Viral Meningitis

Ok, this is how the story goes. The day Doug was to leave for Fiji (Feb 21st). I went and told him I was sorry, but I was sick and hoped he wouldn't get sick on his trip. It was just a bad cold, I thought. Well on Monday, Feb 25th I went to see the doctor. Monday, I wasn't feeling well enough that I'd be able to go to Jackie's concert on Tuesday or travel to Minnesota at the end of the week.  I couldn't get in to see my regular doctor, so I went to CareNow. I was diagnosed with a sinus infection. Symptoms nasal congestion and this unbelievable pressure in my head. She noted my heart rate and blood pressure were high and to check it regularly and see my Primary Care Physician if it didn't improve to adjust my medications. So I'm put n Augmentin 875mg and Prednisone 40mg x 5 days to kick this to prevent any reactions like the last time I had a sinus infection...Stevens Johnson Syndrome.  Yikes - No thank you!

Then came Tuesday!  Tuesday morning at 5am I woke up with the worst headache of my life. And mind you, I've had some bad migraines in my day. But to be woken up, out of a dead sleep with the feeling of a knife cutting the back of your head. I rolled over and noted my heart rate was very high. I tried laying there trying to calm myself down...but that DID NOT WORK.  I got up and took my blood pressure. It was 156/97 with a pulse rate of 133.  Ok..just breathe...calm down...two minutes later I took it again.  BP  177/108; Pulse 143...Ok...this is not getting better....what do I do...who do I call. Doug's not here, the kids aren't close enough, it's 5am everyone is sleeping.  Ok time to call 911!  I texted my friend Linda I had called 911. I figured someone should know where I was ~ just in case. She immediately called me back and I said the ambulance had just pulled up and I was going to have them take me to Presby Plano. She planned to meet me there.

So the ambulance & fire truck showed up and whisked me away to Presbyterian Hospital in Plano. The medical staff there were quick minded about getting my blood pressure and pulse down. The doctor said either two things: 1) the headache is causing the blood pressure to be high or 2) the blood pressure is causing your headache.  They did an EKG, took some blood and then sent me off for a CT scan of my head. Upon my return, I was given an injection of Dilaudid...which did nothing to phase this headache that was a 12 on the scale of 1-10.  30 minutes later, I was given a second shot of Dilaudid....still no relief.  Blood pressure/pulse are still high.  I think the highest I heard Linda say it was 210/125.   I got all my results: labs normal; EKG normal; CT scan normal (no tumors, aneurysms, artery blockages). So nothing physical is showing up for the cause so it must be the pain, which is still not under control. So a third shot was given. At this point I had been crying and I don't remember them saying what I was given, just the fact that it was a mixture of 2 meds for headaches and this would definitely work.  My thought, was OK then why didn't we start with that one.  Third injection down...and a few minutes later, the pain was now about a 4-5 on a scale of 1-10. A whole lot better!!! Much more manageable! It actually made me sleepy.  And the best part was the blood pressure and pulse came down to a normal range. The doctor came in and said you have Viral Meningitis.   My first question, was "Am I contagious?"  He said "No, if you were I wouldn't be in here". Linda said the reason she wants to know is that "She's supposed to fly in a couple of days and meet a new baby".  I couldn't / wouldn't be able forgive myself if something were to happen to Jenny or the new baby because of me. I knew I'd have to stay home but wasn't ready to deal with that just yet.  The doctor said they could confirm the diagnosis with a lumbar puncture. I asked if the treatment would be any different with the actual confirmation and he said "No". Then I was like "Why would I undertake the risks of that procedure to have the same treatment?" So I opted No.  So discharge papers in order and prescriptions in hand. Linda drove me home; got me to eat some toast and then went and filled my prescriptions (Hydrocodone for the pain & some anti-nausea medicine for the upset stomach I'd get for taking the pain meds)
So still feeling bad on Tuesday I had to make a few upsetting calls.
I did not get to Jackie's concert. I was just sick about it that I'd let myself get so sick to miss such an important event.  I had Karl keep the news from her, I didn't want her being too worried about me to focus on her concert.....I've heard she did a marvelous job and will get to see the video soon. I then called my sister to let her know I wasn't coming for Allie's birth and to let MK know I was very, very sorry! I cancelled my flight to MN (luckily I can still use the ticket before the year end so I'll be visiting some time in the near - near future!) It was a very emotional day!

But I've had the great love and support from my my family and my friend Linda. Linda was great about checking on me; last night she brought me soup/grapes and Imodium. She is truly a great friend. My family has great too!! They changed their schedules to make sure somebody was with me. Jill came and stayed overnight on Tuesday night; even though she just sat and watched me, it was nice knowing someone was there ~ just in case. Josh was on duty Wednesday night. He was going to bring me the soup but Linda got me me first. Sorry Josh!  But he sat up with me until bedtime and checked on me on Thursday morning before he left the house. So today is Thursday and I think I've rounded a corner. I can say at this time, I'm headache free and feeling better than Tuesday & Wednesday.  I've still got a ways to go; but I'm very much looking forward to Doug being home on Saturday night. I know he's felt helpless being so far away and not being able to see for himself that I'm fine.  But I really was in very good hands!

The normal recoupment time for viral meningitis is 3-7 days; but could be as much as 10 days.
So pray this resolves quickly, I get my energy back and I can start looking forward to some good days ahead.

So read below if you'd like some more information about Viral Meningitis.
The doctor thought mine was caused by an enterovirus (usually an infection in the head - sinus, throat or ears). Infection gets in to the meninges of the brain / brain stem causing the worst headache of your life!
http://www.webmd.com/brain/understanding-meningitis-basics
http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/viral.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/meningitis/DS00118/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print