Discuss it with your physical therapist. There may be some exercises which will help. For example, lift yourself by flexing one foot to raise the heel. while holding onto something for balance.

I had one EMG because my neurologist wanted it. If he (or she) doesn’t want it, you don’t need it.

As I wrote, I used a cane for about 18 months. But everyone’s recovery is individual. Some who use a cane may always need it. I put mine aside when I was no longer depending on it but just carrying it around.

A cane is important when one is at risk of falling, not only to prevent a fall but to get up after one. When I first started walking I needed something to support myself as I got to my feet. Before I went outside with my cane I made sure that I could get to my feet using only my cane. I had done the same earlier with my walker.

Hypersensitivity at the same time as numbness is not unusual. In my case, my feet were hypersensitive in the early stages of recovery to the degree that it was painful when they were touched. Several years out, I still have some residual hypersensitivity in my toes, but it is not severe.

Fatigue is also normal during recovery. I can’t imagine having to work on one’s feet during the recovery process. When I first started walking again, I couldn’t go more than two blocks without stopping for a rest. Now, I can walk a mile fairly asily, but I still don’t like standing for hours.

One must distinguish between fatigue and relapse. Fatigue is normal, but it is not persistent. Weakness caused by demyelination will persist and progress. It is important not to overexert yourself during recovery. Cycles of exercize and rest are good but one should not work to the point of exhaustion.

This is why insurance companies want to be sure you have a disorder which is treatable with IvIg before approving it.

Before submitting answers, let me just make one observation. GBS and CIDP can cause great disability, but recovery is possible and progressive over a period of years. So an important parameter is the length of time since becoming afflicted, or since being discharged from hospital. For your questions pertaining to limitations, then, I would answer nearly all of them “yes” or “no” depending on when they were asked. The survey does not account for this aspect.

A few years ago, this organization published a pamphlet for therapists to help them understand the disorder. You should start by getting a copy of that. I’ll see if I can find a reference for it, but the headquarters might know what it is anyway.