Sorry to hear about your experience. I too had a bad tap. For me, I
eventually had some healing massage on it after a couple of years to
get the memory out of the lumbar area. I did this with traditional
massage (deep tissue) and then with acucpunture and something called
Rosen therapy. Look it up. I would guess that since this just happened
within weeks, that you should leave it be and just rest for now until
it heals and then work with the possible scarring.

My best advice would be to sleep, sleep, sleep and then sleep some
more - with mild exercise - walking, yoga (take it lightly though) and
to eat as healthy as possible (LOTS of veggies, no meat, stay way from
dairy -- just give your digestive track and stomach a break too so your
body can use its energy to heal and not digest), to give your body the
best chance to recover. You may also wish to try acupuncture or zone
therapy to give your body an extra boost to help the healing process.
Try to keep your stress level as low as possible to give your body a
break.

I wish you the best in your recovery. Take good care of yourself,
please!

...Laura

--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, "paulamaddisongreen"
<paulamaddisongreen@...> wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> Had viral meningitis several weeks ago and now find that I have knife
> like pains in my head if I am over tired or stressed more than
usual.
> I had a pretty bad lumbar puncture and there was lots of trauma to my
> spine so do not know whether it was this procedure or the meningitis
> that has left me with these pains. Any advice?
>

Hi Diane,

What a terrible thing to go through. You might want to try the other
meningitis related groups on yahoo as I know that there are some that
have chronic meningitis - you may also reach out to the american
meningitis assocation - I may have links to them on this site.

I wish you all the best in your search, be careful with the pain
meds. it's best to get off of them and try a prophylactic that
prevents your headaches. And it sounds like you need another dr.
There is loads of info under the "files" section here including
recommended meds for post meningitis headache from a viral infection
specifically.

Let me know if I can be of further help.

Best,
Laura

--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, "Diane G-D"
<dizzygoodman@...> wrote:
>
> So I first got sick in early May.
> It's now mid September and I've been sick 14 weeks of the past few
> months. I had a nice 8 week break where I was symptom free but now
I'm
> on week 4 of being sick again. Meningitis was confirmed again
through
> and LP. I seem to have a "mild" viral version. I have a headache
that
> never goes away, right between my eyes, that I'd rate between  4-6
> depending on the time of day. Meds do help (oxycodone and
> fiurocet).But I think my neurologist has given up on me. He's not
> curious why I keep getting sick and because of that his only medical
> advice is to take heavy pain meds and go on steroids. (I just
finished
> my third steroid treatment). I'm able to go to work, my fever has
> stopped. But I'm very moody, mostly sad and a little anxious, and
> while I do normally have a mild anxiety disorder, I think these are
> being ignored or symptoms but they are DEFINITELY symptoms.
>
> I still haven't found anyone else online with chronic meningitis.
> All of the herpes tests came back negative.
>
> Has anyone who continues to get headaches had a new LP to see if you
> have active meningitis again?
>
> Does anyone on this list have chronic?
>
> Thanks,
> Diane
>

So I first got sick in early May.
It's now mid September and I've been sick 14 weeks of the past few
months. I had a nice 8 week break where I was symptom free but now I'm
on week 4 of being sick again. Meningitis was confirmed again through
and LP. I seem to have a "mild" viral version. I have a headache that
never goes away, right between my eyes, that I'd rate between  4-6
depending on the time of day. Meds do help (oxycodone and
fiurocet).But I think my neurologist has given up on me. He's not
curious why I keep getting sick and because of that his only medical
advice is to take heavy pain meds and go on steroids. (I just finished
my third steroid treatment). I'm able to go to work, my fever has
stopped. But I'm very moody, mostly sad and a little anxious, and
while I do normally have a mild anxiety disorder, I think these are
being ignored or symptoms but they are DEFINITELY symptoms.

I still haven't found anyone else online with chronic meningitis.
All of the herpes tests came back negative.

Has anyone who continues to get headaches had a new LP to see if you
have active meningitis again?

Does anyone on this list have chronic?

Thanks,
Diane

Hi

Had viral meningitis several weeks ago and now find that I have knife
like pains in my head if I am over tired or stressed more than usual.
I had a pretty bad lumbar puncture and there was lots of trauma to my
spine so do not know whether it was this procedure or the meningitis
that has left me with these pains. Any advice?

My Daughter was hospitalized  and administered DHE protocol; which is
DHE alternated with Toradol (also phenergan PRN for nausea) and Reglan
(I think for her GI).  Anyway, it worked, and she was started on
Neurontin TID that she continues at home.  Her case was really severe,
and she suffered continuous Headache/migraine. It's helping, she's
still not completely HA free, but it is at a much lower level, and
she's able to contiue with her normal school activities.  Low Pressure
changes tend to increase her pain, but she takes it one day at a time.
Anyway, I hope this info helps.  My daughters meningitis was last Oct.
and it has been so frustrating watching her suffer and not being able
to do anything about it.  Except pray and wait.  Also we've been
trying Crainal Sacral therapy.  Not sure if it's working or the meds
or not.
God Bless, I hope you find relief and healing.





