Symptoms I've never experienced before

[exquisite]

I'm experiencing a combination of fairly common symptoms, but I've never had these symptoms at the same time before.  Perhaps it's just the flu, but I'd like to hear from some other people.  I have a stiff neck, something I've never had before during a cold or flu, a mild headache that goes on and off (I also almost never have headaches), and I feel like my brain isn't performing as well as it usually does (I feel like my intelligence has dropped somehow, a symptom I've never really experienced before.  I've had this for about five days now, but today it has become worse, or perhaps I am imagining that it feels worse because today I took the time to learn about all the rare and horrible diseases that have these symptoms.  The symptoms match up pretty well with meningitis, but the fact that I'm not dead after five days seems to suggest otherwise.

[Junie344]

I have Chronic Lympocytic  Leukemia (CLL).  Have had it for about 3 years with no problems except being anemic.  My oncologist put me on Tandem Plus iron capsules and I felt very well after I had been on them awhile.  About 3 months ago he took me off of them.  I have been feeling okay except for off and on stiff neck in the lymph gland area.  The glands do not feel swollen, but my neck hurts to turn it.  I am wondering if this could have anything to do with the CLL.

[Carol in PA]

Well, you're right about that.  The symptoms for Lyme are so vague and nonspecific that most doctors miss them altogether, or think they're "all in your head."
That is because Lyme is a neurological disease...the Lyme bacteria infect the nerves.  The symptoms depend on which nerves are affected.

Encephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain, and patients may have fever, headache, photophobia (sensitivity to light), and stiff neck.
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membrane over the brain, and symptoms include headache, photophobia, or a stiff neck.

I don't think your symptoms look like influenza, which is a respiratory illness with high fever, severe headache and body aches, and dry cough.
However, I mentioned Lyme because the pattern of headache and cognitive dysfunction is common among Lyme patients.  Lyme bacteria can cause Lyme encephalitis, with stiff neck.

Encephalitis can be caused by virus or bacteria.  West Nile virus can cause this.
Have you checked your temperature?  Do this when you wake up, and several times during the day.  Your doctor will need this information to help diagnose you.

I think you should make an appointment with your family doctor, since your symptoms are not improving.
I'll check back to see how you're doing.

Carol

[exquisite]

It seems that the symptoms for Lyme disease aren't very convincing.  I don't have enough different symptoms.  I also didn't mention this: I do have a cough and somewhat of a runny nose.  So it's all the symptoms of the flu, but also a stiff neck and reduced ability to think, which I've never associated with the flu before.  Of course, I could have the flu AND something else, but I don't think it's likely.

[Carol in PA]

The headache and stiff neck may be from encephalitis.
I too have headaches and reduced ability to think.  In my case, it is likely from the reduced bloodflow to the brain that is part of neurological Lyme Disease.

You can check the chart of symptoms at the Canadian Lyme Foundation,   canlyme.com

Wishing you the best,
Carol