epidural after gbs

I had gbs 5 years ago. I have heard that after having gbs you shouldn't have anything injected into the spine, such as having an epidural. I heard it could up my chances of reaccurance. True or not. I just want to be carefull. Having gbs again would be awful.

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Elizabeth:

I think what they mean is that there shouldn't be non-medical or flagrant use of spinal injections.  The acute demyelination process has run it's course and that it hasn't returned is wonderful (no CIDP).  The immunological reaction is to the peripheral myelin, which is not part of the spinal cord.  Thus, the reaction is something that is not part of the spinal cord, per se.  The schwann cell does myelinate peripheral axons close to the spinal cord, but generally not in it.  So, as long as the epidural is done properly, there should be no trouble with reactivating your GBS.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro MD