--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, "dianeholdeman"
<dianeholdeman@...> wrote:
>
> Viral Meningitis in Dec. 2007---I'm still experiencing terrible
> migraines about every other day---Topamax (spelling?)  no longer
> helping.  Any helpful ideas very appreciated!
>

Viral Meningitis in Dec. 2007---I'm still experiencing terrible
migraines about every other day---Topamax (spelling?)  no longer
helping.  Any helpful ideas very appreciated!

Hello.

Thank you for the reply.  My wife is feeling much better.  She has
had a few headaches since the last post but they were nothing like
the first 3 or 4 she had the 2 weeks following her meningitis
diagnosis.  She was referred to a neurologist by her primary
physician.  The neuro recently had her get an MRI, which came back
normal.  The neuro expects the headaches to go away.  He said that
Erin's body was still fighting off the meningitis and that sometimes
the meningitis fights back.  It seems as though we might be one of
the lucky ones in that the headaches are getting way less severe in
pain and less frequent!!!  I am crossing my fingers.  I hope more is
found out about them and that others can find a some sort of solution.

What really bothers me is that the doctors who diagnosed the
meningitis did not warn us that the initial symptoms might flare up
for a week or 2.  In fact, upon the second hospital visit the doctors
said it was weird for such to happen.  Just knowing that there was a
possibility of a flare up would have made us, and especially my wife,
not so anxious and panicky when it happened.  That is all for now.

Steve and Erin

--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, "cph72"
<lbstadler@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> Hope your wife is feeling better by now. It is not well understood,
> which can be frustrating. I think the best bet is to go with a
> headache specialist - like the Michigan Headache Institute or
Chicago
> Headache Instititue or the one in New York. All these are reputable
> as far as I know.
>
> That's all I have time for at the moment.
>
> Cheers,
> Laura
>
> --- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, jericho190@ wrote:
> >
> > Hi Steve.  I am so very sorry to hear of your wife's illness, and
I
> also understand your frustrations.
> >  
> > Three years ago, I was diagnosed with viral meningitis at an ER,
> given a prescription for pain meds, and released.  i collapsed at
the
> pharmacy, and was taken to another hospital, where I was
hospitalized
> for a week.  Since that time, I have suffered residual headaches. 
> Yes, it is a long time, but I can say at least that I have not had
to
> visit the hospital for the headaches in over a year, so they are
> lessened in intensity. 
> >  
> > I have tried numerous "migraine" meds, none of which had any
> success.  I am wary of over use of narcotics, so have kept use of
> them to a minimum.  At this point, my greatest success has been a
> combination of Lyrica, Cymbalta, and a small dose of beta-blockers
> (Propanolol).  For the most part, this daily regimen keeps the
> migraines and lesser headaches at bay.  For breakthrough
> headaches/migraines, I have some hydrocodone, and also keep
steriods
> in case I can catch the pain early and use the steriods to avoid
the
> onset.  Though I have recently been diagnosed with a severely
> deficient immune system, apparently the result of the meningitis, I
> try to eat well and stay as healthy as possible with light regular
> exercise, and plenty of rest.
> >  
> > My best wishes to you and your wife.  My husband has been by my
> side throughout this whole frustrating ordeal, and though it is
very
> difficult for him, he has been my best support.  He often deals
with
> the feelings of frustration and helplessness, as he can't do
anything
> to "fix" me, though he doesn't know how much just his support and
> presence helps.  Many people don't realize how difficult the after-
> effects of meningitis can be, and since the individual
doesn't "look"
> sick, they just can't have anything wrong.
> >  
> > Best wishes,
> > Laurel
> >
> > --- On Sun, 8/10/08, Steve Beck <Solj4life@> wrote:
> >
> > From: Steve Beck <Solj4life@>
