Sapna
In January 2006 Sapna, an IT Support Analyst from London, found herself in intensive care and diagnosed with TB meningitis. It was a shock because she didn’t know that TB meningitis existed or that there were so many different types of TB.
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“Usually the first symptom, of the type of TB I had, is blotches on the skin. I had nothing like that – just a headache. It was October 2005 when I began to feel ill with a headache and fever. In January 2006 my husband called an ambulance, I was diagnosed in hospital with TB Meningitis.
“I was in intensive care and had a cardiac arrest. I had surgery on my skull to remove fluid. I was in and out of hospital until July that year because the medicine was not working and I was losing weight very fast.
“After my illness I lost my memory, I lost my eyesight and I lost my ability to walk. A physiotherapist used to come to my house to help me recover. An occupational therapist started after that. A dietician came to my house to show me what best to eat and monitor my weight. I got very good help from the NHS, it was very good. I can’t complain.
“I have some lasting problems, but constantly think positively, do self-training and practicing tasks at home such as memory games, and walking and eye exercises. Because of my illness I lost my memory and speech, and suffer from double vision, which may or may not improve. But I am used to it now and it doesn’t bother me any more. I got my life back, so I can live with some minor problems.
“My family and friends were so important to my recovery. They were understanding of my moods and tempers (brought on by the illness) and helped me with my rehabilitation - reminding me when to take my medication and motivating me when I did not want to. I do believe that the support of family and friends helps you to get over your illness much quicker.
“I finished my treatment in May 2007. Sometimes it takes longer to get better. Some people get better within six months; in my case it took me about a year and half. As soon as they stopped my medicine it meant my TB was cured, I do not need that medicine anymore. Now I am concentrating on my work, getting better and living a happy life.
“I would say don’t be scared and don’t hide from people the fact that you have got TB. It is not some disease that you can’t talk about – and it is curable.”