Has anyone had Guillain-barre syndrome? How long was it before you could walk again?

Question

My daughter has been critically ill - struck down with Guillain-barre syndrome on 20th October. She was totally paralysed, only able to blink, and on a ventilator until today. She still is being fed through an NG tube and cannot move her legs at all but has some movement in her arms. Thank god she can talk to us at last! I was just wondering how long it took others with the syndrome to be able to walk unaided again.

My daughter is 20 by the way.

Answer 1

Guillain-Barré (Ghee-yaw Bah-ray) Syndrome, also called acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and Landry's ascending paralysis, is a disorder of the peripheral nerves, those outside the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves and spinal roots are the major sites of demyelination in GBS patients). It is typically characterized by the rapid onset of muscle weakness and often, paralysis of the legs, arms and breathing muscles. The cause of Guillain-Barre' syndrome is not known; and why the disorder only occurs in certain patients is still not known. Research to date indicates that the nerves of the GBS patient are attacked by the body's own defense system against disease-antibodies and white blood cells. As a result of this autoimmune attack, the nerve insulation (myelin) and sometimes even the covered conducting part of the nerve (axon) is damaged.



it took me about 2 years.

Answer 2

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Has anyone had Guillain-barre syndrome? How long was it before you could walk again?
My daughter has been critically ill - struck down with Guillain-barre syndrome on 20th October. She was totally paralysed, only able to blink, and on a ventilator until today. She still is being fed through an NG tube and cannot move her legs at all but has some movement in her arms. Thank god she...

Answer 3

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 4

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 5

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Answer 6

Ask your doctor about an exercise routine. Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, may reduce neuropathy pain, improve your muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.

Answer 7

without seeing her it is difficult to say -I am a nurse and have worked in ITU with patients with Guillain-Barre. The person I looked affter took months - and was very weak, but they did get there I am glad she has done so well. Good luck.

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