Medical Experts

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

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

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

Please let me know where you will be living. Also, how far you would be prepared to travel to see a neurologist and whether you would be willing to see someone privately; i.e. pay for consultation out of pocket.

Please let me know where you will be living. Also, how far you would be prepared to travel to see a neurologist and whether you would be willing to see someone privately; i.e. pay for consultation out of pocket.