Vinton Elliott's story

I got back from Turkey on 10th July 2017 and went to work.

When I got home I did not feel well so I went to bed. I woke up around 10pm with a terrible headache, stiff neck, my eyes were sensitive to the light and I felt very ill.

I spoke to a nurse after calling 111 and she said it sounds like meningitis. An ambulance was sent for me. The crew also said it could be meningitis.

When I got to the hospital I waited in a corridor for a few hours then I was put in a room on my own. After examination I was told that I looks like I may have bacterial meningitis but the only way to be sure is to give me a lumbar puncture. I was put on a drip of antibiotics and was give morphine for the pain. I was never given a lumbar puncture.

In the morning I was told that I’m not contagious and I can go home. There was never any after care or advice given.

Since that day I have suffered from severe headaches, anxiety, depression, loss of balance, I get very emotional for no apparent reason and I burst into tears, and severe tinnitus which is getting loader.

My Drs have said that I could not have had meningitis yet I suffer from the after effects associated with someone who has had meningitis.

My Drs cannot help me and I’m slowly get worse. I’m not sure what else I can do to help with my recovery.

Vinton Elliott
March 2020