Local/UK support groups

GBS is short for "Guillain-Barré syndrome" (pronounced Ghee-Ian-Bar-ray).  It is an acute disease of the peripheral nervous system in which the nerves in the arms and legs become inflamed and stop working. This causes sudden weakness leading to limb paralysis, and a loss of sensation, sometimes with pain.

CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelating polyradiculoneuropathy) is a related condition which is similar to GBS but longer-lasting.

Anyone can get GBS and CIDP. The illnesses are neither hereditary nor contagious. GBS affects about 1500 people every year in the UK; the incidence of CIDP is perhaps one tenth that of GBS.

Symptoms are usually tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes with progressive weakness in the arms and legs during the next few days. In the mildest of cases the weakness may arrest and cause only moderate difficulty in walking, requiring sticks, crutches or a walking frame.