The above quotes are from the thread: The Autoimmune Epidemic by Donna Jackson Nakazawa
The second set of quotes re GBS are scanned quotes from the book provided by Gaby who also noted this (in 2011):
I'm now another statistic in the autoimmune epidemic. My story:
I'm in the midst of an autoimmune attack that began around the middle of November - specifically, the Miller-Fisher variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome which was triggered by a gastro-intestinal episode caused by campylobacter bacteria usually associated with raw or undercooked chicken. I assume the fact that I already had an autoimmune disease - Hashimotos - is why the bacteria triggered the GBS attack. In my case, my first real symptoms that something was seriously wrong was a droopy right eye and then double vision. That was on Sunday, Nov. 13. I saw my health professional the next day who assessed me for stroke but tended to think a virus from the previous GI illness was affecting my eye muscle. I was sent to get an MRI that afternoon which revealed no sign of stroke or tumor or anything that could be causing my problem. I'm sorry to say that it did show some brain atrophy - approximately 10 years beyond my chronological age which could account for memory deficits - plus a somewhat enlarged pituitary gland that was asymmetrical with a dark line (?). Not sure what that could indicate. I was given supplements to combat the virus by my doctor and was to return on Thurs. for more treatment. However, severe headache on Tues. prompted moving up my return visit to Wed. I ended up seeing an optometrist to rule out acute angle glaucoma and was then sent to see an optical neurologist that afternoon. Both found that my vision had decreased to 20/60 in both eyes which lenses did not correct. The neurologist said that my eye muscles were swollen and advised that I get a spinal tap more so to rule out what I didn't have than what I did.
I had the spinal tap in the ER of my local hospital and hope I never have to have another one. From there I was sent to Ohio State University's Brain and Spine Institute where I was hospitalized for the next 12 days. I was there for Thanksgiving, the OSU-Michigan game (a very big deal around here), and the terrible car/stabbing attack that occured on campus. My son-in-law is an OSU student and was in lockdown for two hours. The only remark from hospital staff re this attack was from the doctor handling my discharge. He asked if I had heard about it and went on to comment about how crazy it was with a nod to other such crazy attack events that have occurred elsewhere. I guess people are noticing that something is really wrong and bizarre incidents can happen anywhere, even in our own locale.
So, besides serious sleep deprivation, countless blood draws/IVs, three daily heparin shots (until I said no more), two additional MRIs, three unproductive enemas (intestinal track had apparently been cleared out on Tues. before admittance due to supplements), anti-toxin infusion for possible botulism, countless muscle strength assessments, leg and face nerve testing by the OSU neurologist, retelling my symptom onset story repeatedly to teams of doctors/residents, respiratory assesment 2-3 times a day, and significant problems with adequate pain management - so much so that I was ready to jump ship and head for Michigan to get an appt with Dr. Brownstein and possibly medical marijuana - a positive result for campylobacter and none for botulism put GBS as the likely diagnosis especially as I was showing no improvement from the botulism anti-toxin infusion. In fact, just the opposite as the left side of my face was now being affected. That's when it was determined that I now also had Bell's paulsy on both sides! This development made eating more difficult as well as speaking - I had to use my fingers to manipulate my mouth to say certain words as well as move food out from the teeth/cheek area. Fortunately, swallowing was still OK and although my other body sensations now felt distinctly different from normal, I could tell when a bathroom visit was needed and elimination was functioning even if quite sluggish. The fact that I didn't exhibit the usual GBS progression from the feet and legs is why that diagnose was at first set aside. Besides the effects on my eyes and face, I was also experiencing weakness in my arms and hands w/ a subtle tingling in my fingers. I couldn't raise my arms up/over my head at all and had little strength to resist opposing pressure. I had noticed that problem when I tried to dry my hair the first day I went to my doctor. I was given two separate infusions of immunoglobulin for the GBS and finally discharged on Mon., Nov. 28. Unfortunately, the last bottle of the second immunoglobulin infusion was run in too quickly and my right arm painfully swelled up from the infiltration. I had been trying to keep the arm perfectly still to prevent the machine from beeping/stopping and although I felt a strange somewhat painful tightness, I didn't suspect things were going awry. At that point the IV failed and another had to be done to my other arm in order to infuse the remaining amount of immunoglobulin. I was ready to say just forget it at that point, but was persuaded to continue.
