OT: Meningitis

Tyrkon Lawson

Tyrkon Lawson

Joined
Oct 31, 2003
Messages
8,583
I know this is way off topic and all but with the sense of community we have here I think it will be okay with the mods. If not let me know.

Anyway, at the end of the last summer someone near and dear to me developed viral meningitis. And it was bad. Hit this person real hard and I had to look after them for quite a while. They saw all the experts and finally seemed to be back to 100% around December. Just this past week this person caught a bug which for the rest of us seemed like a common cold. We all had the sniffles, low grade fever, etc... But the person who has previously had meningitis said they were feeling the same combination of symtoms they had during the time they were very ill.

It started Friday night, I took her to the doctor Monday (I had to take the day off to help out with things). The doc said it looked like a normal cold but advised me to take Tuesday off as well "just in case". Well it is Wed night and everything seems to be working itself out. Just a common cold and not a repeat of the meningitis.

My question is this: After having something as serious as meningitis, will illnesses, such as the common cold, present itself differently than previously? Sensations being felt that had not been felt in the past?

Any HOGS with experience here?

I think I have aged 20 years since Aug. :(

Thanks.
 
If she has a constantly compromised immune system everything will hit differently. Meningitis is no laughing matter. I've met a few people that were diagnosed with it. Prayers for your friend. Lucky its not bacterial.
 
Hang in there Bro:thumbup:

Your being there with her makes all the difference. Life is not an easy trail to walk for anyone - but its much harder alone.

And take care of yourself as well.

(I do not know anything about meningitis except that is a nasty thing - dentistry I know a little, but not gen medicine)
 
Thanks guys. Everything seems fine now. I think she sort of panicked with this round of the flu bug but understandably so after her illness.

All the experts said it hit her hard but all the tests show she is fine. She usually doesn't get sick or at least does not complain about it. And she is very active. I was just curious if anyone knew if things will feel a little different with future head colds, flu bugs, etc...
 
I had Spinal Meningitis as a child, and my mother was told I would not walk again if I lived (I lived obviously and have walked perfectly until recent years.). I have had numerous health issues and complications all my life, while doctors denied it could have been tied to my childhood illness. Fast forward 30+ years and doctors are now saying my quality of health and immune issues are more than likely tied back to my early Spinal Meningitis.
I wish you and yours the best and am keeping you in my prayers.
 
Tyrkon, I don't know much about meningitis. However, here's one piece of advice: don't diagnose/research online unless you *know* you have a condition. You wind up finding all the worst case scenarios and convincing yourself that it *could be* what you have. Best to seek competent medical advice. I'm glad things are looking better.
 
Guyon said:
Best to seek competent medical advice.
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I second this, and cannot stress it enough. I don't care about others' life experiences with meningitis, nor would I trust a doctor here who has not seen the patient (even though said doctor may in all other ways be fully qualified to tell you what is going on). Take her to someone who knows a lot about meningitis and let them open up a dialogue where questions can be asked and answered while minimizing the risks of miscommunication or misunderstandings. Good luck!
 
I treat an ingrown toenail with cheap vodka and a pocket knife so maybe we aren't the best source for medical advice. At least me, anyway.
 
on_the_edge said:
I second this, and cannot stress it enough. I don't care about others' life experiences with meningitis, nor would I trust a doctor here who has not seen the patient (even though said doctor may in all other ways be fully qualified to tell you what is going on). Take her to someone who knows a lot about meningitis and let them open up a dialogue where questions can be asked and answered while minimizing the risks of miscommunication or misunderstandings. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I couldn't say it any better TL.
Smoke sent as well Bro!!!
 
