All help an advice welcome

[Chldofakng]

First off,,its not about me with meningitis. Its my husband. He has had viral meningitis 5 times now. He just got out of the hospital about 2 weeks ago. One thing different this tine was he also had pneumonia. Hummm,,thats a new one on both us. Hes almost 58,, a hard worker been at same job 15 yrs. He just not bouncing back this time like the others. Im not sure if its his age or cause of the pneumonia. They sent him home with IV antibiotics. We simply cannot understand why he keeps getting it. We live in Greeneville Tn. No good drs or hospitals here. His dr suggest mabe the mayo clinic or a hospital in Cleveland Ohio. I appreciate any insight an all prayers or just share your stories with this vicious disease. Trying to help him an I'm so helpless. Maybe tour story can help us. Thanks an God bless

[StrawberryCream]

Sounds like your husband may have Mollarets Meningitis. There are a few people on here that do but hoping that Jonad will reply to you and explain about it.

[Chldofakng in reply to StrawberryCream]

Could it still be Mollarets if he doesn't contact it back to back? The 5 times has been over a period of maybe 10 to 12 yrs. Eveytime is a little worse an recovery time is longer.

[StrawberryCream in reply to Chldofakng]

Yes it could be Mollarets. Mollarets is not continuous but separate episodes of viral meningitis. I am sure Jonad will respond.

[StrawberryCream in reply to Chldofakng]

I have sent Jonad a private message highlighting your post.

[Jonad724]

Thanks StrawberryCream

I was diagnosed with Mollaret's in 2010 after a three year battle with my GP for a diagnosis so I hope I can help. Attacks do not have to be back to back my any means, the other name for Mollaret's is aseptic recurring meningitis. Aseptic meaning it is not contagious but basically it is a recurring form of viral meningitis, there does not have to be a pattern to it and there may not be any obvious triggers for it. Out of keeping a journal for a year about when my attacks occurred I worked out that it was triggered by stress, when you run your own company and rescue projects for a living it's a bit of an occupational hazard. It might be worth your husband doing likewise, what was he doing before and attack, what had he eaten etc. Doesn't have to be a novel just a few lines to see if there is a common cause.

Incidentally I had severe pneumonia in August 2017 and then again in February 2018 so I do sympathise but I think that VM does reduce the body's ability to fight infections.

Touch wood I have been Mollaret's attack free for some time now, I have learned to manage my stress and exercise helps, it also helps to avoid pneumonia apparently. Sitting down and being inactive is one of the primary causes which is why elderly people seem to get it more frequently than others. If you wanted to PM me (just click on my profile and then click on 'chat') I'm more than happy to help answer any questions you may have, if I can. Also happy to share my email address with you if that would be easier. Take care, Jonathan

[IRHONDA in reply to Jonad724]

Hi yes the stress is bad for Mollarets, I had so much stress my specialist here in Sydney Australia, told me the worst 2 things for Mollarets and VM is to keep your Immune system healthy and try not to have any stress mmm LOL impossible, the end of last year then early this year that I got so much stress that I ended up with it in Feb I am still feeling low and its taking me a lot longer this time my 5th also to get over it … I have been on daily med's for it since 2014 my last episode.

[Keep-The-Faith in reply to Jonad724]

How long did it take to get over the pneumonia? Just as my vm was letting up after 15 months bedridden I got pneumonia, I'm 67. It's been almost 5 weeks & I'm beyond weak & still coughing up stuff. It's so embedded in my lungs. Any advice or does it just take longer to heal especially since my immune system is low & I'm not 30! No other health problems Thank God.

[Jonad724 in reply to Keep-The-Faith]

It took me a long time to get over the pneumonia but mine wasn't diagnosed the first time for 9 weeks, I even did a half marathon with it, as my doctor thought it was a heart problem as my O2 sats were so high. I was training for a half ironman triathlon and so they would be. I was told the worst possible thing you can do with pneumonia is to be inactive as it then sits on your lungs for longer, there's no pressure to clear it out. To prevent getting it again, I was told if I am going to be inactive for any period of time (I have had severe flu in February two years running) that I should try to get up and walk around for 10 minutes even if I feel like I'd rather curl up and die. I was told that after the second bout of pneumonia in February last year. I wasn't back to fitness really for 4 or 5 months and even then it was a struggle to do anything. Even if you don't feel like it please do try and get up and walk around which helps your lungs to clear the fluid, I'm not thirty either and I'm not far behind you age wise, so I do appreciate it is difficult. Hang in there!

[IRHONDA]

yes it would be Mollarets, I didn't know till 2014 they kept telling me every time I went into hospital that was my 4th time and the specialist did many tests near the end of my stay in hospital and said I do have Mollarets and he also told me that it is life threatening so he said when you get it you must get to hospital asap and tell them that you do have Mollarets so they get to treating me straight away so try and see a really gd neurologist and he will probably tell you that its Mollarets you don't keep getting vm … and its viral so from measles chicken pox herpes ect… good luck stay calm please <3 I have been to my paster and he prayed for me so if you are a Christian and believe in healing go to your Church <3 as I only got it done on Sunday night and I mowed all my lawns yesterday so its helping me …

[yomomma]

I got bacterial meningitis and it's very deadly and almost. Viral meningitis is deadly but I bet your husband wanted just to be dead before. Your supposed to heal almost completely with vital. 5 times? Damn he sounds like the most unlucky guy

[Rowi]

In looking up information on Mollaret's meningitis, I find that nowadays they are tending to call it recurrent meningitis or benign recurrent lymphocytic meningitis (BRLM). I mention this in case this is helpful for others trying to find information.

[Sunny308]

Has your husband taken any anti virals? I take red marine algea, astragulus, lysine and olive leaf daily.

[Getbackjojo1]

Is he taking Acyclavir daily? He should be. I take 400 mg twice daily. The doctor said if I stop taking it, I will get viral meningitis again. I had it three years ago and the Acyclavir has prevented it again so far.