Viral menengitis

[Willypolly]

1 was in hospital for a whole month,doctors found it hard to diagnose my condition,on discharge I was told I had suffered chronic viral menengitis,5 months later I'm still struggling with balance and walking.any advice on what to do I will highly appreciate.

[Gnugoo]

Hi WillyPolly,

My own experience is of sepsis meningitis, and I’ve only been clear of it for a month, so I can’t personally be any use to you. Have you had any therapeutic help since being discharged? I asked my GP for help and was referred to a physiotherapist, who has been helpful - though I do still feel rubbish and anticipate a long haul back to health.

Hopefully I can paste a link here which should take you to a brilliant and comprehensive post by SqueakMouse:

healthunlocked.com/meningit...

If that didn’t work try searching “SqueakMouse”. ❤️

[Willypolly in reply to Gnugoo]

Hi,Gnugoo,thank you so much,just knowing I'm not alone in this battle is such a relief,I go for physiotherapy once a week,there's improvements but very very slow,thanks again -let me check out the link.

[Starry]

So sorry to hear that. I was only in for my viral-meningitis a week.

I wonder it may be worth asking to be referred to a ENT specialist to get checked for any vestibular issues which can cause balance problems dizziness etc? Viral meningitis can cause problems like that. I finally see one in a month I'm 14 months post vm.

I'm also checking out using turmeric and ginger for their anti inflammatory properies.

So sorry not to be able to help more.

[Willypolly in reply to Starry]

Thanks Starry....😊

[kalirachi in reply to Willypolly]

Hi, yes Starry has offered very good advice. It's really worth pressing for an ENT appointment. I had very similar problems; I left hospital after five days with severe dizziness and loss of balance. I was initially diagnosed with a stroke which was wrong, then meningitis/encephalitis which could not be confirmed because they bungled the lumbar puncture and on discharge they changed it to 'chronic migraines'. I couldn't stand on my own or even take a few steps without falling over. It never occurred to anyone in hospital that I could have a vestibular problem! Six months after leaving I saw a neurologist who seemed puzzled as to why I still had severe dizziness and balance problems. I asked him if it could be vestibular related (I had a friend who had experienced a similar problem) and he said it was most unlikely. I pleaded with him for a referral to an ENT specialist just to rule it out which he reluctantly arranged and it came through six months later. The ENT consultant wrongly diagnosed BPPV for which I was referred to the hospitals audiology department for a series of Epley maneuvers which were supposed to reposition the loose otoliths in my ear canals. When these 'treatments' failed and actually made me very much worse they finally carried out a test called electronystagmography and a caloric test which is blowing warm and then cold air into each ear whilst your eye movement are recorded via a camera in a special pair of goggles you wear. The whole procedure was quite painless and took about a hour and a half. In my case the virus destroyed the vestibular nerve to my left hand side which explained the constant dizziness and imbalance. One of the major problems I have learnt is that although vestibular neuritis and labyrinthitis are very common causes of dizziness and balance problems, there are no tests that confirm the diagnosis. Exactly the same is true with BPPV. Physiotherapists can be very helpful but it's important to find one who is qualified in vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) as after an initial assessment they can give you a programme of simple exercises to do at home. Loads of these are available on Youtube. Best of luck anyway for a successful recovery.

[MIAH2000]

14 months into recovery I massively struggle with leg pains due to the meningitis which often creates prevents me from walking. I know this is slightly different from what you’re experiencing however I am having acupuncture and find it is helping every aspect of my health and day to day life. I sleep better, am more positive and the pains in my legs subside quicker.

I went to physio and an osteopath however found it put me in more pain than it was worth after so many sessions.

Hope this helps.