One swollen ankle

[MissisF]

Ever since I had Meningitis (& meningococcal septicaemia) 20 years ago, I periodically ( few times a year) get a puffy swollen left ankle. Right one normal size. . I was lucky that I recovered fully from the illness 😃 but this ankle is starting to worry me as I’m now older. I haven’t raised it with a GP for years when I was sent for a scan & they said it was nothing. Anyone else had this or know if it’s a meningitis thing?

[Mads1975]

Hello, I had TB meningitis 13 years ago and also have a swollen left ankle. I had always presumed that this was related to the blood clot I acquired behind my left knee whilst I was in hospital.

I spoke to a nurse at my GP surgery earlier this year who simply told me to take a Furosemide tablet daily to reduce the fluid.

I’m not overly satisfied with the answer tbh and would be interested in any other answers.

[ABWright]

So interesting! I had bacterial meningitis following brain surgery for hemorrhagic stroke 9 1/2 years ago. For the past three years, I’ve had intermittent swelling of my left leg. Nothing on the right but the left swells so much I sometimes need a shoe 1.5 sizes larger than normal. I’ve been tested for a million things, including heart failure, and don’t seem to have any blockages in veins or lymph system so they can’t explain it. I wear a compression stocking when it gets really bad but take no medication. I never thought about a meningitis connection.

[Lorna26]

Hi - this is such an interesting post! I had pneumococcal meningitis 9 years ago, when I was 32 and been fortunate enough to make an all round pretty good recovery apart from a few bits & bobs. And swollen ankles are one of those things. Both of mine intermittently (fairly frequently) swell up. Sometimes it's just one, sometimes both. I had right sight paralysis when ill and do tend to think the right side is worse. My left side started to go, so it's like any damage is not quite as bad but it still happens to that one too. Never had a great explanation from any meds I've spoken to. The closest I've ever been given is 'venous insufficiency' due to probably nerve damage sustained with the meningitis. During that, I did have serve pains in my legs, amongst other stuff. Not been told how to deal with it but I know I have to elevate my ankles / legs when it happens and try to avoid long periods sitting / standing. I do tend to wear compression leggings commonly these days in the hope it helps too.

Keen to hear others stories and tips on what works too! Take care everyone xx