Hi Cindylb, I saw your post referencing your Brother-in-law having Gillian Barre Syndrome from Epstein Barr Virus. I pray he is doing okay. I also had that in my 30’s...it was the worst experience of my life! Apparently I had an acute form as I have only had it once and it has never returned, although I do have Chronic Active Epstein Barre and an ongoing battle with that. The symptoms of Gillian Barre are very similar to MS, only more severe very quickly in my case. The onset generally starts with numbness and stinging in your feet and progresses up your legs gradually numbing the rest of your body until you are paralyzed. It can also affect your breathing, sight, internal organs. Hospitalization and constant monitoring is required if you are on the incline with this illness. There is another form that starts in the face called Fisher Miller Syndrome. If someone might suspect they are having any of the symptoms in the info below they should see a neurologist ASAP. It is a much different Illness than Epstein Barr Viral infection with specific symptoms related to the nervous system. As the myelin Sheathing on the nerves are being attacked by the antibodies trying to fight off an infection, you would be experiencing neurological symptoms. It is quite rare.

What is Miller Fisher Syndrome?
weak eye muscles, with double or blurred vision, and often drooping eyelids with facial weakness;
poor balance and coordination with sloppy or clumsy walking; and.
on physical examination, loss of deep tendon reflexes, such as the knee and ankle jerk.
GBS/CIDP Foundation › variants
Miller Fisher Syndrome - GBS/CIDP Foundation International

Fast facts on Guillain-Barré syndrome:

Here are some key points about Guillain-Barré syndrome. More detail and supporting information is online.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune disease.
The first symptoms of GBS are usually tingling and muscle weakness that begins in the lower extremities. The entire body can eventually become paralyzed.
The exact causes are still unknown.
Once they start to occur, the symptoms of GBS tend to develop very rapidly, over a small number of days, usually causing the highest levels of weakness within the first 2 to 3 weeks of symptom onset.
The onset often follows an infection.
Most people fully recover within 12 months, but full recovery may take up to 3 years in some cases.

Just be aware of the symptoms and seek immediate help if suspected. It is not something to be managed on your own, like Epstein Barr Virus