Guillain Barre Syndrome - not - Pinched Sciatic Nerve

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2 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

After 6 days of and several phone calls I finally have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow

                       Persistence pays off.

2 hours ago, oliver2-44 said:

put a Band-Aide on (her words) and refer you back to your family Dr. or a Specialist. 

ERs have been that way for years in my experience. Got a steel chip in my eye years back and the ER gave me an eye patch and a list of specialists to call, none of them could see me for over a week. A friend held a strong magnet near my eye and the chip came out, used some over the counter eye drops and all was well.

[oliver2-44 9,725]

Last Thursday as our winter sleet storm started I finally got my MRI.  I got the results Tuesday. I have one bulged disc and several others have slight bulges. I’m weak in my right hip and not picking that foot up when I walk. So Ive started using a cane. I’m trying to stay a active as I can but it’s surely limited. The first appointment available with a Back specialists was March 22. Thankfully a few days later they had a cancellation an I moved up to February 22. It looks like this may be a lengthy road, but I know the good Lord is walking down this road with me. 

[rmaynard 15,434]

30 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

Thankfully a few days later they had a cancellation an I moved up to February 22.

 

That's not too long a time to wait compared to March 22, but with back pain, anything other than a couple of days can be miserable.

[Snoopy11 5,714]

On 2/13/2022 at 7:41 AM, oliver2-44 said:

the good Lord is walking down this road with me

That He is sir,

 

Keep up the faith.

 

Don

[oliver2-44 9,725]

Well after a bunch of medical work up, seeing a Neurologist, Orthopedic Back Specialist, CT Scan, MRI, Spinal Tap and Bloodwork, they have determined I have Guillain Barre Syndrome GBS, also known as AIDP (acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy).  

A previously semi rare 1 in 10,000 thing.  The good news is I have a mild case and I should be OK with a couple of months of physical rehab. There is a low probability of it reoccurring.  I'm writing this so others may be aware of it possible occurring more often. 

My wonderful wife gets credit for piecing a timeline together that helped figure some of this out. I haven't mentioned this but she is a Nurse Practioner and an Associate Professor for Texas Tech University.  She teaches from home in a Remote Learning Nurse Practioner Program.  She is one sharp humble lady! 

 

So in early January I had an red eye infection and cough,  this cleared up with antibiotic, but then I started having irritation/swelling where I have a plate in my right ankle from a break. then I developed the diffuse pain in my shoulders, mid-back lower back and right leg.  this turned into intense pain requiring pain meds and my blood pressure began bouncing around up to 160 over 200+. Then I began getting weak in my right leg and hip requiring me to start using a cane.  The Neurologist did a reflex test and my right leg and foot had none,.  Then she did a Nerve test (computerized medieval shock device) and my right leg and hip nerves had minimal reaction. good nerves sound like a machine gun firing and mine said "thud"  She ordered more testing and suspected GBS.  My wife put together a backwards time line that pointed to a probable cause.  

 

GBS starts from an seemingly normal infection. But there's possible one more piece to my puzzle. The day before my eye infection started I got my Covid Booster.  While both specialist said it was the possible start, they would not commit to it.  So it's a possibility that  I got a mild case of Covid or a reaction from the Vaccine that set off an infection in my body. This infection triggered my immune system to erode the sheaths covering my nerves (this was the intense pain) essentially my nerves were short circuiting (GBS)  With my nerves not functioning properly my body could not control my blood pressure. A heavy dose of steroids' to knock out the infection and I began to get better. They say my nerve sheaths will regenerate with time and that seems to be happening as my finger tip nerves are tingling less and my right leg is starting to have some reflex's. I'm beginning to rely less on a cane to walk.  Thankfully I had a mild case of GBS. It will take some time for me to develop my strength back. (I can barely climb the stairs to the loft where my tractor parts are stored, so my wife is doing it for me)  I'm blessed to be on the road to recovery,  GBS can lead to paralysis and other lifelong problems. 

 

I did see an Orthopedic Back Specialist who said I have a small herniated bulge on L5, and that my back looks typical for a working man my age.  At first he thought it might be putting more pressure on my Siatic nerve, but just didn't think the bulge was that big.  When the Neurologist identified GBS, he said that made more sense to him. He recommended doing nothing with it unless it gives me problems in the future.  

 

 I'll stop and say I have not been anti Vaccine, and I still think the Vaccine is a good thing considering the Covid risk.  I probable wont take the vaccine again due to my bodies response to it.  Doing some google searches there is a small increased incident of GBS occurring traced to the Covid Vaccine or Covid itself.  Until now, I've never even heard of GBS, but Ironically in the last week I have met 2 people that know someone with GBS associated with Covid.  One is here in town where I live.  He was an athletic trainer, once healthy, but now he is partially paralyzed, I would like to meet him.  I am so blessed to be recovering!

 

A special Thank You to my Red Square family for all of your kind thoughts and prayers, each of you really do make a difference in my life.

 

 

 

 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,524]

@oliver2-44 thoughts and prayers for a speedy and full recovery.

[rjg854 11,356]

prayers for a quick recovery, sounds like you've already have a good nurse by your side.

[Handy Don 12,201]

Great full-picture thinking by your wife. Kudos for her determination, skill, and support. You are doubly lucky.

GBS has touched our family and in that case was fatal. Please do not mess around or take this "mild" case lightly.

Good and prayers to both of you.

[oliver2-44 9,725]

Thank each of you for your thoughts and prayers. @Handy Don condolences on your family’s loss. Yes we are taking this seriously.