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| Oliver |
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My name is Oliver, I live in Connecticut and am 37 years old. In January 2000 I felt that my yearly sinus infection was in full bloom, but this time there was no relief from the constant pain in the right side of my forehead. After the first few days at home from work, the pain intensified until at one point I cried out and began to sob in the kitchen.
Another trip to the doctor and I was given a prescription for Percoset, as the pain was too intense and constant to allow me to sleep. A few days more and I was attempting to roast a goose for my wife's birthday. She demanded that I stop, since I was not able to maintain my concentration long enough to complete any task that I started.
The following day I was driven to a local hospital by my mother and cousin. I had a CAT scan and a spinal tap. I was diagnosed with viral meningitis and told to "go home, get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids". I did so and there was no improvement. On my fifth or sixth day at home my wife grew more concerned at my lack of perception and co-ordination. She told me we were going to a different local hospital. I was not able to see the logic in this, yet decided to let her take me. Apparently I started to get myself ready to go, but had been trying to tie my shoelaces for over 20 minutes with no success. At that time my wife called 911 for help.
The next 20 days or so are a blurry series of sights, scents, and sounds that I still can't piece together. I was diagnosed as having HSE. During my stay in the hospital my wife was told that I may not survive or would be severely damaged cognatively. My EEGs were abnormal so I was given Dilantin as a precaution. My wife and I noticed that it prevented me from normal mental function so upon my release I stopped taking it.
Upon my release I did have severe bouts of depression, and often "self medicated" myself with heavy doses of scotch. This did try the patience of my lovely and supportive wife, for which I still try to make amends. I am one of the lucky ones who have made a near full recovery. My only residuals are photosensitivity, I do forget little things and a frustrating inability to concentrate in crowds or other noisy environments. It is still a challenge to adjust to different mental processes, but I am glad just to be alive.
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Oliver
Connecticut, U.S.A.
Posted: August 22, 2004 |
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