Hi Dave, CIDP (chronic inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy) does effect the peripheral nervous system directly by removing the myelin sheath round the spinal cord. With that insulation gone, the peripheral nerves are left unprotected and the patient loses sensation of the peripheral nervous system. The key words are ‘inflammatory demyelinating” it’s the the inflammation on the myelin sheath and subsequent breakdown of the myelin that causes the damage and the symptoms.

In my case it was an autoimmune attack on the myelin sheath. The inflammation caused the erosion of the protective myelin, leaving my spinal cord exposed and caused my symptoms. 1g daily of iv steroids for 3 days helped stop the progression. But then I had 500mg weekly for months. My condition was caused by graft vs host disease from my transplant. But the end result was caused by inflammation.

I’m on the road today so away from my computer for a few hours. But I did find this article for you.
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Chronic-Inflammatory-Demyelinating-Polyneuropathy-CIDP-Information-Page
Is this helpful for you?

I have the same understanding that it is the myelin around the nerves that is destroyed.