> > Subject: RE: [PostmeningitisHeadache] Re: Wife recently diagnosed
> with viral meningitis experiencing severe headaches
> > To: postmeningitisheadache@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Sunday, August 10, 2008, 1:59 PM
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Thank you so much for the prompt reply and info.  Knowing that my
> wife, Erin, is not the only one is somewhat
> relieving.   Unfortunately, Erin's doctors did not warn us of
> possible reocurring headaches.  In fact, when we went back to the
> same hospital that diagnosed her with the viral menginitis 2
> weeks later for strikingly similar symptons, the doctors (an ER
> doctor and a neurologist) told us it was rare for such symptoms to
> reoccur!  Thus, we were very worried when it happened.  After the
> second headache early this morning, I decided to do some research
on
> my own and thankfully found some info and this group.  To top it
all
> off, we are in Destin, FL on vacation (which the doctor said would
be
> okay to go on).
> >  
> > We plan on finding a neurologist or headache specialist back in
St.
> Louis when we get home later in the week.  Erin is resting now. 
The
> headache went from a 9 to 3 on a 10-point scale.  One thing that
> worries me is that her temperature climbs into the 99 point
> somethings a few hours into the headache.  Her temp as since
> stabilized.  This episode was almost identical to the last.  Erin
> also experiences vomiting with her headaches.  Finally, so far the
> headaches have only occurrerd during the middle of the night after
> she went to sleep.  She wakes up with the pain, vomits about 30
mins
> in, and has the headache for about 8-12hrs. 
> >  
> > Any more info will be much appreciated, such as any drug that was
> helpful to you or doctors' contact info that are familiar with such
> headaches.  It seems as though the doctors at the hospital she went
> to have no idea, which makes me very nervous. 
> >  
> > Thanks again!!
> >  
> > Steve
> >
> >
> >
> > To: PostmeningitisHeada che@yahoogroups. com
> > From: lbstadler@hotmail. com
> > Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:08:22 +0000
> > Subject: [PostmeningitisHead ache] Re: Wife recently diagnosed
with
> viral meningitis experiencing severe headaches
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Sorry to hear about your wife's illness. I had viral meningitis
in
> June
> > 2004 and suffer from chronic head pain. It does change in
intensity
> and
> > character - it is considered mixed type (tension with migraine-
> > features)...
> >
> > Anyway, you can find all the info that I was abele to dig up
under
> the
> > files section:
> > http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ PostmeningitisHe
> adache/files/
> >
> > Hope you find some info that is useful.
> >
> > One of the most important things I have learned is to find
balance
> in
> > my every day life with stress reduction and other pain managemnet
> > techniques (balancing activity with rest). I cannot stress this
> enough!
> > Daily relaxation, exercise, diet -- it all has an affect. It may
> not
> > take the pain or headaches away, but it does have influence on
how
> > severe and how often attacks can occur.
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Best,
> > Laura
> >
> > --- In PostmeningitisHeada che@yahoogroups. com, "stevenbeck_
710"
> > <Solj4life@ ..> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello, all. My wife was diagnosed with viral meningitis about 3
> > weeks
> > > ago. Since then, she has had 2 very severe headaches, each
> occurring
> > > about 7 days apart. The first occurred about 10 days after she
> was
> > > released from the hospital where she was treated for the
> meningitis.
> > > We went back to the ER and they just gave her a steroid taper
and
> > some
> > > pain meds. The second about 7 days after that. The headaches
> > > accompanied with vomiting.
> > >
> > > I feel helpless in not knowing what to do. After some research
on
> > the
> > > web I realized that post-meningitis headaches are not that
> uncommon.
> > > Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thank you.
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Get more from your digital life. Find out how.
> >
>

