All about Guillain-Barré Syndrome - David Laing suffers from residual symptoms following Guillain-Barré syndrome

My name is Dave, I'm 63 and live in Scotland.

On the 10th march 2004 I had a very bad sore throat and general cold.
Throughout the day I kept getting very painful "pins and needles" attacks, alternating between my hands and feet.

The following morning, I woke up to find that I could not stand or sit up. I fell out of bed shouting on my wife who, although as confused as I, sent for an ambulance.
I was transferred to the local hospital where I lay most of the day in great pain and becoming steadily weaker.
By evening I was pretty much helpless and having difficulty breathing.

I was transferred to the intensive care ward in the city 60 miles away, intubated and attached to the vent.
I could now only make facial expressions.
Started on the 5-day immunoglobulin treatment - failed.
Part of my left lung collapsed and I had to be bagged hourly and suctioned - horribly painful.

18th March: Changed to tracheostomy and still on vent.

22nd March: Began moving my left thumb.
My wife - qualified homoeopath - started me on a remedy acid phosphoricum 4 times daily.

Since then I have made steady progress.

21st April: Moved to intensive Rehabilitation

11th June: Discharged home

Today 4th December.
I can look after myself in all activities of daily living.

Problems.
My hands are still very weak, cannot golf, shoot or fish - my previous pastimes.
I have mild drop foot in my left foot and my left thumb does not work.

I walk easily long distances and have started driving short distances. So who's complaining?

David Laing
December 2004

Webmaster: Please check 'Readers comments' for other health issues suffered by David that are not mentioned here.