Anxiety

[Day7]

13 days with VM and now experiencing anxiety 😔 Not a good feeling at all. Has anyone experienced symptoms of this sort? Have a Dr appointment tomorrow to discuss some issues and know I will be bringing up this. Never had anxiety before 😩

[Hidden]

Yes - most definitely.  I'm ~4 months post VM and still recovering.  I had very bad bouts of anxiety during the first couple of months - on really bad nights I could not sleep at all.  Meditation and focusing on thanking my immune system and visualizing positive healing energy coming into my body helped greatly.  I'm still struggling with other after effects (exhaustion, aches, foggy head feeling) but thankfully the anxiety has mostly gone away except for a rare day when I'm feeling really bad.

Hang in there, things do get better, for me the first 8 weeks were very difficult.  Things are still tough now, but much better compared to the early days.

[StrawberryCream]

It is very early days as you are only 13 days since contracting VM.  It is not unusual to be experiencing anxiety especially as your thoughts move from being consumed with having to cope with the excruciating headaches and other symptoms to fully acknowledging what you had, been through and how ill you have been. You are probably still worrying whether you will or when (if ever) you will recover back to how you were and are most likely struggling with your everyday life activities and demands and worrying how can you at the moment possibly manage them. Which at the moment you can't because 13 days is very early in your recovery.  VM is much more serious than things like the flu which we do get over by about 10 days.  VM takes much longer and can be weeks, months or for a few even longer with possible some having more long term after effects such as ongoing headaches. Problem is even among the medical profession you often meet with limited understanding of meningitis and often Dr's will wrongly be of the opinion that it is no worse than flu!

If you are in the UK I would suggest that you ring the Meningitis Now helpline - Freephone 0808 80 10 388. They are great at explaining what to expect with your recovery, can answer your questions, send you relevant info and support you with your worries and concerns.  It is often more comforting and helpful to be able to have a conversation and hear a reassuring voice. Also have you had a look at their website where there is lots of helpful info and advice sheets you can download - MeningitisNow.org

Best wishes

[StrawberryCream in reply to StrawberryCream]

I've just realized I've responded to you under some other of your posts and that you told me you live in California so the uk Meningitis helpline will not be available to you but you should be able to look up there website.

[chrisdunn]

Indeed VM changes you. I suffered, very dark days. You are just beginning your recovery and it it can be long and hard. If you can take as much time off work as you can. Rest, you will never experienced tiredness like it. Get support, there is lots of it! Remeber you have had a brain injury with all the problems that can bring.

[AlliG]

Hi there, 

You are not alone in experiencing anxiety. I'm 7 weeks post VM and it has been up & down to say the least. I'm a very confident person but returning to work was so scary & the anxiety took over. I feel very out of control of my emotions at times & sadly it's had to articulate this to my family let alone my boss. I'm trying to surround myself with positive people & time with friends really is healing. Sometimes I have to push myself to attend social occasions because I feel weak & tired & the easiest solution would be to not go out. However, when I have pushed myself I feel better for it. It can be hard for those close to you to understand especially if they have never experienced anxiety before. It's tough but I firmly believe it will get better. Keep positive & make sure you see friends & family who can lift you. I think time is the answer & we have to be patient xx

[Hidden]

Also I'm in the US as well, can't get the full benefit of the hotline to call, but Meningitis Now has been very helpful and responsive via email.

[Mdroney]

I'm a 60 year old female &  was a very active person.  I'm 3 yrs post  VM , & at times still experience anxiety,  tremors , fatigue & head pressure.  You need to be patient , & count your blessings that's all you have.  This is a very debilitating illness, & some never fully recover.  Lots of rest,  healthy diet & a exercise program of some kind is essential.  I still take vitamin D,  & B12 to help boost my immune system,  but there are days when fatigue still takes over.   I take one day at a time now , & try to be good to myself!  Be open with your dr & share all your concerns ,  though they don't always get it!!  All the best to you!!

[singlemomof2 in reply to Mdroney]

I am 3 years post also, they just put me on b12 and I have taking neurotin since then, I have never been the same after I had vm

[Mdroney in reply to singlemomof2]

Me neither ,  different personality now.    Still suffer with tinnitus, if I over do it,  & blurry vision.  My full time job now is managing symptoms.  Back to yoga, helps tremendously!!  Still count my blessings,  could always be worse!!!🙏

[singlemomof2]

Yes , still have anxiety and I had vm back in 2012, vm through me for a loop, think it damage my nerves 

[singlemomof2]

Can you contact vm again,  sometimes I feel like it has come back

[Jwire]

Yes. Anxiety has been a horrible issue for me. I ended up being put on escitalopram (generic for lexa pro) I tried to deal with it myself as much as possible but it just became too overwhelming. I still have bad days but the medicine has definitely helped and you know what, if it takes medicine to get you back on your feet and have a little bit of sanity... There's no shame. Do what you need to for you.