Thursday, January 03, 2008
Well, 2007 went out with a bang and 2008 came in with a roar. I have meningitis and its exacerbating my migraines. Really a great combination. If you think your migraines are painful, I don't wish you ever to feel the pain from the stiffness of meningitis, combined with the auras and pain from the throes of a migraine. NOT a fun thing to have. I went into the emergency room Saturday morning (the 29th?) of December because my neurologist encouraged me. I have been recovering from bronchitis and he said the pain in my neck could signal a serious life threatening condition. Well, they kept me. I had to have a lumbar puncture. SOOOO NOT FUN!!! I've been in such severe pain. When asked to describe the pain, I told them it was comparable to having a baby from your opposite end--via your head!!!!! I can't explain it any other way!!!! The pressure and pain in my head and neck was excruciating. They gave me antibiotics and morphine, and then decided it was viral and said it was not contagious. I am still staying away from my family till I am sure I am over it. They kept me five lonnnnggg days and in fact I sort of lied and told them I was doing better. I was in fact really weak and dizzy when I left and almost passed out a few times but sort of fibbed a bit. They can't do much there that I can't do at home (except give me iv's and more bruises, more heprin shots in the stomach and wake me every hour or so it feels like it!!!) I feel a little better today but last night I was violently ill all night long and miserably sick all night, felt like I was dieing. Now I am just bored from laying and trying to rest so often. I know I have to rest to get over this though. I wanted to get on and post this though. Would LOVE to hear any others comments about the illness. How long does it take to recover? They really didn't tell me a lot! I guess I will be off to bed again!!!! I think I have it worse than the norm with the migraines on TOP of the meningitis. The two together make for one heckofa pain in the neck! (no pun intended LOL)
I'm starting to feel better every day. The severe headaches are doing better. While I was finding the fioricet didn't do a THING for me before (most likely because of the meningitis) it is helping with the throbbing now. That and alternating with aleeve. I try that first, and if it doesn't work after about 4 hours, I try the fioricet. I wait another four hours or so and then give in and do the vicodin. I use that last chance (they only gave me 20 of them.) My neck isn't as tight and stiff as it was a week ago and easier to move but I'm sooooo weak I have to rest frequently. I'm up more and I'm getting bored easily so I must be getting better. LOL I got up at 8:30 today, took a shower, dried my hair, made a cup of tea and a cup of soup (haven't eaten anything else, solids make me desperatly ill) and was so tired I had to lay down for an hour or two. Have done a load of laundry in between laying and resting so yes, I'm doing more today. I think every day will be better. It's promising. I was really getting depressed, especially stuck in the hospital. The first night I came home I had a REALLY bad night. I maybe came home too early but pushing myself may have been the best thing for me??? I think wallowing in pity is not so good. Well, going to go rest. Pushing is good but overdoing it isn't.
PS I have bruises all over, I look like a war rufugee!!!!! Bruises on my arms and hands from IV's, and all around my belly from the heparin shots!!!! ARGH!!!!!! My poor body!!!!!! :)