Viral spinal meningitis

My son, who lives in the USA, is to be discharged from hospital in Santa Fe on monday. He was admitted with spinal viral meningitis. I'm worried to say the least, about his recovery, and what might be lingering symptoms. Ive read through the posts on this site. Does not look good. i.e irritability, memory loss, ongoing pain, muscle twitching, double vision, fever, fatigue.,

Do the symptoms reduce with time.

mary

I contracted viral meningitis 8 months ago.(age 46) Was in hospital for 5 days, was given antivirals and released. I remained horribly ill for 3 months and barely able to get out of bed. I lost over 30 pounds and lost most of my muscle tone.
I had no desire to eat but could force myself to drink. I had a lot of confusion and memory loss.
My coordination was really bad, as was my cognitive skills and thinking. I am now 8 months past and I still have days when I get the headache in brain stem area, fatigue, nausea and coordination issues. No back pain or light sensitivity though. Does anyone know if this ever goes away completely?
I get so angry when I read that I should have completely recovered in 5-10 days ! MRI was normal.
Would love to know if anyone else has the same issues ?????

At the age of 29 I was diagnosed with Meningitis. I am a LPN and the symptoms started at work. Vomiting, headache and stiff neck. After being told by a local ER MD that it was just a pulled muscle I reluctantly went home. The next day I went to a different hospital and demanded a Lumbar Puncture. I was in the worst pain ever. The results showed borderline bacterial meningitis. Spent the night and returned home. I was in bed for a month with severe headaches. I still have numbness in my upper left thigh. I ate pain pills every 4 hours and slept the entire time. I am now 35 y/o and still have symptoms. I take something for a headache daily. The neck pain is now dull. I walk around with my head slightly tilted backward. It is more comfortable this way. I have times when its hard to finish a sentence or remember what I was going to say. All in all I am doing well. Sometimes I have what we call a "meningitis flare up". This is where the headache is severe and with vomiting. I must stay in bed! It usually only lasts a day. But, the next few days I feel like I have a hangover. At times I feel like my brain is "off". Just thankful I can tell my story!

I had viral spinal mengitius when i was 9 1/2 to 10 way back in 1958, let me tell you its an adventure. i still have great memory losses, i get very tired easily and often start my sentancesin miud thought, as my brain races along with all these thoughts .
i spent 6 months in three different hospitals just figuring it out, had spinal taps three times a week and finally they injected air in my brain. I did recover, took overtwo years to do so, but I finished school and two years of college. married have three grown children and a wonderful husband.hang in there. it shouldget better. they have anew system of drugs to combatt this illness.

Hi, I have just been discharged from hospital I was diagnosed with Viral meningitis on 16th November after experiencing severe head pain. I was re admitted a week after being discharged, with continued head ache, sore ear and throat, reactive lymph nodes over (over 5cm each on the left side) Eye pain. they said the second Lumbar puncture was clear. I am tired all the time, head still aches I still get searing pain behind left eye, and my temperament is irritable and frustrated. I'm glad I found this site to see i'm not alone, I wanted to see what the after effects were as Dr's don't really know, I plan on getting right with Vitamins, Probiotics, Manuca Honey and Aloe Vera, I let you know how it works out. Good health to you all val

I had viral meningitis in '07, and again this past week. The first time it took a good 6-7 months to feel complete again. Sleep all you can, and eat as healthy as possible.
Until this 2nd time, I did not know they could grow a culture to help determine the root cause of it. There are many different factors.. My advice is, when told it is positive, HAVE them grow the culture. I want to know where & what is causing this. I think it effects everyone a little different, but the extreme fatigue and pain do eventually end. Good health to all.

