Encephalitis recovery advice

[rhols96]

Has anyone suffering with encephalitis had non existent focus/concentration during their recovery? I came out of hospital approx 4 months ago and this still hasn't improved? I also have permanent tension headaches. Please can i have some advice on how to deal with these issues?

[Ocean96]

Hi there

Yes, I found it hard to concentrate after encephalitis and sometimes still do. It took me a while to accept that and I find it easier now allowing myself to need extra time to carry out tasks or to rest due to headaches. I'm 4 years into my recovery and I found it got better over time. I found doing things I enjoy helped me stay focused and also helped distract me from my headaches.

Here is a fact sheet on cognitive difficulties after encephalitis - encephalitis.info/cognitive...

[Wygella in reply to Ocean96]

I really sympathise but these are early days for you. I’m well over 3 years later and my concentration and attention span are a lot lot better. I’ve also learnt techniques for when my concentration goes a bit usually when I’m tired. I promise it gets better. Headaches ease as brain fog lifts. And I know it’s hard but try and rest and let your brain relax. Letter to my Brain on the Encephalitis society web site helped me a lot and still encourages me.

[LiLuMi]

Although it did not work for me long term, because tricyclic antidepressants give me suicidal thoughts and insomnia, a low dose of nortriptyline (25mg?) did get rid of my headache and the everpresent pressure for the 10 days I was on it. I was 3 years out before the headache stopped being a daily thing, and now it just appears if I overexert myself. It is a long, slow slog to recovery, but the harder you push yourself, the more you slide back, so take it easy and slow. I am one for learning the hard way, so I did (and do) overdo it a lot.

[jjsako]

We each find a path brothers. I was still pissing the bed nearly 10 years later. Later on less so, to being normal. I became rather focused on exercise within my 1st 4 years, until I started to feel stable within my new brain.

[AliBBeerDrinkerSing]

As others have said, still very much early days, so don’t despair! I think I thought that I was much better than I was when I came out of hospital, but I was definitely exhibiting some very odd behaviours.Often fatigue can get the better of you, which you might not initially recognise the symptoms of, but can really impact concentration.

You will find techniques that help- my OT used to say planning and prioritisation a lot.