Re-occuring Meningitis

[mrswhitt]

How many people have had viral meningitis more than once and have not received a diagnosis?

[Ball123]

You should also check that you dont have a hole in your meninges somewhere in the skull. It is called a cranial cerebrospinalfluid leak. That can open a path for microbes.
You can see an ENT about this. A cisternogram is the prime method to reveal a leak in the cranium.

[mrzandor13]

trust me I have had this since 1983, stay on the valtrex it will save you so much heartache and pain. right now it is the only thing on the market that keeps it at bay. But you must also teach yourself to limit your stress and any trauma. because that will also bring on what I call an attack that still do not know how many attacks one will have in a lifetime. I have lost count I have had 34 spinal taps so far now the VA takes my word for it my spine is calcified from having it done so many times.

[nurse1965]

I have been hospitalized 3 times in 2 year with viral meningitis.  This last hospitalization 5 weeks ago my Dr.s confirmed Mollarets meningitis caused by HSV-1.  I have had both HSv1&2 cultered from CSF fluid.   I took Valtrex for 18 months (3000mg per day) then stopped per doctors order.  I experienced an episode 4 months later which i was able to resume the valtrex and no hospital.  I was in the hospital for 7 days this last time.  I still am recovering.  Constant headach, light sensitivity, muscle aches, nausea,neck tightness, sleep pattern disrupted...etc.  I am so frustrated ! I am nit able ti return to work yet.

[mrswhitt]

Sounds like you have Mollaret's possibly.  What did your spinal tap reveal?  Did they find any virus?  I have had problems with doctors and frankly its hard to find any doctor who cares about the patient anymore.  Its like they picked this career for the money, and not actually to care for others.  My eye doctor understands this syndrome better than any doctor I've been too.  I just had an appt today and of course my pressure readings in both eyes are still very high.  25 in one and 28 in the other.  I also get a shingles rash about 4 times a year and most drs say you can only get that once too.  idk what to do anymore.

[MauiJan]

I have had meningitis three times now.  Once in my early thirties, then again two years ago and then again fall of 2012.  All three were different viruses.  My doc says i have an immune issue.  I haven't recovered from it - ringing in ear, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness.  As a nurse, i can tell you that if any doctor tells you that you can't get it twice, you should find a different doctor, they are not keeping up on their continuing education credits.  

[mrswhitt]

You might have a syndrome called Mollaret's Meningitis.  We have a support group thats at http://*******************.****.com  
Its a very rare syndrome but Im trying to find as many of us I can so we can do our own stats and we are writing a book this year.
We have had many doctors tell us that you can't get meninigits more than once.  Since its so rare, people including doctors just don't have knowledge about the syndrome.  But, its real.  We have 57 on our support group site now.  Hope you join us on there.

[SammieJo91]

I had viral meningitis once that i know for sure. i went to the er with a horrible migraine which my mom thought was viral meningitis again but the doctor seemed to think i was just dehydrated and had a regular migraine.