Viral meningitis multiple times: I just went... - Meningitis Now

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Viral meningitis multiple times

Subarugirl profile image
8 Replies

I just went through my 4th time getting Viral Meningitis. I’m curious if anyone else has had this multiple times.

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Subarugirl profile image
Subarugirl
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8 Replies
Chri5ti profile image
Chri5ti

Unfortunately you will find many of us here have had it multiple times. I’m up to six now. Still trying to find out cause, although I’m not sure if I will be able too. I average every 18 months to two years.

NPRocky profile image
NPRocky in reply to Chri5ti

I got only once. I suffered for 5 years. My doctors told me that if I don't take enough rest the virus may return back again. Still I suffering from the attack like vision issue and numbness on all my fingers and toes. I like to know if anyone had similar situation and what we need to do to come of the numbness issue.

Jonad724 profile image
Jonad724

This is a recognised syndrome which is called Mollaret's or aseptic recurrent viral meningitis, aseptic meaning that it isn't contagious I think. I was diagnosed with this in 2010 after a long battle with my GP who told me that I 'couldn't possibly have Mollaret's as it's very rare'. There is a Facebook group dedicated to this called Aseptic Viral Meningitis, if you search on FB you should find it.

It is quite rare, in every 100,000 case of VM 1% are fatal or near fatal (mine was near fatal) and a similar number of VM sufferers go on to develop Mollaret's. As it is very rare there isn't much research although the organisation behind the FB group (which was started as a result of a conversation between the founder and me here funnily enough).

Through a process of elimination I worked out my Mollaret's attacks are caused by stress, not easy to avoid when you are a self employed project manager but I have developed coping strategies to help. There are also some brilliant relaxation videos on YouTube and I personally like the Paul McKenna 'Relaxation' hypnosis CD, also on YouTube I think.

Once I established the cause of the attacks they decreased significantly, naturally I can't avoid all stressful situations all of the time, and I know when they are coming as well due to the prior effects like tingling lips, confusion, stiff neck then the onset of the symptoms if I don't take something to slow it down like co-codamol or dihydrocodeine for the serious ones.

Hope this helps, Jonathan

Buckie3 profile image
Buckie3

It's called Mollarets you may want to check with your doctor to see if NSAIDs set it off .

irene123 profile image
irene123

Hi everyone. I had viral meningitis in Feb 2017 and left the hospital with memory problems, confusion, walked with a cane as I had dizziness, had very low energy, heard a very low frequency sound which resonated in my middle body when it was very quiet, and massive insomnia. Sometimes I didn't sleep for 6 days!

-Since then :

I've stopped the reaction to that low sound by going to someone called a quantum healer. We have one here in New Plymouth , New Zealand. I still hear the sound but it doesn't affect me.

-I have also flown to Australia to a Integrative Practitioner, someone who initially began as an ordinary medical doctor but decided to branch out into dealing with those with chronic conditions. This lady[Dr Sairaah Govindan Haridas] is in Tweed Heads South, NSW, Australia, and she organised a heap of tests for me ranging from cumulative Full Blood Count ,CRP,Ross River Virus,Epstein Barr Virus, Serum Zinc,B12/active B12, Vit D, [by Oligoscan]Mineral Test Report and Heavy Metal Test Report, and EIS scan[3D body scan]. Apparently I have big heavy metal contamination[from my amalgams, and possibly lead paint, and aluminium from my toothpaste.

-While there I was also advised to see Dr Andrew Treloar, a Chiropractor who also specialises in Kinesiology. He determined that I had Epstein Barr, before the tests even came through. He also has managed to lower my dangerously high blood pressure which I've had for 45 years.

-I have chronic Epstein Barr Virus, which has caused what is now diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

-I have been advised to take celery juice daily, in my case 200 mls [organic preferably] as it is antiviral,and removes heavy metals in a safe , non reabsorbed way.

I've also been advised to take Elderberry as it is also antiviral. At double the usual recommended dose.

A week and a half later, I'm sleeping much better[5-8 hours per night] , my blood pressure every day is no higher than 140/80, whereas it was 150-200/95 and never less. I'm able to begin catching up on 3 years of housework, and house/section maintenance. And I'm able to look at getting back to work as a Lab Tech!

Amrita-A profile image
Amrita-A

You poor girl! Did you go to the hospital each time? Were the after effects as long lasting and pronounced each time?

I am petrified beyond words of it returning. I am sure I will die if I go through this again. It will be 2 years in June since I had herpes meningitis and I am not the same person. I have daily headaches and slight nausea, constant fatigue and sleep problems, my brain doesn't work as well and then I get all in a panic because I can't understand and process the things I used to be able to. I'm just not as smart. I'm still light and sound sensitive and very jumpy. My ears ring constantly. Although my vision was extremely blurry when I was sick, it got better to a degree but I now legally must wear glasses to drive.

Please tell me each episode doesn't get worse. For months driving was the most difficult and complex task. I shouldn't have been driving and was too sick to even realize. It is still more difficult than it was before I got sick.

I hope you heal and never have to go through this again.

Much love,

Amrita

Twinkletoes22 profile image
Twinkletoes22

Hi Subarugirl. I'm just reading your post about you having viral meningitis several times. And I, too have had aseptic Viral Meningitis 3 times!! July 5, 2003, July 8, 2006 and again August 20, 2018!! All of them during the hot, summer months for some odd reason. The 1st time I contracted it, I had NO clue what it was, but I was SO VERY SICK, I thought I was going to die! And ALL 3 times, I had the same exact symptoms, yet each bout was a tad bit different than the previous bout. The 1st time, I was so lethargic, and in so much pain, I couldn't stand it. The 2nd time, as SOON as I woke up that morning, I KNEW I had it for some reason, somewhat of an "aura", if you will. I just knew. And the 3rd time, I also knew I had it, but it didn't come on until late in the afternoon, like a bad flu coming on, yet different than the first 2 times I had it as soon as I woke up from sleeping. Each one though, I had the on & off head pressure/migraine/sharp head pains, light & sound sensitivity, loss of appetite, lethargy, very high temp. JUST PAINFUL!!!! Each time, I was hospitalized & quarantined. And each time, I was confused, dazed POST viral meningitis. My 3rd bout, after I was released from the hospital, and recovering, I had bad double vision, and it took three times more time to recover than the 1st two bouts, and I had less painful symptoms than those times, too. I am currently taking valacyclovir for lifetime preventative treatment.

Bellesmom12 profile image
Bellesmom12

I was diagnosed 3 years ago. I had it for a month before diagnosis and antivirals started. Sooo that is crap when we are told it will usually go away in like 2 weeks by itself. Still have bad days but I assume it is from the initial illness. Who knows? My head is still so foggy some days I could be president of the United States.🙂

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