I feel as if I have come a long way now and going to see my Doctor today with a view to a phased recovery back to work. A little harder for myself as I am a Fitness Instructor and 59 (age is no barrier)
I was found home alone after a day of lying in a coma. The Police broke in through my bedroom and alerted the emergency services. My husband was in Birmingham but had alerted a friend to try and get in to our house, but I had locked it from the inside. I would normally ring my husband at 8:00am every morning so he was suspicious why I had not rang him that morning and alerted the police.
I had bacterial meningitis. I had no forewarning. One minute I was fine the next I could not remember anything for 4 days. I had the various tests, lumbar puncture, CT scan and blood tests and was in hospital over Christmas 2016. Any longer at home and I would not have survived.
I was discharged from hospital with no follow up appointment. I thought as soon as I got home I would be back to work, but, no way was this happening. I had damage to my eye and was having double vision so could not drive. I also had excruciating pain in my upper back and chest.
None of the GP's in my practice could diagnose what this pain was and I felt I was on my own researching and eliminating everything myself. I felt in the place where I thought I would never be able to teach again, drive again and walk in a straight line again. After 7 weeks I took the bull by the horns and booked an appointment with a neurologist privately. He answered all my questions and was able to diagnose that my fourth cranial nerve had been damaged in my brain and that most people get their sight back to normal in a few months. He also informed me that the pain I was experiencing was nerve pain and not muscle pain as I was being treated for.
Living in the unknown gives us so much anxiety. If there is anyone out there who has these symptoms I do hope this helps you.
When I phoned Meningitis Now I found the support I needed. It is unfortunate that I did not find the Health Unlocked forum until just a couple of weeks ago as I think it is amazing in its support for sufferers. I have also had a discussion with a Support Worker in the community who was very helpful too. It is just a shame I did not know about the charity earlier.
Thank you Meningitis Now for all your support and help.