Guillian Barre Syndrome

Hello !  If anyone out there is interested and would like to ask questions about GBS, I would be happy to help.

On December 23rd, 2016 I knew It was coming for the 4th time in my life.  I prayed it wouldn't and had had it start symptoms then just go away.  On December 24th, 2016 my Husband Jim and half of my family took me to Enloe Hospital in Chico, Ca.  I was admitted on Christmas Eve and stayed for 10 days.

I wish I knew why I keep getting this disease, illness, sickness, or syndrome.  What ever you want to call it I DO NOT want it again !  Please.

What happens from the beginning...

It starts in your feet.  They tingle, like they feel when you have sat on them too long.  But this tingle just  keeps getting worse.  At first it's like you have a hundred needles in your feet.  As each hour goes by a hundred more needles come in your feet until they feel like a solid chrome pipe.  Now as this is happening in your feet it is also going up your legs, your torso, your arms, and worse in your hands.  In the back of your head, top of your head, your face and inside your mouth.  You can't control your arms as they seem  to have a mind of there own and are flying all over the place.  Your voice has taken on a slow hollow sound and you can see it in the reaction of the faces of family, friends and Nurses. It's a nightmare.  You have become dead weight.  No longer able to even turn over in bed. As for bathroom privileges, Your best friend is the bed pan unless you have a strong loving husband like my Jim. I was able to use both. Nor are you able to feed yourself.  Remember I said your arms have a mind of there own, I'm not kidding.  You must take small bites and chew and swallow careful.  This last time I had the added pleasure of also having pneumonia.  So I wasn't allowed to eat for 6 days.  Something about the back of my tongue not closing like it was suppose to.  When I did get to eat it was called  "A Puree Diet."  The mashed potatoes were wonderful, I have always loved them.  Now as for Chicken Pureed or Salmon Purred or even green beans.....OMG let the gagging began.


This lasts for a couple weeks to several weeks as it seems to level out and GOD willing starts the process of reversing and leaving your weaken, shrunken body.  You have lost all your muscles especially in your legs, well everywhere really and now it's time to start exercising and to get motivated to do all you can to bring yourself back or even make yourself better, stronger then you were before.

I am happy to say this is where I am right now.  I have been able to walk with a walker. My Jim is right behind me with his strong hands on each side of my waist.  My balance is not quite where it should be yet so I need the assurance of those hands.

As I stated in the beginning this is the forth time I have had GBS.
The first time was in 1977.  I was 29, pregnant with my forth child and was  living in Leon, Kansas.
The second time was in 1986, I was living in Live Oak, Ca. just started a new job, Librarian at Middle School.    The third time was in 1997, living in same house and town.  The forth and final time I'm living in the country in Gridley, Ca. I'm 68, and will be 69 March 9th.   Crazy !