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With any medication, there are associated risks and benefits. Treatments for CIDP are no different.
Take a look at some CIDP treatment options that may improve your symptoms. Talk to your doctor about which treatment may be right for you.
What is it?
IVIG, or intravenous immune globulin, is a therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Immunoglobulin is another name for antibodies that come from donated human plasma.
How does it work?
It provides healthy antibodies to block the immune and inflammatory processes that attack and destroy myelin. However, how IVIG works to help treat CIDP is not fully known.
What are they?
They imitate the effects of hormones that are produced by the body to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation.
How do they work?
They work by exceeding the body's natural levels of steroids to help suppress the immune system. However, how corticosteroids work to help treat CIDP is not fully known.
What is it?
Plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, is a procedure that removes the disease-causing proteins from your blood and then returns your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets back into your circulation.
What are they?
They help suppress the strength of the body's immune system. Your doctor may consider these when the response to corticosteroids, IVIG, or plasmapheresis is inadequate.
How do they work?
They prevent cells of your immune system from functioning so that your immune system cannot attack your body tissues. However, how immunosuppressants work to help treat CIDP is not fully known.
Your doctor may send you to a physical therapist to help you recondition your muscles to improve muscle strength, function, and mobility, or to an occupational therapist to help you learn new ways of doing everyday tasks despite physical limitations.7
Curious if your symptoms could be CIDP? Take this survey and discuss the results with your doctor.
People share their experiences with CIDP.
Get more information on CIDP and other helpful resources.
1. Koski CL. CIDP: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. Narberth, PA: GBS/CIDP Foundation International; 2012. 2. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. National Institutes of Health website. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000777.htm. Accessed January 9, 2017. 3. Corticosteroid (oral route, parenteral route). Mayo Clinic website. http://www.mayoclinic.org/ drugs-supplements/corticosteroid-oral-route-parenteral-route/description/drg-20070491?p=1. Accessed February 24, 2017. 4. Steroids. NHS Choices website. http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/Preview.aspx? site=Corticosteroid-(drugs) &print= 636244228316495339&JScript=0. Accessed February 24, 2017. 5. Plasmapheresis. National Multiple Sclerosis Society website. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Treating-MS/Managing-Relapses/Plasmapheresis. Accessed March 10, 2017. 6. Treating lupus with immunosuppressive medications. Johns Hopkins Medicine website. https://www.hopkinslupus.org/lupus-treatment/lupus-medications/immunosuppressive-medications/. Accessed February 24, 2017. 7. Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. University of Rochester Medical Center website. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=134&ContentID=210. Accessed January 9, 2017.