8 weeks post-op question...

[Guest guest]

Hi!

I am 8 weeks post-op and doing quite well except for some

infection/viral stuff the past 2 1/2 weeks.

Here's what is going on, and maybe someone can say " been there and done

that " and give me some feedback!

2 1/2 weeks ago, I went to a local urgent care center for what I thought

was my acquisition of my better half's upper respiratory bug. I

expected antibiotics or some sort of decongestant at the most. I had a

low grade fever, and pressure in my head from the congestion.

My white blood cell count was over 20,000 and my vital signs were

elevated. The urgent care doc wanted me to go immediately to the ER,

and would not let me drive (a tad bit of an overreaction I believe), so

a nurse drove me. They were waiting on me at the ER and whisked me back

to an isolated room. They all wore masks, and I was told they thought I

may have meningitis.

I had a CT Scan (which showed that my surgery was done beautifully and

there were no problems) and they started antibiotics in the IV. I had

them call my nsg before doing a spinal tap to get his OK for the

procedure and get his input on my lab/test results so far.

I ended up with 17 white blood cells in the spinal fluid, so bacterial

meningitis was ruled out and the masks came off of the medical staff. I

had antibiotic shots over the next 2 days pending the culture growth

report.

When the report was " negative " for bacteria growth, the shots were

ended. I was given a prescription for Medrol dosepak corticosteroids,

and told it may have been a mild case of viral meningitis or " chemical

meningitis " (a reaction to the surgery). Due to being 5 1/2 weeks

post-op, it was considered an unusually late post-op occurrence.

My low grade fever returned a week later, and I was put on antibiotics

for 14 days and decongestant as needed. My fever has been averaging

100.4 and today was up to 101.6. The fever has not been below 99.8,

even with taking 2 Advil, for 10 days.

I saw my family doc today and she feels this could have turned into

Epstein Barr Virus (infectious mononucleosis). Since I had a very bad

case of mono in college, they have to order a specialized blood test to

detect EBV that is present now by sorting out the antibodies.

Has anyone else had experience with infections/chemical or viral

meningitis or EBV (mono) after surgery?

I feel better than I have in years, so it is hard to say I feel

horrible. Just feverish and feel " run down. " I have been taking it

easy....any other suggestions to build up my immunity?

Sorry this turned into a novel...I really appreciate your responses!

(((((healing and non-infectious supportive hugs)))))

Zipperhead 9-13-00 and doing fantastic despite the " bugs. "

Practice Random Kindness and Senseless Acts of Beauty.

http://community.webtv.net/pollyannalives/FromItsInYourHeadto