i had a bad case of viral meningitis that caused encepalitis as well, i was in ICU twice and hospital for about two months. i was one sick bunny and they never knew what caused it. that was from october to december 2007. To this day i still get the worst headaches, so much so that my doctor still prescribes oxycodone as its the only pain medication that will fix the headaches.That in itself is awful stuff. Im also prescribed an antianxiety med because i get so stressed and scared when i have headaches , i feel like im living it all again. i can hardly believe im not alone.

I was 10 years old when i got viral meningitis. I spent over a month in the hospital and months after that in physical therapy, speech therapy, neurology appointments and so on. Im now 26 and have had a headache every day since. Some days they are really bad and other days they are not that bad. Regardless, they are ALWAYS there. I wish i knew the reason why i get them everyday. Anyone else with the same thing?

Hi. i have had viral meningitis three times in the past 6 years. The past two bouts I was fully recovered withing 4 weeks. I had my last bout on 9/23 and was in the hospital for 4 days, missing my daughter's 4th birthday party. Since then I have had an ongoing headache and had to completely stop working. I've gone to 3 neurologists and they can not ficure out what;s wrong. I was put on Lyrica, but it does not appear to do anything. Two of the neurologists treated me as if I was faking symptoms. I need some help and understanding. My daughter and my husband deserve better than this!

I've had viral meningitis 3 times. The first time was 12 years ago and I was in the hospital for 4 days and then home for another week. It took awhile to get back to normal, but I did. Then I had it one year ago and was in the hospital for 7 days. I was very sick and was on anti-virals and sent home with an IV. This past December, I got it again and was in the hospital for 5 days. It's been 5 weeks and my headache is really bad. My neck hurts but not quite the same as it was. Bright light still bothers my eyes too, but the worst is the headache. My back still hurts (lower) the same as it did the day I went in the hospital. I saw an infectious disease doctor the other day and she wanted me to have another spinal tap. She left it up to my PCP and he decided that all of this is strictly my depression. He wants to put me on an anti-depressant so that my headache will go away and maybe I won't get meningitis again. I am so frustrated right now. I've been depressed for the last 5 years and haven't had a headache. Why does he think that is the cause now? All this is doing is making me more depressed and angry, which increases my tension and thus makes my headache worse. My headache is in the back of my head and makes it feel like my skull is going to split open from the pressure. I really need help. What should I do?

I guess I'm not going crazy. This is exactly what I've been searching for. 11 months ago, was hospitalized for 3 weeks with the typical symptoms. I still suffer continuous head aches and can't find an answer or any relief from them. I've learned to deal with it since they're no where near as painful as the migranes were. My doctor doesn't have an answer either. I had cryptococcal meningitis (fungal) and would appreciate communicating with others about this disease.

I'm recovering from bacterial maningitis and encephalitis. It's been a year and I still fight daily headaches. Most seem to be migraine and I take Imitrex when I feel one coming on. It helps a lot and less side effects than the meds I was on to prevent them. Also, I don't know if this is an issue for you, but I still have very bad photophobia. I have to where sunglasses all the time, especially in the office under flourescent lights. My manager makes snide remarks at times which then embarrass me into trying to go without them But then Ipay with a terrible headache. When I returned to work it was with the restriction from my doc to wear the glasses in the office. It's getting better over time but have to really be careful..I read recently they've discovered a connection between light hitting the optic nerve and traveling to the meninges, which will then cause a migraine if tat lining has any irritation or inflammation. Since those tissues and nerves take a long time to heal, and my optic nerve was so full of fluid I lost my sight, it's been a long recovery. But maybe wearing sunglasses would help. Again, the Imitrex helps me too. Blessings to you and all in this difficult recovery. The physical symptoms are bad enough..but it's so easy to think you're all alone and going crazy. You're not...I'e found it's so rare that many specialists are just not that familiar so sometimes it helps to seek opinions from more doctors if you can.

I am also having post meningitis headaches mostly on the left side of my head, eye and down the left side of my neck. I had viral meningitis and was in the hospital for 7 days, off work for 7. Weak, shaky and nausea sometimes still but the headaches are bad and my eye just burns. I believe it all started when I was having a break out of shingles and they didn't go into blisters this time, instead boom... meningitis... headache, flu like symptoms, neckache, back ache and everything was multiplied like sound, light and anxiety. It was and is miserable. There wasn't enough CSF left to do the PCR test for Shingles so I never got any anti-virals, but I am still suspicious that is what is causing my eye pain and headaches still. The only thing that gives me any relief is going to the chiropractor. I wish I could find a doctor who believes in shingles around here. Then maybe they can do a test and give me some anti-virals.

