Courtney
GBS 2003
NZ

Courtney was struck by GBS as a five-year old. This is her story, written in her own words, on her experience with GBS and how she began walking again.

Thomas, a professor, became a student again, when he had to learn to cope with Guillain-Barré syndrome and rehab. On Patience, Anger, Healing. A very descriptive account of how Guillain-Barré can create chaos in a life, and require treatment and lengthy rehab. 380 days later he was teaching again.
Photos. Recommended reading for patients, families and healthcare professionals.

Van was a week short of 41 when he got Guillain-Barré syndrome. 3 years later, he has recovered successfully. Read his honest and insightful case history for inspiration and advice.

Just 2 weeks after an attempt to scale Mt. Everest, Dave was paralysed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Read about how he fought to recover, clinging to the hope of pursuing his passion for climbing again. [PDF file].
GBS 6/98.

Lyndsi Graf was just 20 months old when she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome. Massive pain and autonomous problems but no paralysis caused doubt about the diagnosis. Lyndsi got better, thanks to IVIg and medication, and is almost fully recovered today.

Suzanne Goodwin
GBS '01
CA, USA

Suzanne was one of the few who are stricken with the acute form of Guillain-Barré, losing control over her body within a matter of hours. Several years later, she still suffers from post-GBS residuals...

Simon suffered from GBS/CIDP in 1993, as a 12-year old, after a meningitis vaccination. Parents and health care professionals - read this story to understand how children may experience the slow onset of paralysis. Today, 23-year old Simon is cured of CIDP. GBS 10/93 CIDP 05/94.

Kristen Hackler
GBS '05

Kristen suffered from weakness. During PE, her heart stopped. Faced with living in a wheelchair, she got up and walked!

Received no treatment for her motor symptoms. One year after being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, she had recovered 98%, due to sheer willpower!!

13-year old recovered from suspected MFS. His parents feel certain chiropractic adjustments helped in his recovery. Read their advice on how how to get through the difficult times pro-actively.
Recommended reading for patients, family, HCPs.

Zoe's dad went through severe Guillain-Barré syndrome. On several occasions, his family, including 10-year old Zoe, was called in as he was not expected to survive. Today, Zoe's dad has made a complete recovery!
GBS 98.

13-year old almost completely recovered from suspected MFS. His parents feel certain chiropractic adjustments helped in his recovery. Read their advice on how how to get through the difficult times pro-actively.
Recommended reading for patients, family, HCPs.

Patricks bout of Guillain-Barré syndrome seemed fairly straightforward and recovery progressed well. However, he suffers from painful stiffness post-GBS...

Pain led to severe paralysis and ventilation for 6 months. Loss of taste, loss of hearing, morphine-induced nightmares .. he's tried them all. Peter still has motor problems several years later, but continues to see improvement.
Written by a very brave young man, this is a must-read.

Webmaster
(Denmark)

How the frustration of having a family member taken ill with a mysterious illness and no information available motivated me to start up this website, hold Denmarks first nationwide GBS-rally, and start up the Danish GBS Support Group.

Cynthias pre-teen has GBS, possibly CIDP. Read about the family's frustrations and considerations the illness has created. Do you have experience that could help them?

Bonnies husband Kenny has problems getting through the many post-GBS problems that plague Guillain-Barré syndrome patients. Do you have experience that could help them?

Peg is Jenny Murray's niece (see below). She describes how her family rallied around when her mother contracted Guillain-Barré syndrome in 1997.

Jenny started up a Guillain-Barré syndrome support group for New Zealand after her sister came down with a mysterious illness called Guillain-Barre syndrome. Jenny has recently been honoured with the Queen's Service Medal for her work!

Symptoms in his hands, feet and face were originally thought to be Guillain-Barré syndrome but were later diagnosed as Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). Read the on-going journal that he and his girlfriend are sharing here: the nerve-wracking waiting for a diagnosis, the pain, the growing depression and distress....

Ubaid Seedat
GBS/03
(South Africa)

This determined 10-year old survived progressive weakness, intubation, forced inactivity, rehab and is now fully recovered! His mother writes movingly about the issues that parents go through when a loved child is taken ill with a mysterious illness. A must-read!

Natalie
MFS? '03
US

Bobbie's teenage daughter was never given a firm diagnosis. Read her story about how the family struggled through the bad times and came out victorious!

Cynthias pre-teen has GBS, possibly CIDP. Read about the family's frustrations and considerations the illness has created. Do you have experience that could help them?

Lyndsi Graf was just 20 months old when she suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome. Massive pain and autonomous problems but no paralysis caused doubt about the diagnosis. Lyndsi got better, thanks to IVIg and medication, and has now recovered.

Simon suffered from GBS/CIDP in 1993, as a 12-year old, after a meningitis vaccination. Parents and health care professionals - read this story to understand how children may experience the slow onset of paralysis. Today, 23-year old Simon is cured of CIDP. GBS 10/93 CIDP 05/94.

2-year old Jimmy's original diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was changed to CIDP. Doctors can't tell if he was born with the condition or acquired it later. On medication for this, and dependant on a ventilator, Jimmy nonetheless begins pre-school soon!

13-year old recovered from suspected MFS. His parents feel certain chiropractic adjustments helped in his recovery. Read their advice on how how to get through the difficult times proactively.
Recommended reading for patients, family, HCPs.

Mary survived the simultaneous onslaught of Guillain-Barré syndrome, Bells Palsy, pregnancy and a car crash! Read about her experiences, and about her baby.

