Glenn Duerr Glenn Duerr
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September 2, 2018 at 3:08 pm
I developed a mild form of GBS, too. Also had (have) some vertigo, stomach issues along with peripheral neuropathy in my lower extremities. This was over 3 years ago and I still have some lingering symptoms. I had a spinal tap that was negative for the proteins. This was because I wasn’t diagnosed for 5 months (doctors told me they had “no idea”, too) and this test gets less accurate over time. I also had IVIG which was also not effective since it was too long after I developed it. My neurologist at Duke did the EMG and NCV which documented I had GBS in her opinion. Only treatment was PT for vertigo and Rx’s (neurontin, lyrical, and tramadol for pain). At a support group a neurologist stated he had treated GBS for over 35 years and had documented over 50 distinct types of GBS/CIDP, the point being that it’s a syndrome, not a disease.
September 2, 2018 at 2:44 pmHere’s a twist on the vaccine avenue of developing GBS/CIDP. In 2014 I had a bad stomach infection (probably food poisoning per my neurologist at Duke) and went to CVS to fill an Rx for Cipro and Flagyl since the PA at Urgent Care thought I had diverticulitis (I didn’t). I noticed they were giving shingles vaccines and, since I didn’t have a fever, I was OK’ed for inoculation. I was out with GBS within a few days, but it took 5 months to Dx it. Luckily, I have a mild form with persistent stomach issues, fatigue, vertigo, and peripheral neuropathy. I filed for the flu court, but was told shingles are not “yet” included. I say “yet” because I found there are others that contracted GBS this way. Just not enough to make a good case. I my case it could have been the stomach issue or the strong antibiotics as well. Every year I am torn whether to get a flu shot since I am asthmatic. I have 6 docs, 3 say “yes” and 3 say “no”. I guess I need a tie breaker.
