Hi everyone I was diagnosed with viral meningitis on March 1st of 2018 it is now only the 26th I was in the hospital for 6 days went home with an IV for the antiviral medication after I finish that now I am on the pills which I am almost finished with. I have lately noticed that I am extremely anxious I have depression and my mood swings have changed I am a bit more snarky and rude and grumpy than I was before. also noticed that my activity can only be about 3 hours before I become extremely exhausted get headaches, my vision becomes blurred and I begin to feel like I'm in a fog like I'm out of it or something. I have a very high metabolism and have lost 11lbs I'm trying to gain it back but it's difficult as I need to do weight training. I want to go back but don't feel I can yet. I am 35 years old and a mother of 7. During getting sick I ended up leaving my job because of the fatigue. My job isn't a lot of heavy lifting but it is very physical and a lot of driving. When I do to much I end up with the head aches, the dizziness the fatigue and spaces out feeling with blurred vission. But now I am getting ear pain and my jaw has been hurting too what is going on? Im so scared I will never be normal. I keep trying to tell my fiance but he doesn't seem to understand he thinks it's my anxiety. But it's not I know the diffrence. I also have vertigo and fibromyalgia life is such a struggle right now any advice? What can I do to get my energy back can I start exercising again?
Kellzlucky7 : Hi everyone I was diagnosed... - Meningitis Now
Kellzlucky7
Do not exercise. Your body needs sleep. You have had equivalent to a brain injury. I was I hospital 9 days and slept for 3 months after. Then rtnd to work part time and full time at 6 months. That is 4 yrs ago. I feel my memory is different and if I over do it i wl still get tired but much better. Be good to urself. Let ur fiance read these posts. All the best
I had near fatal VM in 2002 so I hope I can give some insight. First and foremost as LittleDove said you absolutely must rest, meningitis is pressure being forced onto your brain and can indeed result in a brain injury, it happened to me. Your body needs to rest and if you keep going as you did before there is a significant risk that your recovery will take a lot longer or you could relapse. You may have to also change what 'normal' means but you are in the very early stages of recovery and please don't believe doctors when they say you should be fine in two weeks or that VM is no more serious than flu.
The best way I can describe VM is like someone hitting the 'reset' button on your fitness. If you broke a leg you wouldn't go back to strenuous exercise the minute the plaster came off and this is, I think, how you should view VM. You have had a potentially serious illness and whilst I understand you're desperate to be back to normal, you must listen to your body and slow down. Imagine if you drove a car at 70mph all the time with only two cylinders out of six working, at some point it will go bang in a big way but it sounds like that's what you're trying to do.
VM recovery is a game of patience I'm afraid. Good luck, Jonathan
Absolutely agree 100%. I lost 2 stone in 3 weeks whilst in hospital. Nope, wasn't a fad diet it was meningoencephalitis.
Best advice my Doctor gave me; "If you're tired, sleep" I'm 10 years on from it now and all is just about normal, well as normal as I'll ever be 
I do think that any undue stress makes me really tired, however, sometimes I just need 30 minutes sleep to get things good again.
My mantra has always been that I was lucky to survive, not unlucky to become ill.
I did a similar fazed return to work though. Remember it can be a fatal illness, just take it easy. Frustrating now, but you'll get the rewards later...
Hi take it easy for at least 6 week no stairs or picking up heavy lifting listen to your body if it hurts stop things will get better I know I had vm two year in a row everyday get better God bless helpman
Thank you every one I am extremely depressed right now as my weight is so low and I can't do anything about it right now. I'm trying to be patient but it's never been an easy thing for me. I used to do karate and go to the gym and I'm constantly running around taking care of 7 kids and working full time. VM has stopped all of that and my world has completey turned upside down. I appreciate all your responds and advice I am more than thankful because I really didn't know all of this. I guess one step at a time.
thank you too for being so open and honest. i found this page because my 1-2 week prognosis is up and i still have symptoms. i will pray for you and your family and i hope you will for me as well. i will have to see my doctor again tomorrow and if i can get any helpful advice or treatment i will be sure to share on my page.
Thank you I will pray for you as well. It is so important for all of us to support each other and post our experiences it seems only people who are going through it or have gone through it understand our situation.
It’s Way to soon to push yourself , I relapsed after VM , doing way to much to soon. Let your body heal, sleep, healthy eating , Mediterranean diet. & be easy on yourself. I’m 5 yrs post VM, make bone broth smoothies , exercise & get plenty of sleep now, If I overdo it, my body reminds me of the trama of VM. Be good to yourself, the healing process takes a while!.....🙏
Thank you so much. It's hard for me to accept this I was always so active I miss karate the gym and being active with my kids. Lately all I can do is cry and sleep
I totally understand , the only people who understand this disease , are the people who have contracted it. I was a international flight attendant , who exercised & did yoga every other day. I have since retired , I’m 62, but back to the gym & feeling gr8. You will get there one day at a time, It’s a slow process. Sleep is essential to heal!!
I Totally forgot to tell you that I also see a chiropractor , he has helped me tremendously with all the side effects of VM. My morning power smoothy consists of almond milk, bone broth protein powder, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, Greek yougurt,Tumeric, Cinnamin, kale or spinach! Half before yoga, half after! Amazing energy results!! You will heal!!
Thank you so much!!
The all too common scenario is that after a few days in hospital the patient is told they will recover at home with rest after a couple of weeks. Patients are wrongly told that it can be like recovering from a dose of influenza. When after several weeks or months there is no evidence that any recovery is taking place and even more disturbing symptoms seem to appear the patient quite naturally becomes anxious and depressed wondering what's actually wrong with them and fearing they are not recovering at all. This anxiety and inevitable depression is exacerbated by the total lack of support and understanding within the medical profession. Subsequent follow up appointments with neurologists tend to increase the anxiety and frustration when as in my case they refer to negative MRI scans and tests and intimate that as six months has passed, the lingering problems must be caused by anxiety and depression and the problem is psychosomatic. Trying to explain to them that one has never suffered with anxiety or depression is a waste of time. Trying to explain to them that any normal person who is told they will recover in a couple of weeks and still has continuing and worsening problems six months later would make anyone anxious and depressed is also a waste of time. They are undoubtedly bright enough academically to pass their medical exams but seem to be unable to think outside of the box.
It seems like no one understands unless they are goinfnthrough it. I am so thankful for the support and understanding in this group. I'm tired of hearing from everyone oh you're fine you are recovering it's just your anxiety you were depressed before or I'm overreacting. I know my body though I may not understand what's going on with it I know it is not my anxiety I know when something is wrong.
I'm sorry to hear this but welcome to the club of survivors! I had it when I was 18 months old and grown up with the symptoms you describe all my life you just learn to live with it say hello to a lot of pain killers coming your way with the head aches I take home brand ibuprofen because it's easier on the stomach because you have to take them so regularly I'm sorry to hear about everything that's happened and I wish you all the best of luck I'm sorry about the bad news as well!
I am so so sorry you were so young I can't imagine a whole life of struggling and fighting. You sound like a fighter and it gives me hope. I am learning from everyone and I appreciate all the advice I really do it helps.
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
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