3 Months post viral meningitis

[Twhite9118]

I’ve been a member for a few months now, trying to get advice from others or just to read everyone else’s stories. Here’s mine...

The end of May I noticed I had swollen glands in the back of my neck and a bad headache. Took some ibuprofen and forgot about it. A few days later I was having neck pain along with the worst headache I’ve ever felt in my life. Ended up going to the ER only to be diagnosed with a migraine. A few days later I noticed my neck was stiff and was having a hard time walking. Thankfully I work with an amazing doctor and coworkers who told me to go back to the ER. Once I got there they advised to do a spinal tap. After 5 unsuccessful pokes they finally were able to collect spinal fluid that had shot across the floor and all over the doctor. He yelled for help telling everyone to get on masks including me. I was given a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebi which is basically an unexplained reason for increased fluid in the brain. Five minutes later nurses and doctors come in dressed in full gowns, masks, gloves and glasses. Which scared the hell out of me obviously. I was then given the diagnosis of meningitis and was immediately placed in an isolation room. I spent the next week in the hospital not sure if I was ever going to see my kids again, thinking I was going to die. Every time I would try and stand up the pressure in my brain was so intense I couldn’t see, I couldn’t keep anything down and was ready for it to all end. I was done. I didn’t want to go through the pain anymore. A few days later I improved soo much! I was able to keep food down and was able to lay flat and not feel the neck/head pain. Doctors were convinced it was Viral so I went home the following day only to be left with this pain in my head and neck and just not feeling well. A few days later My daughter wanted to celebrate her 1/2 birthday so of course we bought a cake and sang happy birthday. I noticed the right side of my face felt weird, numb and tingly. I looked in the mirror and realized my face was droopy and I couldn’t use any of the muscles on the right side of my face. I tried not to panic knowing I will probably have to go back to the hospital. I ignored it out of fear but 3 days later I had no improvement and went back to the hospital and was then diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Relieved that it wasn’t anything too serious I went home and continued to recover. Fast forward three months later, tons of doctors appointments and back to my “normal” schedule, I’m still not “normal”. I don’t think I’ll ever feel normal again. I have intense head and neck pain some days and some days I feel like me. Some days I have double vision and other days I see perfect! The emotional toll it has taken on me is huge. I don’t feel like I’m improving anymore and I feel more stuck then anything. Most doctors are not very educated on Meningitis and seem to shrug it off like no big deal. I feel like I’m done recovering and this will just have to be the new me. I’m trying to learn how to just deal and make necessary changes to help my self get better. Taking zinc, b12, probiotics, magnesium and celery juicing seems to be helping A LOT.

Long story short, trust your body! If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t! A few doctors are certain this was from a mosquito but we’ll never really now exactly how I got it.

[Vmzoster]

I’m so sorry. Yes this illness is horrible. I and so many others are with you in this. I am horrified that they sent you home so quickly. You should at least have been in the hospital a few days to get IV fluids, anti virals if there are any that work on the type you had, and hospital strength pain meds, then continued anti virals at home. I am a former athlete and so pretty coordinated but my balance, coordination and motor movement were terrible for quite a while. I was told I could drive after a couple weeks and there was no way!! My reaction time was so slow and my brain was not working fast enough to take in all that we need to take in quickly while driving. I didn’t drive even for a couple months. I hope you recovery. It’s all scary. I’ve been through a ton of pain but so far none of it compared to vm

[Princess123456]

I agree with you about trusting your body. Nobody knows your body like you. I’m sorry you had such a rough time. I will try the celery juicing. I am taking a multi vitamin but I suffering from anemia and at my age I can not have a lot of iron. I am also a vegetarian so I need to really try to get more nutrients.