Plasmapheresis

We did the first session ( of 5 ) of the Plasma exchange (plasmapheresis) at Northridge Hospital Medical Center last night.

The liquid portion of part of your blood (plasma) is removed and separated from your blood cells.

The blood cells are then put back into your body, which manufactures more plasma to make up for what was removed.

Plasmapheresis may work by ridding plasma of certain antibodies that contribute to the immune system's attack on the peripheral nerves.

What was it like? Entirely painless - but it was 5 hours of being placed in a walk in freezer.

I guess when they pump all your warm blood out of your body through tubes go between you and a machine that is 4 feet away and the room temp is 68 degrees that cools the blood - so, dang, they could not pile enough warm blankets on my to stop me from shivering ( picture was taken at the very beginning of the process. }

4 more to go !

Got bit by AIDP - a type of Guillain-Barre syndrome

Update on yet another episode of the crazy happenings in the world of Michael Jahn!

I have been admitted to Northridge Hospital Medical Center here in California since Feb 24, ( the care here is AMAZING BTW ) and I will probably be here in Physical Therapy for one or two more weeks.

Currently, I can't stand up without assistance or a device ( in the image, I am using a Sabina lift ) - can't walk yet but am working hard to regain that ability. 

AIDP 

Somewhat rare. 0.89 per 100,000 people.

Basically, our nerves are like copper wires and the myelin is the rubber coating  around the nerves - and I contracted a virus that removed the myelin in my lower spine - and now the nerves that communicate to move my core ( hips mostly ) glutes and quads ( muscles in the fount of the legs ) are not working - but starting to recover. I have been in PT for a week  so far while my nerves repair and begin to communicate with my hip and leg muscles

Recovery is unpredictable - it can take months sometimes. Hoping to be released once Ii can use a walker. CRAZY. Everything else is working fine, and lucky to have a lot of upper body strength still ( thank you Gymnastics in HS and University of Illinois ! )

The Hospital has great WiFi so, lucky for me I can work between PT sessions !

Other than this temporary set back, all is well.

You can't beat three square meals as day delivered to your bed each day and 4 sessions of Physical therapy !

Will be doing a dialysis type procedure called plasmapheresis as my diagnosis is AIDP which is a form of Guillain-Barre syndrome. I have already done the Immunoglobulin therapy which has helped me regain some movement - working hard !

And I am 220 ( down from 250 ) so looking quite svelte these days !