All about Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Where do I start? This has been a battle for me AND my husband for almost 20 years.

It all began in 1983. Some people go down real fast, but with me it was very gradual. It started in my feet and I felt like I was walking on egg cartons. The feet kept getting weaker each day, till finally I wasn't even able to put on the brake in my car. So I had to give up driving.
I was told that I should see a chiropractor, but all he did was aggravate the problem. During that time I went to my regular doctor who was no help at all. I became paralyzed and had to be put in a wheel chair to go to his office. All he did each time was to look at me, and tell me that I could walk if I really wanted. My husband took me 3 times and after that I just gave up.

By that time all I could do was lay in bed, and try desperately to move my limbs. When my husband went to work in the mornings, our dear friend and neighbor came and stayed with me.
One morning while he was getting ready to leave for work, I apparently tried to roll over and landed on the floor. So my husband called the paramedics and they took me to St. Clair hospital. A neurologist examined me and told me there wasn't any reason for me not to be able to move. Then he told my husband that he should take my to a shrink. So much for that doctor.

So it was back home and back in bed. I was bedridden for a month. Finally a niece that was a nurse insisted that I be admitted to Shadyside hospital.
l went in on our 35th Anniversary (May 31st) 1984. I had every conceivable test there was, looking to find out what my problem was. It took a month for them to decide that I had GBS. They took me from Shadyside to Presby hospital in Oakland Pa. There Dr. Gendell removed a part of the nerve in my left foot. Which, by the way is still giving me problems.

Thank God they were able to stop the GBS from going any farther. So from the hospital, I was taken by ambulance to Harmarville Rehab Center on my birthday (July 6th) 1984. I was there for 2 months. They wanted me to stay longer, until they found out my insurance wouldn't cover it. SO I was fitted with full braces and sent home in a wheel chair. Which I had to use for an entire year.
My husband built me a set of parallel bars in our back yard that he helped me to master.

I was permitted to have a nurse come to our home to do the blood work, etc. Plus a PT, who I credit for getting me on my feet. Those 2 gals that took care of me in our home were absolutely wonderful. God bless them.

I finally am able to get around with plastic braces that are knee high and I use a cane. My problem now is the terrible pain that I have in both legs and feet. There are times when I feel like cutting them off.
Kezzi suggested that I try a tens unit. I am using it and I must say I get some relief when I have it on. Thanks Kezzi.

I am now 75, so it is getting harder and harder for me to do my house work or anything else for that matter.

Thank you for giving me a place to vent. And I hope that my ordeal will be of help to someone else. I will be glad to write to anyone who might want to keep in touch.

I keep praying that we may all be completely whole again.
Take care and keep up the fight.

Hugs,
Geri Pistorius
1699 Lakeview Drive
Espyville, Pa. 16424 GBS 1984