Splints to prevent foot and wrist drop may also be required, and physiotherapy should be commenced immediately. Albumin or artificial plasma solutions are used to restore intravascular volume. However, in Australia it is very expensive and difficult to obtain. There is no evidence that corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy are of any benefit in Guillain-Barr Syndrome. Early arrangements need to be made for physiotherapy.
Some patients are only mildly affected and make a rapid recovery.
Others are left with residual disability for example, hand weakness, foot-drop and the need for walking aids. This latter group will require long term rehabilitation. Special counselling may be necessary. In the acute stages of the disease patients are usually reassured by talking to others who have endured the same experience and made a good recovery. On returning home from hospital, care will be shared between the specialist, the GP and rehabilitation specialists.