Guillain-Barre Syndrome After Tdap Vaccination

IN BRIEF

A young man develops Guillain-Barre Syndrome after a Tdap vaccination which had been required for work. He recovers very well with a homeopathic remedy called Hypericum, which is often used for puncture wounds and nerve damage. 

Sudden Onset of Guillan-Barre Syndrome After Vaccination

In June of 2013 I saw a man in his early thirties for an acute reaction to a Tdap (tetanus, diphteria, pertussis) vaccination which he had received five days earlier.

​He had not wanted the vaccine but it was mandatory for him due to his work. 

Two days after the shot his left arm became sore and he had difficulty lifting it. The following day he started to experience numbness and feelings of pins and needles in his left hand.

The next day the same sensation was felt in his right hand as well. On day five, now in my office, he felt tingling and shooting pains in both of his lower legs, feet and toes as well as both arms and hands. 

Shooting Pains

He described the sensation as if being pricked by a pin with strong shooting pains radiating down his limbs. He could not sleep last night on account of the shooting pain. He was unable to lift his left arm at all and was carrying it in a sling.

It was obvious to me that he was developing a text-book case of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare auto-immune disorder that can be triggered after infections or vaccinations. The body’s immune system then attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.
​
Tingling and weakness in the limbs can progress to symptoms of paralysis and ultimately affect breathing in which case it can become life-threatening. Some patients can be disabled with weakness for years. 

Rapid Relief with Hypericum

I gave one dose of Hypericum perforatum 200CH in the office and within 5 minutes the shooting and tingling pains stopped completely. Hypericum, prepared in homeopathic form, is a terrific remedy for nerve injuries and the typical sensations are shooting pains, sometimes related to a puncture wound.

This patient presented a classical Hypericum picture and was relieved of his symptoms almost immediately as described. 

Hypericum perforatum is better known as Saint John's Wort and used in herbal form to treat mild to moderate depression. The homeopathic preparation has a different effect and it's important not to confuse the two. 
​
I then advised my patient to take the remedy as needed if the shooting sensations recurred and also prescribed a homeopathic remedy made from the DPT vaccine in 200 CH potency every other day for three days. In addition I recommended the a few supportive supplements, including Ascorbyl palmitate, vitamin C, fish oil plus extra vitamins D and A.

​Two days later the left arm was still sore but he could lift it now. The following day he developed a pounding headache and diarrhea lasting from lunch until 9-10 pm, but he slept well and could even sleep on the left arm. This might have been a detox reaction. The tingling stopped.

He recovered well after this and did not return to my office for a full DPT clearing with all the potencies as I recommended. However, I did speak to his wife a year later and she reported that he was doing well and only had a mild residual weakness in his left arm.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome after Swine Flu Shot

Guillain-Barre syndrome affects a small number of people each year and vaccines are known to be a potential trigger. Around 1994 I attended a seminar in New York with the famous Greek homeopath George Vithoulkas. He took a live case of a nurse who had developed Guillain-Barre Syndrome after being forced to take a swine flu shot.

She had been physically restrained and injected and subsequently paralyzed for months. Fortunately professor Vithoulkas was able to help her and three months later I saw her again at a seminar with him in Toronto, much improved and able to walk without a cane. 

I never forgot this case. It was the beginning of my awareness of vaccine injuries. I also wondered how much the administration of vaccines against a person’s will may contribute to poor outcomes.

One reason I found interesting about the case of this young man was the effect the vaccine had on his limbs. Something I see a lot in children with autism are fine and gross motor coordination issues. Many of these children have awkward gaits and difficulties holding pens and utensils, likely due to varying degrees of paralysis of the paralyzing of motor neurons.

In any case, homeopathy can be a wonderful first-aid treatment after vaccine injuries, including those that might develop into Guillain-Barre Syndrome. It can also still be helpful years later. 
​
Dr. Anke Zimmermann, Naturopathic Physician, Victoria, BC