Encephalitis - Relaxing the Brain

Posted by kiger5boys @kiger5boys, Oct 16, 2017

My Father is 79 and has encephalitis. He dreams all night long....he says he travels the world but wakes up and is so confused to what day and where he is at and how did he get there. Any advice to what has worked for you or someone you know? He says he just does not feel good. He states that his brain feels like a bowl of pancake mix batter....all mixed up and can't get it all straight. He dreams so much at night and sees loved ones (like his mother) but when he wakes up he asks about her? When we tell her that she has passed away years ago, he is confused and does not remember. This happened August 5th 2017. He has came a long way so far....but then another day, he goes backwards. His mind is so extremely exhausted!!

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Hi @kiger5boys. Welcome to Connect.
Recently several members have shared some additional articles and information here.
- Is it autoimmune encephalitis or encephalitis ???? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-it-autoimmune-encephalitis-or-encephalitis/

I hope @techi @mrmaid11 and @soccerchick will join this discussion to give you some insights to help your father. kiger5boys, does your father have additional conditions that may be compounding the dreaming and active state of his mind?

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@colleenyoung

Hi @kiger5boys. Welcome to Connect.
Recently several members have shared some additional articles and information here.
- Is it autoimmune encephalitis or encephalitis ???? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-it-autoimmune-encephalitis-or-encephalitis/

I hope @techi @mrmaid11 and @soccerchick will join this discussion to give you some insights to help your father. kiger5boys, does your father have additional conditions that may be compounding the dreaming and active state of his mind?

Jump to this post

My father has HSV (Viral) Encephalitis and not aware of any additional conditions except possibly depression from this.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi @kiger5boys. Welcome to Connect.
Recently several members have shared some additional articles and information here.
- Is it autoimmune encephalitis or encephalitis ???? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-it-autoimmune-encephalitis-or-encephalitis/

I hope @techi @mrmaid11 and @soccerchick will join this discussion to give you some insights to help your father. kiger5boys, does your father have additional conditions that may be compounding the dreaming and active state of his mind?

Jump to this post

Hi kiger I had encephalitis in 1997 my sister told me l would call for my dad and he died 2yrs ago. I also would dream and sometimes l fall because of balance issues. When l got out of the hospital to try to help with my memory I would watch wheel of fortune. One time l was told l tried to strangle my daughter and l didn't know l had even done that. I would fall and l would some be unconscious and sometimes l would come to right away. My doctor that l had didn't understand about encephalitis it was only children who would get it or seniors. I been in 2 mental hospitals because it might have looked like it was a mental issue but it really was an illness. Then l was doing pretty good for awhile but l was on antidepressants for years. Then in 2014 l fell backwards and hit my head I was just told a few months ago l had autoimmune encephalitis. So l had to do research and you would think a person who had encephalitis couldn't even do that and it even a surprise to my doctors. One of my neurologist said l had conversion disorder. And l cant say l wasnt depressed. I was fired because of my disability and l had young children But l prayed and ask God to give me my memory back because unless you've had encephalitis you can't imagine how a person is trying so hard to get people to understand and also the family its not easy. It takes time and not to just rush to label. I have hit my head several times and then was told l had hallunicated and it's scary when you have done something and don't know what even happened. The last thing that l will never forget is when l was in the hospital and everyone came to visit and you where told you were speaking normal but you can't remember that. I went to the Mayo clinic because l had so many diagnoses And l just knew it wasn't true. l was never a person with a history of having mental issues. And now God has truly blessed because it seems like everything is back to normal. And the labels of bipolar and schizophrenia was a misdiagnosed l was told that at the Mayo Clinic. So now l am trying to get my life back together. When l was going through all this l was able to go to college. It was a struggle it took 7yrs to get a 2yr degree but l so happy l was able to do it. So be patient and try to find things your father things your father use to like to do. Maybe have him do gardening, play games, watch a funny movie together, have him listen to music at night anything that will keep him engaged. Take him out for walks and maybe you can get him a service dog if he needs one. I know a lot of this from experience also from getting my degree in occupational therapy. Make sure to do your research, learn all you can and ask the Lord for help, because it can sometimes be frustrating for you and him, because he wants the same as you to get better. I hope l helped you a little.

REPLY
@colleenyoung

Hi @kiger5boys. Welcome to Connect.
Recently several members have shared some additional articles and information here.
- Is it autoimmune encephalitis or encephalitis ???? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-it-autoimmune-encephalitis-or-encephalitis/

I hope @techi @mrmaid11 and @soccerchick will join this discussion to give you some insights to help your father. kiger5boys, does your father have additional conditions that may be compounding the dreaming and active state of his mind?

Jump to this post

Thank you for sharing...lots of prayers and patience.

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