All about Guillain-Barré syndrome: Zoe's dad got GBS and almost died! Today he's fine again...

In 1989 my Dad got a bad cold which the progressed to flu.

One night he was sitting in the living room coughing up blood into a bucket. An ambulance was called and he was admitted to RAF Ely hospital in Cambridgeshire UK. The symptoms baffled the doctors and my Dad very rapidly became worse.. He was then
transferred to Addenbrookes in Cambridgeshire, to the intensive care unit.

In the next few days he weakened so much he couldn't breathe on his own, couldn't move, speak, swallow or anything. They finally diagnosed Guillen Barre.

This was a very traumatic time, we just watched as he seemed to waste away. He was fully conscious and could feel pain but couldn't tell anyone as he was locked in a world of Paralysis. At night they had to tape his eyes shut so he could get some sleep. No one knew what would happen and he was in intensive care for over 7 months. There were a few occasions where the doctors said it was touch and go and we had been called in as it seemed my Dad was going to die.. He was 30.

Then slowly but surely my dad began to get feeling back and months after was taken off the ventilator. Soon he could talk and was beginning to take steps to walking again.

The illness seems to leave as fast as it had come. My Dad recovered fully and was able to work and move and feel 100%. A couple of months later he returned to work in the Airforce and was even able to be called up for the Gulf War.

He sometimes has a twinge in his back if he does too much but I wanted to share this to give hope to others who have family going through the same. You would never have known my Dad had been so poorly apart from his trachiostomy scar.

Don't give up on your nearest recovering, it can be done!

If anyone has questions or anything please feel free to email me.
Although I was only 10 at the time I remember everything clearly and also speak to my Dad about it. The most important thing is don't give up, ride the rough times, you will one day recover!

Best wishes
Zoe
02.2003