GBS & CIDP SUPORT NETWORK QLD. INC .

From Ro Harré
rohar@austarnet.com.au
PO BOX 321
Malanda
Qld 4885

Hello everyone from an extremely wet Far North Queensland - but we are not complaining! It is wonderful to hear the creeks flow again and to see the dams filling up.

Here are some of the bits and pieces of news from our region.

One of our members heard that a 2 year-old at El Arish has GBS. We are trying to contact the family.

After 18 months of problems, David from Montville, was finally diagnosed with CIDP. He contacted John asking for information and was advised of Internet links, given the phone number of one of our local members, and will be posted some articles from our library.

We were sad to learn of the death of one of our founder members Stanley [Max] Cox from Bribie Island. We extend out best wished to his wife Daphne and to their family.

Brent's chemo has worked well probably, his doctor says, due to his fruit and vegetable laden diet.

It appears that many cancer patients are doing well on fruit and vegetable juices and a tea made of pawpaw stems and leaves.

A letter from Margaret McGrath of the Bundaberg Group, suggested holding a raffle for some jewellery she has. Those members who were present at our quarterly meeting were grateful to Margaret but voted against having a raffle. If any one reading this is interested in this project please contact Ro Harré.

We received a letter asking for background information on an article that appeared in the "Courier Mail” stating that a form of cannabis was being used overseas for neurological problems and asked our local neurologist, Dr Boyce, for his opinion. He will soon be attending a conference where he will raise the subject. He will pass on any information he gets.

A letter from Dr Boyce expressed interest in our Newsletter and agreed with the article promoting the flu injection.

This is the article that appeared in the April 2003 Newsletter

Safety of Flu Vaccine

Joel S Steinberg M. D. © 2002

The finding of increased cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in patients who received the `976 swine vaccination has prompted ongoing concerns about the risk of developing GBS from future flu shots. Information to help guide specific recommendations is limited. Some guide lines can be gleaned from influenza virus vaccine producers e.g. Aventis Pasteur and other medical literature.

GBS is a rare disorder and occurs randomly in the general population. These factors make it difficult to determine accurately if a case that follows upon receiving the flu shot is due to the injection or a random occurrence of GBS. A study of GBS cases following administration of flu vaccines in 1992—1994 suggests that only 1 extra case in 1,000,000 persons occurred.

This very low incidence is substantially lower than the risk of developing a severe case of influenza in unvaccinated patients. Thus the potential value of influenza vaccine to prevent severe flu cases greatly outweighs the risk of developing vaccine –associated GBS.

Where does that information lead? Most authorities recommend that recovered GBS patients if they would otherwise qualify for the flu shot, will likely benefit from it with a very low risk of developing GBS again.

There is an exception to this. If a patient’s GBS started within 4 -6 weeks of receiving a flu shot or any other vaccination, it is possible that the immunization could have been the trigger for GBS. In those rare situations it is probably not advisable to receive that injection again.

Ultimately as with most aspects of medical care, the decision to receive a flu shot will take into consideration its potential benefits and risks. A discussion with the family doctor about the pros and cons of influenza may help to guide a decision about its use.