Let me add that if they actually find that is the cause of these lingering headaches and this terrible burning eye pain. I just want the test for it is all I ask.... and I have run out of hydrocodone which did help somewhat. I guess I will have to go back in and see my doctor who only has certain beliefs and is really stubborn. He didn't even believe one could have back pain with meningitis. I had terrible muscle spasms in my back and sometimes still do. I guess he read one book on it and doesn't go by what the patient says in certain cases. Idk, it's sooo frustrating and I cry easier now. My emotions seem multiplied too. I need to get back to normal.

Yes I also have those problems!!
It is a relief in a way that its not uncommon. I had viral meningitis three/four weeks ago too and i still get headaches, painful ones like i've never had before. Before the illness i didn't really have headaches other than sinus pains. I also still get a very stiff neck from time to time. I feel very tired and shivery too. Does anybody feel their body temperatures are all over the place? One minute i feel like i'm having a hot flash and then i'm shivering?!

Laura x

My husband is recovering from viral meningitis. He's had it for about three weeks now. Just got out of the hospital last week. He is still having headaches so bad that he can barely move! He's also having back problems too. But the headaches are just too much for him. He can't sit up, if he tries to he gets really dizzy and sick to his stomache and the headache just intensifies. He hasn't been able to eat. I think he's lost atleast fifteen pounds in the past three weeks!! We don't know what to do about it. The doctor gave him pain meds but they aren't really helping. If you have any advice PLEASE let me know. This is affecting our lives so bad. He's getting depressed because all he can do is lay around. He's also been out of work because he works outside building fences and decks and things like that. Any advice would help! Thank you so much!!

I was just dianosed with viral Meningitis August 31 only had to spend 2 days in the hospital while they determined if it was bacterial or viral... My initial headache was relieved pretty quickly with iv pain medication but since being discharged I only get a headaches occasional. These headache and increased pressure in my head come while I'm sitting up right or standing once I lay flat the headache and pressure stop but as soon as I'm sitting up again the headache and pressure begin to quickly build.. Does anyone else have this problem? Anyone know of any treatments for it or how long this problem lasts?

Nine months ago I spent 8 days in ICU with a seriously bad case of bacterial meningitis that had gone misdiagnosed for a week. I have had a headache since the afternoon of January14th and the lowest it gets on the pain scale, on hydrocodone, is a 5. I guess I will have to learn to live with that. The worst part is the attidtude of almost every doctor I have seen. They all keep telling me I shouldn't be having headaches...but I do. Prior to my bout with meningitis I rarely had headaches, maybe 2 per year so how can they say it's not meningitis related??? It is so very frustrating. I have been treated as a druggie and have been accused of 'doctor shopping' in my search to find a doctor who would treat me like a half a human. So far, so good. The worse part for me has been the neurological deficits I have now. I'm like an idiot! I have no memory, long of short. My balance is so bad that I fall or hurt myself at least once a weeki. I also experience burning in one of my eyes. The pressure from the meningitis cause third nerve palsy in my right eye and now my pupils are not even so my brain is constantly trying to compensate but the doctors say that wouldn't cause headaches. I'm no doctor but I am an educated woman and that is just stupid. My most recent MRI showed evidence of vasculitis of th brain and demylineating disease and again the PA said these weren't from my illness. I just don't know what to do, I'm so lost. I now have to have another LP, my 7th this year, and an eeg. Let's see what they have to say about these tests.
It is so nice to come to this site and not only be able to vent to people who understand but also to read other peoples stories and to know that the doctors are NOT right!! I know my body and I know there are lots of things wrong with me and I have got to take charge of my health care....

3/23/9009 - 3 1/2 weeks in hospital with meningitis. Started with severe migranes. Family doctor advised me to take Tylenol. Switched doctors. Got a diagnosis and treatment. Even after my infection was "cured", I still had lingering issues and my doctor kept doing additional testing as he was confident that my issues weren't imagined. We later found out I have occipital nueralgia and severe sinus disease (possibly caused by the menningitis). My best advice, make sure you have a doctor who listens to you concerns and works towards a solution. There are many side issues that result from any sort of brain infection. You might consider consulting an id doctor. (infectious disease). Good luck and let us know.

Ditto - two months now

My eyes were shot - VKH Syndrome.
Spent 7 days in the hospital and was visited by a team of specialists with recommendations from my PCP, Dr Moonat.

The Optomerist gave me 4 kinds of drops to aid with my eyes
There was a CTA, MRI and MRA.
I have a postive spinal tap, with west nile antibodies...enchiphilitis.

It seems as though they had no idea where the inflamation was coming from and finally diag me with VKH a rare eye syndrome that caused inflamation of the brain, eye and ear...yes, lost my hearing.

Please contact me if you'd like the names of these WONDERFUL and aggressive specialists.