Re: Possible Mollaret's Meningitis

Posted By Laura on April 16, 1999 at 10:14:40
  To tell you the truth, I hardly know where to begin but back in June of '98 I was hospitalized with viral meningitis.  There where wbc's found in the csf and my protein and glucose csf levels were 'off'.  They were able to culture out the virus which was an enterovirus.  Most of what I had ever read about viral meningitis was that it was a self-limiting disease from which one usually has full recovery.  Looking back I don't think I ever met the "normal" criteria.  My vision has greatly changed - I went from not wearing any kind of a corrective lense to glasses that I actually notice how big the lenses are.  I also cannot ride in a car for more than  an hour - I begin to have spasms in the neck and upper back.  But the most bothersome has been the headaches.  Reoccurring headaches after the initial attack are not uncommon but I constantly have them.  They seem to start at the base of the skull and move towards the front.  To make a long story short here, if that's possible, back in November I had a horrible headache, my neck again was stiff and I had the nausea c/o the vomiting.  I thought I was having a reoccurence for sure, the doctor thought this time that it was only cerival adenopathy.  Gave me some cipro and synalgos dc, had to have my 2nd round of a ct scan and MRI and sent me on my way.  So March rolls around and one night I can't go to bed because I'm vomiting.  Finally do get to bed only to wake up with a 104.4 temp and the inability to move my neck and the headache from h__ll!  Went to hospital, my pulse was >130 and BP was 80/50.  They did all the routine tests - lumbar puncture, MRI, ct scan and the blood work.  This time though no virus was found.  Saw a neurologist in the hospital - he wanted to know when he pressed on my toes if he was pressing up or down?!?!   I also saw an infectious disease specialist while I was there.  He became almost 'giddy' like a small child with a new toy when I mentioned Nov.'s cervical adenopathy.  He had my husband and mother leave the room so he could ask me how many sexual partners I've had and if I do IV drugs to see if I possibly had AIDS!  Sorry to be long in explanation but I feel just like Jeff Dale who posted on Dec 15 '98.  I don't think my primary care doc knows what's going on, the neurologist I saw I don't think he even had a clue and the infectious disease doc , as you can probably tell, quite offended me.  I'm sitting here typing because it's April and once again I have a headache, extreme neck stiffness, and am very nausea.  I've spoken with my primary care doc and he wondered if if wasn't mollaret's meningitis that I have.  So far most of what I've read points to HSV 1 OR 2 being the cause.  I've never had or am being treated for either.  PLEASE offer some advice!!  I am becoming very depressed - no one seems to know what's wrong with me but I'm still in extreme pain.  I too have asked to see a pain specialist.  I've been told though to take Indocin for the pain and flexeril for the stiff neck?!?! I'm about at my wits end - I'm only 29 and have always been pretty healthy - WHAT CAN I DO?????????????????

[Joy__0__0]

Posted By Joy on June 19, 1999 at 20:33:31
I contracted HSV2 in 1989.  Approximately one month later I was hospitalized with my first bout of viral meningitis, which had me barely able to walk, in great pain; I required IV hydration and parenteral analgesics.  I have in the succeeding years been hospitalized 7 more times for pain management, although the symptoms have become less acute.  The prodrome consists of a nerve pain that migrates to different parts of my legs and buttocks, I usually have a sudden increase in my myopia ("I really should have my eyes checked"), then driving over a bump in the road I will feel a crucate pain from neck to upper 1/3 back, and across the shoulder blades. I feel terrible pain in my sinuses. The headache may come first, or last.  I discovered Mollaret's doing research and my neurologist confirmed the diagnosis.  It usually strikes in August or September.  Now I am able to stay home taking steroids and pain meds and usually am completely over the symptoms except for a lingering depression, which may be organic in origin or a reaction to the chronic nature of the illness. Since contracting this I also have had a great deal more headaches; migraine and tension.  I have tried to eliminate any extra stress in my life (haha, I have a 5 yo) and do not drink or smoke.  I eat well.  These things I hope will help my  immune system to fight off recurrences.










Follow Ups: