GLP-1s, weight loss, and Neuropathy

CIDP is rather obscure - a half dozen or so patients per 100,000 population.

I found a really bright and persistent neurologist, who didn't blow me off when I told her my symptoms were in remission - increased flexibility and feeling in feet, increased ankle girth, new muscles appearing on the tops of my thighs, handwriting legible. The latest - about 2 months ago - my feet started staying warm at night, presumably means improved circulation.

She went through the necessary tests - including contrast MRI of spinal injury and spinal fluid analysis. The last, and most expensive test, was a genetic analysis in order to exclude Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The timing of the cashew consumption, and carpet stress, was 100% spot-on.

I have peripheral and autonomic neuropathy as complications of 50+ years of diabetes. I don’t typically follow the Neuropathy group discussions. What is CIDP? I’m not good with acronyms and abbreviations.

@cehunt57 - Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP). Great place to learn more about the condition is the Shining through CIDP site - https://www.shiningthroughcidp.com/everyday-life-with-cidp/what-is-cidp. They have a lot of good information to help manage everyday life for those with CIDP.

@cehunt57 for acronyms, just type it into Google search on your phone or computer. It will pop up an explanation. I do it all the time while reading the forums.

@constable12 hello. I was DX with CIDP 9/2025 All along Dr.’s thought it was Neuropathy from Chemotherapy TX . It was not. Dx with CIDP. Appointment at University of PA/PA Med on 4/6
What about the cashews?

I had a dx of severe, bilateral peripheral neuropathy about 15 years ago. As expected, things got progressively worse.

Neurologist at the time was disappointed he couldn't pin it on diabetes. By default, cause seems to be lumbar disc injury.

2 years or so, ago, I started into remission - growth of new muscle, return of feet sensations, improved handwriting, etc.

CIDP dx followed.

Allowing for 30 day ramp-up, this corresponded, exactly, with two events:

(1) daily consumption of a dozen or so unsalted cashews;

(2) resumption of weekly church attendance - not as hokey as it sounds - standing on thick carpets in choir is akin to an intense waffle board exercise.

Vanderbilt Medical published a promising study some years ago linking PN improvements with cashew shell extract.

Cashews contain lots of fat, maybe of the sort lost from my nerve fibers?

I've heard crazier stories.

@constable12 I feel anything is worth a try. I usually try severL at the same time for the total affect.
I feel remedies may be like a pie, with the wedges delivering different percentagesvif healing. Eg. Cashews may be 15% , daily exercise 20%, nutritional diet 25%, mindfulness deep
breathing 10%. You get the idea..you fill in what you think may be good remedies, and do them all together for a few months.

@db72
Tes, I've started on the Whole-Foods-Plant -Based Lifestyle. I am amazed how much I like it. I was motivated by the book "The China study " published 2016 by Colin Campbell, a Researcher, who is now 91 years old. I'm finding I can taste the grains, the veggies ,without the extra stuff we put on them. It encourages you to eat a lot, don't go hungry. I'm eating differently, learning a different way of cooking and eating, and feel good. Too ealy to tell if it helps the neuropathy as I only started 6 weeks ago. I have had an A1C blood test done a few days ago so I'm interested to know what the results are.

@greengold

Thanks.

Maybe the "Incremental Cashew Fat Therapy Theory" is given additional impetus by recent studies finding that incremental fat loss as a result of the use of weight-loss drugs can induce some sort of reversible "PN LIght".

I contacted Vanderbilt Medical School and, unfortunately, it has not pursued any further cashew work.

Exercise - I have concluded that even minimal flexibility and strengthening exercises are necessary to maximize the effects of the IVIG treatment I am now receiving.

After considerable thought, I would include the "Thick Carpet Waffle Board Exercises" I mentioned as a significant exercise factor.

@constable12
You lost me on the IVIG treatment. I'm not good with acronyms.
I talked to my chiro orator, and he encouraged me to continue with stretching, walking, any strengthening exercises I'm doing. He said that because the peripheral nerves send signals back to the Central Nervous System, we are signaling that those muscles / nerves are still alive ( and maybe need help...my addition😊).
Betty