I almost died. Just spent 3 days in ICU.

[Synomenon]

Originally posted by: Amused
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.

Glad you're ok.

Similar thing happened to me when I was 14. Started out like a flu. Went to the doctor and he said that all I needed was cold medicine and pain killers.

After a couple of days, I began having massive headaches and then I just went unconscious. I was rushed to the local hospital and then they had to airlift me to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

When I got there, the doctors found that I had viral meningitis and some infected fluid in my brain cavity and sinuses. They had to open up my skull in front of my right frontal lobe and drain the infected fluid then put a drainage tube into my sinus by drilling a hole in my skull right above my right eye. During the surgery I had a stroke which caused me to lose peripheral vision on the left side / corner of my left eye and on the left side / corner of my right eye.

After the surgery, I had to learn how to walk and eat again and I also had some other memory loss (something happened to my temporal lobes during the surgery).

I was in the hospital for a couple of months.

Everytime I catch a cold or the flu now, I have to take anti-biotics. I'm allergic to penicillin though so I usually have to take Biaxin.

 

[TheVrolok]

I'm curious as to what you've done about your PCP. You seemed rather upset with him (or her?) and the non-diagnosis after a few office visits. Did he order any blood tests? I'm not sure his not jumping right on viral meningitis after a few days (or a week) of a low grade fever is that huge of a mistake.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi

Originally posted by: Amused
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.

Glad you're ok.

Similar thing happened to me when I was 14. Started out like a flu. Went to the doctor and he said that all I needed was cold medicine and pain killers.

After a couple of days, I began having massive headaches and then I just went unconscious. I was rushed to the local hospital and then they had to airlift me to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

When I got there, the doctors found that I had viral meningitis and some infected fluid in my brain cavity and sinuses. They had to open up my skull in front of my right frontal lobe and drain the infected fluid then put a drainage tube into my sinus by drilling a hole in my skull right above my right eye. During the surgery I had a stroke which caused me to lose peripheral vision on the left side / corner of my left eye and on the left side / corner of my right eye.

After the surgery, I had to learn how to walk and eat again and I also had some other memory loss (something happened to my temporal lobes during the surgery).

I was in the hospital for a couple of months.

Everytime I catch a cold or the flu now, I have to take anti-biotics. I'm allergic to penicillin though so I usually have to take Biaxin.

HOLY CRAP!!!

Guess I'm lucky.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
I'm curious as to what you've done about your PCP. You seemed rather upset with him (or her?) and the non-diagnosis after a few office visits. Did he order any blood tests? I'm not sure his not jumping right on viral meningitis after a few days (or a week) of a low grade fever is that huge of a mistake.

You're right, but he should have never given up like I think he did.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do now, but the doctors in the hospital were pretty critical of him when I told them what happened.

 

[TheVrolok]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: TheVrolok
I'm curious as to what you've done about your PCP. You seemed rather upset with him (or her?) and the non-diagnosis after a few office visits. Did he order any blood tests? I'm not sure his not jumping right on viral meningitis after a few days (or a week) of a low grade fever is that huge of a mistake.

You're right, but he should have never given up like I think he did.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do now, but the doctors in the hospital were pretty critical of him when I told them what happened.

Might be one of those hindsight is 20-20 deals. Either way, worth the extra look into your PCP I'd imagine.

 

[ElFenix]

the GFs

so, multiple? you dog you!

:camera:?

Originally posted by: IsLNdbOi

Glad you're ok.

Similar thing happened to me when I was 14. Started out like a flu. Went to the doctor and he said that all I needed was cold medicine and pain killers.

After a couple of days, I began having massive headaches and then I just went unconscious. I was rushed to the local hospital and then they had to airlift me to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.

When I got there, the doctors found that I had viral meningitis and some infected fluid in my brain cavity and sinuses. They had to open up my skull in front of my right frontal lobe and drain the infected fluid then put a drainage tube into my sinus by drilling a hole in my skull right above my right eye. During the surgery I had a stroke which caused me to lose peripheral vision on the left side / corner of my left eye and on the left side / corner of my right eye.

After the surgery, I had to learn how to walk and eat again and I also had some other memory loss (something happened to my temporal lobes during the surgery).

