VM AGAIN ?????? 😩

[Debcorn]

In now 18 months post VM, I’m told mine came from having shingles , then a colsaw , 8 weeks later I had head pain , neck pain and then a fever and was taken by ambulance to hospital .

After 10 days in hospital and a long slow recover I still suffered from occasion head pains , 3 day migraine s and several other ongoing s symptoms

My problem now is , I have had a migraine for almost 7 day s , neck pain and stiffness in my wrists , no fever but I’m terrified this could be the start of it again ????? I’m scared to speak to my doctor or go into a surgery here un the Uk because of COVID and also I know the only way to tell is a lumber puncture .

The doctors have given me IMIGRAN , but I still have the head pains and constant headache , any advice ????

Thank u all

X

[Jonad724]

I had near fatal VM in 2002 and so I hope my experience can help. It is possible to have VM more than once, if you have more than three attacks it's general referred as Mollaret's Meningitis or aseptic recurring meningitis. I was diagnosed with this in 2010.

It is though common in VM recovery, and bear in mind that recovery can be measured in months and years not days and weeks as some doctors will tell you, for the symptoms to recur especially if you have done too much or exhausted yourself. It doesn't necessarily mean that the VM has come back it can be just your brain reacting to the after effects of the attack. 18 months post an initial VM attack isn't really that long. Really the only thing you can do, even if it is another VM attack, is rest, rest and when you've rested then rest some more.

I am privileged to be a volunteer Community Ambassador for Meningitis Now with a special interest in supporting people who have had VM so if I can help further or you have any questions please PM me. I also wrote a series of blog posts following my recovery which you may find interesting, just click on my profile and then click on posts.

Take care, Jonathan

[Naomi1234 in reply to Jonad724]

Sorry to hear your pain. So good that you volunteer for such a needed charity. You are certainly not alone with your pain. I had VM in August 2019 and I am still having excruciating headaches daily which is affecting my quality of life. Doctors just say take paracetamol and ibuprofen. I am fighting to get referred to a neurologist. Hope your pain eventually subsides.

[Chri5ti]

I’m so sorry you’re in so much pain. I’ve had VM 7 times over 15 years. I am also a migraine sufferer from before having VM. I can always tell when it’s a flare up vs a migraine. The old standard “chin to chest” is one difference for me. If I sit up and try to touch my chin to my chest, with a migraine there is no change. With VM it is excruciating. I also feel VM into my back a little, not just my neck. I e actually never ran a fever so I have to really listen to my body.

I hope you figure out what is right for you. Not sure how the UK works, but I found having a good neurologist really helped me. I had to play around with migraine meds till I found the right one for me. Since VM I now have headaches several times a week. Before I could go months in between. VM is the proverbial “gift that keeps giving”. 😕

[Clarkjo]

Unfortunately it can be recurring. But without the fever. I refuse to get lumbar because of the added pain, just say no. We have to be quite persuasive with our doctors.

Also, Lots of rest, quiet low light, supplements, acupuncture, aromatherapy. There is some herbs that might help your specific symptoms if you ask a natural doctor. Those are the things that helped me when the doctors couldn't. Best of luck.