Parathesias

Dr. Newey,
Thank you very much for your response. I will follow up with my neurologist regarding small fiber neuropathy. What about the guillan barre; however, I do not recall an infection prior to the acute symptoms experienced. I was in Mexico ~ 4-5 days before I started to have the symptoms. Will I have any permanent damage if I elect not to take any medications? Any thoughts on if this is attributed to chronic infection. I had lab work done ~ 2 weeks prior for my annual physical and everything was WNL. It was very frightening as to what happened to me. Thanks again.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a type of polyneuropathy (i.e., multiple nerve injury) that can result from an infectious source. One such source has been described in campylobacter infections, which is a GI infection. GBS usually presents with numbness/sensory changes beginning in the feet and progressing upwards. The major feature is weakness that is symmetric. There are variants to GBS that include a pure sensory form. GBS can be diagnosed, after three weeks of symptom onset, with an EMG/NCS and a procedure called a lumbar puncture (aka “spinal tap”). Regarding prognosis, your symptoms, per your prior post, started about 3 months ago. Without treatment, your body will begin to “heal” itself over 1-6 months post infection. After two years, there is usually none, if any, improvement. Treatment options initially may include IVIG or plasmapheresis.

I remember you having +Sjogren’s, per your report. I would still follow up with the rheumatologist as Sjogren’s can explain your symptoms. However, you may also wish to follow up with a neurologist who does EMG/NCS. He/she can provide a clinical examination and accurate history to identify if you did have GBS and perhaps trending for a chronic form.

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.