I got of mycoplasma meningitis a month and half ago. When i was sick,
I had anxiety attacks everyday and could barely stop crying. My doctor
said it was because my nervous system was effected.

I've been fine for awhile but the past two days, I've felt panicky
again, but the symptoms are different then a classic panic attack. My
arms feel warm and tingly but it doesn't quit spread to my chest. This
happened yesterday then last night I got my classic meningitis
headache, right between my eyes. I took 2 oxycodone which helped a bit
(the last time I got one, I tried 3 ibprofen and it didn't do anything.)
The headache felt like a 5, made me feel a bit cross eyed and bright
light wasn't great. So far I haven't had any killer headaches..

Did anyone else have the panicky crying thing when they were sick?
What about now. Yesterday when it happened I just knew that I'd get a
headache later..maybe it was a first sign?

Thanks!

Hi there,

Hope your wife is feeling better by now. It is not well understood,
which can be frustrating. I think the best bet is to go with a
headache specialist - like the Michigan Headache Institute or Chicago
Headache Instititue or the one in New York. All these are reputable
as far as I know.

That's all I have time for at the moment.

Cheers,
Laura

--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, jericho190@... wrote:
>
> Hi Steve.  I am so very sorry to hear of your wife's illness, and I
also understand your frustrations.
>  
> Three years ago, I was diagnosed with viral meningitis at an ER,
given a prescription for pain meds, and released.  i collapsed at the
pharmacy, and was taken to another hospital, where I was hospitalized
for a week.  Since that time, I have suffered residual headaches. 
Yes, it is a long time, but I can say at least that I have not had to
visit the hospital for the headaches in over a year, so they are
lessened in intensity. 
>  
> I have tried numerous "migraine" meds, none of which had any
success.  I am wary of over use of narcotics, so have kept use of
them to a minimum.  At this point, my greatest success has been a
combination of Lyrica, Cymbalta, and a small dose of beta-blockers
(Propanolol).  For the most part, this daily regimen keeps the
migraines and lesser headaches at bay.  For breakthrough
headaches/migraines, I have some hydrocodone, and also keep steriods
in case I can catch the pain early and use the steriods to avoid the
onset.  Though I have recently been diagnosed with a severely
deficient immune system, apparently the result of the meningitis, I
try to eat well and stay as healthy as possible with light regular
exercise, and plenty of rest.
>  
> My best wishes to you and your wife.  My husband has been by my
side throughout this whole frustrating ordeal, and though it is very
difficult for him, he has been my best support.  He often deals with
the feelings of frustration and helplessness, as he can't do anything
to "fix" me, though he doesn't know how much just his support and
presence helps.  Many people don't realize how difficult the after-
effects of meningitis can be, and since the individual doesn't "look"
sick, they just can't have anything wrong.
>  
> Best wishes,
> Laurel
>
> --- On Sun, 8/10/08, Steve Beck <Solj4life@...> wrote:
>
> From: Steve Beck <Solj4life@...>
> Subject: RE: [PostmeningitisHeadache] Re: Wife recently diagnosed
with viral meningitis experiencing severe headaches
> To: postmeningitisheadache@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Sunday, August 10, 2008, 1:59 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Thank you so much for the prompt reply and info.  Knowing that my
wife, Erin, is not the only one is somewhat
relieving.   Unfortunately, Erin's doctors did not warn us of
possible reocurring headaches.  In fact, when we went back to the
same hospital that diagnosed her with the viral menginitis 2
weeks later for strikingly similar symptons, the doctors (an ER
doctor and a neurologist) told us it was rare for such symptoms to
reoccur!  Thus, we were very worried when it happened.  After the
second headache early this morning, I decided to do some research on
my own and thankfully found some info and this group.  To top it all
off, we are in Destin, FL on vacation (which the doctor said would be
okay to go on).
>  
> We plan on finding a neurologist or headache specialist back in St.
Louis when we get home later in the week.  Erin is resting now.  The
headache went from a 9 to 3 on a 10-point scale.  One thing that
worries me is that her temperature climbs into the 99 point
somethings a few hours into the headache.  Her temp as since
stabilized.  This episode was almost identical to the last.  Erin
also experiences vomiting with her headaches.  Finally, so far the
headaches have only occurrerd during the middle of the night after
she went to sleep.  She wakes up with the pain, vomits about 30 mins
in, and has the headache for about 8-12hrs. 
>  
> Any more info will be much appreciated, such as any drug that was
helpful to you or doctors' contact info that are familiar with such
headaches.  It seems as though the doctors at the hospital she went
to have no idea, which makes me very nervous. 
>  
> Thanks again!!
>  
> Steve
>
>
>
> To: PostmeningitisHeada che@yahoogroups. com
> From: lbstadler@hotmail. com
> Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2008 16:08:22 +0000
> Subject: [PostmeningitisHead ache] Re: Wife recently diagnosed with
viral meningitis experiencing severe headaches
>
>
>
>
>
> Hi,
>
> Sorry to hear about your wife's illness. I had viral meningitis in
June
> 2004 and suffer from chronic head pain. It does change in intensity
and
> character - it is considered mixed type (tension with migraine-
> features)...
>
> Anyway, you can find all the info that I was abele to dig up under
the
> files section:
> http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ PostmeningitisHe
adache/files/
>
> Hope you find some info that is useful.
>
> One of the most important things I have learned is to find balance
in
> my every day life with stress reduction and other pain managemnet
> techniques (balancing activity with rest). I cannot stress this
enough!
> Daily relaxation, exercise, diet -- it all has an affect. It may
not
> take the pain or headaches away, but it does have influence on how
> severe and how often attacks can occur.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Best,
> Laura
>
> --- In PostmeningitisHeada che@yahoogroups. com, "stevenbeck_ 710"
> <Solj4life@ ..> wrote:
> >
> > Hello, all. My wife was diagnosed with viral meningitis about 3
> weeks
> > ago. Since then, she has had 2 very severe headaches, each
occurring
> > about 7 days apart. The first occurred about 10 days after she
was
> > released from the hospital where she was treated for the
meningitis.
> > We went back to the ER and they just gave her a steroid taper and
> some
> > pain meds. The second about 7 days after that. The headaches
> > accompanied with vomiting.
> >
> > I feel helpless in not knowing what to do. After some research on
> the
> > web I realized that post-meningitis headaches are not that
uncommon.
> > Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thank you.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
> Get more from your digital life. Find out how.
>

I should add that the hospital THOUGHT I had viral meningitis but most
of my symptoms recurred once the steriods subsided. After a ton of
blood work the only test that came back positive was something called
mycoplasma. It normally gives you walking pneumonia but in rare rare
cases can cause meningitis. It was only after getting the right
antibiotic that my headaches finally went away, knock on wood. It's
been a month since my last one so I'm hoping that this trend continues.

It might be worth your wife getting more blood work done. Mycoplasma
wouldn't show up in a regular bacteria screen because it is TINY
compared to bacteria. The reason I bring this up is that when I
presented at the hospital I never had a fever over 100 which was an
odd presentation.

They tested me for herpes (3 different ways), lupus, lyme disease,
mycoplasma and a whole wack of other things.

Hope this is helpful...I really saw a change when they got me on the
right antibiotic.




