Sex: M
Vaccine: COVID19, COVID19, COVID19
Symptoms: Loss of personal independence in daily activities, Lumbar puncture, Magnetic resonance imaging, SARS-CoV-2 test
Clinical narrative: WEAKNESS; UNABLE TO FUNCTION; NUMBNESS IN HANDS AND FEET; MIDSECTION (WAIST) WAS NUMB; LINGERING INFLAMMATION; GUILLAIN BARRE SYNDROME; Initial information was processed with additional information received on 16-AUG-2021 from the patient via a telephone communication log (TCL). This spontaneous report received from a patient concerned a 58 year old white male. The patient's height, and weight were not reported. The patient's concurrent conditions included: alcohol use (once daily), non-smoker (occasional once a year, cigar celebration), and occasional cannabis edible consumption. He had a previously active lifestyle (exercise, played sports).  Patient did not had any known drug allergies. The patient received covid-19 vaccine ad26.cov2.s (suspension for injection, route of admin not reported, batch number: 042A21A, expiry: 19-SEP-2021) on 03-APR-2021 11:00 into left arm, for prophylactic vaccination. No concomitant medications were reported. Patient reported that on 22-APR-2021, he developed Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) two weeks post-vaccination, and was hospitalized. His symptoms included numb mid-section of torso ("felt like wearing a tick and wide belt"), fingertip numbness, aching feeling all over the torso and legs, "ants under skin" feeling, and facial palsy. The symptoms gradually spread and worsened over time with bilateral weakness and urinary urgency. COVID-19 virus test on an unspecified date was negative.  Patient went to the medical center to figure out the symptoms he was experiencing. He was admitted on 22-APR-2021. Did all the tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture. Patient was diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS). Patient was treated with 5 rounds of intravenous immunoglobulin (IV Ig) (fresh antibodies). Patient was discharged to rehabilitation hospital on 01-MAY-2021 for rehab and recovery. Patient was discharged to home on 15-MAY-2021. Patient developed weakness and unable to function again. Patient was sent back to medical center on 09-JUN-2021, and did another lumbar puncture with elevated proteins. Patient was admitted again and treated with plasmapheresis (transfusion of plasma for fresh antibodies to get immune system to stop attacking his peripheral nervous system). Patient was there for 10 days and discharged again to rehabilitation hospital. Patient went through physical and occupational therapy for 10 days. Patient developed weakness again, and transferred back to medical center and did an electromyogram (EMG) test (to see extent of prevalent damage in his left leg). Patient developed a lot of numbness in hands and feet. Mid-section (waist) was numb, felt like wearing a "wrestling belt". Patient required assistance of walker. Patient was admitted once again to medical center on 19-JUN-2021, treated with intravenous (IV) steroids then oral prednisone, which he continued to be on. This was intended to knock down the lingering inflammation and allow him to regain the strength to the rehab once again.  Patient was transferred again to rehabilitation hospital, on 29-JUN-2021.  Patient returned to medical center on 01-JUL-2021 for another intravenous (IV) steroid and second electromyogram (EMG) test, then back to rehabilitation hospital on 03-JUL-2021.  Finally patient was discharged to home on 13-JUL-2021 and continued with physical and occupational therapy home visits since. After successfully completing rehab work at rehabilitation hospital, and has been convalescing ever since.  At the time of this report, patient continued to improve but was taking a long time. Patient body was regenerating and repairing the damage to the myelin sheath surrounding his axon nerves. Patient understands it will take time for him to improve, and still walks with assistance of walker and goes through physical and occupational therapy to regain balance. The action taken with covid-19 vaccine ad26.cov2.s was not applicable. The patient was recovering from Guillain Barre syndrome, weakness, numbness in hands and feet, unable to function, lingering inflammation, and midsection (waist) was numb. This report was serious (Hospitalization Caused / Prolonged).; Sender's Comments: V0: This spontaneous report received from a patient concerned a 58-year-old white male who experienced Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS) 2 weeks after vaccine. No significant past medical history was reported. No concomitant medications were reported. Patient developed GBS two weeks post-vaccination and was hospitalized. His symptoms included numb mid-section of torso, fingertip numbness, aching feeling all over the torso and legs, "ants under skin" feeling, and facial palsy. The symptoms gradually spread and worsened over time with bilateral weakness and urinary urgency. COVID-19 virus test on an unspecified date was negative.  Patient was admitted and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and lumbar puncture and was diagnosed with GBS. Patient was treated with 5 rounds of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Patient was discharged to rehabilitation hospital on day 28 and discharged home on day 42. Patient developed weakness and was readmitted days 67-77, with another lumbar puncture with elevated proteins. Patient was treated with plasmapheresis and discharged to rehab. Patient developed weakness again, underwent electromyogram (EMG). Patient was admitted once again days 77-87, treated with intravenous (IV) steroids then oral prednisone, then returned to rehab. Patient returned to medical center on day 89 for another intravenous (IV) steroid and second electromyogram (EMG) test, then back to rehab on day 91. Finally, patient was discharged to home on day 101 and continued with physical and occupational therapy home visits since. At the time of this report, patient continued to improve, but slowly. Information regarding other potential etiologies was insufficient, and the occurrence of GBS could represent background incidence of such events in the general population. Considering the temporal relationship, the event is assessed to have an indeterminate relationship with vaccination.