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October 6, 2023 at 7:44 am
Gareth ParryKeymaster -
Hi Samantha: I am really sorry for the delay in answering your question. I asked the Occupational Therapy Department at Christchurch Hospital for their advive and this is what they said. “A return to driving requires medical clearance, at a minimum from the GP who will consider if there are any residual difficulties that may impact on driving such as upper limb weakness, reduced hand grip or reduced ability to quickly and accurate move your foot when seated. Fatigue and endurance also need to be considered and these can be difficult for the GP to assess in the office. Having up to date information from your physiotherapist and occupational therapist can assist the GP to make a decision. If they are unsure, you will be asked to do an Occupational Therapy Driving Assessment. It is recommended that any recommendation/clearance to drive is provided in writing for your records.” The short answer is that you should check with your GP. If he/she is not happy to give you the clearance you should get a referral to the local OT people to get the formal assessment. Gareth
in reply to: When can you drive again after having GBS
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September 21, 2023 at 10:40 am
Gareth ParryKeymaster -
Hi Christian: This is very difficult to answer as your nerves have been given a clean bill of health by the neurologist whom you saw and it seems that he has been very thorough. Long-lasting residual fatigue is common after the usual forms of GBS but uncommon after Miller Fisher unless there was some limb weakness as well. It is important to make sure that your doctors have checked for other potential causes of fatigue like low thyroid function, anemia or a sleep disorder. The other fluctuating symptoms are sufficiently nonspecific that I have difficulty coming up with an explanation. I am generally very supportive of getting a 2nd opinion in obscure cases like yours but I am not optimistic that there is going to be a satisfacgtory anwer for you. I will forward your questions to Suzie Mudge who has just compelted a study on fatigue after GBS and she will have some good advice on how to manage that symptom. Sorry to be of so little help. On a related note, it would be great if you were willing to participate in our ongoing research study. If you are will to do that you should contact Dr Eileen McManus at emcm373@aucklanduni.ac.nz
Gareth
in reply to: 7 years post miller fisher – residuals
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September 9, 2023 at 10:33 am
Gareth ParryKeymaster -
Hi Ian: Yes, we are still recruiting people to join our GBS research study. Please contact Dr McManus at emcm373@aucklanduni.ac.nz and she will get in touch with you. We very much appreciate your willingness to participate.
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May 30, 2023 at 10:38 am
Gareth ParryKeymaster -
Hi Lorraine: I apologise for the delay in responding. Shortly after you posted your question the website crashed and it has taken ages to get it fixed. Hopefully this will come through to you. Firstly, in regards to Aclasta, there is no known risk for it triggering another GBS attack. Pins and needles sensations may occur with the treatment but those symptoms do not reflect nerve damage so if your doctor recommends the treatment there is no neurological reason not to go ahead. Second, as far as the COVID booster is concerned, the risk of that triggering GBS is very small. With the Pfizer product, the one that is lmost always given in NZ, literally billions of doses have been given worldwide and there has been no increase in new GBS cases, nor in recurrence of GBS in those who have had it previously. There is a slight increase in the risk with the Astra-Zeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines, both of which are available here, so to keep your risk at a minimum perhaps it would be wise to avoid those. Regardless of which vaccine you use the benefit far outweighs the any tiny risk. It would be wise to disucss these recommendations with your GP. Apologies again for the delayed response. Gareth
in reply to: Is it safe to use Aclasta
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April 5, 2023 at 8:53 pm
Gareth ParryKeymaster -
Hi Mike: Swelling should not occur as a consequence of GBS with facial paralysis. It is certainly common to have a perception of swelling due to sagging of the facial muscles due to their weakness. If there is objective swelling I would hesitate to attribute it to GBS. Facial swelling can occur with IVIg treatment but it would come on during or very shortly after receiving the treatment. If you are still in the hospital make sure that you point it out to the doctors. If you have already been discharged home, get your GP to have a look at it. Gareth Parry
in reply to: Swelling
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