ENCEPHALITIS CASES

Encephalitis Cases

Graham

I was 44 when I contracted Meningo encephalitis. Which is (in my case) bacterial meningitis and encephalitis all rolled into one un-pronounceable term. It started mid May 2008 and was a very short “pre” illness. Like many I had flu-like symptoms, and a very bad sore throat. What made me seek medical advice was an ear ache. I was ill over a weekend and on Monday I went to get my ear checked out. I was told there was no infection, and was offered no medication. By Wednesday I was admitted to Casualty suffering from an altered state of consciousness, and I couldn't answer even the simplest of questions i.e.“do you know your name?” I was asked, “yes” I answered, but couldn't remember my name.

I was diagnosed with Mastoiditis (severe ear infection of the inner ear) and my family were told I’d have it drained the next day. By the way, this is a condition that my doctor had not heard of since about 1960! Things got worse and I underwent a mastoidectomy to remove the infection, which had unfortunately (but unknown at this time) spread to my brain causing both bacterial meningitis and encephalitis. Reading my notes and talking to family after I’d had at least 4 CT scans and 1 MRI scan and lumber punch (spinal tap). At one point my wife had been told I’d a less than 50% chance of survival.

Over the next 3 weeks I was in ICU (intensive care) and have no recollection of this time at all (probably just as well). 3 weeks later I awoke in the neuro ward of a hospital (and not my local one). My initial treatment was that of a stroke victim as I’d lost the use of my right side and also lost speech. At my local hospital they didn't know what was wrong, as I hadn't’t gained consciousness after my mastoidectomy. It wasn't until almost a week into my treatment that I was diagnosed meningo encephalitis – thankfully I’d been given the right antibiotics as one of the doctors from another hospital had treated Encephalitis and recognized the symptoms quickly. But it was only by chance, and a bit of a guess initially that I got the treatment fast enough to prevent permanent damage.

Although my recover has been slow (well slower than I expected) I am almost fully recovered. I have the use of my right side again, speech returned quite quickly after I’d woken up (probably about 2 weeks). The only thing I have that’s noticeable is the hearing loss in one ear, and that was due to the mastoidectomy, not really Encephalitis.

It took me over 4 months to return to work and even then my brain was not firing on all cylinders by any means. Fatigue was the big problem for me, well that and having difficult sometimes finding the names of things. It’s really odd looking at say a car and thinking, “I know what that is, but what’s the name of it, what’s it called?” I wasn't able to drive for about 5 months, but I can now and I’m back at work full time.

As is mentioned many times in these accounts, it’s unbelievable the recovery I’ve made. Just thinking about how ill I was (or at least being told how ill I was) is just insane. Even now friends and family say “Do you remember....” about things that happened in the hospital and I really have no recollection even though people say I was “awake” and sitting up. I’ve had a specialist, and my doctor saying that I’m lucky to be alive and the extent of my recovery was amazing. Funny enough that made me feel really good, and was a great boost at the time.

People often asked if it’s changed my life at all. Well, I’m not over keen when I get a sore throat, I don’t really have the fear of hospitals I had and there’s no real feel of dying. I’ve absolutely amazed myself at my strength of character, how positive I’ve been. At no point have I ever thought “why me?” At no point did I ever doubt I’d get better. It’s taught me a lot of things about myself that I never knew, it’s also made me realise how much friends and family think of me. I’m not suggesting that a positive attitude makes you better, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. My employers have been fantastic, let me return slowly by doing 2 days as week 3 hours a day etc. and returned at my own pace. I’m not really a religious person, but I do think I’ve been blessed, given a second chance.
The best of health to everyone reading these articles.

Graham
United Kingdom

Posted: February 26, 2009

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