What it is
It can affect breathing, so it is treated in hospital, sometimes in intensive care.
Most people recover fully, but recovery can take months or longer and some are left with weakness or tiredness.
Common signs
- Numbness, pins and needles or pain in the feet and hands
- Weakness in the legs that spreads to the arms
- Problems with balance and walking
- Difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing
How it is usually diagnosed
- Examination of nerves and reflexes
- Lumbar puncture
- Nerve conduction studies
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Lumbar puncture and nerve test results
- Hospital discharge letters
- Rehabilitation and physiotherapy notes
Questions to ask your doctor
- How long might recovery take?
- What rehabilitation will I need?
- Can it come back?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Weakness that spreads quickly, or difficulty breathing, speaking or swallowing: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.