Encephalitis Cases

David           
  David Croydon Contracted Viral Encephalitis in 1988 at the age of 29. I am David's wife, Karen. David was eventually admitted to hospital after having two weeks of not feeling well and gradually deteriorating. A local doctor was called out twice but only said that perhaps David didn't like work! With the help of my father in law we then took him to see his Diabetic doctor in case it was diabetes related, by which time David was in such a state he had to sit in a wheelchair and could not hold a cup of tea without spilling it. He was immediately admitted to Epsom Hospital and later transferred to Atkinson Morley for tests, Brain scans and lumbar punctures etc. He was eventually diagnosed, and spent 2 weeks not really knowing who we were.

We are now 19 years down the line. He is no longer the same person that I married. The whole family suffers. At the time we had a daughter of 3 and a baby of 10months, they are now 21 and 19.

We were told that any improvements would be seen in the first 2 years and I guess that was right. David has never returned to work. There is so many small things that only living with the person, would you really know. Personality changes, mood swings, behavior problems, depression, obsessions, concentration, communication, speech, balance I could go on and on.

The one thing that I am finding very difficult to deal with is the behavior and anger towards me. Very small things trigger major sessions of shouting, banging doors, and being verbally abusive. We dare not put the towel up crooked or remove 'his' glass or plate because of the reaction. Although over the years he has had various therapies - really nothing has made much difference. He is angry and frustrated that he has had this illness, which tends to leave you in some strange world between being normal and being disabled.

I am happy to exchange emails with anyone.

David
United Kingdom
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Posted: February 9, 2007 		  adults cases

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