daveoh
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Hello , I only spent a week in hospital and got the IVIG treatment for GBS. It appears to have only affected my arms .hands , legs and feet. I spent a week in physical rehab as inpatient and currently going twice a week as outpatient. From what I’ve read and heard I obviously had a mild case compared to most. It,s been 2 months but I can walk but with footdrop. I feel slightly stronger every day but I’m very concerned about my weak hands – fingers . My job requires handstrength and though they appear to be getting stronger every day what are my chances of having most of the strength return seeing that I had what appears to be a mild case.
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Chrissy
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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
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daveoh
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Thx Chrissy, I have not had any pain as of yet. So far my hand strength appears to be improving daily. I go in for a nerve conduction test in a couple of weeks. I was in excellent physical condition before this happened. I have noticed quite a bit of muscle loss though. I plan on getting back in gym as soon as I’m comfortable or wont hurt myself. Its been right at 2 months total right now.
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northernguitarguy
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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!! 
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daveoh
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Thx Guy I guess I’m just concerned how long it will take me to get back to work…heck I better be happy that there is a great possibility that I can right. 
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GH
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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.
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daveoh
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Had nerve conduction test today. Doc told me that my axon motor nerves were damaged…oh really . Sensory nerves appeared ok. I already knew this since I never suffered any numbness or loss of sensation. I continue to gain a little strength daily but it is so slow. I thank God daily that my illness is mild compared to the majority of cases I’ve seen on this forum. I’m praying we all recover.
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GH
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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.
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Expert diagnosis & management of inflammatory neuropathies is critical to our patients. This is what our medical advisory board members had in mind when setting up the new Centers of Excellence program. A year later, we continue to add healthcare facilities providing exactly that.