I was in the hospital for a couple of months.

Everytime I catch a cold or the flu now, I have to take anti-biotics. I'm allergic to penicillin though so I usually have to take Biaxin.

:shocked:

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Amused

<snip>

Great timing, huh? Next time I'm sick I'm going to tell the GFs to stay away. :|

You are my personal hero. :thumbsup:


Hope you get well soon!

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

the GFs

so, multiple? you dog you!

If I wanted just one woman I'd get married again.

Actually, I'm just casually dating a couple girls and they know about each other. Not a big deal and no underhanded stuff going on.

One of them brought me a plate of food on Thanksgiving and she passed on her cold to me. She was just starting it herself and thought it was allergies.

 

[TreyRandom]

Originally posted by: Amused
For the AT doctors: I'm on Avelox (Mycoxafloppin) for any bacterial infection...

I believe you mean Moxifloxacin.

Mycoxafloppin is the joke-generic name for Viagra.

 

[Beev]

Originally posted by: Amused
For the AT doctors: I'm on Avelox (Mycoxafloppin)

Oh god that made me lol

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: Beev

Originally posted by: Amused
For the AT doctors: I'm on Avelox (Mycoxafloppin)

Oh god that made me lol

har har har

 

[OrByte]

Wow! glad you're ok but your immune system is shot to hell.

that should be your focus for the next year at least... take good care of yourself!

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: TreyRandom

Originally posted by: Amused
For the AT doctors: I'm on Avelox (Mycoxafloppin) for any bacterial infection...

I believe you mean Moxifloxacin.

Mycoxafloppin is the joke-generic name for Viagra.

Yeah, I know. But the name is so close. I musta remembered the joke from email. It came out that way when I was in the ICU when they were telling me what they were giving me and I was repeating the names. The nurses ROFLed over it.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

the GFs

so, multiple? you dog you!

he hasn't learned yet that girls give you germs and cooties.

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: ElFenix

the GFs

so, multiple? you dog you!

he hasn't learned yet that girls give you germs and cooties.

Oh I learned that way back in my army days.

 

[Gibsons]

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: ElFenix

the GFs

so, multiple? you dog you!

he hasn't learned yet that girls give you germs and cooties.

Oh I learned that way back in my army days.

You must've seen the posters. Text

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Gibsons

Originally posted by: Amused

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: ElFenix

the GFs

so, multiple? you dog you!

he hasn't learned yet that girls give you germs and cooties.

Oh I learned that way back in my army days.

You must've seen the posters. Text

Posters? Yeah, that's it.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Amused
Update:

The lumbar headaches are pretty much gone. But I still have the stiff neck and moderate headaches from the meningitis. Today was the first day my fever stayed under 99 all day.

But when it rains, it pours. On Thanksgiving I caught a nasty little cold (Symptoms started 3-4 days ago) from a GF that caused some nasty post nasal drip and ended up going straight to my chest. Ever try to cough hard with a headache and a stiff neck? OUCH!!! Both ears are clogged up tight too. Went to the Dr today and since I have been on antibiotics from the time I went into hospital until two days ago, we both figured it was all viral. Just to be sure, though, I am on another round to prevent bacterial bronchitis and ear infections. It's been getting progressively worse each day since the syptoms started and last night was horrible. I hope it's going to ease up now.

This cold is EVERYWHERE in this town right now, and everyone has the same symptoms. It seems to go right to the chest with post nasal drip and clogs up the Eustachian tubes with swelling in the throat. It's a nasty little virus that is leading to a lot of bacterial infections in the chest and ears. It starts with sneezing. Weird, huh?

For the AT doctors: I'm on Avelox (Mycoxafloppin) for any bacterial infection, Mucinex D, and codine cough syrup. They won't prescribe the vicoden cough syrup anymore. I guess they had too many drug seekers? Anyhow, I liked that stuff a lot more.

Great timing, huh? Next time I'm sick I'm going to tell the GFs to stay away. :|

I don't know the circumstances of your life but the episode you describe above underscores your need to avoid infection. It's easier for me than most people, don't know about you. The very least you can certainly do is be careful what you touch and wash your hands frequently!