That night I had a fever and kept vomiting so got very little sleep.
My wife rang me at about 9am and at that stage I was aching all over and unable to walk. She knew something was wrong as I was talking complete nonsense so by 11am I was in A&E in St. James hospital in Dublin. I was admitted straight away and given a full barrage of tests including x-rays, blood tests and a lumbar puncture and was quizzed by several doctors and put on antibiotics and fluids to treat septicaemia.
It was late that evening before a rash appeared and I was diagnosed with meningitis and moved to isolation. I had another lumbar puncture the following day and spent the next 2 weeks in hospital on antibiotics, pain killers and anti-nausea medication. I spent most of that time in bed with crippling headaches every time I tried to sit up or stand. I still suffered with the headaches after I was discharged and was readmitted 3 weeks later and given a lumbar patch.
I still get the headaches occasionally but not constantly. I am often depressed and my energy levels are low and I find it hard to get motivated to do anything. The worst after effect is the pain in my lower back. It is always sore and weak and doesn't seem to be improving with physio but it's early days yet.
Written by: Adrian Clarke
August 2015