What Is Guillian-Barré Syndrome? Man Paralyzed After Eating Chicken Curry

A 40-year-old man from Bridgend, Wales in the UK who was left paralyzed nose down by a rare disease triggered, after having chicken curry for dinner, is now able to walk on his own and will soon be discharged from medical care, eight months post the incident.

David Braham fell sick after having Chinese chicken curry for dinner in April, while he was watching his son play rugby. He was taken to a hospital four days later and within few days, he was in an induced coma, fighting for life.

He suffered food poisoning which resulted in him getting a rare immune disorder called Guillian-Barré Syndrome. Not only was he paralyzed nose down, he also ended up on a ventilator after he was unable to breathe on his own.

Speaking to Sun on Wednesday, the former driving instructor said "I felt fine until I had the chicken curry. I just picked it up as a quick meal whilst a pupil was taking their test. I regret it. I am almost certain that's what caused it. I didn't feel quite right. That night I felt a bit dodgy and I got really ill over the weekend.”

"I got ill really quickly. It just started with a tingling feeling. Before I knew it I was literally locked in my own body. It was absolutely terrifying. It was like being a living hell. I didn't know if I'd be able to see my kids again and I didn't think I'd ever be able to walk again. It was the thought of my kids that kept me going. I have been fighting for them. I didn't think I'd survive. I did wonder if there would ever be a way out. All I want to do is play with my kids again and be a dad again,” he added.

The father-of-two had gone to watch his seven-year-old son Junior play rugby at Liberty Stadium in Swansea when he suddenly felt uneasy, which he thought was caused by meal from roadside café. His condition deteriorated and he was taken to a hospital four days later. He was initially treated with antibiotics and discharged after six days. However, a tingling feeling spread though his body the following day and within the next 24 hours, he "couldn't move a muscle.”

He was rushed to the hospital again and doctors discovered he was suffering from Guillian-Barré Syndrome. He was placed in induced coma for a month and in ventilator for over four months.

"When I woke up out of the coma I had no idea what was going on. I was paralyzed and couldn't feel a thing. I didn't see my children for three months whilst I was in intensive care,” he said.

He was transferred to another hospital in September where he underwent daily physiotherapy and occupational therapy. He started walking in November.

"I had to learn how to wash myself and brush my teeth again. It took me three months to be able to move my legs again. It was like being a baby and having to learn how to do simple things again. My mind knew how to do everything but my body just wouldn't respond. Spending so much time in hospital has been horrible but I've got a strong bond with the guys here in rehab. Everyone spurs each other on and pushes each other to go one step further,” he said.

Mayo Clinic reported Guillian-Barré Syndrome often begins with tingling and weakness spread all over the body and can result in paralysis as it progresses. Though the exact cause remains unknown, it is usually caused a few days after a person suffers from digestive tract infection. The basic symtoms include unsteady walking, difficulty in breathing, severe body pain and rapid heart rate. Men and young adults are at higher risk of getting the disorder.