VIral Meningitis

[Tobywayne10]

I was hospitalized for viral meningitis 1 month ago. I'm having issues with a sore/weak neck and what feels like nerve issues going into the base of my skull/back of my head that cause some headaches. I'm also tired alot. I've seen my PCP about it and they seem to be not worried about it. Am I the only one that has had this type of situation with their dr? They even suggested it's probably not a result of my VM. which honestly just increases my anxiety. I also think my anxiety levels have been off the charts since VM. Is this normal?

[April9190]

Oh I feel the same about my GP. They are an excellent Doctors practice normally but forthcoming information from them since having VM has been scant. I have been poorly for nearly 2months now and they have condescended to send me for a CT scan but said my extreme tiredness, sore neck and residue headache were what was “going around”. They doubt that the VM would last as long as this?!? I’m sorry to hear you too are suffering but sort of glad that I am not on my own with this. Good luck

[Jeffthe]

I have the exact same thing but for three months. The headaches totally changed - now much more neck pain. Seems to be resolving slowly.

[spouseM]

I can tell you my husbands story, VM, in hospital for 1 week. After he assumed a full sched at work. He was very, very tired, came home, slept, ate dinner, went to bed, for around 2 weeks. He had cranial sacral message, where they increase the CSF flow by manipulating the skull. I think it helped him, but did have headache for a good month after. My very best to you! Michelle

[Tobywayne10]

Just an update. I’m having an MRI on my spine/brain tomorrow. I guess we’ll see where it goes.

[Faith8990 in reply to Tobywayne10]

Im sorry tobywayne. In my experience since i came down with VM in august its been an ongoing fight. I spent at least two months in bed in pain. Then the pain was almost like an elevator. I would get the most awful pain in my neck - they did a MRI and blamed it on a slipped disc and arthritis. (Weird it never bothered me before!) then within the coming weeks it was no longer my neck but my back killed me, onto my hips and eventually into my legs so bad i thought I would have to go back to the hospital. Then it would turn around and move back up, attacking each area as it did. I dont think since the illness hit that i have not had pain in my neck unfortunately. It is just some days worse and some days better but the docs will find anything else to blame it on! I wish we could just all get together and organize a march or something, something to call attention to this terrible illness! The best advice i can give you are heating pads, supplements and a healthy diet. It is so hard to get back into a routine when you are in so much pain and trust me it has taken me months! But i can tell with the change in my diet and the increase in my activity this past week it is helping - i have had my time to rest though so listen to your body and dont push yourself! I have found that glucosamine has been one of the best supplements and i also take magnesium per the recommendations of the sweet folks from this site. I also own two tens units which produce and electric current to stimulate nerve therapy. I dont know what i would have done without those and my heating pads! We are all behind you and support you, even when the doctors doubt you. We know what you are going thru, we believe you. I hope you received some help after the MRI, keep us posted

[Tobywayne10 in reply to Faith8990]

Thank you. I’ll be honest. I’ve never been like this. My anxiety has been a 10 out of 10. I broke down and sobbed yesterday for a full 5 minutes. That’s not me.... my wife is the greatest. She’s been supportive. If it wasn’t for God, her and my family I’m not sure what I’d do.

[Faith8990 in reply to Tobywayne10]

Mindfulness is a great tool to help with anxiety. It is hard to get your mind to be quiet but with practice it can be an amazing way to bring peace to your soul when you are on edge. Be it meditation, grounding, kind of training your brain to take a different approach at how it may look at things more rationally than emotionally - all of it can help. Its a very hard thing to find peace and quiet when your body hurts so much but it can be done. There are some great apps out there that can guide you thru it. It takes practice but has been extremely beneficial to me as i know how overwhelming everything can get when life is still moving but you cant seem to move with it. You are definitely NOT the first one to break down in tears! We have all done it, if not out if pain out of pure frustration. I cant tell you how many times i cried in front of physicians bc they just werent listening to me or trying to blame something ridiculous or being downright rude. I actually cried on a rude neurologist one day while kind of putting him in his place in regards to my illness.......and he lost all sense of what he was doing and left the room eventually frazzled and out of sorts. Cant say it didnt make me feel a little good. Hang in there! You have a big support system here. It definitely got me thru the worst of it and I still rely on it! And if all else fails, valium is not only good for anxiety but also helps with muscle spasms so it kind of kills two birds with one stone. Sometimes you just need the extra help! We are with you buddy.

[ProbablyMeningitis]

Tobywayne10 How was your MRI??? I ll have the results of my MRI this evening..

[Tobywayne10 in reply to ProbablyMeningitis]

I’m hoping to get the results today. I’ll be praying for you on yours.

[Tobywayne10 in reply to ProbablyMeningitis]

So waiting 24-48 hours for MRI results when you are having extreme anxiety really really sucks.:..

[ProbablyMeningitis in reply to Tobywayne10]

I know what you are going through. Stay strong. I have waited for 5 days!!! It was awful. So, I got mine today. They found two (I am not sure how they are called- I am Greek) lesions about 4 mm each but the diagnosis was good.

[Tobywayne10 in reply to ProbablyMeningitis]

I’ll be praying for you. I just received my results and I was very lucky. I have two bulging discs and arthritis... that compounded with after effects of VM I guess just got the best of me in my mind.

[ProbablyMeningitis in reply to Tobywayne10]

The good news is that you found them and you will be cured more or less! Imagine being in pain without knowing why! Patience my friend. Everything is going to be alright. Be strong!! Sending my thoughts to you and your family .!!!

[Ubmadon in reply to Tobywayne10]

hi my son is 17. 4 weeks from VM. Says he feels anxiety his pulse is in the 80's, what is your pulse

[Tobywayne10 in reply to Ubmadon]

I usually run a lot so it stays around 60. When my anxiety peaks it’s 80-100

[Bonkitty]

It has taken me 3 years to recover from VM and I still have chronic migraine and fatigue as a result. Rest it out now for better recovery. I have learned to live with it. I have Botox every 3 months for the head and neck ache.

But this year I also climbed Mount Snowdon knocking an hour off the climb time. So take care of yourself now in these early days to be better later.. patience is key to good recovery along with a diet of super foods , green smoothies etc for energy and immunity.

Take care x