How do you manage neuropathy and loss of balance and walking ability?

Posted by rachel44 @rachel44, May 18 2:02pm

How do you manage the situation when periferal neuropathy affects your balance and walking ability?

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Profile picture for moorethrpy @moorethrpy

@pnpam75 Panzyga IVIG is usually for CDIP. Most of us don't have this type of neuropathy. There is also Hytrulo by VyVygart, a new drug recently approved by FDA for CDIP. Unfortunately there are no similar drugs for the rest of us.

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@moorethrpy Sorry- I still don’t understand what Panzyga IVIG is. My major effect from PN is severe imbalance. Also what is Hytrulo by VyVygart. I am in Canada.
I also do not know what the abbreviation CDIP means. Please help. I do not know anyone else who has PN who could answer these questions that I have. Thank you. Pam Manson

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Profile picture for artemis1886 @artemis1886

@suetex I was on IVIG from age 10-18 until I fell off my parents insurance. I quit getting sick all the time. I have asthma and kept ending up in the hospital with pneumonia. I had to repeat second grade.
My immune system has always been impaired. In 2005 hospitalized four times with pneumonia. I was told by Dr Oaklander (a research neurologist in Boston) that I would not be in as bad shape as I am if I would have remained on IVIG. I have Lupus, Sojourn, Hashimotos, and connective tissue disease as far as neuropathy I have small fiber neuropathy, disautonomia, severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral poly neuropathy along with cardiac autonomic neuropathy my heart beats too fast (tachycardia)or too slow (bradycardia). I also have problems with arrhythmias. My BP will be high or low which ever it wants to be. I also have pericardial effusion. Mine could very well be autonomic by nature. I found out by a neurophysiologist that my lupus, sojourn, Hashimotos and connective tissue disease could be linked to my mrsa bacterial spinal meningitis I had in 2002. My bacterial spinal meningitis was a staph infection. The only problem with that theory was why was my immune system so low when I was young that I was on IVIG.

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@artemis1886 I thought I had a lot of stuff but you top me, for sure. It does sound like your autonomic nervous is acting up at least with your BP. My thoughts go out to you.

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Profile picture for pnpam75 @pnpam75

@moorethrpy Sorry- I still don’t understand what Panzyga IVIG is. My major effect from PN is severe imbalance. Also what is Hytrulo by VyVygart. I am in Canada.
I also do not know what the abbreviation CDIP means. Please help. I do not know anyone else who has PN who could answer these questions that I have. Thank you. Pam Manson

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@pnpam75 Panzyga IVIG is for CDIP (Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneuropathy. Vvygart is the newest treatment drug. Supposedly is very effectice for that type of Neuropathy.

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Thank you. My neurologist doesn’t use specific terms to describe different PNs. Mine involves only occasional flashes of pain, but my ability to walk and dizziness when walking is debilitating. Searching for help.

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Profile picture for moorethrpy @moorethrpy

@pnpam75 Panzyga IVIG is for CDIP (Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneuropathy. Vvygart is the newest treatment drug. Supposedly is very effectice for that type of Neuropathy.

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@moorethrpy
I was given Vvygart for 14 weeks. No improvement, but everyone is different, so it is worth giving it a try.

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Profile picture for bigal1956 @bigal1956

I have the same condition. It would be nice if you would comment on this subject. As far as I know there is no cure for this condition, just pain medicine which jus makes the drug industry richer.

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@bigal1956 I was told absolutely after my diagnosis for peripheral neuropathy that there was no treatment and no cure but should the pain grow too great to see my GP. I go to the gym to Aqua fitness five days a week I am now going to up it and do 2 classes in the hope that this will improve my a lot. Whilst my walking isn’t great it seems to be static however balance is becoming a nuisance hence taking two classes. I will post if the extra exercise helps anything good luck everyone.

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Profile picture for magrose45 @magrose45

@bigal1956 I was told absolutely after my diagnosis for peripheral neuropathy that there was no treatment and no cure but should the pain grow too great to see my GP. I go to the gym to Aqua fitness five days a week I am now going to up it and do 2 classes in the hope that this will improve my a lot. Whilst my walking isn’t great it seems to be static however balance is becoming a nuisance hence taking two classes. I will post if the extra exercise helps anything good luck everyone.

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@magrose45 thank you for this post. I am interested in exercise for balance. Thanks for any help.

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Profile picture for moorethrpy @moorethrpy

@pnpam75 Panzyga IVIG is for CDIP (Chronic Inflammatory Demylinating Polyneuropathy. Vvygart is the newest treatment drug. Supposedly is very effectice for that type of Neuropathy.

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@moorethrpy I have an appointment at U of M hospital on the 17th of Nov. It is suspected I have CIDP. I will let you know how it goes.

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Profile picture for rexweaver @rexweaver

@moorethrpy I have an appointment at U of M hospital on the 17th of Nov. It is suspected I have CIDP. I will let you know how it goes.

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@rexweaver Good luck. You are at least going to be seen by top docs. I think that makes all of the difference. My neurologist from Savannah could care less about helping me navigate this horrible condition. My doc at Columbia U in NY was the total opposite. I got a 2 hr EMG which was done by a Neurologist and medical student. Let us know what you find out.

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Profile picture for cleodog @cleodog

@larry68 what was the drug that you stopped taking?

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@cleodog It was Amiodarone

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