This Mysterious Condition Can Sneak Up on You and Paralyze You Within Days

While there is no direct cure for GBS, Dr Khoo tells us that treatment can speed up recovery and reduce complications.

In Malaysia, two key treatments are available. 

Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg)

• This is a therapy that helps block harmful immune responses.
• Antibodies from donors are administered through a drip into the blood stream of the person with GBS.
• This is a proven effective treatment, although the effectiveness can vary from one individual with GBS to another.

Plasmapheresis

• Blood is first extracted from the person with GBS.
• The blood is then broken down in a special device, which separates the component of the blood that contains antibodies called the plasma from the rest of the blood.
• Next, the antibodies that attack the nerves are filtered out of the plasma.
• The ‘purified’ plasma is then administered back into the person with GBS.
• Some studies suggest that plasmapheresis works best when it is initiated early, typically within 7 days after the symptoms appear. However, this treatment can still be beneficial when initiated up to 4 weeks after the symptoms appear.

“Both treatments are available in major public and private hospitals, but access may be limited to tertiary healthcare centers,” Dr Khoo adds.

These treatments are conducted by a neurologist or a physician trained in neurology.