I'm excited to be kicking off "The Faces of Guillain Barre" tomorrow. I'll be featuring one story of a GBS fighter every day for the month of May.
I'm still accepting stories so if you would like to share yours, feel free to send them to justinesgbsjourney@gmail.com
Below is an explanation for GBS (Link included) for those of you that are not familiar with it. Guillain Barré is so different in every case and has a handful of variants that are grouped under the Guillain Barré name. I have the AMSAN varrient which is the painful one and the most severe. But I'm so very thankful to be recovering. Progress is progress.
I found this a few weeks ago while researching. Im glad I didnt see this a year ago... It just proves how diffrent ever Guillain Barre case is from the next.
There is so much I could post but I know most of who will read this will get bored after the first paragraph. I encourage all of you to research GBS and become more familiar with it.
From the GBS-CIDP Foundation
http://www.gbs-cidp.org/gbs/all-about-gbs/
Guillain-Barré (Ghee-yan Bah-ray) Syndrome
is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain
and spinal cord.
It’s also called:
- Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
- Landry’s Ascending Paralysis
The rapid onset of weakness, frequently accompanied by abnormal sensations (numbness, tingling) that affect both sides of the body similarly, is common. Loss of reflexes, such as the knee jerk, are usually found.
What causes GBS?
The cause is unknown. We do know that about 50% of cases occur shortly after a microbial infection (viral or bacterial), some as simple and common as the flu or food poisoning. Some theories suggest an autoimmune trigger, in which the patient’s defense system of antibodies and white blood cells are called into action against the body, damaging myelin (nerve covering or insulation), leading to numbness and weakness.How is GBS diagnosed?
To confirm a diagnosis, two tests may be performed:- A lumbar puncture looking for elevated fluid protein
- Electrical test of nerve and muscle function
How is GBS treated?
GBS in its early stages is unpredictable, so except in very mild cases, most newly diagnosed patients are hospitalized. Usually, a new case of GBS is admitted to ICU (Intensive Care) to monitor breathing and other body functions until the disease is stabilized. Plasma exchange (a blood “cleansing” procedure) and high dose intravenous immune globulins are often helpful to shorten the course of GBS.The acute phase of GBS typically varies in length from a few days to months, with over 90% of patients moving into the rehabilitative phase within four weeks. Patient care involves the coordinated efforts of a team such as a neurologist, physiatrist (rehabilitation physician), internist, family physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, nurse, and psychologist or psychiatrist. Some patients require speech therapy if speech muscles have been affected.Variants
There are many variants of GBS, but they all share the characteristic of being ‘rapid onset’:- Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (AIDP) 75% – 80% of cases fall into this ‘classic’ category
- Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN) Similar to AIDP, but without sensory symptoms
- Acute Motor Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) Severe variant of GBS more prevalent in Asia, Central America, and South America
- Miller Fisher Syndrome Characterized by double vision, loss of balance, and deep tendon reflexes
