Fighting TB Meningitis

[daddysadvocate]

Hi—the doctors diagnosed my father with TB meningitis about three weeks ago. They started him on anti-TB meds four days prior to the actual diagnosis.

Almost two months ago, my father experienced low blood pressure, tremors, night sweats, fatigue, and a low grade fever. Initially, the doctors assumed that they needed to adjust the dosage of his blood pressure medicines, and after so doing, they advised him that his headaches were the result of his body adjusting to the dosage change. As his headaches grew more severe, we rushed him to the emergency room, twice. The hospital admitted him after the second emergency room visit.

The doctors assumed meningitis, but treated him for bacterial and viral meningitis initially. Upon admission to the hospital, my father complained of weakness in his extremities, but his thoughts were coherent. He gradually became more confused, and after his lumbar puncture, he stopped talking, but will respond to some painful stimuli.

His vitals are stable, and he's now breathing on his own. The hospital moved him from intensive care to a regular floor.

Has anyone experienced TB meningitis? If so, would you mind sharing your experience with me? From what I've gathered, this is a rare illness in the US (where we are).

[Hidden]

Hi there. Must be a scary time for you. Yes. I had TBM in 2001. It is survivable but it can be a long haul and it has left me with amnesia and `invisible`disabilities, although every case is different. I have no memory of getting the disease and the early treatment but your dad will now be on strong meds and then it will be a slow recovery and he will need patience and support. Its a nasty one but he is in the best hands now. I wish you both all the best.

[daddysadvocate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post and for the well wishes.

[Mads1975]

Hello, I was diagnosed with bacterial TB meningitis in 2008. I suffered fatigue, poor balance, hallucinations, shaky hands and night sweats prior to admission to hospital. I was fortunate that an optometrist I saw fortnightly realised something was wrong and referred me the same day to a hospital better equipped to treat me.

I was in hospital for 4 months in total and TBM medication for 12 months. I suffered cognitive impairment to my frontal lobe which has resulted in poor short term memory, impulsiveness, mental fatigue as well as some disinhibition.

I took ill health retirement from my senior management job at HSBC bank in 2011, and while a lot better than when I was first discharged, I have a far more extroverted personality now.

However, I'm still alive which in thankful for as TBM has a high morbidity rate and unless diagnosed immediately, can result in a high percentage of disabilities.

I hope this helps but please feel free to message me if you have any more questions

Paul

[daddysadvocate in reply to Mads1975]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience; it is indeed helpful.