I almost died. Just spent 3 days in ICU.

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Pepsei

Lifer
Dec 14, 2001
12,895
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dude, glad you got out of this one...

how come your gf/wife didn't talk you into the emergency sooner?
 

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
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Originally posted by: Amused
Well, I had been having a low grade fever since a week after my mother broke her hip on Sept 23rd. I had gone to the doctor a few times and they found nothing. So I let it go... and with all the issues surrounding my mother's failed recovery and death on Oct 17th, I had little time to follow up.

Fast forward to last Thursday (Nov 13th). A few days before the 13th, I had developed what seemed to be a head cold on top of the low grade fever. I took meds to relieve the pain, and made yet another Dr appt.

Thursday the 13th started out fine. I felt flu-ish, but functional and ran errands, did laundry, etc. But by 2PM, things started going very bad. I crawled into bed and my fever skyrocketed. And then the death spiral started. Nausea and vomiting. I knew I was severely dehydrated and past the point of no return. I had been dehydrated 20 years ago and knew the signs. I spent the next 4 hours or so in denial trying to slowly sip water to rehydrate myself. I KNEW better, but for some reason, I was fixated on the idea I could overcome it. I was, of course, wrong. No matter what I did, I would vomit up anything I ingested.

At 8pm I finally gave up and got a ride to the emergency room. My fever was 104.5, my blood pressure was nearly undetectable and my heart rate was 140. Believe it or not, I actually walked into the ER under my own power and was able to communicate clearly still.

The emergency staff was great. I had never seen service this fast at an ER. I was sent straight back and IV fluids were given. Then they gave me an anti-nausea drug and Tylenol.

I figured just an evening of fluids would do it, but no. The next three days were spent in the ICU and it took two entire days to get my blood pressure back up, and my heart rate back down. Not only that, but because of the dehydration, IVs were very hard to insert in my arms, and I had MASSIVE pain from two infiltrations (IVs that miss the vein and put fluids into the tissues) in my right hand. So painful that they gave me adavan to shut me up. Man, that drug is a TRIP and makes you see things.

After seemingly endless tests, We had a diagnosis: Viral meningitis (Caused by Herpes Zoster) AND an infection of the mastoid process: an infection totally independent of any ear infection in my case, so it was not readily obvious. Two totally unrelated issues that, together, almost killed me. The meningitis was new, the mastoid infection, old and chronic and obvioulsy started back in Sept. Adding the meningitis was too much for my body to handle with it already having the fever from the mastoid infection.

I was just released from the hospital yesterday (Nov21).

It's been a hell of a ride and I'm still far from well. The spinal tap they performed is still giving me massive headaches when I sit up or stand. I still have a low grade fever and will for weeks as the meningitis runs it's course.

I was given massive IV antibiotics and am on an oral course now for the Mastoid infection. We will see if that works. It's hard to treat and may take many courses.

Just thought I'd share my experience with you guys. NEVER let an unexplained low grade fever go. Bug the crap out of your doctors or just go to the emergency room.

And yes, I will be changing my primary care dr. Any doctor that does not treat an unexplained fever that lasts more than a week as important obviously is not a good dr.

What a shitty year this has been for me...

Amused, first, I'm glad you are going to be OK.

Second, your illnesses were not "Two totally unrelated issues that, together, almost killed me". Mastoiditis, if left untreated can develop into meningitis. This can most definitely happen if the mastoiditis is left untreated. The infection spreads to your brain and is now called meningitis. May I add, your doctor sucks! Dismissing a fever of unknown origin like that. :|

Were you experiencing ear pain, dizziness, along with your fever?

I know a young guy who contracted meningitis, and he went into a coma and is lucky to have come out of it.

I am glad you are a strong person, because some people wouldn't have been able to pull through this.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
57,347
19,508
146
Originally posted by: moshquerade


Amused, first, I'm glad you are going to be OK.

Second, your illnesses were not "Two totally unrelated issues that, together, almost killed me". Mastoiditis, if left untreated can develop into meningitis. This can most definitely happen if the mastoiditis is left untreated. The infection spreads to your brain and is now called meningitis. May I add, your doctor sucks! Dismissing a fever of unknown origin like that. :|

Were you experiencing ear pain, dizziness, along with your fever?

I know a young guy who contracted meningitis, and he went into a coma and is lucky to have come out of it.

I am glad you are a strong person, because some people wouldn't have been able to pull through this.

My meningitis is not bacterial, it's the herpes zoster virus causing it. It's kind of a nasty form of the shingles since it's caused by the CP virus. Therefore the Mastoid infection and it are unrelated, though my weakened body left me open to aseptic meningitis much like it can leave you open to shingles, I guess.

That's the thing, I had NO other symptoms with my fever until the head cold started a few days before my crash. Wait, I did have one symptom: Increased ear wax production. I called it "Al Bundy-itis" since I was always sticking my finger in my ear and getting a winner and laughed about it in CA.

I am still EXTREMELY weak, have a low grade fever and my head SPLITS when I stand or sit up too long (side effect of the spinal tap, they had to poke me 3 times and apparently one or more of the holes has not fully closed yet). My neck also stiffens up.

It's gonna be a long road...
 

bctbct

Diamond Member
Dec 22, 2005
4,868
1
0
Should have posted earlier, within the first 5 posts someone would have told you had the herp. :)
 

Baked

Lifer
Dec 28, 2004
36,052
17
81
Originally posted by: bctbct
Should have posted earlier, within the first 5 posts someone would have told you had the herp. :)

Would you like some?
 

theeedude

Lifer
Feb 5, 2006
35,787
6,197
126
Glad you are OK, I've had similar experiences with primary care doctors, it's like apartments, you have to go through a few bad ones before you find the right one, or at least one who knows that he's in way over his head and refers you to a specialist.
Were they able to identify the type of bacteria that is causing your infection?
 

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
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81
WTF! Scary shit indeed, welcome back and get better soon.:thumbsup:
 

StormRider

Diamond Member
Mar 12, 2000
8,324
2
0
Holy crap! :Q

Glad to hear you're okay and here's to a speedy and uneventful recovery! :beer:
 

KeithP

Diamond Member
Jun 15, 2000
5,664
202
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That which does not destroy you makes you stronger! :)

Seriously, glad you are alright. :thumbsup:

-KeithP
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
40,868
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Thank yourself for your good judgment in getting that ride to the ER.