GBS body only & since Nov?

Giovanni,

You have asked difficult questions for a difficult case.

Consider these factors from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH):

“[I]The signs and symptoms of the syndrome can be quite varied, so doctors may, on rare occasions, find it difficult to diagnose Guillain-Barré in its earliest stages.

1. The first symptoms of this disorder include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs. In many instances the weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body.

2. 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.

3. Because the signals to and from the arms and legs must travel the longest distances they are most vulnerable to interruption. Therefore, muscle weakness and tingling sensations usually first appear in the hands and feet and progress upwards.

4. In Guillain-Barré, reflexes such as knee jerks are usually lost.

5. In Guillain-Barré patients, the cerebrospinal fluid that bathes the spinal cord and brain contains more protein than usual. Therefore a physician may decide to perform a spinal tap, a procedure in which the doctor inserts a needle into the patient’s lower back to draw cerebrospinal fluid from the spinal column. [/I]

Finally, “[I]Several disorders have symptoms similar to those found in Guillain-Barré, so doctors examine and question patients carefully before making a diagnosis. Collectively, the signs and symptoms form a certain pattern that helps doctors differentiate Guillain-Barré from other disorders.[/I]”

The ‘funny feelings’ in the legs as a first sign seems to be an unequivocal diagnostic tool, as does the rapidity of the symptoms.

Consider how long from first symptoms to absolute worse. Of course 10%, or more of patients, don’t fit these guidelines. But, if he does than forse è così. (maybe it is so)