Viral Meningitis

[KAve125]

I'd like to share my experience with meningits. I hope it provides some sense of comfort to anyone feeling alone in their journey.

I was diagnosed with viral meningitis due to hsv2 being found in my spinal fluid. It took 2 weeks for a proper diagnosis (hospital error). Anyhow, it was diagnosed and treated. For that i am grateful.

The onset occured exactly 1 month on the 4th. I am definitely feeling better than i before, but am definitely not the healed. Currently I am experiencing random bouts of exhaustion, anxiety, loss of memory, etc.

It can be emotionally triggering.

What I find most incredible is how the medical community...(the hospital where I am being abulatorily treated)... has responded. Most if not every doctor ive come in contact with has displayed no sense of emotionally supportive. In fact, they have all said "oh! You are THATP patient!? Your case is well known in this hospital".

Anyhow, I would also like to add to my list of random aftermath what is called a T.I.A. or "mini stroke". This happened exactly one week after finishing my antiviral treatment. I was told that this is a common occurance with meningitis patients. Crazy experience to say the least.

I believe that what is most important for me to do now is to keep as healthy as possible. I am actually seeking assistance from the patient advocacy group at the hospital. I am hoping that they can facilitate the assistance of a nutritionist. I do believe that caring for our bodies via nutrition is key to our best recovery.

Thank you for allowing me to join this forum. I look forward to continued interaction. CHEERS to our betterment.

K.Ave

NYC

USA

11/8/2019

[Bellesmom12]

I, seriously, don't know how doctors can be so clueless and surprised at this diagnosis and know so little about this illness. I live in WV in a town with one stop light. I was diagnosed with viral meningitis (HSV2) in January, 2019. I, personally, know of at least 5 other cases of meningitis (2 bacterial) in my area. This illness is not nearly as rare as everyone thinks. Why do the medical professionals seem so clueless? Once diagnosed, and the acute stage is over they act like all is well. No, the battle has just begun. Also, CDC says 7-10 days. Total bullshit. I had it for approximately 3 weeks before I was diagnosed by lumbar puncture.

I don't know what the treatment would be for all the after effects. But, it would help if the after effects were acknowledged and the possibilities discussed with the patient. I had no idea, but sure do now. I did have a follow up with an infectious disease doctor whose husband had had it. She knew. Told me it was nearly a year before he was back to close normal and justified all my symptoms. Thank God she was there.

[Vmzoster]

Wish you great luck and thanks for posting. I’m 9 months past...better but far from pre-meningitis me...major exhaustion and severe concentration issues (mostly shows up in reading. I read like an 8 year old now.) How did you know you had mini stroke? What were symptoms?

[KAve125 in reply to Vmzoster]

I was closing up at work when i suddenly found it difficult to speak. I felt a numbing sensation to the right side of my face and body. My coworkers pointed out that my face was drooping to one side. It all resolved itself with in minutes. I was driven to the hospital where it was consensed that it had "could" have been a TIA/mini stroke.

It is pretty amazing how we all share similar after effects from the meningitis and yet doctors discount it all to mere anxiety, aura migranes, brain fog. I was told yesterday by the neurologist to see myself a therapist because id already been treated for the meningitis. He said that it is NOTa "chronic" issue. That whatever im experiencing now is unrelated to it.

[Vmzoster in reply to KAve125]

Wow! That is really scary. Sorry you went through that, and you are soooo correct about how frustrating it is that doctors really don't understand the long-term after effects. I stopped going to doctors about this or discussing it with them because they just don't believe it stems from meningitis and didn't exist before and, ultimately, they don't provide any useful information about it anyway. I see plenty of evidence on here about how common, long-term, and derived from meningitis these sequelae really are and that is enough for me. I just eat really well, take supplements, stay hydrated, get exercize, but also try to be as nice as possible to myself when my body just won't move. I do my best with each day. Some are great days and some days I struggle majorly to keep moving. Staying focused is BY FAR the most difficult thing for me now. I really hope one day it is better than it is now but it certainly is better than it was only a few months ago.

[Landlord]

It comes as no surprise to me regarding your comments about doctors/go

18 months post vm/bm and I can’t say as I’ve had a single informed conversation with the medical profession especially my go. I live in the midlands, Great Britain and from what I understand we have 300 cases per year in adults hear, 50% don’t make it, the next 25% result in significant surgical procedure, and the final 25% don’t ever get a good luck badge just pushed out of the door. So if these numbers are correct and the medical people I have been evolved with don’t disagree with them, then 75 people in Great Britain are hung out to dry because zithers just isn’t the information required

[Landlord in reply to Landlord]

Sorry that should be gp not go.......