[livin4life87]

What is this disorder called, what does it involve? Please explain in detail.Its a rare disorder that has left him paralyzed from the neck down temporarily. This paralysis may be permanent and it may not be. Currently the doctors are filtering his blood plasma and pumping protein into his blood. What is this called?The onset of the disorder has been sudden. There were no signs of illness, and he is now in the hospital

[pele]

are you thinking mulitple sclerosis for the immune system forms antibodies against the myelin sheaths that cover the nerve cells?

[Anne D]

I know this is spelled wrong but it is something like gambrulay

[mandas23]

It sounds like your friend has Guillan-Barre Syndrome. It is similar to Multiple Sclerosis, except MS is in the CNS and Guillan-Barre Syndrome is in the peripheral nervous system (PNS). MS does not usually involve blood filtration as a treatment, as you had mentioned.Guillan-Barre Syndrome involves an acute inflammation and demyelination of peripheral sensory and motor fibers (nerves in the trunk and limbs) and is often associated with an autoimmune attack. It leaves a person with decreased sensation and motor paralysis. It could affect the cranial nerves causing difficulty with chewing, swallowing, speaking, and difficulty making facial expressions. Typically the symptoms have an acute onset, followed by a plateau, then gradual recovery with treatment. The treatment you mentioned is called plasmapheresis. It filters the blood plasma to remove the circulating antibodies responsible for attacking the Schwann cells (the cells that make the myelin sheath- the myelin sheath covers the nerve axons to make the nerve impulses faster). The attack on the Schwann cells causes the demyelination. This treatment, along with occupational and physical therapy, will help. About 75% of people with this syndrome make a complete functional recovery.If your friend is not already seeing an occupational therapist, it would be very beneficial to do so. An occupational therapist can help your friend with activities of daily living (i.e. getting dressed, bathed, functional mobility, etc.)I hope this helps!! Good luck with your friend! If you need any other information, or if you are unsure about my explanation, please let me know.