Hi. I was diagnosed with Viral Meningitis end August. Was in Hospital for 2 weeks.
I was discharged and spent 3 days home resting. For 2 days I went to work only half day. The 3rd day I was back full time. Unfortunately I had no choice but to work as my sick leave was already exhausted. I was now owing my Company time. I was still weak, stayed tired and suffered from headaches and bad pressure in my head still every day. I did not have much of an appetite either.
As the days go by it is improving a bit. But I have noticed that my memory is not so good anymore. I get frustrated and irritated. I forget what I want to say at times. I am battling to sleep even though I feel so exhausted most of the time. I have noticed recently that I am extremely emotional. I suffer in general from Depression and I am on medication. There has been a few challenges in my life lately that I needed to deal with. I put this being so emotional down to this.
At the moment, life in general is normal as it could be and I am still an emotional mess. It comes over me like waves. I will be working or just relaxing with a cup of coffee and then I have these emotional waves wash over me. I am in tears on a daily basis almost, but not crying hysterically or like for hours. This is really worrying me a lot.
Is there anybody else experiencing this?
Advice if I may - I did it for 2days - Go back to work gradually - say day 1 you go in for 2Hours and each day you stay a bit longer. You will build up some strength, get work done a bit and get to rest too.
I really hope that all of us out here suffering from Post Meningitis effects can get the help we need.
Thank you
But as you can see, this forum absolutely positively most DEFINITELY has an abundance of both advice AND support, so as long as you’re in recovery (and beyond:), you can count on this group to have your back:)
To begin with, I’m deeply sorry that you’re going through such a difficult time; few physicians seem to understand or appreciate how severe and long-lasting symptoms can be once the infamous “10 days to 2 weeks” recovery window has come and gone (nor do many of them believe that such experiences are possible, unfortunately—especially because most medical school programs teach that viral meningitis is relatively “benign”, and therefore “much less disabling than others forms of meningitis”). But as you can see from the number of people that belong to this chat group—and from the personal experiences that some of those people have already shared—a diagnosis of viral meningitis can indeed be extremely disabling (in fact, more often than not), both during the “acute” phase of the first ten days to two weeks post-diagnosis, and in the weeks and months beyond. I myself have been diagnosed with this illness more times than I can count; I don’t make antibodies to the VZV virus, so I’m constantly coming down with its various effects (shingles, VZV meningitis, etc.), especially because I also have an immmunodeficiency that makes it even more difficult for my system to subdue the infection once it appears, or to suppress it like a healthy immune system would, and thereby preventing outbreaks of the virus. And as a result, I’m all too familiar with the various forms and effects of the illness, so I can confirm that the advice and information that other people have posted in response to your questions are absolutely accurate:):). Therefore, I won’t drown you in details that you’ve already read by addressing your questions myself; however, I did find some scientific research that validates and supports the personal experience that you and I and the other posters in this thread all share, and based on that personal experience, I found it to be absolutely accurate, informative, and validating—and I’m hoping that it willl be the same for you:):). The document was written for a website concerning TBI’s (Traumatic Brain Injuries)—more specifically, ABI’s (Acquired Brain Injuries). That’s because meningitis is indeed a form of brain injury; therefore, its symptoms and effects (both in the immediate aftermath of diagnosis, and in the weeks and months post-diagnosis) mirror those following a head injury. That’s why you’ve been dealing with headaches, fatigue, memory problems, extreme and uncontrollable moods, unusual emotional outbursts, changes in appetite, and more—all these symptoms are typical for ABI’s, so it makes perfect sense that they would be typical symptoms for meningitis as well (that’s certainly been my experience, and judging from the replies that other people have posted inn response to your query, it’s been the experience of countless others that have been diagnosed with VM as well). Therefore, it’s the rule rather than thhe exception that medical professionals of all stripes take care to describe these symptoms in detail to patients with head injuries prior to discharge from the hospital, and warn them that the road to recovery will likely be erratic and difficult—and that as a result, they shouldn’t be surprised or concerned if such symptoms occur, or if they happen to linger for weeks or even months from the day of their injury. Unfortunately, for the reasons I described earlier, very few doctors ever dispense similar information or advice to VM patients prior to discharge, even though they are more likely than not to experience them, given the fact that it is indeed an acquired brain injury. As a result, those of us who have experienced VM very often experience shame, confusion, fear, self-doubt, and/or embarrassment (not to mention the depression, the deep sense of loss, and the concern that we might never return to our “old self”, and therefore to