Is Guillain-Barre Syndrome Permanent? Can It Be Cured?

For most people, no. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is usually a one-off illness that gets worse over a few weeks and then slowly gets better, and most people recover fully or are left with only minor problems. But recovery can take months or years, and some people do have lasting weakness, numbness, pain or tiredness. There is no cure that switches GBS off, but treatment can shorten the illness, and the damaged nerves can repair themselves over time.

Does Guillain-Barre syndrome go away?

GBS follows a typical pattern:

• Getting worse: symptoms usually build up over the first 2 to 4 weeks. About 90% of people are at their weakest by the third week.
• Levelling off: most people start to recover two to three weeks after symptoms began.
• Recovery: most people can walk within 6 months and recover within a year. After treatment, about 77% of people can walk on their own at 6 months and 81% at 12 months, and more than half recover fully within a year.

The World Health Organization says most people recover fully even from the most severe cases, although some continue to have weakness. The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few years, so improvement after the first year is still possible.

Can GBS cause permanent damage?

Yes, in some people. The NHS lists these long-term problems after recovery:

• tingling in the hands and feet
• sharp, shooting nerve pain
• fatigue
• muscle pain and weakness
• needing help to walk
• anxiety and depression

How common this is varies between sources. Cleveland Clinic says about 30% of adults, and more children, still have some muscle weakness three years after diagnosis. Read more about the outlook for GBS.

Is GBS curable?

There is no cure, and the NHS says it cannot always be cured. But the two main treatments, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and plasma exchange, stop the immune system attacking the nerves. Both work equally well when started within two weeks of the first symptoms and can shorten recovery. Steroids have been tried but do not help.

Once the attack stops, the nerves' protective coating can regrow. Physiotherapy helps with stiffness and movement, and occupational therapy helps with everyday tasks and returning to work.

Can GBS come back?

Rarely. Fewer than 5% of people have GBS again. Because some people do become unwell again and need more treatment, doctors usually check you every few months after recovery and then once a year. See can GBS come back?

When to contact your specialist

Contact your specialist straight away if:

• long-term symptoms are getting worse
• you have recovered but your symptoms come back

If you have new symptoms that might be GBS, such as spreading weakness or tingling, get urgent medical help. Call 999 or your local emergency number if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Coping with lasting symptoms

Living with fatigue, pain or weakness after GBS can be hard. Talking therapies can help with anxiety and depression, and in the UK the charity Inflammatory Neuropathies UK supports people living with the after-effects of GBS. For an overview of the condition, see what is Guillain-Barre syndrome?