Viral Meningitis

[Carmel66]

I had viral meningitis in December 05, and was in hospital for 2 weeks the condition was confirmed by the neurologitst having a lumbar puncture. I was so ill I thought I would die, I could not move of the bed the pain in my head was explosive and my eyes hurt so bad. It took me three months to get over this, and until september 05 until I was one hundred percent again. Then in January 07, down I went with this again, had a lumbar puncture again that showed white blood cells in the spinal fluid, but they said they were not sure if I had it again. (I am certain it was as the way I felt, there isnt anything like it!!) I was bad but not as severerity didnt last as long as the first time. Three months into recovery I got very ill again, they did not do another lumbar puncture as said its too soon and I am still recovering, has several different rashes going on that they were not sure on what they were and my own doctor said its viral rashes after the meningitis again, (rashes have now gone) but now it is January 08, I am still not right, I know something is wrong with my brain, my concentration is still not back fully, I have mild headaches constantly and I cannot do too much or I am exhausted and feel really ill, I get dizzy and disoriantated when I go out and it makes me feel drunk or like I have a bad hangover, yet I am not drinking!  I am really getting worried now that after a year I should be okay shouldnt I?  Any sugestions on what to ask the doctors for or where do I go from here?  The only thing I am waiting for is to see the infectious disease department at the hospital to see what has gone on with me.  Any advice or tests you feel I should ask for I will, just do not know where to go from here?  

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

It is good that you will be seeing an infectious disease specialist soon as it is important to rule out Mollaret’s meningitis. This is recurrent meningitis and is said to be caused by herpes simplex virus. The treatment is mainly with antiviral agents like acyclovir and pain killers.
It can be diagnosed by recurrent episodes of headaches, meningismus, fever, the presence of WBCs in the CSF, attacks separated by symptom free periods and spontaneous remission.
This is a possibility that needs to be looked into in the meantime make sure to have strong immune system by eating healthy. You can also take multivitamin supplements.
Hope this helps!

[janine53]

someone else with recurrent meningitis........I know how you feel!    I have had it 8 times with positive spinal tap each time. It is my understanding that Mollarets and recurrent lymphocytic meningitis(my diagnosis for lack of a better one) are interchangeable diagnoses. Acyclovir is also for Herpes meningitis (70% recurrent meningitis is Herpes). My spinal fluid always comes back negative for Herpes, but I was on acyclovir anyway for quite awhile just to try anything and still the meningitis came back. This has been going on for 6 years now,so it is maybe auto immune.
anyone with any other ideasto share? I hope the acyclovir helps you, but that was not my experience.If you don't mind my asking,where are you treated?
janine
***@****
I am treated at University of Michigan and one trip to Cleveland Clinic who came to same conclusiions.
Steroids work well at high doses but are intolerable, so use anti-inflammatories and fentanyl patch.s

[Carmel66]

Well, I found out at last me keep getting viral meningitis and my recovery was getting nowhere as not enough time to get over each episode, I have now had a diagnosis of Mollaret's Meningitis. I am taking aciclovir medication and may well be on it for life or a long time. My specialist has faith that it should work, so for the first time in a few years I am feeling positive that I may stop the meningitis of which I would not wish this on anyone.  I hope this may help other people who have suffered also and keeps becoming ill but being sent home from the hospital.

Take care