Living with Guillain-Barre Syndrome

This is the first time I have shared my story with GBS One the last day of school (I’m a teacher)I woke up to tingling toes and a strange taste or feeling with my tongue. I knew something was not right. I was only 25 and very healthy. I can home that evening and told my husband that my feet and mouth still felt weird. Of course I thought I had a mini-stroke while I was sleep.

Over the next couple of days I became weak and my vision blurred. My face also fell on one side. I then went to the emergency room almost everyday for a week and each time I was told I had anything from Bell’s Palsy to lost of oxygen. Eating became increasingly hard as well as swallowing, walking, seeing and talking. The last trip to the ER my husband and mom demanded me to be tested for something because I was unable to walk. I received a spinal tap and a nerve conductor test and was diagnosed with GBS.

I was soon taken to the ICU for 3 weeks and received the IVIG treatment for 5 days. I was very calm but afraid at the same time. I had to see my family and friends suffer in silence to keep my strips up. After my time in ICU my adventure to me to Kessler Adventist Rehabilitation Center in Shady Grove Maryland. I received excellent therapy for about one month and slowly but surely started regaining movement and function to my life. The OTs and PTs and speech paths were very optimistic and encouraging.

There were times I felt very depressed and unmotivated but through prayer and support from my family, friends and care providers I recovered. I was able to return to teaching at a new school in a new state by the beginning of the school year. It has been 7 years and I now am a mom of two girls and still happily married ever after. So stay strong and focused. Don’t give up and stay healthy. Remember no flu shots for us!!!