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Neurology (Expert Forum)
GBS?...Not MS
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GBS?...Not MS
by Stefani, Nov 10, 2003 12:00AM
Hello: (38yrs., female)
Received flu shot on a Tuesday. Experienced strong low back pain for 5 days prior to following symptoms:
Day1: (6th day after flu shot) woke up that a.m. to tingling in feet and thighs. Severe weakness, heaviness, sensation of thigh enlargement. Severe fatigue.
Day 2: woke up in a.m. to same symptoms but had spread to fingers and upper arms.
Day 3: Experiencing deep muscle aches in affected areas, more pronounced in thighs.
Day 4: tingling not as severe in all areas. Realization of possible link to flu shot.
Day 5: Visited PCP, referred to ER. Examined by neuro, scheduled MRIs. At this point weakness was not as pronounced, knee reflexes were poss. "jumpy" or "normal for me". My mother's reflexes, exhibited same response as mine. MRI's with and w/o contrast (head/neck) were normal...R/O MS. 4 Wks post-onset: While my symptoms have improved, I am still experiencing aches in thighs and arms (more in thighs), exacerbated by even light physical activity, along with muscle weakness, and continuous tingling in hands and feet (fingers and toes) I have experienced muscle jumps in legs and arms which were not visible. During week 3, fasciculations in third finger, right hand, began. Finger jerks toward index finger with visible, rapid movement of muscle in my hand. Research led me to poss. GBS though diminished knee reflexes were not present when checked on day 5. Unsure about ankles and elbows. I'm very concerned.
A CCF Neuro opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Received flu shot on a Tuesday. Experienced strong low back pain for 5 days prior to following symptoms:
Day1: (6th day after flu shot) woke up that a.m. to tingling in feet and thighs. Severe weakness, heaviness, sensation of thigh enlargement. Severe fatigue.
Day 2: woke up in a.m. to same symptoms but had spread to fingers and upper arms.
Day 3: Experiencing deep muscle aches in affected areas, more pronounced in thighs.
Day 4: tingling not as severe in all areas. Realization of possible link to flu shot.
Day 5: Visited PCP, referred to ER. Examined by neuro, scheduled MRIs. At this point weakness was not as pronounced, knee reflexes were poss. "jumpy" or "normal for me". My mother's reflexes, exhibited same response as mine. MRI's with and w/o contrast (head/neck) were normal...R/O MS. 4 Wks post-onset: While my symptoms have improved, I am still experiencing aches in thighs and arms (more in thighs), exacerbated by even light physical activity, along with muscle weakness, and continuous tingling in hands and feet (fingers and toes) I have experienced muscle jumps in legs and arms which were not visible. During week 3, fasciculations in third finger, right hand, began. Finger jerks toward index finger with visible, rapid movement of muscle in my hand. Research led me to poss. GBS though diminished knee reflexes were not present when checked on day 5. Unsure about ankles and elbows. I'm very concerned.
A CCF Neuro opinion would be greatly appreciated.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Nov 16, 2003 12:00AM
The symptoms you describe are not classic for GBS. It is true that there have been outbreaks of GBS after the flu shot. However, the fluctuatign symptoms, and muscle fasciculations would not be typical. Typical GBS has a slow steady decline in fucntion. Therefore, if you did have GBS you stated your symptoms are improving already which is good. The FLU shot can cause inflammation within the body which can manifest as aches and pains, weakness, and overall fatigue. If the symptoms continue then I would have this re-evalauted, including looking for lupus and other connective tissue diseases. Good luck.
Thanks.