Rest.

You do need to rebuild your muscles also. But it is vitally important that fatique is the big factor. If you overdo it can set back your progression.
Just remember baby steps. Each one gets you closer.

In my case rest is much more important then strength building. Get your rest and your body will tell you when you are ready to strenghten.. Strength does return. I find I must rest or I begin getting numb and also get spasms and quivers. And my brain just shuts down.

I wanted to spend some time catching up with all of you this evening, but I keep falling asleep as I read and post. Tired doesn’t even come close. We all need our rest. At 5 months I was able to stop the 2 naps a day, graduating to 1. Now I “power nap” in my classroom during lunch, and sleep when I get home. Hubby is not complaining about “cereal nights”, or those frozen dinners you heat up in the microwave. Take it easy – sleep, and then sleep some more. I hope it will have good results.

I agree with all the posts. However, i found at physio that my exercises were getting too easy as i healed. I started to push myself a bit harder, adding more weight, reps, time, etc. It hasn’t killed me (yet).

The benefits have been really good. I feel mentally like I am working at a better pace and I have been sleeping wonderfully at night.

I understand this is what works for me and that your case is different. I just found that my mental state was dictating how hard I could work rather than my body. Once I realized I was capable of more I went for it and I feel that I am doing better this way.

I hope you can all find your strength today and forever

I do find that if I do my PT early in the morning I do not fall asleep as often as if I do not do my pt early in the morning.

Today was a bad day emotionaly so the fatigue was stronger on me as well. Without getting emotional about it now, it all comes down to again I just want my life back. Please someone give me my life back

[QUOTE=jasonscamera]I do find that if I do my PT early in the morning I do not fall asleep as often as if I do not do my pt early in the morning.

Today was a bad day emotionaly so the fatigue was stronger on me as well. Without getting emotional about it now, it all comes down to again I just want my life back. Please someone give me my life back[/QUOTE]

I hear ya jason! I have days when I feel very emotional too. Have you had any progress yet? I hope so. If you are on to PT then I think that you must be. Please count every step as a giant leap; sometimes little steps are all we get.

I’m sending you my wishes for a better day today:)

Hi Mark and all: As I understand it, muscles cannot be rebuilt until the nerve damage heals. We get better and stronger to the extent that our nerves regenerate-for those of us with significant nerve damage excercise and PT will not regain what was lost. If you are fortunate in the amount of nerve repair your body creates you can work at rebuilding strength. But until the nerves heal excercise will not create the strength you are looking for. The residuals, pain, fatigue, tingling etc. come from the damaged nerves and are signs that you need rest more than anything. Patience is important in recovery from GBS because there is little anyone can do to speed up the nerve regeneration. Nerves typically take two years to heal, which is why many docs say what you have after two years is what you have forever. I have seen exceptions to this, but it is based on the need to give the nerves time to heal. So-be patient and don’t push past your comfort zone-for GBS that is simply counterproductive. Jeff

My nerve tests show no sign of increased activity. But I am still on a PT strenghtening program. You just have to very careful of the exercises you do. You don’t have feelings and to hold something tight is dangerous. I do weights and leg lifts etc. Can’t us my bowflex tension bars because of fear of injury.

Hi Mark

Thanks for the call and the update. I’m glad that you snagged some more rest time. I have been given the green-light until at least january. I hope I wont need that long but who knows?

I am looking forward to next week when the boys go back to school. The house will be quieter, so will the town. I should have my home studio up and running (still waiting for one part) and will have the time to mess around with it to get past the learning curve. Still waiting for my left hand to loosen up so I can play a little. I haven’t had the heart to practice because it sounds so bloody awful.

Good for you for getting the pharmaceuticals out of your system. I’m not sure if my meds are actually helping, but I take them anyway. A couple of beers seems to be a better fix if it weren’t for the big belly that comes from brewskis.

I still say that distraction has been the best medicine. I’m glad that I can be easily amused:p