My tryst with GBS
We have just returned from a hectic holiday at Andaman inthe pleasant scenic beauty and friendly climate.I need to buy some reliable woolen clothing and so went for shopping that saturday evening.when I returned I felt my toes felt numb.what a chill weather I cursede and went to bed. The morning finger tips also were tingling. I attributed again to the cold. Some doctors from a neighbouring hospital came to invite me to the inaguration of their medical conference. As I walked from the bedroom to the drawing to receive them my knees buckled. Some how managed and chatted with them over cup of tea;hand was feeling funny. During lunch I couln't take my hand easily to my mouth-some weakness. Now I know the diagnosis but I discussed with the physician who came home to see me all possible differential diagnosis less severe(denial) though both of us knew the fact.A few hours later the consultant Neurologist advised immediate admission to hospital and made categorial diagnosis and said 'facts have to be faced' I am struck by 'gullain Barre syndrome'. I knew life is not going to be same in the days to come.
1975 APRIL- entered into the Railway hospital fresh after my training in psychiatry.Dr.Cherian, the head of the hospital called me and asked me to examine a patient who happened to be the daughter or daughter in law of one of the top brass in railway. This young woman dashed her car in the compound wall and swooned, since then unable to use her limbs on one side. In my anxiety to prove to my boss and academic orientation( fresh from the academic environment) I examined her in detail and wrote a very nice case report that she was suffering from 'Hysteria' & not anything organic. All along I did not notice the frown on the face of the top man's wife. She went thru the case papers inspite of my protest and made such a hue and cry that a junior guy comes and calls my daughter a 'nut'. All the demi gods in the heirarchy looked down upon me as if I committed a crime. Dr Cherian asked me the details and went thru the case sheet ;convinced of the facts of the case managed the situation. Railways like defence is very rank conscious and the wives of bigwigs throw their weight too much.But Cherian,in those days was a legendary figure in medical field especially in the Rly circles that his support saved my skin. ( I came to know that the young woman doctor shopped in at least a dozen hospitals ,undergone all possible investigation for organicity; but original diagnosis confirmed. I do not know whether she was treated for hysreria) After this episode Dr.Cherian wanted to test my capability and was given a Neurology case for examination. This fifty year old fair slighty plumpy grand mother was complaining of benumbed feeling in her fingers and toes and said she was so weak that she lost balance attempting to stand. Ten minutes of examination the diagnosis was made-'Gulllain Barre'syndrome. The boss was pleased. My stay in that hospital to pursue my speciality was confirmed. I never knew that the same 'Gullain Barre' is going to cause havoc in my life twenty years later.
1995 JANUARY-Monday
I was entering the I.C.U in a stretcher where I used to walk into the place with many doctors on tow couple of days earlier.
1975 APRIL- entered into the Railway hospital fresh after my training in psychiatry.Dr.Cherian, the head of the hospital called me and asked me to examine a patient who happened to be the daughter or daughter in law of one of the top brass in railway. This young woman dashed her car in the compound wall and swooned, since then unable to use her limbs on one side. In my anxiety to prove to my boss and academic orientation( fresh from the academic environment) I examined her in detail and wrote a very nice case report that she was suffering from 'Hysteria' & not anything organic. All along I did not notice the frown on the face of the top man's wife. She went thru the case papers inspite of my protest and made such a hue and cry that a junior guy comes and calls my daughter a 'nut'. All the demi gods in the heirarchy looked down upon me as if I committed a crime. Dr Cherian asked me the details and went thru the case sheet ;convinced of the facts of the case managed the situation. Railways like defence is very rank conscious and the wives of bigwigs throw their weight too much.But Cherian,in those days was a legendary figure in medical field especially in the Rly circles that his support saved my skin. ( I came to know that the young woman doctor shopped in at least a dozen hospitals ,undergone all possible investigation for organicity; but original diagnosis confirmed. I do not know whether she was treated for hysreria) After this episode Dr.Cherian wanted to test my capability and was given a Neurology case for examination. This fifty year old fair slighty plumpy grand mother was complaining of benumbed feeling in her fingers and toes and said she was so weak that she lost balance attempting to stand. Ten minutes of examination the diagnosis was made-'Gulllain Barre'syndrome. The boss was pleased. My stay in that hospital to pursue my speciality was confirmed. I never knew that the same 'Gullain Barre' is going to cause havoc in my life twenty years later.
1995 JANUARY-Monday
I was entering the I.C.U in a stretcher where I used to walk into the place with many doctors on tow couple of days earlier.
posted by HARIHARAN at 2:44 PM
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