Your particular person CIDP remedy plan will rely on components reminiscent of symptom severity, nerve injury, and what your physician thinks will work greatest to protect and restore perform.
“In CIDP, there are three accepted and well-evidenced interventions: plasma trade, intravenous immunoglobulin, and corticosteroids,” says Michal Vytopil, MD, PhD, vice chair of neurology at Beth Israel Lahey Well being’s Lahey Hospital and Medical Heart in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Corticosteroids
Whereas these medicines can successfully cut back irritation and enhance signs in many individuals with CIDP, they will trigger severe unintended effects reminiscent of elevated threat of osteoporosis, hypertension, and diabetes if used long run. For that reason, they aren’t a viable possibility for continued use to deal with this persistent situation.
Plasma Trade (Plasmapheresis)
This remedy entails taking blood and utilizing a machine to take away the plasma (the liquid element of blood, which, in folks with CIDP, comprises dangerous antibodies that assault the nerves). It’s then changed with wholesome plasma from donors and the blood is put again into the physique.
“Plasma trade is a laborious course of, particularly if you must do it chronically,” says Gil Wolfe, MD, SUNY distinguished professor of neurology at Jacobs Faculty of Drugs and Biomedical Sciences on the College at Buffalo. As well as, it typically reduces signs for only a few weeks at a time.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin Remedy (IVIG) or Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin Remedy (SCIg)
This remedy entails intravenous (IV) infusions or injections of immunoglobulins, proteins your physique makes to guard in opposition to invading organisms reminiscent of viruses and micro organism.
IVIG or SCIg might help cut back your immune system’s assault on peripheral nerves, however as with plasma trade, the results final for just a few weeks, and also you’ll want constant ongoing remedies to handle CIDP.
