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[IThinkILoveCats]

Hey! I just wanted to introduce myself. I’ve just hit the 1-month mark since my diagnosis. HHV-6 was the virus and we were told it is just a dormant virus we all have in our system and something caused it to activate in me.

I used to run a foster-based animal rescue. Thankfully my volunteer team was able to jump in and take up the day to day because I’m not up to the task. My memory was one of my biggest strengths and gave me the ability to juggle a lot of information. Now I can barely remember what I ate for dinner 2 days ago.

I know it just takes time to heal but I just feel so frustrated by it all. But I know I’m not alone. ❤️

[RainthenSun11]

Hi, sorry to hear you're going through this. Unfortunately, from our experience with encephalitis and our daughter, everything is a slow process... The encephalitis society global have memory games and helpful advice on their site. That might help you. Take care 🌷

[Gandalf2]

Welcome! Everything moves slowly if at all and effects vary from person to person. I'm into my 5th year now with auto immune enc - the one where your immune system attacks the brain causing damage and seizures .

Memory is my biggest problem and the inability to follow through on sequential or complex tasks. Sleep helps me improve and I've just had a 14 hour sleep, which makes me feel great. I have no immunity to speak of so am repeatedly falling ill due to bacterial and virus infections.

Luckily the local hospital knows what to do and puts me on IV antibiotic drips when I am rushed in with 40 degree temperatures. One day I may not be so lucky it seems.

Good luck and best wishes. G2

[HSE_Survivor]

Hi. It’s incredibly early days being less than 2 months since diagnosis. Memory loss is very normal . I was told it would take two years to see what level of memory I could regain . I found the first year very hard - I even forgot to turn sink taps off after I’d washed my hands . But life did improve and I regained my independence in the second year. The fact you’re able to write and explain your illness so clearly at this early stage is really encouraging . I had a speech therapist who did a lot of work helping to improve my memory with me . Are you being offered any therapy in the US?

[IThinkILoveCats in reply to HSE_Survivor]

I haven’t been offered, but I will look into it! Thank you!!