Bacterial Meningitis (phobia, pain, cold, infections)

[Rapture]

Has anyone ever had it? What were your symptoms and how long did they last before you saw a Dr.? If your symptoms were sever headache and neck pain, was it on and off or were you always in pain before you were diagnost?

I've had Lyme disease for awhile and just found out. I'm considering a Spinal Tap to see if it caused Meningitis and the Dr's around me are clueless. I would like to find out if other people have had it and their story. Thanks.

[miasmommy]

I did not have it myself buy my cousin did when she was 21.

It started as a cold/flu and by the third day she was "out of it," having pain in her neck and unable to bend it/look down, had a high fever and was vomiting. She had me bring her to the ER where they said it had been going around (she lived in the city and worked at a bar) and it was one of the first things, after ruling other illness out, they tested for.

From what I know it does not "come and go." You would be REALLY sick I think as well.

Did you get tested for lyme disease? I've heard it is a huge mimic, meaning other diseases often get disguised as so.

RM I also believe is one of the diseases it "looks like."

[songinthewind7]

My mom had it back around 30 years ago. I don't remember how it started. I want to say a cold but don't know for sure.
She was in the hospital for what seems like a couple of weeks and we had to wear masks when we went in to visit her.
At times, she would talk normally and then start talking like she was hallucinating(sp) The docs didn't know if it was because of fever or the meds they had her on.
When she came home, she was nervous and restless.
I just got in touch with her to ask her about it and she doesn't remember how it started for sure. It came on all of a sudden.
She recovered and is doing well today.
That's been a long time ago and surely they treat it differently today than they did back then.
Hope this helps some.

[Positiveone]

isnt there a Vaccine for that now? You would also think there would be a lyme vaccine!

[Rapture]

Yes, I have been tested for Lyme a couple times and I have it. I did the month of antibiotics and it helped but there are some symptoms still there and unexplained. I researched Lyme and see if not treated right away it can turn into meningitis. I was thinking of having a spinal tap and have another thread asking about that but I really don't want to have one. My Dr. (s) aren't very good and I don't get a lot of guidance from them. Most of what I've learned has been on my own, mostly the internet. In fact the only reason I know I have Lyme and was treated was because I insisted several times on the test even though it came back negative the first time. I just knew I had it. I was bit almost four years ago and they just treated me last month, finially. I also have Fibromyalgia and on medication for that but I have severe headaches, neck pain and hot and cold sweats often. I read these could be signs of meningitis, so I asked my Dr and he said maybe, duh! So I asked about a spinal tap and he said I would have to get one to diagnos the meningitis. My insurance only pays for a portion, I have a huge phobia of needles and it will totally mess up my plans for the next month if I go for it. I really don't want to go so being I have no guidance, I'm trying to determine if I should go. I know anyone reading this is saying "get a new dr.", don't bother telling me because I've been to seven and in the hospital twice. It seems most of the Dr's near me are not very good or proactive, so I've realized I have to do this all myself and just go to them for medication when I need it. Thanks for any help.

[Rapture]

Originally Posted by Positiveone

isnt there a Vaccine for that now? You would also think there would be a lyme vaccine!

I have no idea but my Dr didn't mention it. I can't even get Dr's to call me back, let alone inform me about vaccines. What really stinks is I can get it again if I'm bit by a tick again.

[miasmommy]

Originally Posted by Rapture

I have no idea but my Dr didn't mention it. I can't even get Dr's to call me back, let alone inform me about vaccines. What really stinks is I can get it again if I'm bit by a tick again.

You can also get treated for it if you go the doctor right away and remove the tick beforehand.

A vaccine? Oh boy. . Of course it's a horrible story when someone goes untreated for this disease and it progresses but come on! If treated early you make a full recovery. No need for one more vaccine, paleeez

[Mattie]

I'm not sure if this article is outdated or accurate. There was a Lyme vaccine. There is also a meningitis vaccine. I made sure all my kids got it when they reached their teens. I didn't realize it is not 100% effective though. A Clemson U student recently died of meningitis, even though she had gotten the shot.

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/lyme/default.htm

[miasmommy]

Originally Posted by Mattie

I'm not sure if this article is outdated or accurate. There was a Lyme vaccine. There is also a meningitis vaccine. I made sure all my kids got it when they reached their teens. I didn't realize it is not 100% effective though. A Clemson U student recently died of meningitis, even though she had gotten the shot.

Vaccines: VPD-VAC/Lyme/main page

There are different types of meningitis. There are viral and bacterial. They can be secondary or primary infections .