In hospital again

Hi everyone. I could desperately use some positive thoughts.

I had to go out yesterday and around lunch started feeling very sick with a splitting headache, light sensitivity and very sore neck. By the time I got home I had a 40C fever and the beginnings of a rash on my thigh.

I saw my GP yesterday evening and he sent me straight to emergency. They are not 100% sure as the rash is not typical presentation, but the doctors suspect I have meningitis. The infectious diseases doc looking after me is reluctant to do an LP because of all my 'hardware' from the pump and SCS. My heart rate and BP were very unstable last night and they couldn't get and maintain IV access, so they have just put in a central line and are hitting me very hard with keflex and vancomycin - which the infection is responding to regardless of what it is.

I'm likely to be here for a few more days at least, even if things go well. But what I can say is my ER experience was as 'good' as it could have been - kind, compassionate doctors and nurses, now I'm up in a room on the ward they are good as well.

I'll try to keep you updated but healing thoughts would be appreciated.

Laura

Morning Laura!

Oh Dear!….not good or fun!….We all sure do hope, and wish you the best there. You seem so darn far away over there….and I wish we could do something for you. I did post a note on the FB page for you…and you know that group will go nutz worrying about you!

Please hurry back and hop back on this team!…seriously though…you get plenty of rest…and eat your porridge. (I guess I misspelled that right?)

Keep in touch as well…I miss you already!

SE

Laura

So sorry to hear of your woes but glad you got decent medical attention

Sending you healing thoughts and prayers
Maggie

Laura...

I'm so sorry to hear this :( Please keep us all updated.... as a side note, I've had meningitis 2x - it was horrible - and I didn't have the "typical" rash either.

Rest... eat the best you can.... and know you can come here and vent :) I hope you get out of there as quickly as possible.

Thinking of you... --Tina

Laura

So sorry that you are back in a hospital, but when you are sick that is the best place for you.

I send healing prayers your way and soft hugs((((((((Laura)))))))

Listen to the doctors and keep in touch with us.

Healing thoughts
Betsey

Dear Laura.....sending positive thoughts and prayers your way....Bless you and I am so happy you are getting good care and good medical staff that makes things alot easier. Hope you are able to go home soon....Take care

Blessings, Amy

Hi and thanks to all of you.

I'm feeling a lot better this morning, though my head and neck are still sore.

Angelina... Yes, I'm doing the Red Man beautifully :-( I've had the vancomycin twice now, and a big reaction both times. I'm due it now but they can't find my doctor, so they're holding off giving it to me euntl they can talk to him. I scratched myself stupid last night...didn't mean to, but couldn't help myself...just SO hot and itchy with it.

As for the LP... My PM doctor had trouble doing them a few years ago with just one SCS lead to work around. I've now got two leads and a pump catheter and they felt it was too close for comfort... esp as accidentally putting a needle through the catheter would mean urgent surgery to replace it :-o

Hugggsss Laura. I do hope you feel better soon hon. Tell them you want blood work with ANA, CBC and Chem 20. When they ask why say you want to look for auto immune disease. Also ask for benedryl. Itching, rash with hotness is hives, there of you could also be expereincing a severe allergic reaction. Or menegidits (sp, cuz Im just waking up). Do you remember what you ate? For allergy tests on foods and drinks, perhaps ask for an allergy test as well.

Thanks all :) Smurfy, the itching was a reaction to one of the antibiotics, which they have now stopped giving me. I have actually just had a whole host of blood tests a couple of weeks ago including ANA, CRP, ESR and so on, which I know are all normal... They are currently waiting on blood culture results but apparently they can still be negative in 20% of bacterial meningitis cases. They are fairly certain, but not 100% sure, that it IS meningitis... they are treating it as such to be on the safe side and certainly whatever is going on is responding well to the treatment

Laura

Hi Laura...

I'm glad you are feeling a little better.... I've been thinking of you. Please keep us posted on how you are doing - because we all care!

Hugs....! --Tina

Laura....just letting you know you are in my thoughts and prayers...Update us as soon as you are able.


Blessings, Amy

Ok, help me here what is a CVC? I have a port a cath in my chest, I have terrible veins. I don't blame you for not wanting a PICC either. I did Remicade infusions every 4 weeks for 3 1/2 years for crohns disease and what veins I had were shot after the 2nd infusion. I love having the port. Now that I battle cellulitis infections in my legs from time to time it makes it so much easier doing IV antibiotics.

I hope you continue to improve. Hugs, Susie

CVC = central vein catheter.... I think it's the same as a port....

I HATE PICC lines. Uggghhhh. Laura, I hope you continue to feel better. I hate to hear that you are so sick. :(

Love, Tina