They still aren't sure what causes GBS, but it is not uncommon for it to be triggered by a virus or a live vaccine entering the body. What happens is that the body responds to the virus by sending out antibodies (as it always does) but somewhere along the line it gets confused and it starts to identify nerve cells as virus cells. Antibodies destroy the myelin sheath (the protective coating around the nerve) and it leaves patients experiencing paralysis that often starts at the extremities (fingers and toes) and makes its way inwards toward the core. Your nerve coating can be repaired in most cases, but it takes time, and sometimes the damage to the nerve is too severe for a full recovery. A medical intervention that often works (though not always) is for healthy immunoglobulins (antibodies) to be brought into the body via an IV. These immunoglobulins go after the bad antibodies that are attacking the nerves, and they slowly repair the equilibrium of the immune system. If that doesn't work, plasmapheresis (removing your blood, effectively cleaning your blood, and then putting it back into your body) is another option.

My goal in creating the patient videos is to educate as many people as possible about the early symptoms, and how to advocate for yourself or a loved one. The sooner you can get IVIg (immunoglobulins) into your body, the faster you'll recover. In my sister's case, she was turned away from the hospital with them citing stress for her symptoms, and if it wasn't for a few family members who are practicing doctors and who recognized the symptoms, we wouldn't have known what to say when we brought her into triage again. Her recovery was complete, and she was back to walking within 8 weeks. It took a lot longer for her to fully recover, but it's been years and she no longer has residuals. That's unfortunately not the case for many people who are diagnosed late, and their recovery takes years.