I have Guillain Barre, how do I cope with the longevity of GB? is there anyone else with GBS and coping well?
450314
If you haven't tried it already, ask your neurologist about IVIG.  I have truly seen it work miracles.  They might be hesitant to use it because it is VERY expensive, but I think it is worth a try.
41330
your best bet is to get them to a physocologist first to get a handle on these attacks, then take it one day at time.  It sucks but thats better than the altenative.
858913
Exercise is great. I went through a period of making myself not having any expectations of anything just so I couldn't be disappointed with anything. Also not everything in life suits us, just like people have nut allergies, they stop having nuts. If someone or something upsets you lay off them for a while. keep wellx
1076796
Hi! I think you mean 'Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Here it is in a nutshell - hope it helps. ---\nGuillain-Barre Syndrome \n\n\n1. Etiology: Unknown; follows mild illnesses. \n\n\n2. Pathological changes: Inflammatory mononuclear infiltrate in cranial and spinal nerves; segmental demyelination of peripheral nerves \n\n\n3. Clinical signs: Motor disability (weakness) is first symptom. Autonomic dysfunction, total motor paralysis, and mild sensory changes may occur. Symptoms progress to maximum about 2 weeks after onset. \n\n\n4. CSF changes: Elevation in protein without cell increase
201593
I had it over New Years and it turned into walking pnemonia. \n\nMost of my family is either ill with it or has had it already. \n\nBad, bad strain.\n\nHope all is well with you.
125881
If you have it, you have my sympathies. I suffered from it with other nerve syptoms for three years. 24-7, Oy. It doesn't really have a course. You have it or you don't. Tegretol worked for me, (it is anti-convulsant) although I would still have episodes. If that doesn't work, other anti-convulsants may. It generally can't be cured (in the sense that it will go away. There may be long periods of time where you won't have the symptoms. No one really knows what causes it, or rather there may be many reasons. My doctor discovered that I have a herpes virus next to my trigeminal nerve back in my head. I don't have herpes anywhere else. He guesses it was probably there for ages, maybe since childhood. Something shifted and antigonized the virus. I am on herpes medication, and I haven't had another episode. Go figure. You may have to mess around with meds til you find what works. The surgeries should be a last resort. Works for some, doesn't work for others, some have had the surgery a few times, and still suffers. TN is so rare that there hasn't been a lot of research, you will need to participate in your recovery.
483156
This is a weird disease and is often misdiagnosed.  In fact it is more the rule than the exception that this is misdiagnosed.My mother came down with it after the flu shots were started. Has your father had the \nflu shot ? The drug companies now have insurance to cover this eventuality. Contact the drug company that made the shot. Maybe they will give you some help with the medical bills. My mother had that over twenty years ago and I didn't know she had had the oral vaccine when it first came out. If I had that knowledge I would have advised her to contact the manufacturer.  As it was my parents did not have Medical insurance. And they used up their life savings paying the hospital bill.  She was hospitalized for a month but that was over 20 yrs. ago when there was no treatment for this disease.  The prognosis is as weird as the disease. It is the only neurology disease that you can fully recover from.  However some people are left with permanent effects that range from a mild limp to paraplegia.That was at the time of the unknown treatment.  My mother was left with a dropped left foot. She had some permanent neuropathy. The treatment should prevent your father from having any permanent residuals.  He is lucky to get it now that it is more recognized. I could go on at length about this disease but this should give you a handle on this polio like disease.
812229
Hi... I'm sorry you guys are having to go through this. I can totally relate to this... I am 21 and am diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Major Depression that's recurrent and severe, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and DDNOS. In the past year and a half, I've been hospitalized 9 times and have seen several psychiatrists and therapists. I've been on many different medications. So I do know what he is going through. \nI have been out of work since January of 2005. I first had to apply for Temporary Disability and be on that for 6 months before I could apply for Social Security Disability. But when it came time to apply for SSD/SSI I was nervous because I had heard from MANY people that it was a long process, and you almost always get denied on the first try. It took 8 months for them to give me a decision, and thank god, I was approved on the first try. I think that I was approved on the first try because of all the documentation I had... from the doctors, hospitals, and therapists. So I would definitely recommend getting as much support as you from his treatment team. \n\nI hope that everything will work out. Don't listen to the people on here who are saying nasty things. They have obviously never had to deal with severe mental illness before. You and I and everyone else who has suffered from it either personally or through a loved one knows that mental illnesses truly are debilitating. \nGood luck!\n~Julie~
659442
WOW, Epstein Barr can prove to be very debilitating due to the over exhaustion feeling. My advice to you, don't use conventional drugs. Go to an herbalist and talk with them. There are many herbs that can help you with this disease. Mono for adults is always worse than for teenagers. It seems that adults can sometimes keep it longer than a teenager as well. Having both of these at the same time is going to prove to be challenging, but I guarantee you if you seek alternative medicines you will be back on your feet in no time!
