Auditor has nervous system disorder

The auditor's spokeswoman expects a 'full recovery.'
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
Doctors are treating Ohio Auditor Betty Montgomery, the Republican attorney general nominee, for a rare nervous system disorder.
"She's doing all right," said Jen Detwiler, her spokeswoman. "She's going to get through this."
It's hard to determine how long Montgomery has had the condition, and how long it will take for her to recover, Detwiler said.
"We expect a full recovery," Detwiler said.
Montgomery is in the intensive care unit of Ohio State University Medical Center, being treated for Guillain-Barre syndrome.
The syndrome is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system, according to the Web site of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The first symptoms including weakness or tingling sensations in the legs, the NIND says. In many cases, it spreads to the arms and upper body.
This can increase in intensity until the muscles can't be used at all and the patient is almost totally paralyzed. In those cases, the patient is put on a respirator to assist with breathing, the NIND says.
Affects people differently
Most patients recover from even the most severe cases of the syndrome, but some continue to have some degree of weakness, the NIND said.
The disorder can develop over the course of hours or days, or it may take up to three to four weeks, according to the NIND. Most people reach the stage of greatest weakness within the first two weeks after the symptoms appear.
There is no known cure for Guillain-Barre, but therapy can lessen the severity and accelerate the recovery in most patients, according to the NIND.
The recovery period can be as short as a few weeks or as long as a few years, and 30 percent of those with the syndrome have a residual weakness three years after recovery, the NIND says.
Montgomery had a chest cold and cough for about a week.
"It doesn't impact any of your mental functions," Detwiler said. "She goes 100 miles per hour. She's got so much going on with the campaign and this office. Not to be in a position to do anything about it is not a place she wants to be."
Effect on race uncertain
With Montgomery's recovery time uncertain, it's premature to speculate on the attorney general's race, Detwiler said.
"The campaign is moving full speed ahead," she said. "This [syndrome] impacts everyone differently. Some bounce back in a few weeks and others are hospitalized for months. No one's making any predictions."
The Democratic nominee for attorney general is state Sen. Marc Dann of Liberty.
If Montgomery chose to withdraw from the attorney general's race, she would have to do so by Aug. 23. That is also the deadline for the Ohio Republican Party to select a replacement.
"Politics isn't even an issue at this point," said John McClelland, Ohio Republican Party spokesman. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Betty, and we look to a speedy and quick recovery."
If Montgomery can't run, speculation is the leading candidate to replace her on the Republican ticket is outgoing Attorney General Jim Petro. Petro lost the May 2 Republican gubernatorial primary to Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell.
Bill Binning, chairman of the Youngstown State University political science department, said a colleague had Guillain-Barre syndrome and couldn't move for months.
"We don't how this will affect Betty, but if it goes on through the summer, it could impact the race," Binning said. "She has to raise money and campaign. We certainly hope for the best for her."
skolnick@vindy.com