Tay WalkingShield's story

I am a 49 year old female who is recently out of the hospital after being discharged with a diagnosis of Viral Meningitis.

The circuitous route it took me to get into a bed there was ridiculous, starting with a low-grade temperature and vomiting and a boil. I was in the E/R for a couple hours, the cyst lanced and sent home, vomiting once on the way out even. Because I am Diabetic, the Dr. thought this was a Gastroparesis episode. I was back in the E/R 2 days later with the vomiting more frequent but no temperature and Vertigo this time. The gauze packing from the lancing job the visit before was removed, I was given a fluid drip and and anti-nausea medicine and sent home again. 

Another 2 days, after being home after feeling such head pain and now seeing double and having eaten nothing since the 2nd E/R visit, I called 911 in desperation that it was a brain bleed or brain cancer and still, after anti-nausea meds and an IV to restore fluid loss the E/R doc' discharged me against my protests that my vision was effected and the head pain was severe and I was still not feeling right. 

While I was in the waiting room after calling my sister to come pick me up, I began to vomit in the basin as she came in to retrieve me. Both the In-take Receptionist and my sister couldn't believe I was being discharged. The Receptionists went back to Triage and soon came back to wheel me back. My sister asked the doctor why he thought I was well enough to be turned away when clearly I was due another look with the continued vomiting and headpain. He then ordered the Spinal Tap that revealed the Viral Meningitis. I continued to vomit for the next 5 days; migraines and photo-phobia set in, double vision and sickness to any smells such as perfumes, cleaning fluids or foods tortured me. I was discharged after 11 days.  

My "after-care" treatment has been depressing with my Primary Physician listening to my reports of residual vision problems (refers me to Opthalmologist), headaches (Neurology), and overwhelming fatigue and depression (prescribes anti-depressant and B-12)- the Neuro' wore a strong cologne and basically said it was my imagination. The Opthalmologist said nothing showed either. These effects are real. I am not one to make things up. I cannot work. I cannot eat more than twice daily, nor stand to shower more than every 3 days it takes so much out of me. My blood pressure is also at issue although I take the same dose of med' daily. 

I hope there's light at the end of this tunnel.

Tay WalkshingShield
September 2015