369905
I was diagnosed with CFS and Fibromyalgia when I was sixteen. That was over six years ago and I am still suffering from it. At this point in time there are no cures for either. Some people can go through a remission, I'm still waiting for mine. I am currently a full time college student and recently joined a gym. I've found that I'm better if I remain active and push through it rather than letting it keep me down and in bed.\n\nI hope for your sake that you do not have it, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. \n\nFeel free to email me if you want to talk about it. :)
636556
Dear brygeobu76,\nYou've certainly brought your medical concerns to the right place! The Y!A community members are fully aware of and do appreciate the intimate conditions involving your prognosis.\nMost recognized doctors in the medical field would employ a holistic approach to your contagion. brygeobu76, please begin your day with a well balanced breakfast to include an ample portion of fruits and grains. After your morning routines are finished, enjoy a brisk walk around the block. If you happen to meet any stray dogs along the way, it would be a good idea to antagonize the creatures in order to add some vigor to your workout.\nNow brygeobu76, the remaining portions of your day should be filled with interesting activities and new studies to keep your mind active and in balance, complimentary to what you have done with the physical side of yourself.\nAfter loitering around at the public library all afternoon with a bunch of smelly hobos, you can appreciate a warm bath and time to be good to yourself. Begin to collect an archive of various music genres that you can resolve one day to enjoy after you get the rest of your chores done.\nbrygeobu76, if after following my advice, simply take two aspirin and forget we ever had this little discussion.\nThank you, brygeobu76. Have a great day!\n-Kenny
534751
I have MS, and our support group doesn't even meet anymore.  I haven't met the first person with MS, and it was May 4, 2005 when I was diagnosed.  I've heard that it can be depressing, if you see others that are bound to a wheelchair.  I have RRMS, and am very mobile.  I just have problems with balance and coordination, fatigue, some muscle cramps/spasms, minor numbness occasionally, sensitivity to heat (Which SUCKS!  I live in Mississippi), and occasionally depression.  I don't think it would depress me to see others that have progressed, however.  I think you should go and give it a shot.  If ours still met, I'd go.
730933
Demand a second opinion. Positive note I had similar symptoms for years rarely a day off. I had a brain scan, a EEG and other tests turns out I have hemiplegic migraines - very scary. I have an aura with mine - a bad taste often triggered by what I eat or smell. Gloss paint sends me off my legs for up to 2 weeks. I was investigated for having a stroke! Go back an see your Dr if symptoms don't improve and demand further tests! Have allergy/ sensitivity tests done, mine showed my triggers as being corn, melon, larger etc. I changed my diet and took FEVER FEW natural health supps and have made a fantastic recovery, with the occasional relapse. I f your symptoms are new to you and you have had no further investigations than a DR appointment, go back and demand more. Take a friend or relative with you if your reluctant to push the issue. You only have one life - enjoy it. Luv J xx
826936
I'm sorry to hear about your illness, but happy about your recovery. Have you dug out your old "100 things to do before I die" list? That's the best place to start. Good luck.
601357
Hello, \n   Have also COPD, diagnosed in 99, was able to finally shed 30 lbs last year.  For muscle pain (muscle spasms) I take Magnesium and Potassium.  Keeping active (have to push myself) also helps me alot. If you have access to a Pulmonary Rehab Program, try it, had a total positive affect on me. Please contact me if you wish to exchange more info. Also would appreciate learning anything you have done with positive effects...thank you and\n\nTake care and better breathing to you...
459771
Always pleased to further the resaerch into diabetes and it's effects. I have been diabetic for 10 years now and still struggle with the fact i have it. I thinl there should be some kind of couselling form newly diagnosed diabetics but... yeah send those questions on. joelle@melvern.co.uk
643622
Please take a couple of seconds to read this, it could help somebody. \nDo read this it may be very useful one day!! \n\nDuring a BBQ a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured \neveryone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and \njust tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her \ncleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a \nbit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the afternoon. \nIngrid's husband called later that evening telling everyone that his \nwife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm, Ingrid passed \naway.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ - had they known how to \nidentify the signs of a stroke perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. \n\nIt only takes a minute to read this   -  a neurologist says that if he \ncan get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the \neffects of a stroke...totally. \nHe said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and \ngetting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough. \n\nRECOGNIZING A STROKE \nThank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps. Read and Learn! \nSometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. \nUnfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke \nvictim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize \nthe symptoms of a stroke. Now doctors say a bystander can recognize \na stroke by asking three simple questions: \n1.      Ask the individual to SMILE. \n2.      Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. \n3.      Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (coherently) (e.g.... \nIt is a sunny day today) \nIf he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 999 \nimmediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. \nAfter discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could \nidentify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, \nresearchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. \nThey presented their conclusions at the British Stroke Association's \nannual meeting in February. \nWidespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and \ntreatment \nof the stroke and prevent brain damage. \nA cardiologist says if everyone who gets this message sends it to 10 \npeople; you can bet that at least one life will be saved. \nBE A FRIEND AND SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE, \nyou could save their lives.