All about Guillain-Barré syndrome: Vilma Clarke and her fight with CIDP

In February 1991 I had acute pain across the front of my right foot which became so bad I couldn't walk for 10 minutes without needing to sit down. My legs lost their power also my feet were very sore on rough roads, I could feel every pebble through my shoe. Visited a doctor in March - nothing to worry about - probably the hot weather. Let another month go by and things were getting worse so I visited another doctor. He ordered X-Rays and said I had osteo-arthritis - take my tablets and learn to live with it.

In August I visited a Podiatrist she said I had pronation of the feet probably from birth - she made orthotics which relieved the pain a little. In November I had pins and needles, numbness around my feet, I tried a pin around my feet and couldn't feel it. At this time my feet were like cardboard, my calves of my legs feel bruised all the time, walking was an effort, it was a hazard to walk uphill due to lack of power in calf muscles. I was very fatigued all the time and had fallen over a few times.

This called for a visit to a third doctor in November, then followed blood tests, EEG's, X-Rays etc. which did not show him enough so he referred me to a neurologist in Albury 1 hour's drive from my place. He ordered a lumbar puncture, blood tests, x-rays still not enough so he sent me to the Austin Hospital in Melbourne Jan. 1992 to another neurologist stayed for 2 weeks with many more tests and it was then given a name CIDP.

Life with CIDP is good - have met a lot of new people - doing new crafts - joined some new Clubs. Unfortunately, I am in the small minority who don't respond to anything but I'm drug-free and very healthy.
I have had operations to feet and legs and now walk well (a 14 tendon transfer). Also my left hand has been uncurled and I can hold a glass (a tendonesis). CIDP'ers are great!!

Vilma

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