Bacterial meningitis and hair loss

[BMMSwarrior]

Has anyone else experienced severe loss of hair post bacterial meningitis?I appreciate I have had a near death experience, my family was called in at one point during my 3 week stay in hospital, but I feel my strategies for stress management are coping well, and 3 months on from the fun and games I had hoped the hair would stop dropping out.

Has anyone else read that a side affect of treatment may be that medication metabolites can 'switch off' the hair follicles?

Has anyone else experienced this?

If this is the case so be it, I am grateful to have survived, but if it is unrelated maybe I need to look into other causes.

[vickimac8]

I also am suffering with a lot of hair loss and I had Bacterial meningitis and Sepsis in August of last year?

Like you said we are lucky to be alive but I’m suffering from a lot aches and pains, headaches and brain fog too so would love to hear any experiences from others too?

[ukwilky in reply to vickimac8]

Hi Vicki,

Glad you are getting better. Recovery will take time and I mentioned on my last post. If you haven’t already, register with Headway (it’s a charity for brain injury, meningitis counts as severe. Sur to the swelling of the brain) for cognitive rehab.

recovery takes quite a while, your body has had a shock and takes time to recover.

With the tiredness and brain fog, I found time restricted eating, made me more alert!

Take naps, if you need them. Though, no longer than 30 minutes

Also get yourself some CBTtherapy, to help you process what has happened.

Hang in there! 👍

[vickimac8 in reply to ukwilky]

Hi

Thank you so much for your reply and will definitely look into the headway charity, it’s nice to know there is some sort of support out there.

I am just amazed that no after care was put into place after I came out of hospital and I unfortunately had no idea what a long haul this would become.

How long has it taken you to feel more like yourself? And has it affected you day to day and at work etc?

Thanks again for the support

[menchild]

Yes I lost 1/3 of my hair post bacterial meningitis, quite distressing. The body's immune system shuts down the hair follicles to redirect blood n nutrients to healing where it is vital. Mine has grown back and is lovely n healthy again. Its called Telogen effluvium. I am 3 years post BM and sepsis. Its been a challenging journey with fatigue, lots strange sensations and headaches. The headaches have eased considerably. I really have to pace my days and not do too much. Stress good or bad sets off headaches eg too much happy excitement can trigger! I have had a lot of homeopathic treatment which has been so helpful. Dont worry, just eat well and rest as much as you can. I look after my health with diet low in processed foods and full of fresh fruit n vegies. I walk every day 3 to 5km. I listen to my body n if it needs rest... I do my best to honour that need. I have had to learn to say NO. 😘

[Threecube in reply to menchild]

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of homeopathic treatment has helped you?

[menchild in reply to Threecube]

I have had constitional treatment from a classical homeopath. This is deep healing that stimulates the body's immune system to heal itself. Each individual may be prescribed a different remedy as remedy is matched to your symptoms. I am so grateful 🙏.

[JLJB]

I had erhilichia (a rare bacterium) meningitis in 2019 that included liver and kidney failure from sepsis. I spent 3 weeks in the hospital and another 3 weeks in rehab. Two months after returning home I began losing my hair. Severe illness can cause this. (I wish somebody had warned me!) I gradually lost at least half of my hair, so I had it cut very short and bought a couple of wigs. It did start growing back, but came in very curly. So I resigned myself to living with curly hair. Then about a year later, it started growing back normally. Now it is completely back to what it was before my illness. I too am blessed to have survived with almost no long-term effects. (The only issue I continue to experience is a feeling of dizziness when I turn quickly.) But recovery is a long process, so don't overdo it and be patient.

[Anne-P]

I had bacterial meningitis in February 2018, blue-light ride to hospital after being found semi-conscious at home (I live alone). Was extremely ill, lost my hearing (some returned) but was lucky to survive. A few months later my hair started coming out in handfuls and I lost most of it over the next few weeks. Fortunately, within a few months it grew back - thick, shiny and very healthy! Was told it's a common after effect of severe illness, caused by shock, and the hair usually regrows. Hope yours does too!

[Threecube]

Hi there. I had bacterial meningitis about 10 years ago and yeah I had some hair loss that lasted about 2 1/2 years. Once I was able to reduce my side effects by exercising, eating better and drinking lots of water throughout the day, my hair loss stopped and I grew back my hair. So don't feel this is going to be a permanent thing. It's just about getting your body to feel like it's not under stress/under attack anymore.

[ukwilky]

Hi,

Welcome to the Sepsis/Meningitus survivors club. I’m glad you pulled through.

From what you mentioned, you had a similar experience to me. I had sepsis and meningitis and had total organ failure.

It’s takes a good year or two for your immune system to recover and you hair to grow back. You will also have black lines under your nails. This is caused by severe trauma.

Get yourself registered with Headway, as they can support you with cognitive rehabilitation. As I got acquired dyslexia and a few others.

I also had CBT, as I had PTSD. This is normal for ICU patients.

Be patient and don’t be fobbed off by anyone. Get all the help you need.

Just give it time.

It’s good to talk to someone who has been through it. So use this forum.

[Huff92Orr89]

yes I am recovering from bacterial Meningitis for the second time in 5 years. Was hospitalized on the 13 th of November of 2022. I have noticed so much hair loss but since I upped my protein intake it seems to have stopped.

Your body needs extra nutrients to heal all the damage from the stress of the infection. I hope this will help . Good luck to you 😃

[Shameless]

I was 61 when i got bm I was in a coma for 3 weeks i spent a few weeks in hospital then I went in to a rehabilitation to help me walk again it took me a few years to feel OK I suffer from anxious and if I feel ill it makes me scared I didn't have any promblems with my hair falling out I would get it checked I hope you get sorted soon and you make a speedy recovery