Does anyone know the proper treatment of diagnosed spinal meningitis? Can encephalopathy occur because of the meningitis? Three months ago, I was a very healthy, 59 year old male and today, I cannot walk without a cane, I have very short-term memory, I was on a ventilator for 3 days when my heart stopped and I don't know if I will ever be able to go back to work. Could someone explain to me why I would have been given demerol, morphine, ativan and haldol in addition to anti-biotics, for treatment of meningitis? I just can't seem to get a straight answer.