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[SarahC85]

Hi I am 33 and have just been discharged from hospital 2 days ago after having bacterial meningitis for the 6th time. This time was the worst I have ever been as I also had the blood poisoning as well as pneumonia. I was in intensive care for 2 weeks in an induced coma and after being in hospital for 3 weeks I also got a blood clot so now I am taking life long anti-biotics as well as blood thinning medication. I was I hospital for 5 weeks and I am very weak and my partner has had to take time off work to look after me. I am going to be off work sick for quite a long time probably the rest of this year as the specialist has decided that I need a major operation on my head to try and prevent me from catching this infection again. I feel extremely lucky to have survived this condition so many time but I am struggling financially at the minute and I was wondering whether anybody knows of any financial support I would be entitled to as I also have 2 children to look after?

I would be very grateful of any advice that anybody could give me.

Sarah

[Hidden]

I’m sorry to hear you’ve had to deal with it so many times. I am a four times survivor of cancer so I think us two are ninjas!!

As far as finances go, it is probably worth contacting Meningitis Now to see if they have details for financial support. I know MacMillan have people who help sort out finances and benefits. If they can’t help you, go to your local job centre or citizens advice bureau.

Good luck xx

[Hexy in reply to Hidden]

You come under mental health umbrella as illness was in brain, you should be getting pip, as you are entitled, please phone and apply, if you have got appointment record it!!!!! Tell them you have memory issues,which I'm sure you must have, good luck. Be well, don't be put off you can specifically ask for assessment to be qualified in your illness needs ok. It is your right by law, take someone with you who helps you. Anita xx

[markmorris71]

Hi Sarah I cant imagine going through this 6 times! I had bacterial meningitis back in feb and my recovery seems to have levelled out unfortunately. I am still not able to work or drive or do much of what i could before. Financially I am really struggling too. I wish you well and i am also going to investigate what if any help is available. It feels like catch 22. Need to work to earn but not able to work. It just adds to the immense frustration.

[melpars]

Hi, I wish I had advice for your financial circumstances, as I am in the same position. I live in the U.S. and we have little here to help financially. I was diagnosed with bacterial menangitis the end of April and due to the many side effects I am still not able to return to work. The physician that released me from the hospital warned me that I may have headaches for awhile, but did not tell me about any other side effects that are quite disabling. My primary Dr. isn't knowledgeable about this as most of our U.S. and even CDC sites say side effects are rare and when they do occur usually last a few weeks. I did hours of research thinking something was wrong with me To finally find out that side effects are not rare and they do last a long time. Your post raised a new awareness I did not know.I knew people suffered going through viral menangitis several times in their lives. I did not know you could catch bacterial menangitis several times also. I'm terribly sorry for you, as this is horrible togo through once (bacterial or viral), let alone more than once. Have they gave you any idea why you have caught it this many times. They told me getting it atmy age(51), was very rare.

[SarahC85]

Thanks to everyone who commented on my post from last night. I am going to check out all.the suggestions x