--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, Steve Beck
<Solj4life@...> wrote:
>
>
> Thank you so much for the prompt reply and info.  Knowing that my
wife, Erin, is not the only one is somewhat relieving.
Unfortunately, Erin's doctors did not warn us of possible reocurring
headaches.  In fact, when we went back to the same hospital that
diagnosed her with the viral menginitis 2 weeks later for strikingly
similar symptons, the doctors (an ER doctor and a neurologist) told us
it was rare for such symptoms to reoccur!  Thus, we were very worried
when it happened.  After the second headache early this morning, I
decided to do some research on my own and thankfully found some info
and this group.  To top it all off, we are in Destin, FL on vacation
(which the doctor said would be okay to go on).
>
> We plan on finding a neurologist or headache specialist back in St.
Louis when we get home later in the week.  Erin is resting now.  The
headache went from a 9 to 3 on a 10-point scale.  One thing that
worries me is that her temperature climbs into the 99 point somethings
a few hours into the headache.  Her temp as since stabilized.  This
episode was almost identical to the last.  Erin also experiences
vomiting with her headaches.  Finally, so far the headaches have only
occurrerd during the middle of the night after she went to sleep.  She
wakes up with the pain, vomits about 30 mins in, and has the headache
for about 8-12hrs.
>
> Any more info will be much appreciated, such as any drug that was
helpful to you or doctors' contact info that are familiar with such
headaches.  It seems as though the doctors at the hospital she went to
have no idea, which makes me very nervous.
>
> Thanks again!!
>
> Steve
>
>
>
> To: PostmeningitisHeadache@...: dizzygoodman@...: Sun, 10 Aug 2008
16:00:23 +0000Subject: [PostmeningitisHeadache] Re: Wife recently
diagnosed with viral meningitis experiencing severe headaches
>
>
>
>
> I had bacterial meningitis this summer. My headaches lasted for
twomonths. I've heard about other folks ending up with migraines
aftermeningitis. Knock on wood, I haven't had one in a month, which
isabout how long I've felt truly all better.I don't think there's a
lot of post meningitis documentation but Ifound this link
useful.http://www.meningitis.org/disease-info/after-effectsGood
luck.Diane--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com,
"stevenbeck_710"<Solj4life@> wrote:>> Hello, all. My wife was
diagnosed with viral meningitis about 3 weeks > ago. Since then, she
has had 2 very severe headaches, each occurring > about 7 days apart.
The first occurred about 10 days after she was > released from the
hospital where she was treated for the meningitis. > We went back to
the ER and they just gave her a steroid taper and some > pain meds.
The second about 7 days after that. The headaches > accompanied with
vomiting. > > I feel helpless in not knowing what to do. After some
research on the > web I realized that post-meningitis headaches are
not that uncommon. > Any feedback will be much appreciated. Thank you.>
>
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Reveal your inner athlete and share it with friends on Windows Live.
>
http://revealyourinnerathlete.windowslive.com?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WLYIA_\
whichathlete_us
>

Hi,

Sorry to hear about your wife's illness. I had viral meningitis in June
2004 and suffer from chronic head pain. It does change in intensity and
character - it is considered mixed type (tension with migraine-
features)...

Anyway, you can find all the info that I was abele to dig up under the
files section:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/PostmeningitisHeadache/files/

Hope you find some info that is useful.

One of the most important things I have learned is to find balance in
my every day life with stress reduction and other pain managemnet
techniques (balancing activity with rest). I cannot stress this enough!
Daily relaxation, exercise, diet -- it all has an affect. It may not
take the pain or headaches away, but it does have influence on how
severe and how often attacks can occur.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Laura

--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, "stevenbeck_710"
<Solj4life@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, all.  My wife was diagnosed with viral meningitis about 3
weeks
> ago.  Since then, she has had 2 very severe headaches, each occurring
> about 7 days apart.  The first occurred about 10 days after she was
> released from the hospital where she was treated for the meningitis.
> We went back to the ER and they just gave her a steroid taper and
some
> pain meds.  The second about 7 days after that.  The headaches
> accompanied with vomiting.
>
> I feel helpless in not knowing what to do.  After some research on
the
> web I realized that post-meningitis headaches are not that uncommon.
> Any feedback will be much appreciated.  Thank you.
>

I had bacterial meningitis this summer. My headaches lasted for two
months. I've heard about other folks ending up with migraines after
meningitis. Knock on wood, I haven't had one in a month, which is
about how long I've felt truly all better.

I don't think there's a lot of post meningitis documentation but I
found this link useful.

http://www.meningitis.org/disease-info/after-effects

Good luck.

Diane

--- In PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com, "stevenbeck_710"
<Solj4life@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, all.  My wife was diagnosed with viral meningitis about 3 weeks
> ago.  Since then, she has had 2 very severe headaches, each occurring
> about 7 days apart.  The first occurred about 10 days after she was
> released from the hospital where she was treated for the meningitis.
> We went back to the ER and they just gave her a steroid taper and some
> pain meds.  The second about 7 days after that.  The headaches
> accompanied with vomiting.
>
> I feel helpless in not knowing what to do.  After some research on the
> web I realized that post-meningitis headaches are not that uncommon.
> Any feedback will be much appreciated.  Thank you.
>

Hello, all.  My wife was diagnosed with viral meningitis about 3 weeks
ago.  Since then, she has had 2 very severe headaches, each occurring
about 7 days apart.  The first occurred about 10 days after she was
released from the hospital where she was treated for the meningitis.
We went back to the ER and they just gave her a steroid taper and some
pain meds.  The second about 7 days after that.  The headaches
accompanied with vomiting.

