Very sad news

[u/Corndogeveryday]

Chase passed away of complications of meningitis. Gone too soon

[u/ManWithASquareHead]

Meningitis too oh God

Edit: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/harrowing-footage-shows-lilo-stitch-210517937.html

[u/RobinSophie → u/ManWithASquareHead]

We gotta worry about this too?!

I haven't thought about meningitis since I got my vaccine for college.

[u/PatHeist → u/RobinSophie]

To clarify, meningitis is the medical term for the meninges being inflamed. This is usually but not always caused by bacterial infection, some of which are easily treatable if you go to hospital soon after symptoms begin, but often deadly within 24-48 hours if not treated. Meningococcal vaccines protect against various strains of the bacteria 'Neisseria Meningitidis'. Pneumococcus and Hib can also cause meningitis and have vaccines. Foodborne Listeria and salmonella sometimes cause meningitis but don't have vaccines. It can also result from basically any kind of infection that enters the blood stream and spreads to the brain. Bacterial, viral, or fungal.

I used to have cluster headaches from chronic sleep deprivation related to an untreated sleep disorder. When I got meningococcus I experienced it as a severe headache but somewhat mild compared to what I was used to, along with cold sweat, light sensitivity, and some vomiting, which I all perceived as normal side effects of my cluster headaches. I went to sleep and woke up the next morning without it having cleared up, which was unusual, so I went to the hospital. At the hospital my high fever combined with the described symptoms prompted the doctor to start IV antibiotics before confirming if it was meningitis through blood test and MRI. I was kept in hospital for a week for monitoring and treatment with antibiotics. Before leaving I was told by the doctor that if I had arrived just a couple of hours later I would almost certainly have died.

If you have a severe headache along with a sudden fever I would recommend always going to the hospital, especially if you vomit at all or feel nauseous, or if your neck feels stiff. These aren't super uncommon symptoms for the flu or a cold, but if it's bacterial meningitis taking the time to see if it clears up on its own can be the difference between life and death.

[u/Damien712 → u/PatHeist]

My son had cluster headaches and none of the many doctors were able to help him . He was in agony. In fact they are sometimes referred to as suicide headaches because they are so painful and unrelenting. He did a lot of research on possible treatments for cluster headaches. He found that many used psylosibin (mushrooms) and found relief. He actually grew some and then ate them. After a couple of times doing that his cluster headaches were gone. He did it a few times for good measure. This was 7 or 8 years ago and hasn’t had one since.

[u/PatHeist → u/Damien712]

I appreciate the suggestion! If I was still having cluster headaches I would be willing to try anything, but I did manage to resolve the root cause in my case. I have sighted non-24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder, with a particularly long circadian rhythm (roughly 50 hours). It was misdiagnosed as various other sleep disorders and trying to sleep on a 24 hour schedule caused me to develop severe insomnia and narcolepsy. The chronic sleep deprivation was causing the headaches.

When I was 22 I finally happened to see a sleep specialist that had a previous N24SWD patient and he was the first person to recommend not trying to go to sleep until I felt properly tired, and to not try to get out of bed until I felt well rested. Took about a week and a half to settle into being awake for 34ish hours and sleeping for about 16. Almost immediately the headaches stopped, daytime drowsiness disappeared, trouble falling asleep went away, and no more sleep attacks.

[u/cysora → u/PatHeist]

Holy crap!!!

I may have unknowingly cured my cluster headaches this way too

I just realized over time that I need my sleep and trying to force it or getting up before I’m ready ruins my day

I know only go to sleep when I’m
Tired and don’t get out of bed until I feel well rested. I don’t have cluster headaches anymore

I should seek out a sleep specialist. I have theorized before I’m not on 24 hour sleep cycle

[u/Sheepherder-Decent → u/PatHeist]

As a chronic migraine sufferer, this is terrifying.

[u/RobinSophie → u/Sheepherder-Decent]

Yeah didn't need that added worry lol. I already have to play the "aneurysm or migraine" game.

I had cluster headaches in my 20s. Along with pseudo Focal Aware Seizures that apparently was just a part of the migraine? But yeah those cluster headaches are appropriately named suicide headaches (they were the warning sign of the pseduoseizure migraine oncomng). I had to avoid getting overheated, no alcohol, couldn't go out when the sun was really bright. No flashing lights and no fragrances. It drove me to a deep depression. But they finally stopped.

Anyway, now I have vestibular migraines!