1st posting

Anonymous
April 2, 2010 at 1:48 am

This is the first time I’ve posted anything on this site. I was very depressed when I was diagnosed with CIDP in October 2009, was 56 years old. I experienced weakness and numbness in my legs and arms in mid-July, to the point of feeling almost paralyzed. The 1st neurologist misdiagnosed me w/ myastenia. I had a MRI which showed a herniated cervical disc and thought all my symptoms was from the disc problem. Other symptoms I had were: couldn’t open a bottle of water, could not cut my fingernails with a clipper, had to use a hand towel to dry myself because a regular bath towel was too heavy, difficulty walking upstairs, and could hardly walk at all. After I had cervical fusion in September 2009, but my symptoms still persisted. My neurosurgeron suggested I see a neurologist. I went to a new neurologist, and he diagnosed me in the 1st visit. I had a double whammy.
I received IVIG for 5 days in the 1st week of November, then once a week for the rest of November and every week in December. I improved so quickly (my numbness was gone, my muscles were stronger), my neuro changed me to every 2 weeks in January. By the end of the month, I got weaker. My neuro put my back on IVIG every week for 3 months. I just finished my 2nd month. I feel pretty normal now. I don’t know what my MD will do after 3 months are done. I don’t want to relapse again. I refused the steroids because of the side effects.
I am able to go back to work and lead a normal life. Although, I do get fatigued occassionally.
My neuro MD says after 1-2 years of treatment, I will recover. I don’t know if this is true or not. Hopefully it is. Does anyone have a prognosis from their doctor?