Regressing

[Njc88]

Hi everyone,

I am very thankful for this forum as it's helped me feel less crazy after experiencing viral meningitis in November 2023. I have been getting a lot better; it took me about a month to feel somewhat normal again. It's now about 3 months later, and I got a stomach bug and a cold last week. I've healed from both of those illnesses, but I feel my meningitis symptoms again (headaches, neck pain, brain fog, dizziness). It is not as bad as when I first got it, so I'm wondering if maybe it has just caused me to regress in my recovery. Does anyone have any experience with this? It is really upsetting to be feeling this way again.

Thanks in advance.

[Witchy46]

Hi I had bacterial meningitis last year in May, and only felt well enough to go back to work in January. I’m doing reduced hours but am struggling with tiredness as I’m not sleeping properly. I am constantly thinking in the back of my head, that maybe it’s returning as I have almost got a constant headache, my neck is really stiff and the brain fog is a constant problem making me feel like an idiot while I’m at work as trying to talk to customers is an uphill battle. We all laugh about it and some try to help me out by guessing what word I’m trying to say but it’s frustrating.

In answer to your question I’d say take it slow try to rest as much as possible and keep an eye on your symptoms, I’ve read other people’s experiences on here who had viral meningitis and some have had repeated episodes of the disease. So if they get worse seek medical advice as it could of come back.

Please take care of yourself and hopefully we will all get through it and be well again soon.

[Njc88 in reply to Witchy46]

Thank you for your reply! It has been hard to rest as I have a full-time job and a 1 year old to keep up with. I definitely relate to the anxiety about it returning - when my symptoms started resurfacing I just about had a mental breakdown. But I know time will heal. Sending healing thoughts to you as well

[Walkingintheforest]

i had the same experience,my meningoencephalitis was in march and i had corona in october and then a cold in november and i felt that i am collapsing any minute,it was aweful and nothing to do with a normal flu. I was ill again in december but this itme it all felt normal! So i think it is a matter of time!

[Njc88 in reply to Walkingintheforest]

Thank you so much; that makes me feel better! I think stress played a part in it too - I was really stressed when I first got viral meningitis so I'm trying to take it easy as much as possible. But time will heal!

[C-Northerner]

Hey - very similar timeline to myself… got vm in August, and October I felt a bit better and that was very short lived. I’ve been trying really hard to reframe it as “healing isn’t linear” and it’s not regressing but just the body takes time and viruses do weird things. It’s not a fun rollercoaster by any means and my headache is 24/7 and I’m extremely over it most days. Stay strong, find support (we are all here!) 💕💕 from everyone else’s story I have read, it just takes time ♥️. Sending lots of love your way.

[Njc88 in reply to C-Northerner]

Thank you so much! It's been hard to figure out what's "normal" because it's been so unlike any other illness I've ever experienced. Plus it seems like my doctors don't know what to expect either, or they think I am just having anxiety. I appreciate the support!

[C-Northerner in reply to Njc88]

Ive been feeling the exact same. My doctors haven’t been very helpful either, they are trying so I’m grateful for that. I’ve been keeping a journal of my symptoms everyday and that’s been helpful when I need to relay how things have been going. I’m in the pain management phase I guess - my docs are trying to mitigate the head pain as much as possible so I can return to work in a greater capacity and function more normally. Keep fighting for your health. (Which is annoying to hear but it seems like a consensus based on everyone’s experience in this group)

[Njc88]

thank you so much for your responses, all

[Rossibob1]

When I had VM I found that my immune system was very low for about 8 months catching every bug and cough going about which made me feel awful like before not wanting to get out of bed and brain fog, headaches.

It’s like starting VM all over again for a few days!

Get well soon