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Delayed onset of symptoms - 45 days after discharge

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OldScout	Delayed onset of symptoms - 45 days after discharge	Lead	[-]
Posts: 1 (11/14/08 11:18:37) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None I admitted myself to the ER on 8-28-2008 and stayed for 5 days. I was diagnosed with WNV - the Dr. suspected meningitis. Symptoms at the time were flu-like, no appetite and general malaise. After discharge, I felt that I completed my recovery in about 2 weeks (by mid Sept). Mentally, I felt pretty good. Physically I was fine. It seems that by mid to late October, I became aware of some memory loss, fuzzy thinking, inability to concentrate and ringing in the ears, occasionally searching for the right word and a subtle change in my personality - self-conscience and some anxiety. These symptoms are still with me today. Might be my imagination but it seems they may be getting progressively worse. Physically, I seem to be ok - walking/jogging 3 miles 3 times per week. Hoping anyone could tell me if they also experienced delayed onset of certain symptoms. As always, hoping to glean some good news in that the symptoms eventually go away. Also, for those of you who may not have seen this, there's a new report out that claims physical and mental functions return to normal within a year. Article Video I have my fingers crossed. Good luck to all and hope you all improve. Thanks in advance, Paul Last Edited By: OldScout 11/14/08 11:21:29. Edited 1 time.
jack raney		#1	[-]
Posts: 73 (11/14/08 11:36:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Can I ask if the symptoms you have been feeling are worse today than they were last week? When the Doctor suspected Meningitis did he give that as a final diagnoses? West Nile Meningitis or was it West Nile Fever? How did the doctor arrive at suspected Meningitis, what tests did they do on you ? Blood, Urine, Lumbar Puncture, CAT Scan, MRI? Did they send the blood out to be tested or was it in house? Sorry if my questions sound a little intrusive here, Jack Raney
OldScout		#2	[-]
Posts: 2 (11/14/08 11:52:22) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	All this happened in Birmingham, AL while I was visiting my daughter. I live in Louisiana. After considering a number of possible diagnoses (including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), the doctor in Birmingham concluded that I had Viral Meningitis - but that was before all my blood work was in. I also had a spinal tap, CT scan and MRI (MRI negative for encephalitis) while in Birmingham. We got the hospital records from Birmingham about 3 weeks later with updated blood work that showed positive for WNV antibodies. We did a second round of blood work about 2 weeks ago and it confirmed again positive for WNV antibodies. I asked my internist yesterday if I had WNV Fever or WNV Meningitis. He claims it's a subjective call by the attending physician in regards to the symptoms at the time, since Meningitis is not detectable by MRI. It does appear that the symptoms might be getting a little worse - mainly frustrated that they won't improve. I feel better in the mornings. Hoping it's just fatigue. Last Edited By: OldScout 11/14/08 12:13:22. Edited 4 times.
jack raney		#3	[-]
Posts: 75 (11/14/08 12:35:49) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	You have to learn to live with what you have now, It get's better, it does Jack Raney Last Edited By: jack raney 11/23/08 14:22:02. Edited 2 times.
thissucks		#4	[-]
Posts: 4 (11/19/08 21:21:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi, I found a delay in those symptoms as well. I have the memory loss and confusion, loss of thought, delay in coming up with the right word or thought, anxiety (never had it before) and ringing in my ears. I even say the wrong word on occasion. Such as, I am thinking one word and say a completely different thing. My family looks at me strange and I know I have said the wrong thing. All this happens occasionally. It is frustrating.
OldScout		#5	[-]
Posts: 3 (11/20/08 04:30:45) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	thissucks... thanks for your reply... I'm interested to know how long the delay was before you noticed the symptoms, how long you've had the symptoms and has there been any improvement. By the way, did you have Meningitis? Thanks in advance, Paul
brian		#6	[-]
Posts: 19 (11/20/08 09:34:47) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Paul, I don't know that anything I have to say is of help or not but I do think that with my case, it is proof that you need to be careful and not push yourself too hard. I got WNV two years ago and have pushed myself non stop for two years. If I had a day when I felt good I got up and ran like mad through the day trying to make up for lost time only to fall hard again. Last month I fell hard and ended up in the hospital with even worse symptoms that I am still in bed recovering from. I'm not an expert but I know many others on this site have also talked about resting and less stress. I too was a runner and ran many miles a day. I can no longer at this time run. Who knows when I'll be able to run again but I am greatful everyday that I am alive and have mobility in my legs. Maybe someday I'll be able to run again. If not, there are plenty of people in this world who are great examples to me of taking the life they have and making the most of it. Jack Raney