Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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Subject: Re: CIDP Neuropathy I have been diagnosed with chronic inflammtory demylinating poly neuropathy. I am currently undergoing the ivig treatments. I have had three treatments each of which have been three weeks apart. I feel no change in the numbness or pain in my legs(from toes to hips) and arms(from elbows to finger tips. My question is: how soon might I start feeling some difference with the numbing and pain? I am currently taking 60mg of slow release morphine and lortab at night. I have tried about 17 of the other drugs ie, amatriptiline, paxil, prozac, tenormin, etc. none helped my situation. I would also like to know if anyone else has gone through the ivig treatments and if they have had success with this treatment. Thank you for answering my questions. Dan Tallman Dear Dan, Several trials have shown benefits from IVIG at high doses (usually divided infusions over 4-5 days). Approximatley 50% of patients respond to treatment. Unfortunatley, the therapeutic response only lasts for weeks to months before it needs to be repeated. Predictors of a response to IVIG include: duration of CIDP less than one year, progression of weakness until less than four weeks before the onset of symptoms absence of discrepancy in weakness between arms and legs, loss of reflexes in the arms, and certain EMG findings (slowed motor nerve conduction velocities of the median nerve). Other therapeutic options include plasma exchange (which has about the same clinical outcome as IVIG) and steroids. Unfortunately, steroids have may side effects associated with them after extended usage. Discuss these options with your doctor. If you are interested in getting an evaluation at CCF call 1-800-CCF-CARE. Good Luck. | |