have a chance to have the skills, social or romantic life, careers, hobbies, or relationships), because no one told us to expect these symptoms and to consider them normal when they occur. Without that vital information, we all too often end up pushing ourselves too hard, criticizing ourselves too harshly, drowning in shame too often, and being overwhelmed by fear too repeatedly. It’s a scenario I’ve experienced all too often (as have many other VM patients), and I’m sure it’s resulted in irrevocable scars and irreparable heartbreak for every last one of us. So try not to beat up on yourself with harsh criticism, or to scare yourself with catastrophic images and “what-ifs” regarding your future—because as scary, painful, exhausting, confusing, and disabling as your symptoms have been, they are most definitely and inarguably absolutely normal :):). So you are not alone in your experience, and you don’t have to worry that your case is somehow an aberration, and therefore dooming you to a lifetime of disability, decline, and disappointment. Nothing could be further from the truth:):). That’s not to diminish the difficulties and suffering you’re enduring at the moment (goodness knows, I myself am STILL struggling with the fallout from my most recent bout of meningitis of three months ago); I just wanted to reassure you that no matter what your doctor or your significant other or certain websites say, you’re not expected to be symptom free and back to your previous level of activity/capability in ten to fourteen days—and if your symptoms do indeed persist beyond that window, and anyone in your life insists upon denying your experience and shaming you with their judgement and expectations, know that it is they and not you who are misinformed:):). In fact, I highly recommend printing out several copies of the article I’m going to post a link to, so if a time should ever arise that your doctors or family members or friends blame you for your continued symptoms, deny their reality (or the fact that they can be severe and long-lasting), or insist on pushing you beyond your limits or shaming you with narrow-minded and inaccurate opinions (you know the type: “I’m only saying this because I love you”; “Shouldn’t you be out of bed/back to work/exercising more/going out with friends? I’m just worried that you’re going to get pneumonia laying down so much/will lose your job being on sick leave for so long, and then how will you pay your rent or afford your bills or avoid becoming homeless and destitute?/won’t be able to walk anymore due to muscle atrophy/will lose all your friends because nobody likes a sick person..”:):), you can just give them a copy of this print-out, and save yourself from certain physical exhaustion and emotional shame—on top of the physical exhaustion and emotional shame you’re already grappling with—that such tirades and onslaughts inevitably trigger...it’s hard enough to take care of your own needs at the moment, much less having to shoulder anyone else’s, particularly when they have no empathy for what you’re going through, and they aren’t the ones who are sick:):)
Post viral meningitis symptoms
Post viral Meningitis
Viral meningitis post 10 years. 
How is anyones post viral meningitis exercise program going?
3 months post viral meningitis and suffering after effects (sensory overload) 
So sorry to hear you’re struggling. Your symptoms are so similar to mine and I can really relate to how you’re feeling.
I hope that things become easier for you. Just try and take every day at a time and listen to your body.
I have terrible memory and struggle with my words .. especially when I am really tired (which is most of the time).
I was an emotional roller coaster but that’s one thing that has eased a bit as long as I don’t push myself too hard.
I have found that before I could multitask and think nothing of it .. now it’s almost impossible. It’s these things that seem to have the biggest affect on my body and the strain on my brain, causing emotions.
Get well x
Hi hun.
Thank you for replying. It is good to know I am not alone. Sorry that you struggling too.
Some days are better than others. I try to take it easy, but my work can become stressful. I get placed under a lot of pressure. Employers in South Africa don't all worry much about employees. It's all about work. So it's difficult for me to explain to them to understand that I need to take it easy.
I'm in general a very active person and can handle a lot - multitask, now I struggle too. It is not easy.
Hope and pray that all gets better soon for you.
Xxx
You too!
I ended up printing out some information from The meningitis now website and providing it to my employer so they could see it in black and white from someone else!
It’s worth a try!
X
That's a great idea. I will see how it goes and do the same if they continue giving me a hard time.
Xxx
I know exactly where you are at. Going from being articulate, goal orientated mother of 2, who never found a challenge I could not tackle to this person.....I don't know or recognise, is a heartbreaking reality that I wish I could escape. It's lonely and I struggle with most people thinking I am making it up or want to stay stuck.
If they only knew the daily struggle just to BE ME NOW.
Not to hate myself. I never ever have hated myself. This person I am now is a stranger that honestly, I don't want to know.
We need support or a time machine? Haha.
I send much love to all who are walking this path. Hold on even when you are weak. 💞
Thank you for this. Whilst I am much better after 2 years, you have reminded me of all I battled through & help me to recognise the remnants of the attack .