Dad’s misdiagnosed migraine turns out to be life-changing brain injury

By Josie Adnitt via SWNS

A dad was diagnosed with a rare, life-changing brain injury - after relatives realized he was smelling things others couldn't.

Gurmukh Gahir, 49, also known as Sonny, went to see a doctor after displaying a number of symptoms including confusion and a change in personality, it is claimed.

But he was misdiagnosed with a migraine and sent away.

Sonny, from Romford, Essex, then deteriorated over the next three days and was admitted to hospital.

He was subsequently diagnosed with herpes simplex encephalitis - a life-changing brain infection.

About 90% of cases of herpes encephalitis are caused by the same virus that causes cold sores, according to information online.

Sonny, who previously worked as an IT consultant, can no longer live or work independently and requires helping to manage his finances and carry out day-to-day tasks.

His sister Gagun Gahir, 42, said: "We had no idea how terrible the outcome would be. It was terrifying to see him so unwell.

"There were days when he was in hospital, once he had been diagnosed, when we didn’t know if he would make it from one moment to the next.

"My brother is alive, but completely changed."

Sonny's family first noticed symptoms in 2018 when he complained of a smell with no obvious cause and had lights on despite complaining that bright lights irritated him.

Concerned, relatives took him to the GP.

He was described painkiller and anti-sickness medication and diagnosed with a migraine - but his condition significantly deteriorated.

And three days later he was rushed to Queen’s Hospital in Romford where he was diagnosed with herpes simplex encephalitis.

Sonny's family launched a legal campaign after his diagnosis.

And, following a successful liability only trial over seven days in June 2023 at the High Court of Justice, it was found that the doctor missed warning signs which could have led to an earlier diagnosis of a brain infection and hospital treatment.

During the trial, evidence was heard from neurologists, GP experts, neuroradiologists, and infectious diseases experts, as well as Sonny’s two sisters, wife, mother, and the GP.

The judgement was handed down last month and Sonny’s family and lawyers now hope to seek compensation to help Sonny get the treatment and support required.

Gagun, who is now the chair of charity Encephalitis International, said: "He used to be a typical older brother - scaring boyfriends away, picking on me as his younger sister, making me laugh - he was my idol.

"I wanted to be cool so he would let me hang out with him and his friends growing up.

"As an adult he was a successful professional, he ran his own consultancy business as a side-hustle to his full time job in the city.

"If he had been treated sooner there would absolutely have been a change in his lifestyle - perhaps he would have needed more support to figure out complex financials or manage multitasking.

"But to a large extent he could still have worked, he could still have been an active father and husband, brother and son.

"We just want to prevent other people from going through what Sonny went through, and what we are now having to cope with as a family."

Dr. Mala Sidebottom, who represented Sonny and his family said: “We’re very pleased with the outcome but it’s unfortunate that it’s taken several years to get to this stage.

“This has been very difficult for Sonny and his family."

Dr. Ava Easton, chief executive of Encephalitis International said: “Early diagnosis in encephalitis patients invariably means quicker access to treatment.

“With early diagnosis and treatment many more patients will make a good recovery and, almost certainly the high death rates associated with the condition can be reduced, along with the often life changing disabilities facing those who survive the condition.

“Unfortunately cases like this serve to remind healthcare professionals of the critical importance of early diagnosis and treatment for patients and the families who support them. “