Bad joint pain that started after my viral ... - Meningitis Now

Meningitis Now

6,756 members2,103 posts

Bad joint pain that started after my viral meningitis

Stephie11 profile image
6 Replies

I am new here! I have had viral meningitis in June 2016. I remember having a huge headache that would not go away and got worse. I went to urgent care and they kept me for about 6 hours just to tell me that I have a kidney infection. My kidneys didn't hurt. I told my husband that I will be going to the ER in a couple days if this does not stop. It didn't. Went to the ER and they took all kinds of test (which Urgent care didn't), MRI, Cat scan and more. Then a lumbar puncture. Very painful and you know but they couldn't get any fluid. So I had to do that over again right away with taking pictures every few seconds. I never want to experience that again. They found out that I got a viral meningitis and gave me pain meds. Three worst weeks of my life! I couldn't function at all. After about 6 month I started getting pain in my right knee. It would hurt going up the stairs, getting up from a sitting position. Then my left foot hurt from just walking. Now my arm, shoulder and elbow hurt really bad to the point that I have a hard time getting dressed, wearing a purse and other things. When does this stop? I need to see a doctor about it but what can they do? I did read here that a lot have found websites that confirm that there is joint pain after meningitis. Could anyone send me some links please?!! I will try to get an appointment here soon to see if this is arthritis or something but its odd that it started shortly after meningitis. I am 39 years old!

Written by
Stephie11 profile image
Stephie11
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
6 Replies
Lippistix profile image
Lippistix

Hello, I dont know about your leg pain, but reading this may help? You can find my 28 year old daughter, Rosie S' Story, via the link on the forum stories from the home page.

We found that cranial massage worked wonders for her. Her job is working with horses on pretty much a daily basis and is very physically demanding.

It is rare for a story to be so positive and we have tried to let people know that this amazing complementary therapy worked for her. It helps release the spinal fluid which VM leaves a blockage for. Rosie is pretty much cured after around 10 sessions coupled with actupuncture, although found awesome relief after only one appointment. She is now free of all pain killers and antidepressants and feels right back to her old self.

We can only let you know what worked for her. It's not for all, but has now given amazing relief for many. It seems the success could be to do with the skill of the cranial osteopath you use. So it is important to find out the osteopaths credentials and experience in this specialised field particularly dealing with VM sufferers, if you can. (Not all osteopaths realise that this helps VM sufferers, it is often carried out on young babies with birthing problems). You need an osteopath and not a therapist who mearly has some training in cranial massage.

If you find you are getting the violent headaches and feeling lethargic and depressed after a few weeks, give this complementary therapy a go, it really could be worth it and save you being on prescribed drugs, along with months, years, of unnecessary suffering.

Kind wishes and best of luck

Reply Like (1)

SUSIEDE profile image
SUSIEDE

Hi, I had bacterial meningitis in August 2017 and was left with various joint issues, knee, shoulder, wrist, hands and with a lot of swelling. Mostly mine are much better now almost 5 months on. Meningitis can cause rheumatoid arthritis so you should see your Doctor for a blood test

Pb111 profile image
Pb111

I am 38 years old female who suffered from viral meningitis just 3 weeks ago it all started with a bad headache and the stiff neck however I started taking ibuprofen thanking the pain will go away after work I went home and took Nyquil to sleep it off after a while I started feeling the pain again so a family member took me to the emergency room at the emergency room they put me on IV of pain medicines which still didn't work they then did a lumbar puncture where they took fluid from my spine the results were viral meningitis I had then went on to take a cat-scan and later and MRI I stayed three days in the hospital they test me from everything from encephalitis zika virus the flu herpes HIV syphilis you name it all test came back negative there were no signs of bleeding on the brain nor were there signs of cancer the doctors told me that the ibuprofen I had taken could have caused that to happen or sometimes people with lupus however I will sent home the pain meds and told to give it 3 weeks at least to take its course it was terrifying I will still in pain I was nauseated vomiting couldn't stand up it felt better when I lie down the headaches for pulsating then later as they is went by I started to feel like a fluttering in my ears now it's messing with my hearing it's so scary I've also had joint pains pain in the knee and the shoulders like a tightening muscle in my neck and upper shoulders the clicking of my bones in my knees I'm also having pain in my lower back where there's numbness in my legs which was told that it could have been caused when doing the lumbar puncture they could have aggravated a nerve which is the sciatic nerve so I am scheduled to see a neurologist pretty soon back to the ibuprofen Aleve are NSAIDs I was told to lay off of those I hope this can be a big help to anyone who's reading it's only been 3 weeks but still scary because not even the doctors know what's going on I'm still letting it take its course and praying to God for healing

Claudeminh profile image
Claudeminh

Hi I had a lot of joint pain, woke me up at night, made working hard etc I had vm 2012 October. After i was diagnosed with central sensitisation of the nervous system as a result. I was put on 25-75 mg endep and it works really well. It somehow over rides the nervous systems pain messages. It's 2018 I'm still on 25 mg a day. It works really well. Don't. E scared to medicate for this as you want to train the brain away from setting up pain pathways. The drs advised gentle cardio. As much as I could safely do. Go easy though, it's too early for you to go hard.

Eli_Acct profile image
Eli_Acct in reply to Claudeminh

Hello, are you still suffering from joint pain? How did they discover you had central sensitization of the nervous system? After being in the hospital for 5 days in early september this year, I am trying to figure out how someone can help me? I am scheduled to see a neurologist in February, not sure what kind of tests are going to be conducted. I feel like because I can walk and talk that people will think I'm OK, but I definitely don't feel ok.

incomeprotection profile image
incomeprotection

I have viral meningitis and encelphilitis twice. I have terrible problems with my knees. I have no cartledge, my knees slip out of place when I walk and I am ate up with arthritis. My orthopedic doctor has refused to do surgery the last 2 Year’s because of my age. So I hurt everyday.

After I had the meningitis and encelphiltis the 2nd time the neurologist told me I would have it every 9 Year’s.

You may also like...

INSOMNIA - after Viral meningitis

in 2020), hopistal have offerd no followups, no adive, no information about after effectes, they...

Recovery after bacterial viral meningitis

shingles which caused my meningitis, initially told it was viral meningitis but because the...

Viral Meningitis- After effects

6 months to recover. VM was diagnosed via lumbar puncture in hospital. At age 59 I was fit and...

Viral meningitis after effects

severe pressure like pain in my head. I'm also suffering with bad fatigue which stops me from being...

Viral meningitis 4 months after

everything. I have more energy now and don't get headaches very often but my body does ache and my...