Need tips on recovery

Hi Dave,

I also thought I had a mild case until about 10 years ago when residuals started kicking my butt. My neuro at the time sent me home by myself with only neurontin. GBS is the gift that keeps on giving. You will see throughout these posts that we all talk about resting and when in doubt, get some more rest. Fatigue is what we all have along with zaps, zings and I just forgot what else I was saying. Oh ya, memory is no good! On hand strength tests the kicker is can you sustain it?

Be Well

Keep at it Dave, some, if not all of a lot of what you lost will likely return. I still struggle with playing the axe, but it’s a far cry from where I was. I remember slinging on my Les Paul (10 lb. guitar) and very nearly falling over forward because of the weight! Not to mention the strings felt like I was playing on the edge of knives. But I am a lot better.

Some of us have met folks who have fully recovered (they don’t hang around here, and I don’t blame them). But recovery appears to be different for everyone. It sounds like you are on the right track! The gym is a great idea once you have the strength. I enjoy the pool myself. Another lovely therapy has been massage. This has offered some fantastic relief and helped at times to improve mobility.

Best is to avoid doing NOTHING! Any effort you put towards recovery is admirable and every ounce of success should be fully celebrated. Stay cool!! 🙂

You are extremely fortunate to have had such a quick trip through the hospital. I believe your chances of a full recovery are good. I was in the hospital for 18 weeks. Much of that time, my leg and foot mobility was at zero, but I had therapists protecting my feet from developing contractures. When I got on my my feet again, I could barely reach neutral position to allow standing flatfooted. When I started walking with assistive devices, I had to compensate in my gait for foot drop. Today, 16 months into my recovery, I can walk without a cane and with a normal gait. I still carry a cane when I go out, because my knees are wobbly and my feet hurt, but I don’t use it much. Above the knees, I have been near normal for quite awhile.

It takes time, but you will likely regain full arm and hand strength and coordination with regular exercize, I think.

It is important to know the extent of axonal damage. Demyelination heals relatively quickly and completely. Axonal damage takes much longer to heal, and may not recover 100%. Not that you can do anything about it, but I think it is helpful to understand what has happened and what to expect. I have axonal damage in my legs, and my foot drop has been very slow to correct, but it is pretty good now. There is a good chance your foot drop will correct, but understand that it may take awhile.

It seems to me that i had the same case of you, cause i only suffered the loss of my strenght in arms, legs, back amd neck. I spemt a week too, but the only difference is that i didn’t receive any treatment like IVIG cause the docs told me that in mikd cases its better to avoid the IVIG. Today has been 2 months of that week in the hospital, and i feel just like your posts, i can walk, i can run but it will kill me, but i feel like my arms are weaker than my legs and my hands too. I’m 20 years old. So before this GBS i played competitive soccer, and had perfect physic state.
I can read that you post this in Febreaury, can you tell me how are you nowadays please? Cause i’m really concerned

Reading your “case” I noticed that my GBS was milder than yours, I’ have been reading cases and i’m thankful that i didn’t get a higher level. But i dont know how to get mental strenght maybe its beacuse im 20 years old, but it gets me crazy the idea that “yesterday” i could play two folowed soccer matches, and now i can barely kick a ball. It could have been thousand times worse, but im tired of being tired. I admire you men, really. How old are you?

I’ve got another inquiry, sorry to bother you so much, but i need to find resembles. Do you often feel kind of dizzy or unstable?

Hello all, I had some version of GBS in 2010 which had me in hospital 6 times in 6 months with a course of IVIG each time. By that time the neurologists had decided it was CIDP – but I had other ideas. I have an amazing local doctor whose goal is to treat the root cause of any condition, not just relieve the symptoms. I also sought advice from a friend who runs an international health programme for people with serious illnesses like cancer and MS using diet and meditation. These are the things that have allowed me attack this condition at the root and with much more optimism than my neurologists had – and it has had results.

To give you some examples, I take UltrainflammX daily which my doctor tells me contains a substance that over time (years) will reverse my immune system out of autoimmune mode; I adhere to many of the diet and supplements recommended for people with MS as outlined here: http://www.overcomingmultiplesclerosis.org/Recovery-Program/Diet/ – not that what we have is MS but there are some similarities and we can benefit form what they have learned; lastly I have recently been reading up about a Chinese herb called Chang Shan which has been found to reduce the abnormal activity of TH17 immune cells in autoimmune conditions – I am considering trying this out.

Mostly I urge everyone to try diet and supplements to treat the root problem. Meditation and prayer have also been an essential part of my recovery. After the first 6 month period and the 4-6 months recovery after that I have had just 2 small ‘episodes’ of symptoms of weakness, and that is with a very busy job and life in general. It is possible to overcome this condition but we have to try everything we can get our hands on! I know I still have CIDP but I am not going to allow it to become the centre of my life.

I wish everyone all the best .

Hi Daveoh,

I’m interested to hear a little more on your recovery. My brother was admitted in December 2011 as well and has had a slow progression. AT the beginning his grip strength was measuring 0.5 and 0.7 lbs/sqinch and is currently at 6 and 11 almost 10 months later. He was never paralysed, but had lost significant weight. He has put back most of the weight due to heavy dose of prednisone and 35 plasma treatments. He is mobile and can walk around, but can’t stand still. His core strength is good, but wrist and hands are extremely weak. Did you experience the same weakness and had progression where you could function without aid? I know we are really only 6-8 months into recovery, but his case seems to mirror yours and would like to hear if you had similar transitions.

Anything would help to guide us.

daveoh…your symptoms are so similar to mine..march 2012 I was diagnosed, if you are from  Ohio..i need a dr.  there as we will be spending 6 months there…thanks..and keep writing about your progress..cathebt

For the hand strength, try squeezing a tennis ball. I know they are tough, but any squeezing action is good for your fings and hands. I had GBS 20 years ago and now my 10-key is amazing. My fingers arnt as fast as I want them to be, I tried playing keyboard in a band and had to just settle for playing chords I just couldn’t get the fingering done fast enough for solos. A try typing tests, they help with dexterity.

With the questions of dizziness, whoa baby! I have major equilibrium problems. I get dizzy and just feel unstable.

My neuro at the time sent me home by myself with only neurontin. GBS is the gift that keeps on giving. You will see throughout these posts that we all talk about resting and when in doubt, get some more rest. Fatigue is what we all have along with zaps, zings and I just forgot what else I was saying. Oh ya, memory is no good! On hand strength tests the kicker is can you sustain it?

Anyone who is in recovery or seeking help for the first time should understand that alcohol and drug addiction is a disease, not a morale failing or a weakness of willpower or a lack in ability to just say ‘no’.

Addiction cannot be cured, but it can be managed. Getting help from a professional that approaches addiction as a disease is first step to a successful recovery. By following the recommendations of experienced professionals with access to the latest advances in therapy and medicine, individuals will have the best chance at recovery and bright and happy future.

You will be fine but you need to take proper food and also more important is what doctor suggest you, you have to put your mind on it.