I feel helpless in not knowing what to do.  After some research on the
web I realized that post-meningitis headaches are not that uncommon.
Any feedback will be much appreciated.  Thank you.

Hi to all,

    My bacterial meningitis was 3 years ago April. The headaches have
been bad since then until my doctor tried me on Lexapro. I still had
some headaches but they were much more tolearble. Lexapro is an
antidepressant and is also used for anxiety. He had tried other drugs,
but nothing helped.
    It is very expensive, and there is no generic out there yet. My
insurance providor bulked at the price, so I am trying another drug. It
is back to the headaches. My doctor will fight the insurance and
I am looking forward to being on the Lexapro - 10mg a day. It is not
that I am depressed, but my brain must be!
   Maybe someone else can be helped by Lexapro. Each person and case is
different, and I am happy to have a doctor that cares and seeks the
best for me. That is such a blessing!
   Have a safe Memorial Day!

Eileen

Hello Group,

It's been a while since I've written to you all and it's party
because I've been in a phase of experimentation. I'm sure you can
relate.

I first want to say congratulations to Andrew and his daughter
Mallory's miraculous healing. Feel free to share your story with this
group too if you want, Andrew.

One of the things I want to tell you about is my experience going
through a detox/cleansing at a resort in Austria. The name is
Lanserhof and it's located near Innsbruck. It's one of the best
resorts of its kind in Europe and while it was a bit expensive, it
was incredible. While there, I went through a cleansing using the
Mayr method and also through a strict diet(I believe there are a few
places in the U.S. that offer this so if you are interested, let me
know and I'll find out where). You can learn more about this here:
http://www.mayrtherapy.com/

One of the things I came away with that seems to be helping me with
my head pain is managing my body's pH (acitidy) level. I now do this
via using Tri-Salts -- to learn more about this visit:
http://home.bluegrass.net/~jclark/coral_calcium.htm

If you are interested to learn more about this resort and what it's
like, visit my blogs posts at:

http://lbstadler.wordpress.com/2008/03/06/holistic-healing-in-the-
austrian-alps/

http://lbstadler.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/lanserhof-here-i-come/

http://lbstadler.wordpress.com/2008/03/21/no-time-for-posting-while-
getting-lanserhoffed/

http://lbstadler.wordpress.com/2008/03/26/the-lightness-of-letting-go/

You can also watch a video I made here:
http://lbstadler.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/presentation-of-lanserhof-
stay/

I have also since lost about 20 pounds due to the detox and diet
changes since March.

Finally, I want to share something else that has had a significant
impact and that is an energy healing I had there. It helped to remove
a lot of the emtional blocks and pain (anguish, gried, frustration,
dizziness, etc) that I've had just dealing with the constant pain. If
you want to know more about this, please let me know.

The good news is that since going through all of this and changing my
diet as result, I have had a decrease in the level of pain intensity
and better "good" days and more of them. I am hopeful that it will
continue and eventually "fade away."

A couple additional things to mention are that I have continued with
the daily 30 minutes healing meditaion and since I've been doing this
almost every day faithfully for six months, the effects have become
more and more powerful. I highly suggest it ro something else like
it: http://www.theatreofthemind.com/product.asp?specific=625

Lastly, I am now in a pain management program and the book I am
reading for it that is a good source of support and ispiration is
called: The Pain Survival Guide and can be purchased on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Pain-Survival-Guide-Reclaim-
Lifetools/dp/1591470498

If anyone has anything to share or comment, please do so.

I am interested to know about your journey and how each of you is
coping. What wins or successes have you had? What's working and what
isn't?

That's all for now.

Take care and all the best to everyone. I hope this finds you having
a good day.

...Laura

---

To: PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com
From: KenandLauriee@...
Date: Wed, 7 May 2008 02:03:19 +0000
Subject: [PostmeningitisHeadache] Cranial Sacral Therapy

I was diagnosed with viral meningitis in September 2007. Since my
diagnosis I have been struggling with chronic headaches. I went to my
Neurologist and was put on Topomax and had no relief, I also tried the
chiropractor and acupuncture with no success in alleviating the pain.
I have a friend who suggested Cranial Sacral Therapy. I thought it was
a little far fetched but you get to a point where you're so desperate
you will try anything right? So I went. I have been to CST four times
now and I have been headache free for over three weeks!
I'm not sure if it will work for everyone, but I just wanted to pass on
something that seems to have worked for me.

