Mild sensory GBS numbness

I also had what I consider a mild case in January of this year. Out of the Hospital after one week and walking with a walker. I started driving while still using the walker but just in town. I switched to a cane after 4 weeks and still use it whenever I am out of the house. I am now about 3.5 months out and am still just driving around town and working 5 to 6 hrs per day. I tried an hour drive on mostly rural roads and was not comfortable. I still have numb feet and occasional numbness of the hands. If it wasn’t for being tired I would be working full time. Good luck to you and your recoverery.

Welcome Neily!

I probably had a mild case 13 years ago cause neuro sent me home with no treatment – he did ask that someone stay with me, which I didn’t do and got very scared. Had a ‘Come to Jesus’ meeting and made it through the nite. I could mostly walk all the time – mostly crawled slowly. Didn’t drive car for several months and same with work. Got back to work part-time and they fired me… long story.

So here I am years later and still do not have reflexes, neuropathy is getting worse (feet completely numb) and left side seemed to have been damaged more (left foot now bigger, etc.). However, I was 39 when I got GBS and am now 52. So age is becoming a factor too. My mind says yes, but my body says no.

Everyone’s case is different. Please keep in touch with us here if you are one of the unforunate ones not to recover completely. Don’t forget – take it easy!!!

Hi there, I am almost 3 years out from a “mild” case. I didn’t drive for probably the first 6 months…my vision, strength and alertness were quite effected (probably due to exhaustion). Once I could drive, it really didn’t matter, because when I got to my destination I didn’t have enough energy to do anything except drive home 😀 ! Year 2 was much better, although I still did not drive alone on long distance drives, for fear I would get “stuck” there, too tired or in pain to get myself home. At almost 3 years, I can drive around 5 hours in a day. But note, I can not do that every day… it would be too exhausting. This progress from one who used to drive cross country alone. I recently walked 1 1/2 hours on a campus tour, and didn’t sit down until the last 15 minutes. That was real progress. My recovery is slow but steady…not back 100% at 3 years.

I am about 6 months out from a “mild” case as well, although no doctor is 100% sure I had GBS and I did not have a spinal tap (reaction to the flu vaccine). I was able to walk throughout, but lost my reflexes and had arm weakness, and various other issues (gastro).

From being on this Forum, it seems that everyone’s recovery is different. Some people recover quickly in weeks, others have residuals that last for years. Everyone says that you need to rest as much as you can and pace yourself. I know that I have had to lower my expectations for activity level now and go one day at a time. I can’t really plan things now.

I am able to work full-time (sedentary job) and take care of 2 kids under 4, but I am in chronic pain (muscle aches, twitches, burning pain, numbness, tingling), have chronic nausea/headaches, and am tired all the time. I just try to put mind over matter and force myself to get through the day. I motivate myself by thinking of my family and because I don’t want to be bed-ridden and miss out on life. I work from home one day a week and try to rest as much as I can on the weekends. I lean a lot on my hubby to pick up the slack. Just try not to get frustrated with your progress and take it one day at a time. Good luck!

Neil –

I had a more severe case – almost total paralysis, with 3 fingers moving and my head being able to turn and I could shrug my shoulders. No trach or vent, although my voice went husky and they threatened if I got worse I’d go the vent route. Thank God I continued to breathe on my own.
I am 5 months out and can walk with a cane around the house. Outside it is walker or wheelchair depending on how far it is. I actually taught a 20 minute class today on my feet (see my post on that) 🙂 and now am dead exhausted. No way could I drive, nor should I cause of my medication. In an emergency I could manage, but it might not be pretty!
My biggest advice – take it easy. Rest when you’re tired. Don’t do very much stuff. Take naps, plenty of them, and don’t feel guilty no matter how old you are. Keep up with this site, regardless whether you post or not, just reading other people’s progress, thoughts, and sharing their joys and pains is important. These are GREAT people, and they’ve been a huge support to me.
Hang in there, GBS is no fun, and it helps to have friends there.

Cathie,

That is great news that you taught a class for 20 minutes!! I come from a family of teachers, mom, dad, brother, plus a lot of my friends, sister in law, etc. I can’t imagine having to stand all day….I am rooting for you to be able to go back in August if you can. Good luck!

Jessica