I was wondering if anyone else out there in "lupus land" has either experienced something similar or heard of someone who has. About 4 years I was perfectly healthy, was exercising and losing some weight. Feeling good! Then I contracted viral meningitis! The nightmare began. I was in the hospital for only 3 days, because hospitals are all too eager to kick you out, lest you not be able to pay them! I continued my recovery at home, flat on my back for a month! Steroids, antibiotics and painkillers up to whazoo. I didn't get back to any kind of normalcy for a year. Sometime within that year, I developed depression and anxiety that I'm still dealing with. Then 2 years after that, I contracted mono (at age 39!) for the very first time. Then about 2 years after that, I started with this autoimmune whatever. Doctors tell me that the meningitis has nothing to do with what's going on now. However I just don't believe that. How could a virus that serious leave my immune system intact? Before the meningitis, I was in average health, had energy, could work. Now, I feel like a 90 year old.
Or . . . the diseases "triggered" your "propensity" for an autoimmune response. It is known that a serious physiological condition can trigger autoimmune disease if you have the "tendency/propensity" to develop it. Even a pregnancy can cause it.
People with no propensity for an autoimmune disease can get an autoimmune response with such powerful viruses.
My family's autoimmune diseases have been thyroid problems, me too. However, when I quit smoking (physiological trigger), did I ever get sick with 3 autoimmune diseases (Sjogren's, autoimmune hepatitis and lupus).
My daughter had Bacterial Meningitis four years before getting really sick with SLE and Vasculitis. I met a man through the Michigan Lupus Foundation recently and his Mother had Lupus. She had Bacterial Meningitis in her 50s. It is hard to tell which came first, the chicken or the egg. Carolyn
Aseptic meningitis can be a result of cns lupus. I had it as well 2 years ago. Hospital stay of 9 days, absolute hell. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
i feel 90 too and im 44-no meningitis here but in my late 20's me and my 6 month old son had a "new virus" that landed us in the hospital for 3 days, after that i have never been the same-had mono just like you and a positive epstein bar test, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, pituitary problems, and havent been right since with non answers till november 2012-i see my rheumy again next week for further testing, in november she said i had borderline lupus and did not treat me-something has got to happen next week cause i am in pain. i cant even walk today my feet hurt so bad-i walked up and down the drive this morning and they are killing me now. i have the butterfly rash now too and i had rashes under my eyes that turned black i look like a raccoon, i had a positive ana and high levels of inflammation-i just need to get some meds i cant do anything anymore without paying dearly for it
Thank you, everyone for your input. Looks like some serious infections have landed us in this condition. Dr.'s may say there is no connection, but what do they know? My friends always tell me, "remember, its called PRACTICING medicine for a reason."