Re: Guillian Barre Syndrome (Long)

After reading all of the posts and all of my interactions with hospital staff I have come to the conclusion that I am either; A. extremely lucky, B. extremely Blessed, or C. a generous combination of A and B. Over Christmas I was down with a bad cold that just hung on. I stayed home and wad in bed by 9pm new years eve. New years day I had a bit of a balance issue and a little double vision. it was worse on Saturday, so , thinking I had a inner ear infection from the cold, I went to urgent care. They sent me to emergency. Emergency did a CAT scan and drew a LOT of Blood samples. They concluded inner ear infection and sent me home with antibiotics and instructions to see the eye doctors if the vision did not clear up in a week. Sunday I was worse, but the sore throat had the popping in the ear had cleared up. Monday I was reeling around like a drunken Creation and unable to function with both eyes open. 3 hours in emergency and they concluded Guillian Barre Syndrome. I was sent to a room and given I.V. treatment. I was told it would get worse before it got better (it didn't). They took it very seriously, checking my lung function every 4 hours. I had 3 doctors listed in my board and my nurse set up her nurses station on a desk outside of my room. 4 days of treatment where I was unable to hold down food. Thursday I was transferred to the rehab unit. The receiving nurse said that I Was the first one of these patients that she had ever had still walking when I came in. 1 week of rehab for balance and I was released to Family where there would be someone around 24/7. I am home on my own now, still can't drive because of the double vision, but doing well. They say 2 to 4 weeks for the double vision to go away.

Whew! Glad it didn't get any worse than that. I hope you're out of the woods for good and on the mend.

You are very fortunate. My sister was diagnosed with Guillain Barre several years ago. It took the MD's at Vanderbilt to finally arrive at the diagnosis and they were within hours of putting her on a ventilator. After several more weeks in the hospital and months in a rehab center she can now walk with a walker but needs a wheelchair to shop etc. She has had to give up her profession as a nurse. She still has no feeling in her feet and lower legs. It is a very nasty disease for sure and consider yourself truly blessed that your case was no worse than it was.

I got it in the fall of 1979
Walked into hospital was wheeled out 2 month's later.
Long rehab and My niece and I learned to crawl and walk together.
Her first time My Second time learning. I was 29 Years old

I recovered and led a full life fortunately.
My feet are still somewhat numb, but not as bad as they were.
Am very lucky it worked out for me.
When they took me to the ICU and the priest showed up I knew it was serious.
Was paralyzed on the right side of my face and from the neck down. Mind was still sharp.
Something I will never forget.
Tom

Be careful drinking alcohol. One to many and you will be seeing two cars coming at you.
One of the residual effects.