Supportive Homeopathic Remedies for Guillain Barre Syndrome

Guillain Barre Syndrome is a rare autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves of the peripheral nervous system (PNS). It is a serious disorder and the initial symptoms are weakness, tingling and numbness in the limbs. It can eventually lead to paralysis. Homeopathic Remedies for  can be used along with conventional mode of treatment to manage the symptoms.

Causes

The exact reason behind Guillain – Barre syndrome is still unknown. In this syndrome the immune system (that normally comes in action to destroy the microorganisms like bacteria, virus, parasites) starts to attack the nerve cells out of a misdirected response. It has multiple types and among them the most common form is AIDP (acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy). In AIDP the protective covering of the nerves known as myelin sheath is damaged. Due to this damage the nerves are not able to send proper signals to the brain and weakness , numbness and paralysis can arise. It has been found that in most cases it  occurs some days or weeks after a respiratory illness or a digestive tract infection. Persons of any age group can be affected with this but the risk increases with advancing age. Its chances are more in males as compared to females.

It can be triggered after an infection with campylobacter jejuni bacteria (most times found in undercooked poultry). Some other infections have also been associated that can trigger it. These include cytomegalovirus, influenza virus, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), AIDS causing HIV virus,  mycoplasma pneumonia and zika virus. Hepatitis A, B, C and E, Hodgkin’s lymphoma are also associated with the occurrence of this syndrome. Apart from above other triggers linked with it are a recent surgery and vaccination.

Symptoms 

In the beginning tingling sensation or weakness is felt in the feet, toes and legs. Afterwards it spread to the upper body, arms, fingers. However in some of the cases (around 10%) the initial symptoms can occur in the arms or face. With the progression of the condition paralysis may appear after muscle weakness. Its signs and symptoms may include tingling, prickling sensation or pins and needles sensations in fingers, wrists, toes, ankles. Next is muscle weakness in legs that spread  to the upper body. There is difficult / unsteady walking and sometimes a person with this is unable to walk or climb stairs. Other symptoms include difficulty in  moving face (from loss of control over facial  muscles) that causes difficulty in talking, chewing or swallowing; and difficulty in  eye movement and double vision. Rest of the symptoms that can arise includes intense pain in lower back; severe shooting, cramping pain that may increase at night; difficulty or loss of bladder control or bowel control; rapid heart rate; difficult breathing; low or high blood pressure and paralysis. There are chances of progression of the symptoms quickly  resulting in a serious condition in a matter of just a few hours in some people. 

Types

This syndrome has many types. The major types are as follows :

1. Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) – in this the muscle weakness begins in the lower part of the body and ascends upward.
2. Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) – in this case paralysis begins in the eyes.
3. Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN)

Complications

The complications includes difficulty breathing when the weakness / paralysis involves muscles that control breathing; weakness, numbness and other sensations even after recovery;  blood pressure problems; heart problems like cardiac arrhythmias; blood clots; bedsores that can happen from long immobility; severe nerve pain; problem with bladder and bowel function.

Homeopathic Remedies for Guillain Barre Syndrome

Homeopathic mode offers supportive help in these cases along with conventional treatment for symptom relief. These medicines help in halting further worsening of this condition and provide symptomatic relief. It is a serious disorder and the most suitable medicine for managing its symptoms is selected after complete case analysis. So one must take any homeopathic medicine as per the guidance of a homeopathic doctor and never self prescribe them.  In case of complications like breathing difficulty, heart problems and others it is strictly advisable to take immediate help from conventional mode of treatment. 

1. Conium – Top Grade Medicine 

Conium is a leading medicine to manage cases of Guillain barre syndrome. The main indicating feature to use this medicine is paralysis of lower limbs followed by upper limbs. Next indication for using it is weakness in legs. Along with this there is difficulty in walking and staggering gait. Sometimes there is an inability to walk. Numbness and weakness is also felt in thighs. Persons needing it may complain of heaviness and tiredness, weakness in all limbs. They may also have numbness of fingers and toes. Hands and feet may feel cold. Other than this it is also helpful when there is tearing pain in the limbs.