I woke on 11-3-12 only able to see white, could not remember the president, my birthday, my children, ran over 102degree fever, was given a spinal tap, the fluid was cloudy. I came around 18 hours later and did remember my life, except for the last 18 hours. I was told after 5 days in Isolation I had Spinal Meningitis. I was given intravenous antibiotics for another 10 days. I still have severe headache, neck pain and lower back pain, today I I had a moment that I was unable to vocalize my thoughts for about 1 moment and tingling in my hand 15 minutes later. I have gone to neurologist for this before, usually I have an aura in my eye that turns part of my vision silver, today I did not have that symptom, but did have the other 2. I had and MRI 2 days after being admitted to hosp, also had brain EKG and brain scan, all normal. My Neurologist has ordered an MRA, asap. Has anyone had these symptoms from a Lumbar Puncture?

I have been fighting viral spinal meningitis for 11 weeks now. Went in for MRI today everything looked normal. I have another lumbar puncture on Nov 29th. This has got to be the worst most painful thing I have ever gone through. Lots of spinal pain, head achez, fevers, hard time eating or drinking. How long does this stuff last????

I had spinal meningitis when I was about 5-7 . I am now 32 and I have bad migraines & seizures along with bad back & body aches....I don't know what to do about it but I know it's connected somehow....

My son, 8, had viral meningitis in May (5 months ago.) He still complains of generalized body aches, fever-like feelings (without a real fever) and back pain, and maybe depression. I took him to the doctor and she said he just seems tired. It seems extreme to me and it is exhausting to motivate him to do anything. What should I do? Is this after effects, because nobody warned me of lingering symptoms? Should I increase his vitamins? Which ones? Thanks for any input.

Missy, the good news is that your headaches will subside over time. Your symptoms are perfectly normal for someone who has suffered a Head injury. Headaches will come and go in various guises. You must not set yourself up to fail by doing too much. Pace yourself instead of trying too much too soon. I've been there!!

Hi. I am 42 and I was diagnosed with viral meningitis this Aug. At first I experienced a lot of balance issues, double vision and fatigue. I am doing much better now even though I still get tired easily. However I have this feeling of being under the influence ALL the time. It's like Im on my 2nd glass of wine. Not drunk but definitely tipsy. I feel spacy and I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Also I have noticed I don't have a lot of patience and get frustrated quickly. Does this sound familiar to anyone.

i had viral meningitis 1 yr ago. i was in a coma for 2 weeks.i have terrible balance issues especially if i get tired, and could sleep 14 hours a day. Sciatica on both sides and muscle twitching. No ability to maintain or shift my balance and of course memory issues. Can this last forever? it has been miserable and such a long year but i am so fortunate it isn't worse.

My 20 year old had viral meningitis one month ago. She was fine after two weeks. She is now suffering from fevers, chills. I think it is connected. Her fever is up and down. After reading your posts, I am convinced. I will start her on vitamin and natural immune support therapy.

Hi I had viral meningitis back in December I was in hospital a week having anti virals and antibiotics it was very frightening i was seriusly ill when i was admitted and since coming out recovery has been slow. My headaches have subsided but i still suffer with dizziness but I contracted reactive arthritis in most of my joints a few weeks after leaving hospital and have been having weekly physio to help deal with the pain. What I have found most helpful has been taking a large number of vitamins to help get my system and my immune system back on track when I stopped taking them for a week I immediately became sick for a month with colds and virus'. I take vitamin c 1000mg B complex a multi vitamin, fish oils, probiotics, Aloe Vera juice all twice a day apart from the multi vitamin which is once a day these were prescribed by my doctor. It's still a struggle at times as I have 2 young children and am exhausted most of the time but my doctor told me it could take up to 6 months to a year to be back to normal so just trying to be patient. Hope that helps good luck to you

I have just been discharged (last week) from hospital after Viral Meningitis - head pain comes and goes as does eye pain and sensitivity to light (sunglasses needed when outside whatever the weather). Pretty much wiped out every day and now have Viral Enteritis - GP thinks it is connected... Also began to notice some back pain today..

Hi Tim
I had viral meningitis in January (brain not back) and I am still suffering quite a bit from various aches and pains. I have found that regular paracetamol does help but the severe pains have gradually subsided over time (I am a bit older as well). I have been told this can happen for months. Is there anything you can pinpoint you do before the pain comes that you may be able to change?
Keep your chin up and I hope you fell better soon