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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Viral Encephalitis
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Viral Encephalitis
by lisa, Jul 22, 2000 12:00AM
A second opinion from a neurologist Dx encephalitis based on clinical examine,brain MRI was normal, no spinal tap test were done(I don't want it)speech threapy was Rx.I haven't followed thru on that.
My present concerns,now 4 months post infection. constant headaches,still a bit dizzy, cognitive imparment:language/speech/memory/thought process.
On a imparment scale of 1 to 10, I'd say it is a 5 or 6.
In addition to the above, Many times a day, my mind seems in a dreamlike/foggy state, I just stop mid sentance and find it difficult to start talking again because I either don't remember what I was saying or I lose interest in completeing a thought or sentence.
My questions: Is there meds that can help me function better?
Should I get some tests done?
What are my chances for getting cognitive abilities back?
will I get worse as in progressive imparement?
Are there any signs that should alert me to see my doctor again,meaning perhaps something else is going on?(yeah, like the stress of it all)
Any info you provide will be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
My present concerns,now 4 months post infection. constant headaches,still a bit dizzy, cognitive imparment:language/speech/memory/thought process.
On a imparment scale of 1 to 10, I'd say it is a 5 or 6.
In addition to the above, Many times a day, my mind seems in a dreamlike/foggy state, I just stop mid sentance and find it difficult to start talking again because I either don't remember what I was saying or I lose interest in completeing a thought or sentence.
My questions: Is there meds that can help me function better?
Should I get some tests done?
What are my chances for getting cognitive abilities back?
will I get worse as in progressive imparement?
Are there any signs that should alert me to see my doctor again,meaning perhaps something else is going on?(yeah, like the stress of it all)
Any info you provide will be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS, Jul 22, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Lisa:
Since the etiology of your encephalitis is unknown, it is extremely difficult in giving you a prognosis. It can take many, many months for the full extent of recovery to take place. For instance, if you had Herpes encephalitis it might take greater that 1 year to see full recovery (at least to the extent possible). Medication might depend on the agent responsible, but the only known anti-viral medication is for Herpes and you do not know the agent involved. As far as medications in helping the recovery, we really do not know of any. This is an area of active research, but nothing has been pushed as an agent for stimulating brain recovery after a lesion.
Sorry, I am not much help. Hang-in there, the brain has many mechanisms for recovery.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Since the etiology of your encephalitis is unknown, it is extremely difficult in giving you a prognosis. It can take many, many months for the full extent of recovery to take place. For instance, if you had Herpes encephalitis it might take greater that 1 year to see full recovery (at least to the extent possible). Medication might depend on the agent responsible, but the only known anti-viral medication is for Herpes and you do not know the agent involved. As far as medications in helping the recovery, we really do not know of any. This is an area of active research, but nothing has been pushed as an agent for stimulating brain recovery after a lesion.
Sorry, I am not much help. Hang-in there, the brain has many mechanisms for recovery.
Sincerely,
CCF Neuro MD
Your symptoms sound almost identical to mine. I've been sick for a little over 2 years. If you wouldn't mind, I would like to talk with you(through email, about your situation. I'm about 95% recovered. I would just like some information about symptoms and your experience with post viral. My address is ***@****
Thanks and good luck.
Gary
http://glaxocentre.merseyside.org/enceph.html
Lots of info
and support group
I guess as the good doc replied, there is not
alot of research
and as far as post symptoms go
too bad for us...sigh!
My husband contracted herpes encephalitis on March 7th, 2000 and was in the hospital 15 days taking anti-viral medicine and then came home continuing anti-viral meds for 1 week. It has almost been 5 months from onset of illness and he is doing very well. Was said to have been a mild to moderate case and returned to work part-time one month after onset to stimulate the mind, but progress has been very slow. He takes ginkgo biloba recommended by pharmacist friend and seems to improve slowly every week or two. Lesion was in speech area of brain and still has problems with naming people and things, slowness of thought, memory, etc. Functions well at work (architect) and difficulty is mostly with finding correct words to communicate and works slower. Also, remembering full use of computer has been a challenge, but gains knowledge daily. Probably is back to normal in the 80% plus range. Good luck. Janet