Recovery from bacterial Meningitis.

[HusbandhadBM]

Recovery from Baterial Meningitis.

My husband is recovering from BM. It is very stressful not to understand what the after effects are. He has only been out of the hospital for 2 months.

He had surgery to remove a pain pump that had gotten infected. The drs thought they removed it before the infection got in his blood stream. But after we got home from being in the hospital a week i came home from work to find him on the floor unresponsive.

Every time we bring something up to the doctor we are told that it is part of the healing process.

He still has head and neck pain and now a rash all over is body.

I would love any suggestions.

[melpars]

It's been almost 4 months since I was released from the hospital for bacterial meningitis. I was told nothing about side effects upon my release. I asked the Dr. how long the headaches would last because at that time that was the biggest issue for me. The headaches were just horrid. He only replied awhile. I had to be on IV antibiotics at home for 10 more days and assumed after that I would be back to normal and would be going back to work. I soon realized I was still feeling so bad, like your husband, headaches and neck pain and other issues such as extreme fatigue, inability to think quickly and clearly, some short term memory loss, dizzy spells. Any overexertion(which would be nomal activity such as running errands) would lay me down in pain and extreme weakness for a few days. The headaches aren't as extreme now, but i still have them pretty much daily, sometimes better sometimes worse. The neck pain won't go away for me. I get frustrated because nothing will relieve it and it is natural instinct to turn my head to look across or back at someone and it hurts to do that. I'm from the US, but I have spent countless hours searching for answers. It seems the majority of Dr.'s know very little about these side effects. My Dr. was surprised and I think somewhat skeptical at first. Now she is explaining alot to me, so she has been studying on it. I have heard people say their symptoms last from 6 months to a year, and others a lifetime, so I don't know what to expect myself. I do know do not try to push it physically the 1st 3-4 months. Light activity is good because you get so depressed being housebound. But too much will lay you back down. But the rash, I'm not sure about that? Does the Dr. know about that? That isn't something I've come across yet in all I've read of peoples side effects. Would that be a seperate problem, such as shingles? I've been lucky so far and haven't got sick with anything else yet, but apparently, our immune systems are weakened after this disease. That is what I have been told, I'm not a health professional.

[HusbandhadBM in reply to melpars]

Thank you for replying. The fatigue is spot on! And you are correct when saying the doctors seem skeptical, which is very discouraging. You described everything that he is going through. I hate the you are struggling as well but i was excited and encouraged that he is not alone. To the point that i cried just reading your post.

We went back to the ID doctor on Friday and the rash is just random.

Thank you again for your reply!! And I hope your road to recovery continues!!

[Rushaan in reply to melpars]

Wow..it’s almost like I’m reading my own story

Hang in there .. be patient ..accept you have changed ..it’s temporary..

Get MRI done and see a neurologist and take it from there

Surround yourself with positive people and be good to yourself . You have survived this ordeal.

Take it day by day

All the best

Rushaan

[Rushaan]

hi I understand and feel your pain as I had BM in February this year . I have been through hell.

Go see you Gp and let him refer you husband to get a MRI scan done . After that you will have to see a neurologist. Take it from there .

My advice is patience..love ..care and understanding

Very important..the people who has no complications after contracting BM is ten feet under.

Survivors suffer complications..some light and some heavy

My husband is my inspiration as he empowered himself about my condition ..and that is putting light into my dark life

Take care and all the best

Accept..take baby steps and never give up!!

Rushaan