Hi - I've been suffering with constant nausea, headache, fever, extreme fatigue, stiff neck, dizziness, vertigo, weight loss, blurry vision, photophobia, night sweats, joint & muscle aches for 3 months now. I'm not sure what's more frustrating feeling like this or not knowing what's wrong with me. It has completely taken over my life-I don't (can't) do much more than lay on the couch in between drs appts. The fever, nausea, & headache started the day after I received a lumbar steroid injection and the rest of the symptoms started not soon afterwards. Initially my drs suspected I had a spinal infection or meningitis because of enhancement that showed up on a subsequent MRI. However, when I had spinal tap they determined that I had CSF leak because my flow was so slow. I was told the results of the tap were negative for infection & meningitis but my protein level was suspiciously elevated above normal...that's as far as the drs went. After I was treated with a blood patch for the leak my initial excrutiating headache (if you've ever had a leak you know what I mean) resolved along with dark circles & excessive swelling around my eyes. However, the headache didn't completely go away it just felt different...not as bad as the leak but in the same area and constant. After a very non-productive, frustrating visit to a headache clinic this week, I was told that my optic pressure was extremely high so I researched this on the net and found that this is yet another symptom of meningitis! Then it dawned on me...could the results of my spinal tap have been compromised due to my CSF leak? Has anyone ever heard of this or had it happen? If not, what is the possibility of a false negative? I'm just so sick-even after recuping from a couple of major surgeries, I have never felt this sick in all of my life! My head is just so fuzzy. I can't concentrate or think right. I keep forgeting my train of thought. I find myself staring off sometimes and I don't know how long I was "lost". And I'm so damn exhausted constantly no matter how much sleep I get. Honest to God at times I feel like I'm dying. I just can't imagine why the drs can't figure this out. I just want my life back. Thanks so much for your help.