|
I had a severe bout with AIDP in 1995 beginning 12 days following
a flu shot.
The bulk of the attack seemed to be to the feet and
though I never felt any pain as such, it did feel like blood
flow across the feet had ceased and there was a buildup of
pressure, as if from blood pressure in the feet.
Though my gbs attack was severe (30 days in ICU, mostly on
the vent), I was able to walk (poorly) unassisted from the
hospital after 21 days of rehab. My feet were most severely
affected, and though there was a lot of improvement with regrowth
of the myelin about one year into recovery, problems left
were more than ideal.
I was left with wild, tingling sensations in the toes,
back to front of the foot, and almost numbness from
there back to the anklebone and heel. Because I had learned
to lean backward in rehab to counteract weak ankles, I was
able to walk fairly well and left the hospital after 21 days
of rehab under my own power.
From toe-base to heel I could feel pressure from lower
tendons shortened by the condition and following soreness
from resulting tendonitis. Had no feel for where the ground
was as I walked, and just stepped out in faith that it was
there, but had at least become able to stiffen the ankle enough
to discard the backward leaning.
The fact that the neuro persisted with plasmapheresis rather
than going for IVIG is, in my opinion, why the feet were so
badly affected. Initial attack was to the Myelin (nerve coatings
of the feet), but when IVIG was withheld so long, attack apparently
got into the central nerve (Axon) and recovery there runs
from slow to never. This is why I am so amazed, when a
lot of recovery returning more natural feeling to the feet
occurs, in my seventh year of recovery.
I was 63 when the original attack occurred and was left in
bad straits because of 30 days with no food (other than the
drip). I had lost 60 lbs. Of course, the muscles are consumed
first in starvation and I was extremely weak and dissipated
by the time I entered rehab.
Too strenuous outpatient therapy resulted in my one relapse
in the third recovery month and 7 IVIG infusions were required
to put me on the comeback trail. I took all recovery therapy
unto myself after that. I did very little in hard physical
effort for the next year, not wanting to bring on another
relapse. Then I purchased a one-year membership at a local
gymnasium and went to work on the feet and legs which were
my worst problems.
They were wasted by 30 days in ICU with no food other than
the IV. Still awkward, with continuous feeling of cold in
the feet. Foot sensations were jangling in the toes followed
by almost no sensation back to the anklebone area. Worked
out 30 minutes, 3 days weekly for that year and regained ability
to rise "no hands", which was so necessary to maintain my
house and car.
Then, a few months ago, I was walking down the driveway to
check the mail and discovered my stride had returned!!
Recently, the entire mid-foot area has regained most sensation
and reflexes in the feet seem to be getting much better. Over
the past few weeks I slowly began to realize that the soles
of my feet (approximately 1/4" thick) were becoming sensitive
to pressure again and presenting a "normal" feel.
Later, I began to notice feelings of warmth beginning
to move between heel area and toe base. I can also feel the
upper skin areas on top of the feet from ankle to toe. This
is especially noticeable when I tilt the toes upward.
I still am not good on ladders. Legs are still somewhat stiff
and still under-strength, but I recently climbed the disappearing
staircase into the attic and replaced the high-temperature
limit switch in my overhead furnace.
For someone younger, recovery would probably be more rapid
and complete (I become age 70 in February) but I believe that
if I live long enough, I may someday see complete return of
foot function!!
Ray Chidester
written in 2002
|
