Streptococcal Bacterial Meningitis

[Fjreed23]

Hi, everyone! I was admitted to the hospital on March 11 and diagnosed with Streptococcal Bacterial Meningitis and hospitalized for 17 days. Just released last Thursday. This was all brought on by an ear infection that I guess turned into meningitis. I had all the tests and scans and was told I was lucky and my brain and everything was fine, that I should make a full recovery. My legs and muscles feel weak still after being bed bound in the hospital for almost 3 weeks. As my legs get stronger, I’m noticing leg/foot tingling that I’ve never had before. It seems worse when I move my neck down towards my chest. I was wondering if anyone had that happen, if it goes away? It’s starting to freak me out and I’m worried it’s going to get worse.

[FFFred]

I had the same strain of bacterial meningitis 6 years ago. It’s going to take your body along time to recover. I’m still dealing with side affects from it. Things will slowly get better! Give yourself time to heal. Don’t get discouraged but keep track of how things change both better and worse. I found that after meningitis I need way more sleep and rest than I ever needed before. It’s not surprising that you have nerve issues after. The tingling should subside once your body recovers more. If you have other questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to ask! This fourm is fantastic for support and asking questions. Good luck with your recovery!!

[IndieRabbit]

Everyone's meningitis recovery is different, brains are complicated. After the infection is cleared it doesn't get worse, only better.

[Grapesulike]

Hi, I had a perforated eardrum that led to Sepsis, Strep A, Bacterial Meningitis plus kidney failure in Dec 22. The Meningitis did the most damage loosing the use of my left arm and hospitalised for 45 weeks. Still recovering with ongoing physio but making great progress. Have numb spots all over my body with tingling as well. Everyone recovers differently you can't put a figure on it but the bottom line is that you will recover. Stay positive you will win.

[Newnham1 in reply to Grapesulike]

I'm reading this and your story is very similar to my husband( now 3 weeks today post admission via A/E then critical care.I have to say , your post has boosted me with positivity xx

[BoboLuboCat]

Hi, I’m also recovering from Streptococcal Bacterial Meningitis. In hospital for 4 months from July 2023. Nerve damage to numerous areas - affecting hearing, sight, bowel, bladder and legs (relearning to walk). But on the tingling, I also noticed this several months in, while still in hospital. Mainly left leg. I asked doctors but didn’t really get an explanation. I told them that the tingling, along with occasional spasms, felt like my nerves healing or coming back to life. They didn’t disagree, or see it as sinister in my case. So I’ve kept on viewing it as a positive thing! Unless it changes/gets worse. I also wear thicker socks - including to bed - feels kind of comforting, and maybe circulation isn’t as good as it was and my feet get cold more easily.

Good luck with your recovery!

[Fjreed23]

Hi, everyone! Thank you all for your responses. I wanted to update for anyone going through the same thing. The tingling in my legs eventually subsided a few months after this post. I feel like my normal self, although I do feel more tired than I normally ever did, as a 34 year old woman. But other than that I feel pretty good and have had two ear surgeries this last year, to remove any blockages that will cause buildup for another ear infection. I do get them frequently, so I am a bit paranoid still about getting meningitis again. But my ENT removed scar tissue that had built up on my ear drums, which will allow them to drain properly. Thank you all again for your kind words!

[shorty52992 in reply to Fjreed23]

I’m so glad to hear your recovery journey after meningitis. Your story has some similarities to mine. I was also 34 years old when I was struck with bacterial meningitis. I was 11 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child. I had been sick with a cold, then developed an ear infection, then flu-like symptoms. Doctor said it was the flu. My husband found me unconscious on the living room floor. My husband said after I had spinal tap in ER doctors knew it was more serious and I went by Reach Helicopter to a stroke specialty hospital in San Francisco. I was on life support for 2 days. The doctors told my husband if my high fever didn’t come down they would drill into my brain to relieve pressure. Luckily, my fever came down. I had a whole body ice pack on me. And 2 different times doctors advised my husband to abort my pregnancy. I woke up 2 days later, and was soon moved out of ICU. I had no idea if I was still pregnant. Doctors gave me medicine to save my life first then once I was stable everything was also safe for baby. I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis complicated by Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. I had a blood clot in my brain, 2 mini strokes, pneumonia, and sepsis. Nov 2017 I gave birth to a healthy baby boy. He’s solid today. Being pregnant and recovering from that was rough. I had to have blood thinner injections into my belly (2x a day) for the reminder of my pregnancy and 1 month postpartum. My mom had to care for my daughter bc I could barely take care of myself. It took me 3 months to feel somewhat like myself again. I was easily exhausted. The only aliment it left me was a blind spot in my right eye probably from the stroke. And I don’t even notice it that much anymore. I do wear glasses on a regular basis now bc of my stroke. I even went on and had a 3rd child. But I did seek advice from doctors bc I didn’t want to go through that again. I had to be on blood thinner injections again just as a preventative for blood clot. But I had another healthy boy. My energy came back fully. The hardest part for me was mentally recovering from it. Especially, bc I wasn’t awake for 2 days of it. Time has helped me heal. And talking about my story or journaling about it helped me within the first year of recovery. Again, im so glad you are doing well. Enjoy your family.