mentioned to me yesterday about how we look at "before WNV" and compare our lives. Is that fair to ourselves? If we had been in a traumatic car accident and were paralized from the waist down it would not do us any good to wallow in self pitty and remember "the good old days". We need to look at today and move forward from today because you know what? We didn't get hit by a car. We got hit by a Mac truck! I wish I could tell you that "it's a miracle" it all goes away in a few months and life is as if this never happened. Maybe it will for you and I really truly hope it does! So far, it hasn't happened for me. It has gotten worse. I do seem to be an odd case though. ) I think one of the things that makes this so difficult is it is unnoticable. If we saw a person in a wheel chair we'd think, "wow, look at that person they are so brave, look how they are taking life by the reigns. How admirable". What we have is more like an emotional handicap. I have a sister who suffers from depression. It is very real but since it isn't something that you can "see" and go, "oh ya......she's handicapped" people do not take it seriously. I feel the same with the WNV. I look perfectly fine....and yet......I can't drive anymore, I'm in bed most days, I can't seem to articulate what I'd like to say, I have no memory of a lot of my past, short term memory is hazy. I tried cutting my husband and children's hair last night. I couldn't remember how......I did a lousy job. ) The positive? When my son asked me why I was cutting his hair last night instead of resting in bed I told him, "I feel up to it. We live in the moment right?" Live in the moment. Appreciate "the moment". Sorry........I got preachy.......I think I wrote all of this more for me as a reminder than for anyone else.......I guess my advice to you is don't try to push too hard. Let your body and mind rest so it can heal itself properly. Maybe if I had....I wouldn't be where I am now two years later......who knows........but I wonder.......
jack raney		#7	[-]
Posts: 76 (11/20/08 17:54:14) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I don't like to compare myself to the past, it's not fair to my family or to myself. Unlike a car wreck I didn't have the choice to drive the day that a mosquito decided to bite me, I'm not sure one did. It gets better Jack Raney Last Edited By: jack raney 11/23/08 14:20:44. Edited 1 times.
gearhead		#8	[-]
Posts: 152 (11/20/08 19:43:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hey Rachel. Good post. Ditto to everything you said. Paul, unfortunately the frustrating part of this disease is that the timeline is so different for everyone. There were many of us in your same shoes a year ago. Having no answers and just not understanding how this could continue on and on and on. Some of us have moved on and recovered 100%, some of us are still dealing with it. But for as long as you need us (however short or long that timeline may be), we'll be here.
OldScout		#9	[-]
Posts: 4 (11/21/08 06:57:41) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Thanks gearhead..... that about as much as I could ask for. I'm still relatively new to the disease and naturally a bit flustered as to what the future might hold. I appreciate all the feedback. Paul
Jclauson		#10	[-]
Posts: 76 (11/22/08 05:01:30) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Paul- It will get better as time goes on. It is a very slow recovery process so be paitent, keep telling yourself that when you have more bad days than good, and do not over do it! It is really hard to gause if one is getting better because of the ups and down this "disease road" takes you but know that at some point there will be more good days then bad....and you will continue to recover if you take care of yourself. The first two years are most critical so keep that in mind......you can't decide later down the road to start taking care of yourself....start now.
thissucks		#11	[-]
Posts: 7 (11/24/08 20:46:18) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi OldScout, I came down with the first symptoms of WNV on 7/29/08 (the flu-like symptoms). I too went into the hospital on 8/26/08 and stayed for 5 days. In mid-August I developed Acute Flaccid Paralysis but did not get really sick until the previous night of me entering the hospital. I was so sick I really did not think that I would make it. I was so weak, dehydrated, and in so much pain. I could not eat and could barely move let alone walk. At the hospital I noticed that I was getting anxiety, I did not know what it was at first. When I tried to sleep at night I developed insomnia. I would fall asleep but I would wake up after just a few hours of sleep. In addition, that is when the memory issues began. The infectious disease doctor was surprised that I developed the Acute Flaccid Paralysis so late after the first symptoms began. He said that the memory issues were probably related to the delayed acute phase I experienced. Bottom line is everyone is different and the severity of the illness is different for everyone. Recovery depends on the individuals body and what you do to help yourself recover. It is really frustrating because most doctors do not have answers for you rather they look to you for the answers by watching and observing you. That is how it has been for me. Hope it helps.

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Delayed onset of symptoms - 45 days after discharge

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