Feel Like Crap

Hey Haynes
A cold wipes me out and brings on some of my residuals. Rest up and save the superman stuff for when you get over the cold.

You are taking antibiotics, so I recommend you take a probiotic (a yogurt isn’t enough). Antibiotics can lead to developing a bad gut, something that has been linked to GBS.

A reduction in the med could cause some serious side effects. Might not be a bad thing that you are getting off the stuff, but you may need to taper off very slowly.

From wiki regarding gabapentin withdrawal:
“Withdrawal

Gabapentin should not be discontinued abruptly after long term use. Abrupt or over rapid withdrawal may provoke a withdrawal syndrome reminiscent to alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal.[34][35] Gradual reduction over a period of weeks or months helps minimize or prevents the withdrawal syndrome.[34]

Side effects upon discontinuation of gabapentin that have been reported in medical literature include insomnia, restlessness, agitation, anxiety, disorientation, confusion, light sensitivity, diaphoresis, headaches, palpitations, hypertension, chest pain, and flu-like symptoms.[34][36][37][38] In at least one case, abrupt cessation of a high dose of gabapentin triggered a seizure in an individual with no history of epilepsy.[37]”

Stay cool man. Get some vids, rest and sleep until you feel better. If this seems more serious -like GBS is kicking up again- get yourself to a hospital.

Antibiotics do not help cure colds or other viral infections. You should not take antibiotics unless prescribed by a physician for a particular condition. There is no established link between antibiotics and GBS.

I’ve tried going to the Y every day. Couldn’t do it. Every other day is all I can handle. It is so very easy to overdo things and then I’m wiped out for a day or two. Go slow and give yourself lots of rest. Your body needs it. Hardest thing for me to learn.

I’m sorry, your not feeling better. remember… lots of rest
take care

OK. I have trouble shaking off an infection, also.

Gabapentin has a long list of possible side effects:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000940/

I would review these and discuss with doctor.

I think many who are recovering from GBS have a roller coaster ride. So, I would say that your experience is not uncommon. It sounds as though you have overdone…..perhaps complicated by the cold/sinus infection and the meds you are on. As far as therapy is concerned I would try to go back to a point where you still move forward without compromising the next day. For instance, if you could walk 200 feet with a walker, every day, that might be more helpful at this time than crashing and burning each time you walk independently. When we were children we all learned to walk at a different pace……so it is with GBS recovery…..but in the end the time frame doesn’t matter as much, as if we do indeed learn to walk again. Test and rest…..be patient….take pleasure in each victory and remain positive. It can be done.

Good advice Tom! 🙂

Haynes, have you had any massage therapy? I have found this to be BY FAR the most beneficial thing I have done during recovery. I get a lot from these

Hi Haynes… For me 15 years later, if I do too much I pay for it for a couple of days and that hasn’t changed over the years. Finding the right balance is a challenge! Be careful in your hot tub and turn down the temp to 100 or below.