2. Aconite – For Tingling beginning in Feet and Spreading Upwards

This medicine is prepared from plant Aconitum Napellus commonly known as monkshood. It belongs to family ranunculaceae. It is a prominent medicine for cases in which tingling starts in the feet followed by its spread upwards. In most cases needing it the tingling in limbs is accompanied by shooting pains. Shooting pains are marked in legs, knees, ankles, toes. There may be coldness and sweating of hands and feet. Numbness in legs and feet can also be present.

3. Causticum – For Weakness and Paralysis

This is a very suitable medicine to manage cases of  weakness, paralysis and loss of bladder control. It is well indicated for weakness or paralysis of the limb. It is also indicated for weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. Some other indications for its use are hand numbness, weakness in ankles, difficulty of speech, unsteady gait with easy falling. Apart from above it is a top grade medicine for managing cases having loss of bladder control.

4. Lathyrus – For Weakness in Lower Limbs

This medicine is prepared from plant Lathyrus sativus commonly known as chick – pea. This plant belongs to family leguminosae. It is prominent medicine for cases having weakness in lower limbs. For using it the left side is more weak than right. There is difficulty in standing and walking with this. It is also indicated for paralysis of legs. 

5. Picric Acid – For Weakness, Numbness, Pricking in Legs

It is a very helpful medicine for weakness, numbness and pricking in legs. Along with this heaviness is also felt in lower limbs and there is difficulty in lifting legs from the floor.

6. Agaricus – For Prickling Sensation in Feet, Toes and Uncertain Gait

This medicine is well indicated for cases having prickling, tingling sensation in feet, toes. Shooting pain is also present with this. Another marked symptom for using it is weakness and weariness of lower limbs. The legs feel heavy. The gait is uncertain. There is also pain in legs and a sensation of paralytic numbness in lower legs. There is difficulty going upstairs from pain and weakness in legs. Apart from above weakness and paralytic sensation in the arm especially the left side also indicates its use.

7. Arsenic Album – For Tingling, Prickling in the Fingers

It is a very beneficial medicine for managing tingling sensation in fingers. Weakness and exhaustion in limbs is also present. Limbs feel heavy with this. It is also well indicated for weakness and numbness in feet. 

8. Phosphorus – for Tingling, Weakness and Paralysis of Limbs

It is another significant medicine for these cases. Firstly it is helpful when there is tingling sensation in limbs. Secondly, it is beneficial for weakness of limbs. In cases requiring it the arms are weak with difficulty in moving them. The lower limbs are also weak and weakness is mainly felt while going upstairs. Thirdly it offers help to manage numbness in hands and arms. Lastly it is indicated for paralysis that begins from ends of fingers and toes and ascends upwards. 

9. Argentum Nitricum – For Weakness of Lower Limbs and Staggering Gait

Use of this medicine is considered in cases having weakness in lower limbs. The legs also feel heavy with this. People needing it have staggering, tottering gait. Pain in calf muscles may accompany it. 

10. Stannum Met – For Weakness of Arms

It is a great medicine for weakness of arms. The persons who need it complain of easy tiredness in arms from slight exercise. Things seem to fall down from their hands. Heaviness of arms is also felt by them. They may have a burning sensation in their hands along with above symptoms.

11. Gelsemium – For Weakness of All the Limbs

Homeopathic medicine Gelsemium is prepared from the bark of the root of plant Gelsemium Sempervirens commonly known as yellow jasmine. This plant belongs to family loganiaceae. This medicine is valuable for cases presenting with weakness of all the limbs. Persons who need it have weakness and tiredness in arms. They feel arms are powerless. Pain in arms may attend it. Numbness of arms can also be there. Next they have weakness in lower limbs. The lower limbs feel tired from slight exercise. They have difficulty in walking and have an unsteady gait. Shooting, cramping pain may be present in legs along with these symptoms. It also works well in case of double vision.

12. Alumina – For Staggering Gait

This medicine works well in cases presenting with staggering gait.

People needing it have heaviness in lower limbs and staggering gait.

Tearing, tension, cramping  in thighs and legs can be felt. Sometimes legs feel numb mostly at night.