Viral Meningitis/Encephalitis

[joyann]

My husband has had a headache for 32 days now.  He's also had a low-grade fever at times and chills, in the 1st 2-3 wks. he slept almost 24 hrs.--except to eat and use the bathroom.  Within the last week he is sensitive to light.  He has had 2 MRI's, 2 EEG's, 1 cat scan, chest x-rays, lots of blood tests, 1 lumbar spinal tap, psych eval., neuropsychological workup, OT workup, hearing tested.

We don't results of all the tests.  MRI and cat scan were normal.  Were told not Lyme's; not fungal, bacterial (started on acyclovir for 3 days after 18 days) or meningococcal meningitis.

Were told it is viral meningitis.  Lumbar spinal tap--white count is up and also protein.  EEG--showed slowed brain wave pattern.  Second EEG still looked slow.  Neuropsychological workup showed a 7--8.  Husband is an electrical engineer with a Master's Degree.  Has cognitive problems.

Told hallucinations due to acyclovir and taken off as not bacterial.

Do we need another opinion to confirm viral meningitis?  What are your suggestions?  Will he ever be back to "himself"?

Help, please.

Thank you.

[CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS]

Your husbands symptoms and case are very complex. It is difficult for me to render an accurate opinion without having seen him personally. However, the case you presented could be consistent with viral encephalitis or meningitis. Another possibility could be vasculitis. Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels, and in this case the blood vessels which supply the brain. Another possibility would be neurosarcoid. Although some of the information you presented would be against this diagnosis. If you have not been seen in an academic center, it may be appropriate.

[Mom to 3]

My daughter had viral encephalitis when she was 6 years old.  She also had a elevated white count in her spinal fluid and she also has slow brain wave pattern on her EEG's.  She did not have any neurological problems before the abrupt onset of viral encephalitis.  She was hospitalized 4 months and in a coma for 4 weeks and on a respirator.  She has been left with a very hard to control seizure disorder and was seen twice at the Cleveland Clinic in their Epilepsy monitoring unit. I should add that I was really pleased with all the neurologists we saw at the Cleveland Clinic.  She has made a remarkable recovery but it has been a slow process.  Because of the seizures she missed almost 3 years of school but the seizures have gotten under better control each year since the encephalitis.  There is a encephalitis group at Yahoo groups under Brain Injury that has alot of knowledgable people who could help you.  Also www.encephalitisglobal.com is a great resource.
                        Good Luck,
                        Mom to 3

[rcummings]

Had similar symptoms to your husband last Summer. 47 years old. Sudden onset. No past history. Started with severe headache, back pain, chest pain, pain in sides. Checked into ER of community hospital after collapsing thinking it has a heart attack. Released after cardio work up showed not a heart attack. Returned two days later with same severe symptoms. Morphine required to control pain. Many more tests than your husband. 35 days in neuro intensive care at UCI (University of Califonia Irvine) followed by 10 days in rehab. Vivid, severe hallucinations. Would not have survived had my Doctor not recommended I be moved from regional hospital to UCI, a research hospital. Recovery was very slow but steady after getting home for first five months. Diagnosis was unknown even on discharge though a combination of pregnisone and cyclophosamide ultimately worked for the condition cerebral vasculitis, encephalitis, meningitis. Guillaume Berre was thought but ruled out along wit many others. I will be glad to share information if you email me at ***@****. I only search "cerebral vasculitis, encephalitis, meningitis" now and then to try and determine what caused this which may never be known. for From my experience I would not wait a moment to go to an academic center. The research hospital saved my life. I wish you best of luck. Yes, your husband, if like me, can fully recover.

[annielee53]

A related discussion, headaches was started.