Injury Clarkson recovers from Guillain-Barre syndrome (autoimmune disorder); starts coaching from 30/6/2014

[EightyNineChamps]

This is a terrible affliction, just hope it was caught early enough for treatment to have the best effect.

Speedy recovery Clarko...

 

[QuietB]

All the best Clarko and get well.

What the ^&%$ is going on at the Hawks this year - cannot miss a trick

 

[Les Norton]

All the best to Clarko.

 

[SSSSSS]

He's just trying to out do Yabby.

Take a year off and win the flag. Come back next year for the 3-peat? I like the plan Clarko.

Seriously though take all the time you need to get your health on track. Wish for a speedy recovery

 

[GoldenHodge]

Makes you think about how insignificant footy is in the grand scheme of things. All that matters is Clarko's health at the moment.

 

[streetspirit]

Look early days yet with the prognosis but hope he comes through okay and is back in the coach's box asap, screaming blue murder like usual down the phoneline to Monky on the bench!

 

[Goody1971]

Terrible news - best wishes to Clarko on a full recovery

 

[MrPremiership]

who gives a f*ck about footy.

clarko, all the best you little champ

 

[MinerBoy]

Reading some posts by CP and others certainly casts some light on how serious this is. To begin with I was just bemused we'd copped another injury, but now it is just a matter of real concern for Clarko and his health.

All the best legend. Get well.

 

[EightyNineChamps]

Makes you think about how insignificant footy is in the grand scheme of things. All that matters is Clarko's health at the moment.

His words after the 2012 GF were along these lines, after all it is just a Football Game.

I get the feeling he is the sought of guy that will tough this out and end up beating it.

 

[xellis]

Would not be surprised if he didn't come back this year. GBS is a significant illness.

 

[RustyHawk]

Wow, talk about flooring me and I gather everyone else at the club.

All the very best to you Clarko in your recovery.

Take the time to get completely better, if it means a few weeks or even months out of the game then so be it.

 

[Taskmaster]

Terrible news. This will only make us stronger! All the best Clarko.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Health and family come before work, always.

 

[MightyHawks86]

Horrible news. At least they caught it early.

All the best for a speedy return to health, Clarko.

 

[Hawthorn United]

This year is continually throwing us bigger and bigger bumps. But we will ride them with a grin.

Get well soon Clarko.

 

[DonsRule]

WIsh Clarko the best for a full recovery.

 

[Hawkinspired]

When I first saw the news on my Facebook feed, I was actually excited that Bolton was coaching us. He is so underrated and will thrive in this situation. Obviously at the time I had no idea how bad the situation was with Clarko. Give him the year off - he needs to beat this.

 

[Harper_Hawk]

Gosh. Hope the fella is ok and recovers well.. What a season so far. When someone said hold on to your seats we're in for a bumpy ride. They mean't it.

 

[Bumpswithagrin]

Good grief! What a shock to hear this I too know someone that has had this, as others have said, it can be very serious. All the very best to Clarko for a full recovery.

 

[Dinner Plate]

Unbelievable. I wish him and his family all the best in his recovery.

Here is a link to the condition on the Vic government site. I had to read the part twice that said 9 out of 10 people survive. Wait, what? This thing kills. Jesus.

Get well, Clarko.

Summary
Guillain-Barrè syndrome is an autoimmune condition. It is a form of nerve inflammation resulting in a spreading paralysis. The cause is unknown, but the trigger seems to be certain acute viral or bacterial infections. Most people recover, but it may take two years or more. There is no cure. Treatments such as plasmapheresis and gammaglobulin infusions can help recovery.

Guillain-Barrè syndrome is an autoimmune condition in which the person’s nerves are attacked by the body’s own immune defence system. As a result of the attack, the nerve insulation (myelin) and sometimes even the inner covered part of the nerve (axon) is damaged and signals are delayed or otherwise changed - this causes a spreading paralysis.

The syndrome appears to be triggered by acute viral or bacterial illnesses, such as respiratory or gastrointestinal infections, occurring one to three weeks earlier. The resultant antibodies attack the myelin sheaths that coat the nerve cells, causing paralysis, muscular weakness and strange sensations as the sensory nerves of the skin are affected.

Usually the symptoms start in the feet or legs and progress up the body over a few days or weeks. The disorder can be mild, moderate or severe, with life support needed in the worst cases. The exact cause is unknown and there is no cure. Most people spontaneously recover, though some will be left with permanent disabilities. This rare illness strikes between two and eight people in every 100,000 irrespective of gender or age, although it is more common in the 30 to 50 years age group. Other names for Guillain-Barrè syndrome include acute idiopathic polyneuritis, acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis and Landry's ascending paralysis.

Long term outlook

Estimates vary, but around nine out of 10 people with Guillain-Barrè syndrome survive and approximately 75 to 90 per cent recover completely. Around 10 to 15 per cent will be troubled by some form of permanent disability. Generally speaking, the earlier the symptoms start to ease, the better the outlook. Even so, it can take anywhere from six months to two years or more to fully recover.

 

[James North]

All the best Clarko - legend of a coach.

 

[BigAl3001]

There is a lot of information freely available out there that suggest there is no cure for this disorder, you can only treat the symptoms. Early diagnosis enables treatment to commence sooner which is required to be done in a hospital as the treatment is intense. There should be no expectations on a return date to coaching this season. Once the club has more information on this prognosis it is likely they will stand him down until the end of the season.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Fox has just said at the press conference that he'll not be coaching for "at least a few weeks".

 

[UFO Tatsu]

Heard about the bad news. Great coach and I am sure the whole AFL community wishes for his healthy return. All the best.