Dh has bacterial meningitis. Help

[Eachpeachpears]

My dh was taken into hospital last night after three days of horrendous infection symptoms. They've since confirmed bacterial meningitis. His inflammation marks are at 290 (should be less than 5).
What on earth do I do? He's 36. I'm 28. We have two children who are 5 and 3 who keep asking where daddy is.

I can't believe the 24 hours we've had.
This time yesterday the dr's were telling me to expect the worst. Today he's discharged home. Personally I think slightly prematurely. He's made a huge improvement, I genuinely couldn't believe the difference when I got there at 11am.
He was bright, colour in his face, making jokes etc. He's on very strong antibiotics and steroids. He had the first 3 doses through IV and now on oral. Has come home to bed. He's now where near well but they clearly think his body has responded well enough to the antibiotics to be at home. In all honesty Im expecting a downhill turn tonight. I'm expecting he'll have to go back. But for now he is home. They confirmed the infection originated as pneumonia and has spread to meningitis

Wow, what a surprise.
I hope he doesn't need to go back in.

Thats amazing, thank God and long may it last. Don't be at all shy about going back in and the slightest hint of that downhill though.

Hope he continues to recover at the same rate. I’m also hoping that discharge was definitely the right thing to do. Ask for and accept all the help you can whilst you’re trying to look after DH and your children.

DS had Pneumococcal meningitis (bacterial) aged 15 months. It's an incredibly scary time for you all. I'll never forget the pure elation of walking back in to the high dependency room he was in and seeing him conscious, sitting up and laughing for the first time in a week (DH was with him, I'd gone home for a shower & sleep).
A previous poster mentioned about it being contagious but that's only certain strains and the medical staff would have advised you accordingly if they thought it was.
It seems remarkable that your DH has been discharged already as normally people are treated in hospital for at least a week, if not longer. Keep a close eye on him and don't be afraid to take him back to hospital / advocate for him where necessary.
I would highly recommend looking at the Meningitis Now website (& contacting them if you need advice or support - they are there to help people in your situation).
I hope your DH continues to recover well and that he has no long term after effects.

https://www.meningitisnow.org/

Good. He's home. With meds.
He'll be fine.
Ignore the 'Ides of March' mob.
Good Luck. Enjoy.

That's really good news, OP.

I hope you can all get some rest, and that he is fully recovered soon x

That’s really really nice update.

i wish your dh (and you!) all the best!

I'm 39 and had BM just before Christmas. Had been at home ill for a week. I didn't have the usual rash and wasn't sent to hosp until my knees swelled right up. Spent 2w in hosp and was very delirious when I got there and when the fever peaked, it was quite scary. I started to feel a bit better and could eat again after a couple of day of IV antibiotics.

Sorry, just saw your update. He couldn't have had bacterial meningitis then as he'd need IV antibiotics.

He has had 3 lots of IV antibiotics and responded so well to them they were able to swap it to oral. His discharge paperwork confirms the diagnosis.

Bless him he's even remembered mothers Day ❤️

I'm so glad to read your positive updates. Meningitis is very, very scary. I speak from experience.

Make sure DH gets plenty of rest today, and indeed takes it easy for the next little while.

If he remembers today, he's definitely a keeper.

That's what I was thinking. It's usually entails a prolonged course of IVABs at least a week.

That's nice isn't it. Clearly not enough support irl so you turn to online and people doubt you 🙄
Anyway, dh is no where near well, he's up one minute, down the next. No temp though, I'm checking it religiously.
He'll be mid conversation one minute and the next hea fast asleep. His body is clearly exhausted.
He's just had toast, first thing to eat in nearly a week so that's amazing.
He's remembered mothers Day and got his sister to do the cards with the kids (which he'd already bought a week ago! Thankfully it was all in a bag in the car so when I got to sil yesterday, bil took the car keys when I wasn't looking!)
Ds has swimming this morning so I'll take both kids there so dh can get some proper rest.
I suffer from Chronic pain and fatigue syndrome though so I'm starting to flag a bit... Not a lot I can do about that. I'll be glad when dc are safe in school tomorrow and I can have a bit of a rest!
Thank you for all your kind words

Also I'm taking this as a clear indicator of the state of our nhs... Discharging home people with meningitis to free up beds. There is a huge sporting event on locally next week so I'm not surprised they're rattling through them. Dh was on an urgent care ward.

I’m sorry your husband is unwell and I hope he has a speedy recovery. By b’n’law shattered his collarbone a few weeks ago - it needed a plate as the bone did not join. He could see bone sticking out. He went to A&E and was told needed X-ray and operation - and sent home. Called in the next day for X-ray - called in on the 3rd day for operation. So was basically sitting at home for three days in agony seeing his bone stick out and going back and forward to hospital for xray / surgery.
I think nhs has a strategy for discharge asap to make room for beds

Great news that your DH is improving. You must have been so worried!

He's probably better off at home even though it's been very scary. Hospitals are hell on earth while you're recovering from illness. Does he have any check ups due? I'm glad he's responded so well to the antibiotics. Even if they were a bit pushy, they wouldn't have sent him home if he wasn't well enough.

@Eachpeachpears better off at home if he is responding well to antib's. loads of infections in hospitals. personally, i wouldnt take kids swimming this morning. i think you need to sit and relax and just be there if your husband needs you.

Can your in laws take the kids swimming and you both have a rest? Or could they take them to the park for an hour to give you both some quiet time?

I think this is pretty standard treatment as DH had the same 20 years ago. There wouldn’t be any benefit to being in hospital between diagnosis and operation.

OP so glad he is home already. Don’t be shy about contacting the hospital if you see any changes in him, even if you are not sure. Basically they are expecting a steady improvement in him so if you don’t see that then let them know.

Did he not need antivirals ? And you and the children offered antibiotics?

That’s a positive update op! It must be a bit scary having him home so soon. It does feel very fast but he obviously responded well and can recover at home. Just keep a close eye on him and contact the hospital if you are worried. Best wishes for his recovery.

Oh bless him remembering mother's day when he's been so poorly, what a good'un.

Honestly I had BM years ago and I was much happier once I was able to go home and recover in my own space. Hospitals are restless and scary places. Home is peace and safety and familiarity.

Don't forget to look after yourself too, make sure you're getting plenty of rest where you can. Wishing you and your family all the best 💐