Slow improvements or so maybe

[Heavychunky1]

Hsv encephalitis recovery, All is going ok , apart from these weird sharp stinging headaches every day and light sensitivity. Arriving at 3 month marker now after diagnosis. Still struggle with a fair amount of things. Energy levels are low to point I can’t get the up and go to climb down 2. Flights of stairs to get outside for a little while. Having very slight forgetfulness with really silly things like did I take pain killers after Iv all ready taken them . Stressed out my mind with it all . Always a worry with every new niggle of pain fear of re lapsing more so with the headache pains at times. My occupation health doctor ha told me to calm my mind down as it seems to be working to far in advance form where we are at

[sleepless68]

Hi was exactly the same. Get your eyes tested at opthamologists....I was diagnosed with Horners as a result of Encephalytis.Headaches and light issues now controlled by specs.Only stress gives headaches now.Word finding issues still if very tired.Little nap about 5pm daily seems to help.I m now 7 months into recovery.Knocked my confidence but slowly recovering.

[GreenBamboo]

Hi Heavychunky1, I was in a similar situation to you at 3 months. My energy levels were non-existent, each day it felt like there was something different occurring, my memory wasn't great but I'd not remember the simplest things like having a shower and not remembering if I had shampooed AND conditioned my hair or just shampooed it (I got out of the shower having not washed the soap out).

I was struggling to cope with the seemingly lack of progress made at 3 months and I was told that "at 3 months on from my event I was very early on in my recovery." In my experience recovery is a slow process but once I recognised and accepted it I was able to settle better.

It is really hard to accept that, for the time being, at least, things have changed. Over time there will be improvement. If you look back at your struggles 2 months ago you will have made such progress.

I contacted the Encephaliitis Society very recently, my fear was 'is it likely that I will relapse' it was really eating away at me! I had such a reassuring conversation with a kind man there, as to the likelihood of this in my case. Now I know this is unlikely, I seem to have moved forward easier, although still some struggles.

I am fortunate that headaches have not plagued me, it has been dizziness, unsteadiness, shaking for me and so cannot offer any notes of experience on that!

[Ocean96]

Hi there,

Thank you for sharing your story and well done on your recovery.

Recovering from Encephalitis isn't easy and you should give yourself credit for how far you have come already. 3 months is still very early on in your recovery; try not to worry about any symptoms of relapse. I completely understand how you feel though, I have the exact same worries. However, as time has passed I've learned that some symptoms are just the effects of my encephalitis. It's also good to keep note of any concerns and bring them to your next doctor's appointment. It's good to keep a good line of communication with your doctor and medical professionals.

Fatigue, headaches, sensitivity to light, anxiety are all common symptoms post-encephalitis so please don't worry... this is normal and as time goes by it will get easier. I know it's a lot of change all at once and lots of different emotions at once. You've been through a lot and so has your brain! Not only have you been through a serious physical illness but this will undoubtedly affect how you see the world and that's okay. It shows such courage that you have reached out and shared your story here.

It may be something to look into in the future to look into chatting to someone about your experience with encephalitis? I have personally found it really helpful!

In the meantime, take each day, each hour at a time. Breath and center yourself when things feel overwhelming and do something nice for yourself each day such as a walk, call a friend or watch your favorite movie!

Here is the link to the encephalitis who offer incredible support -

://encephalitis.info/

Also, they have a youtube channel - youtu.be/VHmf0hTGbo0(Not working as expected?)