Have to say that my experience at OSU was like being on an episode of House in which patients w/ mystery ailments are put through what amounts to torture in determining exactly what their affliction is. I never wanted to be such a patient. The neurologist really wanted me to undergo another spinal tap, but that was completely off the table no matter how much I was assured that OSU could perform it much better than was done at the other hospital. Good thing I hadn't read Gaby's post in the same autoimmune link above that detailed a spinal tap that went horribly wrong. Gives me chills to think about what could have happened!
That on admission to the ER and OSU I was adamant on not receiving any vaccines probably was surprising to them. I do have to give OSU credit for acknowleging my preference for natural treatments and although voted legal in Ohio, medical marijuana is totally not available now and will be severely limited for use otherwise. OSU did arrange for a lady to come in w/ essential oils - lavender & peppermint for headache - and some meditation-type exercise. So, I guess even conventional medicine is getting the message that people aren't satisfied w/ what they are offering & want other nonconventional options. My suggestion for vitamin C infusion for the GBS was responded w/ 'we have no record of that ever being used for GBS' or words to that effect. I refrained from mentioning Dr. Tent or Dr. Klenner curing polio w/ vitamin C. And according to Dr. Tent, GBS and MS is polio renamed.
I've since been going to my doctor for vitamin C/ozone infusions twice weekly along w/ even more supplements to combat the virus at the root of the problem (I sent the Dr.Tent lecture vid & forum link to my nurse practitioner). Surprisingly, she said they have had good results using Jim Humble's MMS w/ their patients, but I turned that option down based on what the forum had revealed regarding it.
I guess I'm in the plateau stage as I'm not getting any worst but still have the same symptoms - blurred double vision, Bell's paulsy still, arm/hand weakness w/ tingling in fingers as well as occasional pain in arms & hands plus headache. I've had to tape my left eye closed along w/ an eyepatch in order to see at all (blurred vision but only one image) and to be able to walk around. Already had a walker, shower chair and wheelchair because of my mother's needs before she passed away last year. I can generally walk around the house w/o the walker including going up & down stairs, but the biggest problem has been being able to see. A magnifying glass has been a must for most reading. I spent a good portion of last Wed. reading the latest C's transcript thread which really worked out on my one 'good' eye. I will sometimes switch to the left eye for viewing/reading, but found trying to walk w/ just that eye doesn't work w/ my brain - guess it adjusted for the other eye. I'm mostly just reading the article headlines on Sott as trying to read the entire article is really a strain. I'm still trying to catch up on the whole fake news/FBI pedophile ruse/Pizzagate gunman thing. Gee, just when you think things can't get any weirder, they do!
Before being felled by this affliction, I was not on any prescriptions which is contrary to most people in their mid-60s. I overheard my OSU doctors say that my T3 and T4 were good as well as my ferritin. So apparently the track I was on for my Hashimotos and anemia that I had been diagnosed w/ last Feb. was working. I did leave the hospital w/ two scripts, one for high blood pressure and one to aid sleep. Also recommended were supplements for zinc sulfate, selenium and vitamin D3. At that time I was having difficulty swallowing even small tablets. Since seeing my regular doctor, I have been given even more supplements. I counted and now have 19 supplements altogether for my initial Hashimotos & anemia, later diagnosed adrenal fatigue, and my current GBS. I've rarely had to take any pills most of my life and actually hate taking pills. So working up to the complete regimen I've been given is a challenge - I'm not quite there yet, but getting closer.
My daughter brought me an early Xmas present, an essential oil diffuser w/ an oil to ease headaches. Now that her friends have embraced holistic/organic lifestyles, mom doesn't seem so wacko anymore. I replaced all of the portable phones we had in our house - and I seriously wonder if they were the culprits re the anemia - and have a device that puts out a positive field to counter bad EMF as my neighborhood has been converted to smart meters except for our house. Still have wifi as the ethernet cable worked for about 2 min then quit & we don't know why. Haven't had a chance to deal w/ that again yet. My cell phone lives turned off in my purse except when I occasionally use it. Still have a land line.
My current treatment seems to be anti-viral. Interesting that Dr. Klenner who cured polio in the late 40s w/ vitamin C said that an adequate amount of vitamin C can destroy any virus. It would seem repairing/restoring my myelin sheaths will be key to regaining normal function. Internet info gauges that to be in the six month to one year time period. If I'm lucky, it will be sooner w/ no permanent problems such as arthritis.
