CIDP (Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy)

Posted by sherlock @sherlock, Jan 6, 2019

I have been in treatment for CIDP going on 3 years. The treatment is IVIG infusions 2days a month. I also have small fiber neuropathy. I don't take any meds for this condition except CBD. CBD with lidocaine and some THC at bedtime. I can't take any of the first tier drugs like lyrica. Here's my question: Have any of you been treated for neuropathy with IVIG infusions?

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Profile picture for foundryrat743 @foundryrat743

@itsmeagain CORRECTION, from foundryrat743. I wrote Fiji instead of Florida, as your place of residence! I apologize for that! I misread the Fl initials. I have vision problems, from my stroke/not that that is an excuse, but it can be a problem for me, at times! The special, expensive, prisms in my glasses seem to, sometimes, play tricks on me! Ha!

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@foundryrat743
@itsmeagain - no sweat. I’ve been there, too.

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Profile picture for artemis1886 @artemis1886

I am on Panzyga. I get it three days every three weeks.
That is the recommended dosage. 600 mls each day.
2mls/kg. Infusion time is six hours.
It makes a huge difference in my life. It helps my balance/dizziness and energy levels along with the muscle atrophy. I can finally sign my name due to the motor neuropathy my hands shook so bad I couldn’t write or sign my name.
My legs also have tremors. It gets better with the infusions.
Make sure it is given as directed by the manufacturer. Mine is autoimmune caused by my lupus, sojourns, mixed tissue disease and Hashimotos.
I have been diagnosed with several different types of neuropathy.
CIDP, dysautonomia, small fiber neuropathy, cardiac autonomic neuropathy, severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy.
Cardiac autonomic neuropathy aka CAN causes blood pressure is either too high or low. It also causes arrhythmias bradycardia/tachycardia your heart beats too slow/or fast.
Neuropathy moves to anywhere in your body that you have nerves including your organs. I do not have as many arrhythmias as I used to since I started this.
I took IVIG from age 10-18. The neurologist said I should have never stopped it. She told me if I would have never stopped it I would not be in the shape I am in today.
She also told me I would be on it the rest of my life. Dr Anne Oaklander is a research neurologist. I live in Tx and went to Boston for answers. I was having problems with the motor neuropathy. It says movement disorder. They kept trying to diagnose me with Parkinson’s (negative) and then essential tremors. My tremors were due to the motor neuropathy. That’s sad I had to go to Boston to find out the truth.
I am 63.

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@artemis1886

I am having very similar symptoms post stem cell transplant for scleroderma. The BMT doctor said it was neuropathy, but no further evaluation. I will see a neurologist soon.

Post-transplant, I have very limited ability to walk that so far was not diagnosed as why. As I start walking at a normal pace, my lower abdomen gets tense, dizziness, my blood pressure goes up, shortness of breath, tingling. I also have some muscle weakness in the arms and legs and muscle wasting. Pins and needles with tingling. Systemic sclerosis may be causing autoimmune neuropathy.
Do my symptoms look similar to your condition? What is your walking ability and daily activities? Any insight will help. Thank you

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Does this sound like autonomic neuropathy?

Post stem cell transplant for scleroderma, which involved high dose chemo/radiation and steroids, I have very limited ability to walk that so far was not diagnosed as why. As I start walking at a normal pace, my lower abdomen gets tense, dizziness, my blood pressure goes up, shortness of breath, confusion, tingling. I also have some muscle weakness in the arms and legs and muscle wasting. Pins and needles with tingling. My Systemic Sclerosis may be causing this - autoimmune neuropathy? Does this sound like CIDP?

Any insights will help. Thank you

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Profile picture for evigg208 @evigg208

I don't know if this is relevant to this Support Group, but I have been diagnosed with MMN. I will be starting a 6 month course of IVIg. My research has said that, if the IVIg doesn't work, I may have ALS. I have foot drop and lots of neuropathy pain in this foot. I have been through many MRIs, EMG, NCS, and lab tests. Abnormal results are EMG, NCS, and anti-gangloside antibodies. Right now, Mayo Clinic has me in a "wait and see" mode and will be interested in seeing if the IVIg relieves my symptoms.

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@evigg208 I have been on IVIG year. It has helped my mmn and CIDP. I can finally sign my name and write a letter. I have more than motor neuropathy. I s diagnosed with severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy, dysautonomia, small fiber neuropathy and can =cardiac autonomic neuropathy, CIDP. Mine is autoimmune IVIG has been a lifesaver for me.

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Profile picture for Alta Net @altabiznet

@artemis1886

I am having very similar symptoms post stem cell transplant for scleroderma. The BMT doctor said it was neuropathy, but no further evaluation. I will see a neurologist soon.

Post-transplant, I have very limited ability to walk that so far was not diagnosed as why. As I start walking at a normal pace, my lower abdomen gets tense, dizziness, my blood pressure goes up, shortness of breath, tingling. I also have some muscle weakness in the arms and legs and muscle wasting. Pins and needles with tingling. Systemic sclerosis may be causing autoimmune neuropathy.
Do my symptoms look similar to your condition? What is your walking ability and daily activities? Any insight will help. Thank you

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@altabiznet I have severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy, small fiber neuropathy, CIDP, cardiac autonomic neuropathy affects Bp and causes arrhythmias your blood pressure goes up or down, your heart beats too slow or too fast.
I had emg/ nerve conduction test, biopsies, spinal tap. Mine is autoimmune. Yes I have balance dizziness problems loss of feeling in legs and hands. Muscle atrophy
Autoimmune disorders lupus Sjogrens Hashimotos and mixed tissue disease.

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Profile picture for artemis1886 @artemis1886

@altabiznet I have severe axonal sensorimotor peripheral polyneuropathy, small fiber neuropathy, CIDP, cardiac autonomic neuropathy affects Bp and causes arrhythmias your blood pressure goes up or down, your heart beats too slow or too fast.
I had emg/ nerve conduction test, biopsies, spinal tap. Mine is autoimmune. Yes I have balance dizziness problems loss of feeling in legs and hands. Muscle atrophy
Autoimmune disorders lupus Sjogrens Hashimotos and mixed tissue disease.

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@artemis1886

Thank you for responding. Your insights are very helpful. As it may be scarry for me to have those multiple diagnoses added to systemic sclerosis, I really need to get treated for my neurological deficits. Best wishes

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