I was diagnosed with viral meningitis in September 2007.  Since my
diagnosis I have been struggling with chronic headaches.  I went to my
Neurologist and was put on Topomax and had no relief, I also tried the
chiropractor and acupuncture with no success in alleviating the pain.
I have a friend who suggested Cranial Sacral Therapy.  I thought it was
a little far fetched but you get to a point where you're so desperate
you will try anything right?  So I went.  I have been to CST four times
now and I have been headache free for over three weeks!
I'm not sure if it will work for everyone, but I just wanted to pass on
something that seems to have worked for me.

ok

So i tried Ultram and Tylenol and asprin and so on and so on.


My doc then perscribes me...Vicodin.

And

It works.  I cant believe it.   50 MG a pill and i can take 2 a day.

I HATE taking meds, but these work awesome.  I usually wake up with a
headache, but i dont WANT to take more than 1 pill a day so i try to
hold off till about 11 or 12, and the Vic works till about 5.  It
very slowly wears off.  Maybe once or twice a week i will take 2 a
day, but i have an odd fear of getting addicted to them.  Weird huh?
I dont have the urge to, but i guess it is a just in case thing.  I
try to go at least 1 or 2 days WITHOUT any meds so i can keep myself
rated on my own pain scale. I figure it is the only way i will be
able to monitor my pain tolerence and realize if i am getting better
or worse.  If i take pain pills all the time, even a Tiny regular
headache could feel like a bad one.  SO i guess thats my way of not
forgetting the pain level.

Its so rare

I didnt end up too bad i guess.  I woke up one day with a killer
headache that never went away untill i almost collapesed in complete
agony.  My ER doc that day did a lot fo things wrong, but he stuck it
to meningitis the minute i walked thru that door.  Ill give him
that.  That is probably the only reason i wouldnt sue him for
pinching my nerves into my spine durring the spinal tap causing me
about 8 months of severe pain.  He could of saved my life that night.

   These Mind Numbing Headaches, i cant concintrate.  My youngest son
is Autistic and i try so hard to be in his life and do everythinghe
needs me to do.  But my own life just drains me.  I have 2 other
small children and a loving wife who help me. They just dont
understand the pain.  These Headaches i get, i call them
headaches..but they arent they are BRAIN ACHES.  Most people would
think i was nuts, or have no clue what i am talking about so i call
em head aches.  Its like saying your Hair Hurts, or your blood
hurts.  How does your hair or blood hurt?  No ones hair can hurt!
Well, how does your Brain Hurt?  I dont know....But mine does  :-(

  I was such and active person before the meningitis and i even
practicied Kung Fu.  now, i can barely get out of bed without help.
I am affraid to do ANYTHING active as it may cause a relapse of
severe headaches.  Wound up back in the ER 3 weeks ago from a
Migrane.  I was so scared it was meingitis again. Thank god, it was
just severe migranes.  Pain scale of 10 being the menangitis, the
last migrabe was a 8 or 9, so i was very very nervous.

All we can do is just spread the word, my doctos never had even HEARD
of the after effects of menangitis.  Thats scarry.
I have the daunting task to battle the world for my Son and his
Autism First.  1 in 150 kids is diagnosed with it , 1 in 96 boys!  So
his cause is more important than my own i am affraid to say, but i do
wish you all the best and we will get through this together.

So before Meningitis i was a fan of Monster Energy Drinks.

Since meningitis my tatses have changed along with most other things in
my life, but thats a whole other post i guess.

The reason for this one is, i could tank up to 3 or 4 Monster Energy
drinks a day, which we know is not good of course.

Well now...I have a couple sips and my brain Erupts into fire.
It LITTERALLY RIGHT NOW feels like my brain is burning.

Such a painful yet odd and confusing sensation.

I know the Monster drinks have a lot of taurine and that is supposed to
inhibit connections and neurotransmission and such.  It is amazing as i
look at the areas of the brain they "hypothisise" that Taurine effects,
those are the areas of my brain that are burning.  This meningitis is
such a weird life transforming thing.  I mean, i cant even DRINK the
same drinks, let alone do anything else i would of done before it.

I found this on Taurine, check it out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine

Man...i even gained like 25 Pounds since coming out of the Hospital in
Sept.  Im not fat, im 6'2 and 205 Lbs, but i def have to watch what i
eat now. Went to the eye doc, i need glasses now.  My hearing has been
bothering me.  CONSTANT itching inside my ears.

Meningitis is lucky that it cant catch me man..i would totally mess it
up!

Sigh...

Treatment of Headache After Viral Meningitis?

Question
What is the recommended treatment for protracted intractable headache following viral meningitis? CT scan and other tests show no complicating factors.

