Mom suffering Acute Cerebellar Ataxia (Cerebellitis)

[shurly]

Has anyone been diagnosed with Cerebellitis?  What were/are you're sypmtoms?  How was/is it treated?  Finally, did the treatments help?  My 75 yr. old mom is really suffering ...nausea/vomiting, slurred speech, double vision, jerky hands, arms and legs, balance impaired, etc.  Please share if you know ANYTHING on this!!!

[Mama4kids]

You deserve a big bear hug!  First, how is your mother doing?  I had this diagnosis 4 years ago (age 49).  I began with pneumonia which settled in my celebellum (symptoms began with stiff neck & shoulder pain).  The hardest part of the illness was from the last week in December thru April.  I could not walk or talk, vomited continually, had impaired balance, vision problems, on and on.  When people would visit with me, I had to put a hand towel over my head to avoid the visual stimulation which ended up making me vomit or at the least, very dizzy.  I went from doctor to doctor, ENT, Speech & Occupational Therapists, Neurologists to Universities doing studies.  I had MRI's, CT's, blood work and Spinal Taps.  It took 4 months and a trip of 800 miles for the final diagnosis.  With it all, I was told, I would either get better or I wouldn't.  There truly was nothing the medical industry could do for my virus, just assist with some of the symptoms.  I ended up taking things into my own hands.  I pushed myself, I listened to audio books and would make myself repeat the words until I could say them clearly, I worked on my coordination with a tennis ball, I had my sons take me for short drives (puke bucket ever ready).  I sat at the dinning room table playing cards with the family with a towel on my head.  In short, strong willed determination not to let this thing win, I still had 4 kids at home to care for.  It was a very long and difficult process and I can not say that my method will work for anyone but me, but I feel you can never give up.  It was difficult being a piece of furniture.  Your mind still thinks, you have something to say... but don't know how to get the words out.

Now I work full time, but am alot more careful walking and more aware of things around me that I could hurt myself with.  I still have issues with speech when I am tired, occassionally I have a hard time find the right word, but it does not stop me.  I do not drive at night, because my perception did not fully recover.  I guess I am at about 95% and very appreciative to be here.

Good luck to your mom & I will be praying.            

Sincerely,
Christy - Boise, Idaho

[shurly]

Dear Christy,
Thank you for taking time to share your story... and what a wonderful outcome!  Your true determination is what did it I'm sure.  Since I last posted, we've had a new diagnosis...paraneoplastic disorder.  You can read more about it at http://www.paraneoplastic.org/  Unfortunately, we've been told that once my Mom's brain cells in the cerebellum have been destroyed, that's it... and that basically she will never get better.  They did say that therapy can help her learn to do things differently, but she will always have this. Your story is an inspiration and I will share it with my Mom.  Of course, we will continue with the therapy...just in case something good comes from it!
Take care and God bless,
Shurly