Hubby had west Nile that turned in VM

[Anne463]

Hello everyone, my husband had west nile virus that turned into viral meningitis

On Sept 1 2018. We had no idea it was that a few days before Sept 1 he was very tired no appetite, the evening before Sept 1 he had high fever and just wanted to sleep. The morning he was not himself he wasnt talking well hard time just walking, he had major diarrhea and didn't even notice he did it in his pjama. I took him to the hospital his BP was low they thought he was having a heart attack or stroke. Did the tests and no I wasn't that. Anyways fast forward they had mo ide what he has they transferred him the next day to another hospital. He was in ICU went into a coma for 3 days stayed in ICU for 7. Had to learn to eat hold a spoon, talking was just word a time. He was transferred outta icu and in a room for 26 days. Home and was back to work 7 months later. He gets very tired. His short term memory is nor very good. He lost half of his hearing. He is not the same person. But happy he is alive. Has anyone else been diagnosed with west nile turning into viral meningitis?

[Cryptococcal_Ninja]

Never had either, but am battling remnants of cryptococcal meningitis and it hit with a wicked toll 1 year ago. Due to nerve damage, etc. it is a life altering illness. For me the memory, thought process came back 95%. Balance/coordination has improved maybe 75%. Overall health drastically improved, but slowly. My hearing is completely gone and may never recover. Even Cochlear implants likely won't because of cranial nerve condition. Over time he should slowly improve as they say brain injury can take years to recover and even then maybe not completely. Being optimistic, determined and sticking to doctor advice/meds and good nutrition are all key...

[Oooomeooooomy]

I had westnile meningitis; diagnosed February this year. I was hospitalized over 2 weeks and now 7 months later I'm back at work. I am constantly battling exhaustion, headaches, trouble remembering small things that recently occurred and have hearing problems as well. My legs and feet still get numb and bowel movements are still a struggle. I think this is just the way I am now.

[WNVYKW]

I had WNV that led to meningitis and encephalitis in August 2014. It took me about a month to recover to be able to do normal day-to-day activities but, even then, I still would get fatigued easily. It also causes me to have nausea and bad reflux for months (never had that before) as well as awful headaches. I also had mild Parkinson’s-like symptoms for several months. For example, sometimes, I could not write certain letters - it wasn’t that I didn’t know the letter, but my hand refused to move to write it. Except for the headaches, the other symptoms pretty much cleared up after 6 - 9 months. The doctors were thrilled with how well I did.

Five years later, I still get horrible headaches, especially when I don’t get enough sleep. My wife says that I am more irritable and get upset easier - and not handle stress as well. It’s hard for me to compare, to be honest, because it’s hard to remember “feelings” but lately I think she may be right. My memory isn’t as good but I’m also closer to 50 than to to 40 now too.

Seeing how other people have had far worse symptoms, I feel fortunate. But I also wonder what toll it continues to take on me.