Response from Randolph Warren Evans, MD
Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Neurology at the University of Texas at Houston Medical School and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

First, I would want to confirm the diagnosis of acute viral meningitis, even though it has resolved. Even with a normal CT scan, an MRI scan of the brain can further exclude a parameningeal focus, meningeal enhancement, low-grade neoplasm, or paranasal sinusitis (such as ethmoid or sphenoid). A lumbar puncture will determine whether the CSF has indeed returned to normal. I presume there is no evidence of any other systemic disease such as HIV, Lyme, sarcoidosis, cancer, or collagen vascular disease, or drug-induced meningitis (eg, due to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], antibiotics such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, or ranitidine).^[1]

References

1.       Evans RW. Other secondary headaches and associated disorders. In: Evans RW, Mathew NT, eds. Handbook of Headache. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Williams & Wilkins; 2000:chap 13.

2.       Neufeld MY, Treves TA, Chistik V, Korczyn AD. Postmeningitis headache. Headache. 1999;39:132-134.

3.       Vanast WJ, Diaz-Mitoma F, Tyrrell DL. Hypothesis: chronic benign daily headache is an immune disorder with a viral trigger. Headache. 1987;27:138-142.

4.       Mathew NT, Kailsaam J. Repetitive intravenous administration of valproate sodium in intractable migraine: comparison with intravenous dihydroergotamine (DHE). Neurology. 2000;54(suppl 3):A22.

---

To: PostmeningitisHeadache@yahoogroups.com
From: geonat1978@...
Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 03:25:26 +0000
Subject: [PostmeningitisHeadache] OMG!

WOW

Hi everyone

i am so relieved to find a place full of people are in this same
boat!! When all my doctors and Neurologists, and hemotologists, and
everyone i talk to seem to doubt my post menangitis Headaches...i
didnt know what to do... SO crippling, and almost impossible to
function while they are taking place. These Headaches are ruining my
life

I am 29 Years old and a married father of 3 Kids, my Youngest being
Autistic. I USED to be very athletic and very very active.

It all started in Late September when one day i thought i had a
REALLY bad Sinus Headache. After suffering all day, it finally made
me Physically ill. I walked to my bathroom to be sick and as i
proceeded to strain to vomit i thought someone stabbed me in the
temples. I then colapsed to the floor, Screamed, and almost blacked
out. I tried very hard to keep my self from passing out, as all i
could think about was my kids finding their dad passed out on the
bathroom floor. As i crawled out of the bathroom on my hands and
knees i came to the realization i think i just had a stroke.

My wife had woken up when i screamed right before hitting the floor
and i refused to let her call 911 i drove myself very irresponisbly,
about 1 mile to the hospital where i was admited to the ER and then a
spinal tap was eventually done. That Came Back Positive for
Menangitis. I was in the hosptial for a week, and the doctors NEVER
found out how i got it, though every test known to man was
performed.

It is Now 6 months later and my life is now being ruined by these
Awful Headaches. They Are crippling me and i am un-able to function
when they occur. I have had recent MRIs and Cat Scans as well as
Blood Work and many other tests and these headaches just keep
coming. The worst USUALLY when i wake up in the morning. I REALLY
need some help. It is so hard to take care of my kids and these
headaches!!!!! I hope i can learn some usefull ideas and such here
in this group. I am currently on 50mg of Ultram and used to take it
once or twice a day...the doctor now suggests i take it up to 4 times
a day if i have to. I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!

Geoffery

WOW

Hi everyone

i am so relieved to find a place full of people are in this same
boat!!  When all my doctors and Neurologists, and hemotologists, and
everyone i talk to seem to doubt my post menangitis Headaches...i
didnt know what to do...  SO crippling, and almost impossible to
function while they are taking place.  These Headaches are ruining my
life

I am 29 Years old and a married father of 3 Kids, my Youngest being
Autistic.  I USED to be very athletic and very very active.

It all started in Late September when one day i thought i had a
REALLY bad Sinus Headache.  After suffering all day, it finally made
me Physically ill.  I walked to my bathroom to be sick and as i
proceeded to strain to vomit i thought someone stabbed me in the
temples.  I then colapsed to the floor, Screamed, and almost blacked
out.  I tried very hard to keep my self from passing out, as all i
could think about was my kids finding their dad passed out on the
bathroom floor.  As i crawled out of the bathroom on my hands and
knees i came to the realization i think i just had a stroke.

My wife had woken up when i screamed right before hitting the floor
and i refused to let her call 911 i drove myself very irresponisbly,
about 1 mile to the hospital where i was admited to the ER and then a
spinal tap was eventually done.  That Came Back Positive for
Menangitis.  I was in the hosptial for a week, and the doctors NEVER
found out how i got it, though every test known to man was
performed.

It is Now 6 months later and my life is now being ruined by these
Awful Headaches.  They Are crippling me and i am un-able to function
when they occur.  I have had recent MRIs and Cat Scans as well as
Blood Work and many other tests and these headaches just keep
coming.  The worst USUALLY when i wake up in the morning.  I REALLY
need some help.  It is so hard to take care of my kids and these
headaches!!!!!  I hope i can learn some usefull ideas and such here
in this group.  I am currently on 50mg of Ultram and used to take it
once or twice a day...the doctor now suggests i take it up to 4 times
a day if i have to.  I WANT MY LIFE BACK!!

Geoffery