inflammatory polyneuropathy or something else?

[MissH]

Hi everyone

I am new to this forum and am hoping for some good advice that I feel my doctors cannot give me. I am a 30 year old women and have currently been ill for appr 3 weeks starting with nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, headache - then after 1,5 weeks I gradually got more neurological symptoms such as nerve pains, burning, stinging in legs and arms. Have been hospitalized for 5 days. Had MR of head (showed a hyperintensity with no clinical significance), spinal puncture that was normal, no reflexes in legs/arms and having EMG on Monday, so no results here yet. All blood tests seem to be normal. Ear specialist rules out inner ear illness.

Short medical history:
2002: Started having dizziness for some weeks and gradually got different neurological symptoms; burning sensations, numbness, joint pains etc - mainly in legs and arms, gradually weakening of muscle power. MR scans and Spinal puncture showed nothing, but total loss of reflexes, loss of power, neurological symptoms and EMG that showed no F waves concluded with subacute Polyneuropathy (atypical Guillain Barre Syndrom). I was well after appr 6 months (no medication). I should mention that they think it was triggered by a vaccine (tetanus/diphteria 2 months prior to the break out)

2003: Same symptoms and test results as the year before, but not so much weakness. Was ill for 4-5 months. Diagnosis: unspecific inflammatory polyneuropathy (possibly CIDP)

2004-2009: Totally healthy. Occasionally neurological symptoms such as stinging, burning, pains when being stressed/ ill with cold/flu etc, but nothing alarming.

2009: As written above, it started appr 3 weeks ago with nausea and dizziness. I have had several neurological symptoms that started 1,5 weeks ago, but mild compared to 2002/03. As mentioned I have not had the neurophysical examinations yet, but the other tests are normal.

Question: Do you think I am having a relapse of this inflammatory illness? Can I expect it to become worse? I am very concerned regarding the nausea I have.

I wake up in the middle of the night with nausea and it comes and goes all day.. Is nausea a symptom one can have with polyneuropathy at all? Is it at all CIDP or can it be something else?

I am worried that it could be some other serious illness - such as cancer that triggers the neurological symptoms and gives med nausea and dizziness. Is this possible? The neurologists seem to be very confused regarding my symptoms (especially the dizziness and nausea) and want to await EMG results before they say anything.

Would very much appreciate some advice on what to think and do.

Thanks a lot

Regards,
MissH

[LTC]

Hello MissH;

I hope you're still viewing this forum.

My story with Guillain-Barre is very similar to yours! I am also experiencing a relapse (I guess that's what it is) after being healthy from 2004 - 2009. I also have nausea on and off, almost daily. I hope someone answered your post because I would also like to know if GBS can relapse and get worse. I've read that it's rare for a relapse but I seem to be having one and the muscle weakness and loss of use seems to be worse than before. It's been almost 3 months and not much improvement. Does anyone know if it's common for GBS to relapse and can it get worse? Thank you.