Leanne, from Bourton-in-the-Water in Gloucestershire, has had pneumococcal meningitis twice, once in March 2013 aged 30 and then again in May 2018, aged 35. From suffering symptoms of severe headache, high temperature and confusion she was admitted to hospital, where she was not expected to survive. Fortunately she did, but with after-effects, as she tells us here.
“The first time I went to bed with what I thought was a headache and pain that was getting worse.
“I convinced myself I was going to die that night and I phoned my parents, who took me to hospital. As I was walking into hospital I collapsed in the road and my dad picked me up and between them my parents got me into A&E.
“I remember my name being called and then I collapsed again, after which I remember nothing. I was put into a coma, which was a traumatic experience, being tortured in my dream.”
Woken up a week later
“I was woken up a week later, when I learned that I had pneumococcal meningitis and that they had not expected me to survive.
“I learnt that I had a cranial CSF leak as well, which needed surgery as soon as I was strong enough.
“It was a long road to recovery and then, just when I was feeling life was getting back to my new normal, I became ill with another severe headache. So, I went to hospital again, where they diagnosed pneumococcal meningitis again.”
Long road to recovery
“This time I was lucky not to be put into a coma, but again faced a long road to recovery and more surgery for cranial CSF leak, which had reopened from the first surgery.
“This time I suffered significant hearing loss along with the nerve damage to my right foot and left hand from the first time I had meningitis.
“It’s been 12 years since getting meningitis and the nerve pain is still quite severe. I have medication for this and I’m on the maximum dose, but still get pain in my foot and walk with a limp.”
Left with depression and PTSD
“Having meningitis has left me with depression and PTSD, along with all the nerve pain and the constant stiffness in my legs.
“I now have to wear a hearing aid in my right ear as this ear is the most affected, but I also have hearing loss in my left ear too.
“I definitely don’t feel the same person as I was before meningitis. Life has not been the same and I feel different. It took me a while to admit I had depression and PTSD and I was more concerned at the time to get my life back to normal. I found it hard to accept the damage meningitis did to my body.”
Guilty for upsetting my family
“I also felt guilty for upsetting my family and friends, even though it was not my fault.
“I can only imagine how my parents, brothers and best friend felt when the doctors told them that I had a very low chance of waking up from the coma. My family found both experiences of meningitis tough but have helped me throughout. I’m very lucky to have a loving and supportive family and friends.
“I’m thankful to still be here and grateful to all the doctors and nurses that saved my life.”