Thanks again guys. Again, I am not seeking medical advice at all but just trying to see if someone out there, in our little INFI world, has or is actually going through the same thing. Just some personal stories like, "I had meningitis once and notice that I usually feel my colds in my head more now". Not advice. I just get tired of reading case studies and reports. It's nice to hear from somone you know. Even via the trough. ;)

We actually have excellent doctors and my insurance is da bomb. All tests, scans, etc... indicate everything is perfect. I just think she will just be extra nervous everytime she has symtoms even close to the meningitis (which many are similar to the ones you get with the common cold or flu). Hopefully the worry will pass with time. She seems perfectly fine today. Just on the tail end of a cold.

Thanks again. So far this is a happy ending. :D
 
My previous post was not meant as advice. With my experience though, rather than mere opinion, I would strongly urge you to seek professional medical advice.
 
Tyrkon Lawson said:
Thanks again guys. Again, I am not seeking medical advice at all but just trying to see if someone out there, in our little INFI world, has or is actually going through the same thing. Just some personal stories like, "I had meningitis once and notice that I usually feel my colds in my head more now". Not advice. I just get tired of reading case studies and reports. It's nice to hear from somone you know. Even via the trough. ;)

We actually have excellent doctors and my insurance is da bomb. All tests, scans, etc... indicate everything is perfect. I just think she will just be extra nervous everytime she has symtoms even close to the meningitis (which many are similar to the ones you get with the common cold or flu). Hopefully the worry will pass with time. She seems perfectly fine today. Just on the tail end of a cold.

Thanks again. So far this is a happy ending. :D
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Tyrkon, I would be happy to discuss this with you in a more private way. If you want, P.M. me and I would be happy to tell you what I can of my own experiences.
 
mymindisamob said:
My previous post was not meant as advice. With my experience though, rather than mere opinion, I would strongly urge you to seek professional medical advice.
Click to expand...

We did that Monday and so far she just seems like she is going through the normal stages of the common cold. Right now she is happily updating her blog. :rolleyes: Hell, I am more sick than her after taking care of her and the kids. I look like chopped liver next to her. I guess that is always the case though. We are always right on top of medical issues. I don't fork out a butt load of $$$ for insurance not to use it.

When she first went in to the ER over the summer she was sent home after the doctors said she just had a stress headache. They had done some blood tests and said she was fine. Well it just got worse and other symptoms started to occur. I finally took her in and demanded that she be given a spinal tap. Hell, I had to help. :confused: Sure enough she had viral meningitis.

Anyway, I told her that we are back to out Docs at the first sign of anything wrong. We know the ropes better now. I just hope we never have to use them again. Thanks MMIAM. :thumbup:
 
Guyon said:
Tyrkon, I don't know much about meningitis. However, here's one piece of advice: don't diagnose/research online unless you *know* you have a condition. You wind up finding all the worst case scenarios and convincing yourself that it *could be* what you have. Best to seek competent medical advice. I'm glad things are looking better.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with this. I went through a phase of doing this with the kids and aged 20 years from unneeded stress. :grumpy:
 
Tyrkon, I couldn't agree more with what has been said here about online medical advice...about the only worse place for such advice is a beauty shop...you wouldn't believe it! :eek::eek::eek: If there are any questions I can get answers to specifically, feel free to PM me and I will try to help out, OK? Be well, brother!
 
Ty,

From personal experience I can say that when the immunosystem is compromised, everything will feel exponentially more challenging. After going through chemo this past year, I have been VERY leary of even contracting a cold because it might wipe me out for days. You and I both know that High Schools are GERM FACTORIES :eek::eek::eek:

A few years before we got married, my wife got a category 4 staff infection (not MRSA, thank god) and since she's allergic to Penicillin, she had to take Vancomyacin intravenously. Needless to say, it's been 4 years and her immunosystem is STILL compromised. When she's sick, depending on what's attacking her, sometimes she'll sleep 14 hours a day...on WEEKDAYS:eek:

The point of my ramble is that your lady friend is going to have to be aware of the possible risk associate with any small illness she endures. It might be a good idea to research vitamins and juices so that she can do something proactive about raising her immunity. Noni juice and Acai are supposed to be fantastic. :thumbup:

Good luck,
Jason
 
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