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Viral Meningit-yuck-is
7:33 PM Edit This 2 Comments »
Last Sunday I started to get a nasty headache. I didn't think much of it because Rachel had been here for a week and Toadie's wedding was the night before and we uh... well, had LOTS of fun. Late nights and lots of good times.
So I napped Sunday and went to bed early. I woke up Monday with a gigantic headache. Every day it got worse and worse. Wednesday at 4 am I woke up with a 104 fever and couldn't even bare the pain of my headache, my joints ached, I was nauseas and irritable. I called the doc that day and got an appt for 11am. Dr. Havers did blood tests and had me go in for a ct, she gave me a prescription for a mild pain reliever. I got home and took some of the medicine and it just got worse and worse. The nurse called and told me the ct was clear so call back in the morning if it still hurts.
That night was horrible, I got no sleep and the pain in my head was the worst pain I have ever felt... and I've had natural child birth. I called the doctor and they told me I should go into the er. Ty came home and his mom came over to watch Lo. And off we went to the emergency room. I got checked in and they decided to do a lumbar puncture to test for viral meningitis. However first they needed to put in an iv.
Most of you know, I don't do well with needles. However lately it seems as though I've concurred this fear. I had my blood drawn earlier in the week and didn't even flinch. But as he was putting the iv in, I felt myself slipping away further and further until finally I was in such a happy place. I don't remember what my dream was, but it was the best dream and there was no pain and I felt so good and never wanted to leave.
In reality, I had passed out, but because of the meningitis, it had escalated it into a seizure and from what I understand I was flailing about all over the hospital bed with blue lips and my tongue swollen and hanging out my mouth, wide open eyes. I guess the sight was enough to make Ty almost pass out.
When they finally got me awake it was the rudest awakening. The room was suddenly filled with people and they were all screaming at me. I felt pain again, I was scared and I couldn't breath. When the dust settled, they gave me some iv pain meds and gave me time to recover before performing the lumbar puncture.
When that came back an hour later, we learned it was indeed viral meningitis. Thankfully not bacterial, but at least they can treat bacterial. The only treatment for viral is to treat the symptoms. So I was sent home with anti-nausea meds and oxycodone for the pain.
All evening and night Thursday I threw up, which was even more horrible because I couldn't keep my pain meds down. It was possibly the lowest point of my life. I would never even wish it upon my worst enemy.
Friday and Saturday were spent in bed, in and out of sleep and in the most pain I have ever felt. The one symptom that I hadn't had was neck rigidity and pain, but I developed that Friday night... I was banned from Lo in case I was still contagious, so I was quarantined in my room. Sunday I started feeling a little better and was able to get out of bed. My headache lifted a little. The medicine started to actually work.
Today I had a follow up. The doctor refilled my meds and said it could take a few weeks to feel like myself again. I am so tired of being sick and it's been so long now (today is the 9th day), I have forgotten what it feels like to be normal. I'm still having pain when I look in my peripherals, so I have another follow up on Friday.
Throughout this whole thing I have been so blessed by my friends and family. My Gramma made us dinners, my friends grocery shopped and babysat Lo for hours on end. I can't even express how much it meant to me. I didn't have to worry about one thing. Laura did all my worrying for me and was 2 steps ahead, always taking care of my needs before I even had them. At first I was nervous because my mom and sister are so far away, but there was no need for that.
Everyone keeps asking how I caught it, it's a viral infection. Anyone can catch it. There are carriers that never actually get the infection, they just give it to mostly the young, old and those with weakened immune systems (ding ding ding).
So I've probably got a few more days before I am feeling back to my old self... I'm hoping its sooner rather than later.
So I napped Sunday and went to bed early. I woke up Monday with a gigantic headache. Every day it got worse and worse. Wednesday at 4 am I woke up with a 104 fever and couldn't even bare the pain of my headache, my joints ached, I was nauseas and irritable. I called the doc that day and got an appt for 11am. Dr. Havers did blood tests and had me go in for a ct, she gave me a prescription for a mild pain reliever. I got home and took some of the medicine and it just got worse and worse. The nurse called and told me the ct was clear so call back in the morning if it still hurts.
That night was horrible, I got no sleep and the pain in my head was the worst pain I have ever felt... and I've had natural child birth. I called the doctor and they told me I should go into the er. Ty came home and his mom came over to watch Lo. And off we went to the emergency room. I got checked in and they decided to do a lumbar puncture to test for viral meningitis. However first they needed to put in an iv.
Most of you know, I don't do well with needles. However lately it seems as though I've concurred this fear. I had my blood drawn earlier in the week and didn't even flinch. But as he was putting the iv in, I felt myself slipping away further and further until finally I was in such a happy place. I don't remember what my dream was, but it was the best dream and there was no pain and I felt so good and never wanted to leave.
In reality, I had passed out, but because of the meningitis, it had escalated it into a seizure and from what I understand I was flailing about all over the hospital bed with blue lips and my tongue swollen and hanging out my mouth, wide open eyes. I guess the sight was enough to make Ty almost pass out.
When they finally got me awake it was the rudest awakening. The room was suddenly filled with people and they were all screaming at me. I felt pain again, I was scared and I couldn't breath. When the dust settled, they gave me some iv pain meds and gave me time to recover before performing the lumbar puncture.
When that came back an hour later, we learned it was indeed viral meningitis. Thankfully not bacterial, but at least they can treat bacterial. The only treatment for viral is to treat the symptoms. So I was sent home with anti-nausea meds and oxycodone for the pain.
All evening and night Thursday I threw up, which was even more horrible because I couldn't keep my pain meds down. It was possibly the lowest point of my life. I would never even wish it upon my worst enemy.
Friday and Saturday were spent in bed, in and out of sleep and in the most pain I have ever felt. The one symptom that I hadn't had was neck rigidity and pain, but I developed that Friday night... I was banned from Lo in case I was still contagious, so I was quarantined in my room. Sunday I started feeling a little better and was able to get out of bed. My headache lifted a little. The medicine started to actually work.
Today I had a follow up. The doctor refilled my meds and said it could take a few weeks to feel like myself again. I am so tired of being sick and it's been so long now (today is the 9th day), I have forgotten what it feels like to be normal. I'm still having pain when I look in my peripherals, so I have another follow up on Friday.
Throughout this whole thing I have been so blessed by my friends and family. My Gramma made us dinners, my friends grocery shopped and babysat Lo for hours on end. I can't even express how much it meant to me. I didn't have to worry about one thing. Laura did all my worrying for me and was 2 steps ahead, always taking care of my needs before I even had them. At first I was nervous because my mom and sister are so far away, but there was no need for that.
Everyone keeps asking how I caught it, it's a viral infection. Anyone can catch it. There are carriers that never actually get the infection, they just give it to mostly the young, old and those with weakened immune systems (ding ding ding).
So I've probably got a few more days before I am feeling back to my old self... I'm hoping its sooner rather than later.
2 comments:
Oh my goodness. I hope you start to feel better soon. That stinks. Dang..moms and sick do not go together..so good luck with that! xoxoxo
What an ordeal! I am glad you at least have a really good support system. Yes they can treat bacterial, but you probably would of been dead by now, so I think viral is good. :) I am glad you are starting to feel a bit better. I hope you start feeling better soon and I hope you don't ever get this again. Love you!! :)
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