ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 26, 2009

AG COMMISSIONER DIAGNOSED WITH GUILLAIN-BARRÉ SYNDROME

BISMARCK—Agriculture commissioner Doug Goehring is being treated in a Bismarck hospital for a recurrence of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) which he first experienced 18 years ago.

“My physicians have confirmed that I have again contracted Guillain-Barré,” Goehring said Monday from his room at Medcenter One. “Treatments for GBS have improved since I last had this, and I again expect a complete recovery.”  There is about a two to three percent recurrence rate of contracting Guillain-Barré.

Goehring checked himself into the hospital last Monday, after experiencing “pins and needles” sensations in his hands and feet – symptoms similar to those he had when he was diagnosed with the illness in the early 1990s. He was discharged from the hospital last Wednesday, pending further tests, but was readmitted Thursday, when the symptoms – numbness and hypersensitivity in the extremities – spread to his legs, arms and back.

“I am strong and healthy, and I have complete confidence in both the medical team here and the treatment I am receiving.”  He said he expects to be discharged in the next day or two when treatments are completed.  Goehring is having daily treatments of high-dose intravenous immuno globulins (IVIG) to reduce the severity and length of GBS symptoms.

"I hope to return to the office soon," Goehring said.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome, also known as French polio, is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system.  Symptoms of Guillain-Barré begin with weakness or tingling sensations in the feet and move to the upper body.

Gov. John Hoeven named Goehring, a Menoken farmer, as North Dakota's state agriculture commissioner in April 2009.

Deputy agriculture commissioner Bob Christman, who is overseeing the day-to-day operations of the state agriculture department, said Goehring continues to work from his hospital room, and is constantly updated on department business.

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Bob Christman at (701) 328-4758, bob.christman@nd.gov.

ANNOUNCERS: Guillain-Barré is pronounced ghee-YAN bah-RAY.