i am learning to walk after paraylisis from guillain barre syndrome any tips?

Question

my knees give way, my balance is terrible, i have no feeling in my feet at all, i just need some tips

Answer 1

hi again sweetheart. try standing up and increasing your standing tolerance first. the point in that is if you do that it stops your legs from going into spasm and improves your muscle. try timing yourself and improve on the time every time you do it. another good thing is go swimming im sorry about the fool who told you to cut yourself iv reported him and sent him a piece of my mind you need support not idiots telling you this. if you want anymore advice just email me OK and IL be happy to do so. iv been disabled for33 years now with arthritis and find it very hard to walk but i have one last message for you. NEVER GIVE IN YOU CAN DO IT HARD WORK AND LOT OF EXERCISE. maybe getting some type of knee brace to give you extra support and it helps your knees from giving way.

Answer 2

here is no known cure for Guillain-Barre syndrome, but therapies can lessen the severity of the illness and accelerate the recovery in most patients. There are also a number of ways to treat the complications of the disease. Currently, plasmapheresis and high-dose immunoglobulin therapy are used. Plasmapheresis seems to reduce the severity and duration of the Guillain-Barré episode. In high-dose immunoglobulin therapy, doctors give intravenous injections of the proteins that in small quantities, the immune system uses naturally to attack invading organism. Investigators have found that giving high doses of these immunoglobulins, derived from a pool of thousands of normal donors, to Guillain-Barré patients can lessen the immune attack on the nervous system. The most critical part of the treatment for this syndrome consists of keeping the patient's body functioning during recovery of the nervous system. This can sometimes require placing the patient on a respirator, a heart monitor, or other machines that assist body function. Guillain-Barré syndrome can be a devastating disorder because of its sudden and unexpected onset. Most people reach the stage of greatest weakness within the first 2 weeks after symptoms appear, and by the third week of the illness 90 percent of all patients are at their weakest. The recovery period may be as little as a few weeks or as long as a few years. About 30 percent of those with Guillain-Barré still have a residual weakness after 3 years. About 3 percent may suffer a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack. Scientists are concentrating on finding new treatments and refining existing ones. Scientists are also looking at the workings of the immune system to find which cells are responsible for beginning and carrying out the attack on the nervous system. The fact that so many cases of Guillain-Barré begin after a viral or bacterial infection suggests that certain characteristics of some viruses and bacteria may activate the immune system inappropriately. Investigators are searching for those characteristics. Neurological scientists, immunologists, virologists, and pharmacologists are all working collaboratively to learn how to prevent this disorder and to make better therapies available when it strikes.

Answer 3

One step and one day at a time - dont bite off more that you can handle or you can become overwhelmed and depressed.

I have weakness and fatigue and weak muscles that are like jelly my-self. I suffer from Fibromyalgia - ME. I have balance problems and loss of feeling also pins and needles and stiffness plus other stuff.

I found hydrotherpy unit for my home bath I used that starting with a relaxation exercise at first and used it daily then went on to using a stronger exercising to strengthen my muscles and keep flexible joints without hassel of weight bearing which I could not accomplish because of weakness fatigue balance and pain with stifness. I had the abscent reflexes in my knees I was like a dead person and my legs were not able to fully extend. I found a toning table absoloutely wonderful and still use on a daily basis to help keep the joints mobile. It can be set at a slow pace and increases the strength of the execises when you desire.I dont do much walk but have 40 minutes on the toning table unless I am feeling like throughing up or just to disorintated. I am careful about rising up from lying down to quickly. I find my balance is worse when I have low blood pressure I have a monitior and keep checks to see if my blood presssure is in my boots.

I think a sauna is great for relaxing sore muscles I am not sure if your mucles are sore or not. I use an aqui chi detox foot spa to detox the toxins from my body and it really helps as well.

Just be care full of your feet do daily wash in warm water and dry well bewteen your toes and check against an infections as your feet are so important after a period your functions should get better perhaps a carer or a loved one will help.

I wondreed what about your circulation - it would be very benificial for you to get a daily aromathearpy massage to help with circulation and respatory problems and it can also help to lift the mood.

It will not be easy I know but all the best I am sure your family will be happy to help you when you feel winded - but keep at it and take care of your self.

Answer 4

I see from your other questions that you are having a hard time at the moment, and I'm very sorry for that. Although I don't have any tips about what you can physically do, I would recommend also spending time working on the emotional side of your journey. You are going through a very difficult time in your life, and I think it would be helpful to find a way to express these emotions, as then you may find a bit more strength to carry on. The Chicken Soup series of books are full of inspirational stories, one of which was about a teenager overcoming paralysis. I cannot remember which book it was in, but it was very encouraging. I will try to look it out for you, and if I find it I will email you the story. Good luck.

Answer 5

I would visit a gym as some equipment there is aimed at working on the thighs, knees, calves and ankles. Take it slow and steady and gradually build up the strength again. Ask the gym staff to help with what would be suitable and if they can suggest anything else you can do.

Walk as much as you possibly can. The more you practise the faster you'll get better at it. Your balance will improve as you walk more.

Answer 6

i had a similar experience almost 2 years ago. i started walking with a 4-wheeled walker with a seat for when my legs gave out. i went to physiotherapy twice a week for several months. i still use a walking stick for short distances and a wheelchair for long distances. stairs are still a huge challenge and sometimes i go up and down them on my knees or my backside. i have fallen numerous times and broke off my coccyx in one of those falls. make sure you have grab bars in your shower/bath and near your toilet for extra stability. practice walking as much as your body allows but don't overdo it because you'll only wear yourself out. it will take time but i think you'll be fine someday if you keep at it. accept any offers of assistance and don't be afraid to ask for help or to admit that you can't do some things.

i do not let my mobility issues interfere with my daily life and normal activities any more than absolutely necessary. it's hard to stay in good spirits but it's important to try because it's easier to feel like giving up if you let yourself get depressed about it. good luck

Answer 7

Get a good physical therapist. One of the things we do in hospitals for people in similar situations as yours is have them crawl first. I know it sounds crazy but it helps with balance. We all crawled before we walked right? Be kind to yourself and good luck on a speedy recovery.

Answer 8

Can I suggest you visit the site below. You really need expert medical advice, nothing we can tell you will suffice. I wish you the best of luck.

I have just read your profile and earlier questions, and my heart goes out to you. I admire your courage and fortitude in trying to recover from this debilitating condition. You are doing fantastically well to cope. You should be proud of yourself. I'd go to pieces. Just keep going, you're doing better than you think!

Answer 9

Take your time. You have to crawl before you can walk. Or just use a walking cane for now. And don't give up.

Answer 10

Never give up. The best tip you will ever get.