Acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) is considered to be among most-severe axonal forms of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). Those diagnosed with AMSAN often require prolonged respiratory support and will typically face a long road to recovery.
The variants of GBS fit into two broad categories: demyelinating and axonal. The variants in each category range significantly in terms of severity; among the axonal variants, AMSAN is considered to be one of the most severe.
What is Axonal GBS?
GBS is a medical condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves—an autoimmune response. With the axonal forms of GBS, the immune system attacks the axons in the nerves (hence the name), which are the neurons responsible for conducting electrical impulses away from the cell bodies in the nerves. When a person has an axonal form of GBS, the operation of the nervous system is disrupted, which can have potentially severe muscular and respiratory consequences.
Why is AMSAN so Dangerous?
AMSAN is the severe form of another axonal GBS variant, acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). While the prognosis for individuals diagnosed with AMAN is typically positive provided they receive appropriate treatment, the prognosis for individuals diagnosed with AMSAN tends to be poor. AMSAN generally has a more-significant effect on the body’s respiratory system, often requiring prolonged respiratory support, and the effects on the muscular system are usually more severe and spread farther throughout the body.
What are the Warning Signs of AMSAN?
The warning signs for AMSAN are similar to those for AMAN and other forms of GBS, though they tend to onset more quickly and with greater severity. Individuals who experience the following symptoms following a flu or tetanus vaccination should seek medical attention as soon as possible, as these may all be signs of AMSAN:
- Difficulty breathing
- Muscle weakness in the injected arm or shoulder
- Muscle weakness that rapidly spreads to all four limbs
- Sensory loss throughout the body
What are a Person’s Rights After Being Diagnosed with AMSAN Following a Vaccination?
Treatment for AMSAN is expensive, and individuals diagnosed with AMSAN following a vaccination will often face a long and challenging road to recovery. Many people suffer lasting consequences. Fortunately, through the federal government’s National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), individuals diagnosed with vaccine-related AMSAN can secure the money they need to cover their expenses and cope with their pain and suffering.
Pursuing a claim through the VICP is unlike pursuing a traditional lawsuit against a hospital or pharmaceutical company. The VICP has a budget of more than $2 billion set aside to compensate individuals diagnosed with vaccine-related injuries, and you do not need to prove fault to be entitled to a financial recovery. The VICP also pays claimants’ legal fees separately from awards of compensation, so recovering compensation for AMSAN can come at little or no financial cost to you.
Learn More about Your Rights After Being Diagnosed with Vaccine-Related AMSAN
To learn more about your rights, contact GBS Vaccine Lawyer. Our team is available to help you understand your condition, and our vaccine attorney has helped individuals and families nationwide recover compensation for their vaccine-related illnesses and injuries. For a free, confidential consultation, call (202) 775-9200 or contact us online now.