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Annette A Eaton
I got sick in 1991 at that time they they didn't know how to treat it either. They gave me open lines of antibiotics and steroids all kinds from what I can gather, they then put me on a respirator to hyperventalate me they also dehydrated me, the principle being that if they dehydrated me and hyperventalated me the hyperventilation would decrease the swelling in my brain by pulling it down into my kidneys. I was in a coma for 2 weeks,came out of the coma and stayed about 7-8 days I had no long term memory,still do not, short term memory was terrible light sensitivity,terrible headaches and had difficulty hearing at times, I was unable to do anything for myself had to relearn everything, I also had some left side weakness and neglect(didn't recognize left side as mine) My hospital experience after icu was not a good one the Dr at that time decided i needed to be instiutionalized my mother obtained guardianship of me and she took me home. I was able to relearn most everything reguearding my day to day stuff. I knew how to do stuff but did not know how I knew I also would at this time have wild mood swings,and would go off and be lost for hours. I received no services when I returned home until My mother and husband decided I should return to work, which they directed us to a neuropysch Dr who helped tremendously he was able to test me and learn my deficits. He pushed to me to learn to control the mood swings which could be violent at times, he tried to get me to realize my deficits and work on them I was only concerned with returning to work which I did on a limited basis after being home 10 months. At that time I stopped seeing all the Dr.'s except for my reg Dr. As for seizures that has been undetermined there were and occasionally still reports of severe shaking when I am in a deep sleep, so have opted to avoid rem sleep since I am also an insomniac. Now 8 years later am now realizing how much is gone and seeing a new group of Dr's almost all the problems have remained and long term memory lasts about 5-6 years with some re tension but not alot.

In Feb 99 got laid off from my job which I had return rd to after about 6 months I was/am a Physical therapy assist. Was laid off for number of reason one being I had stepped down from managing sites to being staff therapist and worsening memory. I underwent retesting (neuropysch ) in Dec 99 and Jan 00. Which showed that I was at same level as when I had returned home in 91 plus some other new deficits.

In Feb 2000: I awakened one Sat and that is all I remember about that day except being in an ambulance with someone pinching me. My husband said all day I was sleeping or just out of it kept walking into doorways on the left dragging left leg and speech very very slurred and was very argumentative and refused to go to hospital. Finally agreed and was taken by ambulance at the hospital they did cat scan to determine if I had had stroke or tia which ruled that out. They then sent me home as to the fact had a long neurological history secondary to the encephalitis. Ambulation and other cognitive function were very difficult at this time also speech continued to be slurred even sitting up was hard as I would fall to the left. Tues got in to see my g-p who made an appointment for me with neurologist. Riding in a car was very difficult as it would start the twitching in arms in legs. Also noticed these twitches when I was just starting to fall asleep at night. New neurologist ran all kinds of tests all came back negative. We looked for any info on post encephalitis and finally talked to a Dr. at the cdc who stated there wasn't any data in that area and there is no proof that once virus is gone it is gone. The only documented reoccurrence was with herpes simplex encephalitis. And the 5 yr results of encephalitis lethargica. My neurologist now treats symptoms which is very difficult as they change and some get worse.

My original diagnose was always controversial since 1. they only thing in spinal fluid was 1 white cell and 1 red cell 2. That I lived (this is what they said at the time)

I tried to summarize this if any additional questions please email

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