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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Question About CIDP and Pregnancy
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Question About CIDP and Pregnancy
by Elizabeth__0__0, Jan 07, 1999 12:00AM
I am a 37 year old female who was diagnosed with CIDP last May.
I was in VERY bad shape at one point--unable to walk and in need
of physical therapy. I know that it comes as a shock to most, but I had
never been sick (except for colds), had a full time job
and a one-year old baby to take care of. The progression of my illness
was a nightmare. Luckily, I am in much better shape now. Initially, I
was receiving 80 mg/prednisone and monthly IVIG infusions. I am now down
to IVIG once every other month and am weaning from the prednisone-- I'm at
5 mg/prednisone a day. My symptoms are virtually gone. All that remains is
a little tingling in my feet and a small numb patch on my left leg. I go to
the gym four times a week, carry my now 30 pound toddler up and down stairs
and in and out of the car, and generally feel good. All of my reflexes are back.
I can do a deep knee bend (and walk without that odious walker!) I feel
very fortunateto have come this far. (I got the CIDP rather than
Guillain Barre diagnosis because my illness bottomed out at seven weeks
rather than within four.)
I have two questions.
1) Over the weekend, I read an article about blood transfusions in the late
1980s and how many people who received them now have Hepatitis C. I realize
that there is a Hepatitis C screen on the IgG, but--given that there is
probably a Hepatitis F or G (or M or whatever) that we don't yet know about
that might be in the IgG I'm receiving-- wouldn't plasmapheresis be a better
treatment? I have never gotten a satisfactory answer about why I don't have
a plasma exchange as treatment rather than getting other peoples' blood products.
Can you comment?
2) I very badly want to have another child. During my first pregnancy, I
didn't drink coffee or alcohol or take ANY medications (except one tylenol when
I had a migraine headache early in the pregnancy). I would not consider
getting pregnant while on steroids. I have been trying for several months to
find someone who has the experience of having had a CIDP diagnosis who has
been pregnant. Is anything known about this? What are the risks?
Thank you! --Liz
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Thanks for the question. We do not have alot of information regarding CIDP and pregnancy. There is some data to suggest that CIDP could be exacerbated with pregnancy. If a patient has steroid responsive CIDP then most OB's will continue with that during pregnancy. In general PE during pregnancy is very dangerous and some of the concerns about IVIG you have raised. Part of the decision about PE versus IVIG has to do with resources. Not all centers can do PE. Recently there has been a world wide shortage of IVIG. If you decide to become pregnant you need to speak to a high risk OB and be prepared for the possibility of using steroids. Good luck
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your doctor regarding diagnostic and treatment options.
