Tay WalkingShield's story

I am a 49 year old female who is recently out of the hospital after being discharged with a diagnosis of Viral Meningitis.

The circuitous route it took me to get into a bed there was ridiculous, starting with a low-grade temperature and vomiting and a boil. I was in the ER for a couple hours, the cyst lanced and sent home, vomiting once on the way out even. Because I am Diabetic, the Dr. thought this was a Gastroparesis episode. I was back in the ER 2 days later with the vomiting more frequent but no temperature and vertigo this time. The gauze packing from the lancing job the visit before was removed, I was given a fluid drip and an anti-nausea medicine and sent home again.

I called 911 in desperation

Another 2 days, after being home after feeling such head pain and now seeing double and having eaten nothing since the 2nd ER visit, I called 911 in desperation that it was a brain bleed or brain cancer and still, after anti-nausea meds and an IV to restore fluid loss the ER doc’ discharged me against my protests that my vision was effected and the head pain was severe and I was still not feeling right.

While I was in the waiting room after calling my sister to come pick me up, I began to vomit in the basin as she came in to retrieve me.

Both the in-take receptionist and my sister couldn’t believe I was being discharged.

The receptionist went back to Triage and soon came back to wheel me back. My sister asked the doctor why he thought I was well enough to be turned away when clearly I was due another look with the continued vomiting and head pain. He then ordered the Spinal Tap that revealed the Viral Meningitis. I continued to vomit for the next 5 days; migraines and photo-phobia set in, double vision and sickness to any smells such as perfumes, cleaning fluids or foods tortured me. I was discharged after 11 days.

My “after-care” treatment has been depressing with my Primary Physician listening to my reports of residual vision problems (refers me to Ophthalmologist), headaches (Neurology), and overwhelming fatigue and depression (prescribes anti-depressant and B-12)- the Neuro’ wore a strong cologne and basically said it was my imagination. The Ophthalmologist said nothing showed either. These effects are real. I am not one to make things up. I cannot work. I cannot eat more than twice daily, nor stand to shower more than every 3 days it takes so much out of me. My blood pressure is also an issue although I take the same dose of medication daily.

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