CIDP is a severe health issue, but you should know that patients and their doctors can still address this. There’s a greater possibility of recovery from this health issue if they undergo early diagnosis and treatment. The truth is that up to 80% of people respond positively to some types of treatments, such as corticosteroids.
Likewise, as having treatment is vital for addressing CIDP, you can look for specialists that are experts in this condition. You can check Ameripharma Specialty and other health services regarding this.
Symptoms Of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy
Before we jump into some treatment options for CIDP, it’s essential to know its symptoms so that you can have some idea of its effects on a person’s body.
So, its symptoms can include:
- Foot Drop
- Clumsiness
- Unexplained Fatigue
- Double Vision
- Pain or Prickling Sensation in the Extremities
- Loss of Automatic Responses
- Dysphagia or Difficulty Swallowing
- Numbness in the Hands or Feet
These symptoms can happen on both sides of a person’s body, such as in both arms. Likewise, note that people with CIDP may vary in what symptoms they display. For instance, some people may exhibit clumsiness without experiencing double vision, while others may exhibit double vision without displaying clumsiness.
Treatment Options
It is advisable to see a doctor if you have those symptoms for initial detection and treatment to avoid irreparable damage to the nerve. Overall, if you want to know more about some examples of treatment options for CIDP, you can read on to find out more:
1. Intravenous Immunoglobin
Intravenous immunoglobin (IVIG) functions to treat a wide range of immune disorders, and it consists of polyvalent, pooled serum IgG from tens of thousands of donors. In the same manner, it’s used to treat CIDP. In intravenous immunoglobin, healthy individuals’ antibodies are injected into CIDP patients’ veins, mostly at their forearms. This procedure can slow the person’s immune system.
Likewise, many people exhibit signs of improvement of their symptoms within three to five days after having this kind of treatment option. Moreover, this treatment can last for up to six weeks and can be repeated once a month.
Concerning some studies, the Immune Globulin Intravenous for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) ICE study trial conducted in 2008 was the most extensive known study of CIDP treatment effectiveness and safety of IVIG. It shows that it can be part of the initial and maintenance therapy for CIDP to fend off recurring lapses.
To note, the lapses that occurred in having IVIG are lower compared to corticosteroids. The relapse rate with IVIG is around 45%, whereas corticosteroids have a relapse rate of about 50%.
2. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid is also called steroids, and is usually the first treatment used to address CIDP. They’re drugs used to slow the immune system and play a role in lowering inflammation. It’s thought that in CIDP, the immune system destroys myelin (the sheaths surrounding the nerves), but taking corticosteroids every day may stop this issue.
Note that this drug is inexpensive, making it more available for anyone. Furthermore, it’s also easy to be administered, which is why such a drug is broadly used in some centers for CIDP. Likewise, individuals with pure motor CIDP are the ones who may be more likely to respond to this drug.
Concerning how it’s taken, there are different kinds of regimens that are advisable for its use. For example, one type of corticosteroid, oral prednisone, is taken with a 1-1.5 mg/kg dose until signs of improvement are kept. The dose is reduced as time goes by until the smallest number of doses is achieved.
Likewise, another corticosteroid, called dexamethasone, is advisable to be taken around 40mg daily for four days every month. On the other hand, intravenous methylprednisone corticosteroid is taken with doses of 0.5-1.0 gm for four to five days every month.
3. Plasma Exchange
Plasma exchange, also called plasmapheresis, is the practice where plasma is taken out of the blood in exchange for another fluid. Such is done through a catheter that’s inserted beneath the collarbone.
At the start, this process is done five times daily for up to ten days. Likewise, it’s still a short-term solution that can last for around three to four weeks if done once. Note that there are still issues concerning it. Some rare issues it could consist of are salt imbalances, infection, irregular heartbeat, red blood cell damage, bleeding, or low blood calcium.
Plasma exchange is a treatment applied in serious cases of CIDP or in instances where an individual fails to react well to corticosteroids or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). It commonly requires about five to ten sessions for over two to four weeks with a faster response than IVIG or steroids.
Likewise, plasma exchange may play a role for a selected subgroup of children with CIDP. However, specialists usually use this procedure less in children with CIDP than treatments such as steroids or IVIG. The reason why it’s less applied is there are concerns regarding possible adverse impacts and technical factors, primarily in younger individuals who have comparably smaller blood mass.
As there are issues concerning its use on young children, older children and those at the point of adolescence may have a higher chance of making the most and tolerating plasma exchange as they can have more blood mass than the younger ones.
Altogether, plasma exchange is one of those treatment options that your doctor might consider if you or someone close to you has CIDP.
To Sum Up
CIDP is a severe neurological condition that affects the person’s nerves. It causes bodily weakness that worsens after a while and causes impairment in the sensational function of an individual’s arms and legs.
As it can be harmful, the bright thing about it is it’s still an uncommon condition. However, for those who have CIDP, proper treatment is needed to cure and alleviate this condition. Examples of treatment options for CIDP patients are plasma exchange, taking corticosteroids, and undergoing intravenous immunoglobin.
Overall, treating CIDP is crucial to alleviate the suffering that it can cause. It can allow people to continue doing everyday activities with less difficulty and stay up with friends and loved ones without worrying about physical health. Thus, the symptoms can be prevented from escalating, causing severe damage to your health with the help of medical experts by giving proper treatment and advice.