Original diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was later changed to CIDP. Pregnant during GBS attack. Pain and motor symptoms seem to be increasing with time, and PE does not appear to help.

Ken Sawyer
PDN/MGUS '98
UK

Kens original diagnosis of CIDP was later changed to Paraproteinaemic Demyelinating Neuropathy (PDN), a very rare form of chronic GBS also known as Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS) in the US. Ken describes his disorder minutely, and has several informative websites on the disorder.

Dennis C.
CIDP/2004
(US)

Dennis details the issues he had to deal with, when he contracted CIDP. A glimpse into what life is like for some CIDP patients!

Vilma had a hard time getting a diagnosis for her CIDP. She then started up a support group for GBS/CIDP, and later underwent surgery for her fingers that curled inward...

Diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was later changed to CIDP. Milt suspects heavy metal poisoning to be the reason for his GBS/CIDP, with sensory and motor symptoms. Several relapses. Milt has been through PE, IVIg, and tablet-based medication.
Healthcare providers and CIDP patients: Read about long-term treatment with IVIg/pheresis, and patient-managed treatment.

Tony Flores
CIDP 1994
CA, US

Tony's life changed radically after he was struck down with CIDP. He is now embarking upon treatment with Celcept ..

Molly has CIDP and a number of associated issues, including problems with IVIg and PE, progressive muscle weakness, etc. However, she is determined to fight every inch of the way!

13-year old almost completely recovered from suspected MFS. His parents feel certain chiropractic adjustments helped in his recovery. Read their advice on how how to get through the difficult times pro-actively.
Recommended reading for patients, family, HCPs.

Read Lauris gripping account of how she learned to deal with disbelief, GBS/MGUS and other unusual diseases!
A must-read for health care professionals.

Simon suffered from GBS/CIDP in 1993, as a 12-year old, after a meningitis vaccination. Parents and health care professionals - read this story to understand how children may experience the slow onset of paralysis. Today, 23-year old Simon is cured of CIDP.

Original diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was later changed to CIDP. Pregnant during GBS attack. Pain and motor symptoms seem to be increasing with time, and PE does not appear to help.

Developing Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS) after Campylobacter-induced diarrhoea, David candidly describes the frustrations and joyous moments he experienced.

2-year old Jimmy's original diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome was changed to CIDP. Doctors can't tell if he was born with the condition or acquired it later. On medication for this, and dependant on a ventilator, Jimmy nonetheless begins pre-school soon!

Kezzis motor symptoms were a prelude to complete paralysis and severe pain, relapses, conflicting diagnoses and finally a diagnosis of CIDP/AMSAN.

This short article describes the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of a patient with Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS).

CIDP patient whose condition appears to be worsening despite IVIg treatment.

Another humourous account from Tom, this time about life after Guillain-Barré syndrome.

After the flu, Linda developed complete paralysis and later recovered. She succeeded in creating a full and busy life, and a successful career despite Guillain-Barré syndrome and a relapse that left her in a wheelchair.

Ron Clingin
GBS '04
(NZ)

The matter-of-fact way Ron describes his encounter wtih GBS belies the fact that he was in the throes of a serious illness. Ron describes his ordeal and the following joys and troubles as a GBS survivor - a must-read!

Anonymous
GBS '05
Canada

GBS strikes even those who are very fit, as this story illustrates. Speedy treatment can mean the world! Read the tips this writer shares - his/her name is known to the webmaster.

Jayne
GBS '05
USA

Jayne was among those who desperately needed a heart monitor as her condition progressed. However, she was not offered any form for treatment nor was she given any therapy. She suffers from massive fatigue and weakness today.

David suffers from residual symptoms following a bout of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Trish had GBS with motor and sensory symptoms. After recovery she still experiences problems..

An amusing story on the lighter side of being a Guillain-Barré syndrome patient. Enjoy!!

Bill developed motor symptoms that left his doctors at a loss. Thought to be 'mental', he was later thought to have had Guillain-Barré syndrome. Read his account of how he fought to recover, and the residual symptoms he still suffers today.

Angela is recovering from Guillain-Barré syndrome triggered by a stomach upset. Read her encouraging advice to those newly-diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome!

Robyn suffered through Guillain-Barré syndrome and Bells Palsy, and still has residual symptoms.

Symptoms in his hands, feet and face were originally thought to be Guillain-Barré syndrome but were later diagnosed as Peripheral Neuropathy (PN). Read the on-going journal that he and his girlfriend are sharing here: the nerve-wracking waiting for a diagnosis, the pain, the growing depression and distress....

Geri suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome in 1983, and describes how difficult it was to suffer from a rare disease then. She has since recovered, but has to use braces and still suffers from great pain.

Steve, an American physician, had Guillain-Barré syndrome twice. He did not fear dying, but he did fear he might not walk again. He also became depressed. Read Steve's story about overcoming Guillain-Barré syndrome, and his relapse.

Retired physician. Admitted twice with Guillain-Barré syndrome, treated with physiotherapy and discharged. Continued deterioration made third admittance necessary. After several courses of PE and physiotherapy, has made great progress in recovery phase.

Asgers brother may have died of Guillain-Barré syndrome - see 'GBS in 10-year old boy?' above.

Guillain-Barré syndrome after a flu shot, with motor symptoms primarily in feet. Seven years and one relapse later, his feet have begun making a miraculous recovery...

Retired physician Asger Lauridsen suffered from Guillain-Barré syndrome. He describes the death of his younger brother, possibly of GBS, in 1945.

Mattia is a child who has experienced great hardship due to Guillain-Barré syndrome. This case history is in Italian, and is written by his father, Giuseppe.