Guillain-Barre Syndrome Misdiagnosis can have Terrible Results

Guillain-Barre Syndrome or GBS

Guillain-Barre Syndrome or GBS is an auto immune disease that causes weakness of the muscles of the arms and legs, pain, and sensory degeneration. GBS onset is usually by an infection and affects the nervous system especially the limbs and arms. GBS patients need to be admitted to the hospital for expert medical care to prevent loss of sensation and muscle activity in the limbs.

When detected early and treated, GBS patients show complete recovery over a period of time. The recovery time varies from person to person however.

What happens if GBS is not Diagnosed Correctly?

Wrong diagnoses that can mask GBS symptoms include:

· Lung infections due to breathing difficulties

· Cardiac arrhythmia due to rapid heart beat

· General weakness due to anemia and fatigue

· Neurological disorders

· Muscular pain reminiscent of fibromyalgia

· Mimicking Rheumatoid Arthritis conditions

How GBS Virus Attacks the Human Body?

Being an autoimmune disease, the immune system produces antibodies or proteins to attack infections such as bacteria and virus. The immune system produces antibodies that attack the tissues of the body, in case of an autoimmune disease. The antibodies get hooked to nerves and cause inflammation of the nerves thus leading to GBS. When the nerve is affected, the nerve to which the muscle is connected is also affected.

GBS onset is through infection. Infections may include:

· Cytomegalovirus that causes no symptoms

· Epstein Barr virus that causes glandular fever known as mononucleosis

· Mycoplasma pneumoniae - bacterial infection that causes cold, cough, and pneumonia

· In some cases, GBS has been found to infect people after certain vaccinations.

· HIV Influence A virus infection is linked to GBS

How to Detect Guillain-Barre Syndrome?

· Autonomic response - Body functions such as digestion, breathing, sweating, and heart beat are autonomous. When the nerves in these systems are affected, the autonomous functions are also affected leading to abnormal heart beat, elevated high blood pressure, and absence of sweating.

· Nerve tingling and numbness - Tingling or numbness in toes or fingertips.

· Pain and weakness - The legs become very weak and the weakness moves up to the chest, hands, and neck. Patient may experience difficulty in breathing, moving eyes, and swallowing food. Patients develop pain in nerves or muscles that worsen during the night.

Treating GBS

· Specific treatment protocol includes

· Heparin treatment to prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis

· Pain medication to relieve nerve pain

· Injecting Immunoglobin directly into the vein

· Physiotherapy

Prognosis of GBS

Weakness and nerve pain worsen in a few days form the onset of the disease. The disease peaks in two to four weeks. When the symptoms are very severe, the patient may not be able to move legs or hands voluntarily. The chest muscles become weak and breathing can be affected.

A patient may require ventilator support if breathing is affected. The symptoms plateau after three to four weeks and the patient is stable with these conditions. Once the nerves start to heal, the symptoms start receding and a fully recovery is possible for the patients. But the recovery time varies for each patient.

Call Now

If you have suffered due to incorrect diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, contact the New York City medical malpractice attorneys to seek compensation against the erring health care providers. Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff (RMFW) have law offices located in Astoria, Queens, New York City, and two locations in Brooklyn.

RMFW law attorneys have won huge settlements fighting medical malpractice cases. You can reach us here 212-344-1000. We will have more than proven ourselves. We know what it takes to win. The first meeting with us is free. Follow our lead and we can help you reach The Promised Land.

If your case is genuine we will help you increase the size of your bank account and right this wrong.