When the Headache Was More Than a Headache: My Viral Meningitis Story

I never imagined I’d be writing this, but life has a funny way of giving you surprises like a headache that makes you question if you’re actually a superhero with x-ray vision. Spoiler: I’m not.

In January 2013, at 17 weeks pregnant, I woke up with a headache that felt completely different from anything I'd had before. Sharp, intense, and loud enough to make my cat think the world was ending. As hours passed, the pain worsened. Light? Nope. Sounds? Nope. Food and drink? Big nope.

I did visit the doctor who believed I had a sinus infection but 3 days later in the late afternoon when I couldn't get another doctors appointment I knew I needed help as had no more options to help myself. Out of hours that evening, got us in fast for me to be looked at to see what was going on. I’m grateful I went when I did.

In the Hospital

Doctors swooped in like a medical Avengers team blood tests, neurological checks, and monitors everywhere. They suspected viral meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord caused by a virus (basically, your brain’s way of throwing a tantrum).

Being pregnant made everything feel ten times more dramatic. I worried about my baby while trying to manage pain that made me question every life choice leading up to that moment. The nurses were angels, checking on both me and the baby like pros and making sure I didn’t start hallucinating from hunger or exhaustion. My head felt like it was going to explode and I really had times when I didnt think I was coming home to Simon and my little girls. It was scary and I had to dig deep to get through the pain with very little meds due to the impact it could have on my unborn baby.

Recovery wasn’t instant. Fatigue stuck around like an uninvited guest. There were good days and setbacks, kind of like life but with more naps and snacks.

Emotionally, it was a rollercoaster. I worried, cried, laughed with family and friends to survive, and learned to accept help. Writing things down and taking gentle walks helped me feel slightly less like a zombie.

That experience woke me up to my health no longer would someone else be in control of it. I had been given a flu vaccine while pregnant and my belief is I was damaged by it and what I now know makes a lot of sense.

I realised I had to listen to my body and trust my instincts. time for us to all take control and empower ourselves.