Diagnosed with CIPD Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

[thebailster]

I was recently diagnosed with CIDP in my left calf. I have been having electrical shocks in my left calf now for about a year and a half. After this diagnosis I was told to continue with my Gabapentin {3x a day @300mg} but I was also told that a possible Botox shot in the surface area of my left calf might also end this pain. Can anyone tell me what possible effects the Botox shot might have on me such as adverse reactions etc. What does it do to the nerve that is probably exposed in my left calf that is causing this electrical shock symptoms and can the shot of Botox solve this problem. Any help would be much appreciated.

[Dr Sharma]

Hi there. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a rare, acquired, symmetrical, sensory motor neuropathy usually, chronic form of guillain barre syndrome.  The standard therapy options include intravenous immunoglobulin and plasmapharesis, corticosteroids, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, etanercept, mycophenolate mofetil, interferon alpha 2a and tacrolimus. Current ones are interferon beta 1a, rituximab, and high dose cyclophosphamide. Your neurologist needs to apprise you of the long-term side effects since prolonged therapy are required. Botox shots are not known to be used in therapy. More investigation and study needs to be done to check this. Take care.

[MMahon]

Never heard of Botox for a nerve autoimmune disorder but it's worth checking out these sites.

http://cidpusa.org/treatment.html

http://www.gbs-cidp.org/