Headaches after vital meningitis.... willing to try anything...

[Lauraami]

I had viral meningitis April last year. Ended up in hospital 11 days and took a good 8 weeks to feel semi normal again. Ever since I’ve suffered with permenant ringing in my right ear and awful headaches. They can be anything from twice a week to once every 3 weeks.

Normally I get pain behind my right eye, and a horrendous all over headache. I’ve been seeing my GP and tried various medications, nothing seems to be helping!

Last night I was sat at work and I could feel my head ‘starting’ so I took triptans, paracetamol and ibuprofen as normal, within a few hours I my vision was blurred and could barely move my head. The pain was awful, took some codeine which usually helps a little (don’t like taking it but carry it round as back up!). Long story short I ended up in a&e on morphine (again) as just couldn’t cope with the pain and nothing was helping.

I have 2 small children so rest is limited but it’s really starting to affect home/social/work life- can anyone who’s maybe been in a similar situation recommend anything that has helped them?

Thank you in advance (sorry for the long post!)

[Tomcar]

Hi Laura I had VM in December 2016, recovery took months but was left with horrible headaches, I saw a really good neurologist, try and get an appointment with one if you can, for me it was something as simple as sorting out my posture which worked wonders, the VM had caused me to adopt a bad posture as I was tensing up because of the headaches which then caused further headaches. I still have a low level constant headache but is something that I can ignore without using painkillers, hope you feel better soon

[Lippistix]

Hello, 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

[Helpman]

Hi I had vm two years in a row you have to slow down you shouldn't have started doing anything for 3 month so now listen to your body if it hurts stop I am at 6 month my last mv and just starting to get to feel that I am about 50% back it takes time .Good luck helpman

[BabsK]

Hi. I had VM in May 2017 and have had recurring severe right sided migraine since. I also get a stuffy nose with it. My GP diagnosed cluster headaches and prescribed Sumatriptan which has really helped. I also do gentle yoga 4 times a week. The headaches are now much less frequent (maybe one or two a month) and I’m feeling pretty much back to my usual self.

[Snoop23]

Had vm last april as well and still suffering from some pain but honestly what works for me is cannibis, i eat about 15 mg and my body relaxes soo much and the next day i feel great. Alot of ppl are afraid of going this route but its nothing compared to the come down from opiates or any other prescription ive been on.

[EriktheRed in reply to Snoop23]

Yes.... I second this....

[Jeffthe]

What seems to make the headaches worse or better?

Are they better when you lay down?