How TB Meningitis changed my life...

[azlalilo]

I was 23 years old and married with no kids. I had fever frequently. I was also having a backache, the doctor told me to visit a physiotherapist. The physio did some treatments and acupuncture and later my backache was fine. I still had frequent fevers, I was admitted at the hospital. The doctor isolated me for a week , he said they need to test my sputum. The test results were negative and so they transferred me to the normal ward. After 3 days they discharged me saying I had pneumonia and prescribed me some drugs. It was Chinese New Year holidays. My ex-husband and I planned to go to Malaysia on a holiday. The doctors also told me it’s fine to travel. So, we flew to Malaysia. I was not myself there, I was always sleeping. So, my ex-husband informed my family. They said to take me to Sri Lanka which is where I come from. So, we flew to Sri Lanka and I was still having fever. They admitted me in a hospital in Sri Lanka. I was admitted for about 2 weeks. I was later discharged and they diagnosed me with TB Meningitis. I was in my home in Sri Lanka and again I was not feeling well. Then they took me to another hospital and admitted me. In that hospital, they did a lumbar puncture to check how much the TB has affected me. I lost the ability to walk after that, I couldn’t walk at all. I was discharged after about 2 weeks. I was at home, but like a cabbage. I had no feelings. Some physiotherapists came home to treat me but it didn’t work out. After some time, my family admitted me in a rehabilitation hospital to make me walk. I was there for about 2 months. I received a letter for divorce from my ex-husband and my family discharged me and took me home. We were divorced, my family took care of me. After a few months , my father passed away. It was a terrible period in my life. I forgot to mention that after I lost the ability to walk I used a catheter for some time because I could not go to the toilet quickly. Later, I changed to diapers at night. In December 2017, My mother and I moved to Malaysia to be with my sister and her family. I’m now going to a physiotherapist here about 3 - 4 times a week. They say that I will walk by June 2018. I am also using a walker from the time I couldn’t walk. I use a wheelchair occasionally when I go to a mall. I also go for hydro therapy. If anybody has any tips on how to walk quickly or if anyone could tell me when I would walk by myself, pls let me know.

[rina-roy]

hi azlalilo

m sorry about health condition and pray to god about your fast recovery.

i am too a patient of TB meningitis. its been more than 19 months of medication. do you have pain in your legs or somewhere else?

Reason 1

sometimes due to tb meningitis also few patients are unable to perform few activities which normally they used to. in some cases they may also have cold radiating pain in different parts. it differs from person to person depending upon the region tb bacteria has affected.

Reason 2

in some rare cases due to some reasons lumbar puncture may lead to disability in performing few activities.

if the reason is tb, then after few months of ATT(anti tuberculosis treatment) patient may find improvement due to resolution in lesions. its a very slow process. all we need is to gather strength, don't loose hope and keep on fighting. we need a lot of patience.it takes time. timely & regular medication is the only remedy. yes its really hard for young people who lead a really active life to accept a slow paced life & sudden things happening which are out of control. you feel like all the misfortune is following you like faithful dogs. it took 7 months to be able to walk properly for me.

at times i felt i am the most unfortunate one but when i think that i didn't have seizures or go into coma i feel i am lucky...

for fast recovery you have to do breathing exercises to provide oxygen to the cells. if you have any hobbies like in my case music or anything else pursue them. its a great healer . just stay positive

my advice is its better to take regular mri screening & contrast like 6 mnths for a better picture.

ALL THE BEST

[azlalilo in reply to rina-roy]

Hi... I’m sore for the very late reply... I dnt hav any pain in my feet or legs. I think the cause of my disability is lumbar puncture. 😔😔 Is there any exercise to maybe reverse my condition? 😔😔

[Hidden in reply to rina-roy]

Hi Rina-roy, How are you know? my wife is on ATT from last 9 months and the doctor told to continue till 18 or 24 months we are regularly doing MRI after 6 months. the patient still feels right leg weakness and heavy head with fatigue, also decreases the blood pressure, how to cope with blood pressure and heavy head?

[Namjoonie_]

HI, I am sorry to hear that.I am same as you, diagnosed with meningitis TB. I had loss the ability to walk, see but temporarily. Now, I am normal, I am treated fully.

Do some therapies and don't loose hope. Just think, you are strong, you need to achieve a lot in life and Tru to move your feet's first.

After that just try to stand. I know how you feel, I was same as you.

Good luck! You are yourself 💜