Meet Nilesh Abhang Who Overcame Severe GBS And Paralysis In 1.5 Years With 4 Months In ICU And Extensive Physiotherapy

Days after Guillain-Barré syndrome wreaked havoc in Pune, with the city reporting at least 24 cases of the immunological nerve disorder, residents are now blaming Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for failing to provide access to safe drinking water in the parts of the city from where the cases are emerging.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological disorder that can cause muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. The disease has led to panic in the city, and to address it, we interviewed a person who successfully defeated GBS in 1.5 years and is thriving in life. Nilesh Abhang, who triumphed over Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), shared his inspiring journey with The Free Press Journal.

Nilesh recalled, “I was diagnosed with GBS on January 19, 2019. I was put on a ventilator in the early hours of that day and remained on it until May 30, 2019. I spent four and a half months in the ICU. My entire body, from the neck down, was paralyzed, and my lungs were extremely weak, requiring constant ventilator support. However, today, I have fully recovered, and there is no lingering defect in my body. The paralysis that once affected me has been reversed thanks to extensive physiotherapy.”

“Earlier, I thought it was just exertion due to work, but I had no idea that this particular illness would change the entire course of my life. Little did I know that after 10 days, my body would completely shut down,” he added.

“I was admitted to a private hospital and was undergoing treatment, which put a big hole in our pockets. My family then decided to shift me to KEM Hospital in Mumbai. After 10 days, I found myself lying on a bed in the ICU of KEM Hospital, with doctors and nurses operating on me. I remember I could barely walk or talk. At first, I was shaking as I waited for a doctor to give me some explanation as to why my body seemed to have shut down. Back then, there was hardly any awareness, and my family and I felt helpless. In the beginning, nothing seemed to improve after my first visit to the hospital, and my symptoms only got worse. Within a day, I could barely lift myself out of bed or walk. The next thing I knew was that I was paralyzed from the neck down, and I was on a ventilator for almost four months and 16 days. I was in the ICU for five months. I could not eat, so they had inserted a Ryles tube through my nose, through which I was given food,” Nilesh narrated his ordeal.

He added, “During such a crisis, both the patient and their family undergo immense mental stress. The sudden onset of the condition is terrifying, but with proper treatment and a strong mental state, recovery is possible. I can attest to this from my own experience. Since my recovery, I have counseled many GBS patients and their families, and I’ve seen patients I’ve counseled regain their health and lead normal lives.”

Nilesh also offered advice to current GBS patients in Pune, where over 24 cases have been reported. He said, “To those patients and their families, I urge you not to panic. While the risk is high when the patient is on a ventilator, I’ve witnessed numerous patients who were on ventilators due to GBS recover fully over the past five years.”

Affected areas

As per the information, most cases are from areas like Sinhagad Road, Dhayari, Kirkatwadi, and surrounding areas, and the patients are admitted to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Kashibai Navle Hospital, Poona Hospital, Bharti Hospital, Ankura Hospital, and Sahyadri Hospital.

The spread has been linked to contaminated water or food. The PMC has been inspecting the water and food in the areas where cases have been found to trace the source of the infections.

What is GBS?

According to doctors, GBS causes sudden numbness and muscle weakness, with symptoms like severe weakness in the limbs, and most people recover fully from the condition.

PMC’s Health Department’s chief, Dr Nina Borade, explained that bacterial and viral infections generally lead to GBS as they weaken the immunity of patients. It is prevalent in both paediatric and young-age groups. However, GBS will not lead to an epidemic or pandemic, she added.

Dr Sameer Jog, a consultant intensivist, said his private hospital reported 17 suspected cases.

“This is essentially an immunological disease. After certain infections, whether bacterial or viral, the body’s immune system is evoked. This evoked immunity acts against the nerves and muscles, affecting the lower limbs, upper limbs, and respiratory muscles. That is why it is called a nerve disorder,” he said.

Patients develop weakness in the lower and upper limbs. Some also experience weakness in the respiratory muscles, requiring ventilator support, he added.

“The causes include bacterial and viral infections that can affect a host’s immunity, leading to GBS. Common viruses linked to this include the influenza virus and rotavirus. Even dengue and chikungunya viruses are associated with triggering GBS,” the doctor said.

Dr Jog emphasises that GBS can be caused by contaminated food and water, highlighting the importance of maintaining food and water hygiene.

GBS symptoms

Weakness or tingling starts in the legs.

Paralysis can affect the legs, arms, or face muscles.

Breathing can be affected in one-third of cases.

Severe cases may impact speaking and swallowing.

Intensive care may be needed for severe cases.

Complications can include respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.

What causes GBS?

Although the exact causes are unknown, according to the WHO, the majority of cases occur after a bacterial or viral infection. As a result, the body itself is attacked by the immune system. 

One of the most frequent risk factors for GBS is infection with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni, which causes gastroenteritis, including symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. 

Additionally, CMV, Epstein-Barr virus, Zika virus, and other viral infections can cause GBS in people who have had the flu.

In rare cases, immunisations may raise a person’s risk of contracting GBS, but this is incredibly unlikely.