Nicola Hughes' story

Hi, I was diagnosed with varicella zoster meningitis on 9th August after nearly 2 weeks of constant symptoms.

I went to A and E on 27th July and was seen by a doctor who took bloods, they discharged me with severe migraine. I returned the next day as I was discharged on the basis if it got worse return to hospital, so I did the following day. I was seen, given more medication and discharged with severe migraine.

I made an appointment with my local GP on 5th of August as I still didn’t feel any better and at this point had tried several different types of medication. I then had an appointment with Specsavers for my eyesight to see if this was causing the migraine, from there I was referred back to my GP with a letter from Specsavers as there was something wrong with my right eye, as I had a bleed behind it. I took the letter back to the GP the Same day and was told to go to A and E straight away. I was kept in hospital with several bloods taken, CT scan which came back normal,

I then had a lumbar puncture on 7th August. I received results on the 9th August to say I had varicella Zoster meningitis and was discharged the same day.

I wanted to share my story because I am 24 years old with no other issues. I rarely drink and have never taken drugs. I'm not on any medication and was told by the GP that I'm a rare case as I also had no rash.

I’m sharing my story for others out there with similar symptoms or perhaps because its "rare" I wasn’t tested and dont like to think of the long term effects this could have had on me.

Nicola Hughes
November 2019