Private Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Treatment

Symptoms start in the extremities - the hands and feet are first affected, then the legs.
The first symptoms are:

• numbness
• pins and needles
• muscle weakness
• pain
• loss of balance and co-ordination

These symptoms may worsen over the next few days or weeks (usually peaking at four weeks). They may include:

• difficulty walking
• paralysis of the face, arms or legs
• breathing difficulties
• blurred vision
• difficulty speaking
• problems swallowing

If you have these symptoms, it's a medical emergency. Ring 999 and go straight to accident and emergency (A&E).

A consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and help to make a diagnosis. They will also check your muscle reflexes and check for numbness in your hands, feet or limbs.
If they think you may have Guillan-Barré syndrome, your consultant may order the following tests:

• Electromyography (EMG). Here, needles are placed into your muscles. When nearby nerves are activated, electrical recordings show how your muscles react.
• Lumbar puncture. fluid is taken from around the spinal cord in the lower back. The sample is checked for problems which cause similar symptoms to Guillain-Barré syndrome, such as an infection.

• Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). This is where donated blood containing healthy antibodies is injected into a vein. The healthy antibodies stop the harmful antibodies being produced by your immune system from damaging your nerves. It's given once a day for around five days.
• Plasma exchange. Blood is removed from your body via a machine. This filters out harmful antibodies and returns the blood to your body.

A full recovery programme in neuro rehab may be needed to treat long-term problems. This may include speech and language therapy, occupational health therapy, and physiotherapy.