which can at times lead to nausea and to the fatigue. My vision is not specifically changed but my visual tracking is altered. My depth perception is precarious and i lost total hearing in my right ear from bacterial(streptococcal) meningitis in Feb 2011. I have adjusted somewhat to the altered mobility which has added to other health problems like degenerative disc and general neuropathy I use a walker for any distance. I tire very easily so I space my activities. I don't look back and compare. I just stay in the present. I count my blessings and strive for as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Best Wishes. Jeffery