[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 91 (Thursday, May 29, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E483-E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING MAY 2025 AS GBS|CIDP AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 29, 2025

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of 
May as GBS|CIDP Awareness Month.
  Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory disorder of the 
peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. GBS is 
characterized by the rapid onset of numbness, weakness, and often 
paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face. Paralysis is 
ascending, meaning that it travels up the limbs from fingers and toes 
towards the torso. Loss of reflexes, such as the knee jerk, are usually 
found. Usually, a new case of GBS is admitted to ICU (Intensive Care) 
to monitor breathing and other body functions until the disease is 
stabilized. Plasma exchange (a blood ``cleansing'' procedure) and high 
dose intravenous immune globulins are often helpful to shorten the 
course of GBS. The acute phase of GBS typically varies in length from a 
few days to months. Patient care involves the coordinated

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efforts of a team such as a neurologist, physiatrist (rehabilitation 
physician), internist, family physician, physical therapist, 
occupational therapist, social worker, nurse, and psychologist or 
psychiatrist. Recovery may occur over six months to two years or 
longer. A particularly frustrating consequence of GBS is long-term 
recurrences of fatigue and/or exhaustion as well as abnormal sensations 
including pain and muscle aches.
  Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare 
disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by gradually increasing 
weakness of the legs and, to a lesser extent, the arms. It is the 
gradual onset as well as the chronic nature of CIDP that differentiates 
it from GBS. Like GBS, CIDP is caused by damage to the covering of the 
nerves, called myelin. It can start at any age and in both genders. 
Weakness occurs over two or more months. Unlike GBS, CIDP is chronic, 
with symptoms constantly waxing and waning. Left untreated, 30 percent 
of CIDP patients will progress to wheelchair dependence. Early 
recognition and treatment can avoid a significant amount of disability. 
Post-treatment life depends on whether the disease was caught early 
enough to benefit from treatment options. The gradual onset of CIDP can 
delay diagnosis by several months or even years, resulting in 
significant nerve damage that may take several courses of treatment 
before benefits are seen. The chronic nature of CIDP differentiates 
long-term care from GBS patients. Adjustments inside the home may need 
to be made to facilitate a return to normal life.
  I continue to champion key priorities of the GBS|CIDP community, 
including cosponsoring H.R. 1143, the Medicare IVIG Access Enhancement 
Act, that will facilitate home infusion for the treatment of CIDP and 
MMN.
  I call on my colleagues to join me in recognizing May as GBS|CIDP 
Awareness Month and in supporting this important legislation by 
becoming a cosponsor of H.R. 1143 that will help promote therapy 
adherence, enhance quality of life, and promote positive health 
outcomes for beneficiaries with CIDP and MMN.

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