Gullian-Barre and Polio. What’s the Difference?
Original Post: Last night I heard a speaker tell us about her experience with Guillian-Barre Syndrome. I've heard it called French Polio.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: Gullian-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the body attacks the COVERING of both motor and sensory nerves, not the neurons themselves as poliovirus does to motor neurons. Symptoms usually begin in both feet and travel up both legs, sometimes to the chest. 70% of those with GBS have a full recovery.
For there to be a neurological post-GBS Syndrome like PPS, the "recovered" nerves would have to fail in some way. Only about 3 percent have a relapse of muscle weakness and tingling sensations many years after the initial attack.
Additional Post: Isn't that kind of like MS? I think I read that MS attacks the myelin coating of the nerves.
Dr. Bruno’s Response: It’s kind of like MS except only peripheral nerves are damaged, not brain neurons.