Meningitis Foundation of America

West Nile Meningitis

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West Nile Meningitis

Postby linen53 » Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:27 am

I am 59 years old and was diagnosed this last summer (2012) with West Nile Meningitis. I can't begin to describe the pain I was in. I recovered very quickly and nicely and my doctor told me I was a miracle. I have a small Muscovy duck farm and accredited my health to being outside so much.

I was fine for a few months but now I am beginning to show some of the same symptoms many of you have written about. My main concern is my short term memory loss. And the inability to process new information in my brain. And if I exert myself to much (work) my physical pain symptoms worsen for the rest of the day. But when I wake up the next morning all is well and I start out with a clean slate. Again, if I do to much on this new day, I begin to feel the pain, usually by mid afternoon and for the rest of the day/evening/night, sometimes so severely I can barely function. The next morning, all is well again and I start all over again. I am slowly learning to pace myself and recognize the symptoms before I relapse.

Headaches are not severe. I've had cluster headaches, migraines and vascular headaches many years ago and by comparison, what I am experiencing now is nothing compared to what I've had in the past. But the strange thing about these headaches is that they turn on and off like a light switch. I recently went to see my doctor and she said that is because the brain is feeling pressure from the swelling. I asked, "you mean my brain is still swelling?" and she said yes. That kind of blew me away.

So from what I've read here and elsewhere this is my new life. I consider myself fortunate that my symptoms are not as severe as many of yours. I have no seizures or migraines or reoccurring infections, but it's only been 3 1/2 months since I was diagnosed. And winter is coming. But I am retired so I don't have to worry about holding down a regular job. Quite honestly, I couldn't the way my pain flares up with to much work. I can comfortably work about 4 hours a day and then I have to quit. And I lay down sometimes in the morning and/or afternoon for a quick rest and tiny nap which I never used to have to do.

I will take it one day at a time and I will not worry what tomorrow will bring. What happens will happen regardless of my meddlesome emotions getting in the way. :lol:
linen53
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:49 am

Re: West Nile Meningitis

Postby linen53 » Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:10 pm

An update. I went to see a therapist who specializes in brain trauma and injuries. We are in the process of going through a series of tests to determine my brain damage.

She did say she read a book once by a woman who suffered brain damage from a stroke. She compared my problems saying, "Even though the cause is different you still have suffered brain damage, just like her."

She further stated, "The author said that getting frequent rest and sleep helps the most in helping your brain. The brain is a wonderful organ and it will figure out how to rewire itself, if it has to, to function as it is supposed to. It's my job to help you exercise your brain to help it function again and if necessary it will rewire to help us accomplish that."

I'm also seeing a occupational therapist and he gives me puzzles to work on. Spatial, dexterity, find the difference (between two pictures) things like that. He said any kind of puzzles would do. Jigsaw, mazes, find a word to name a few more. The one I have the most problems with is called Q Bitz. I have noticed if it's been awhile since I did the puzzle my brain is cobwebby and sluggish, but if I do the puzzles on a regular basis I do much better. So I will have to probably continue to exercise my brain for the rest of my life (my opinion, not the opinion of any therapist or doctor).

You can buy Q Bitz in the store or online. I found one online for $15 but I've seen them for as much as $30 so shop around.

More later.
linen53
 
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2012 7:49 am


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