CIDP vs MS

Sadly, there is no first of all (as in 1st, 2nd 3rd, etc) way to answer you. Also, no short way. Uh, yes there is- skip to the last paragraph.

At any rate, so sorry to listen to your story with my eyes- did I get it right?

In one of the articles by Author Richard Lewis, MD he wrote-

“[I]CIDP with CNS involvement — CIDP is occasionally associated with CNS involvement, including optic nerve disorders, hyperreflexia, Babinski signs, and MRI abnormalities of CNS demyelination. However, it is unclear whether these combined signs represent associated disease entities or coincidental occurrences of unrelated diseases [21].[/I]”

So, yes, CIDP could have CNS (Central Nervous System) involvement.

The NIH says, “[I]A physician may diagnose MS in some patients soon after the onset of the illness. In others, however, doctors may not be able to readily identify the cause of the symptoms, leading to years of uncertainty and multiple diagnoses punctuated by baffling symptoms that mysteriously wax and wane.[/I]”

An NIH PUBMED article out of Purdue University in2008 reported-
“[I]Conventional MRI has made most contributions to the diagnosis of MS. However, it is not sufficiently sensitive and specific to reveal the extent and severity of the damage in the disease.[/I]”

the link: [url]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2662586/[/url]

There is a comprehensive explanation of MS with a good discussion on the immune system at:

[url]http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/multiple_sclerosis/detail_multiple_sclerosis.htm[/url]

“[I]There is no single test that unequivocally detects MS. When faced with a patient whose symptoms, neurological exam results, and medical history suggest MS, physicians use a variety of tools to rule out other possible disorders and perform a series of laboratory tests which, if positive, confirm the diagnosis.

Imaging technologies such as MRI can help locate central nervous system lesions resulting from myelin loss. MRI is painless, noninvasive, and does not expose the body to radiation. [COLOR=”Red”]It is often used in conjunction with the contrast agent gadolinium, which helps distinguish new plaques from old.[/COLOR] However, since these lesions can also occur in several other neurological disorders, they are not absolute evidence of MS. [/I]”

Therefore, it would appear the enhanced MRI is of little value.

Your post talks about physicians, plural and multiple emg/ncv tests. Were they also by different doctors, or the same ones?

No, matter. I would, and did, apply to NWU Chicago Stem Cell Transplant Program. They have reported good results treating unresponsive CIDP as well as MS. Seems to me, it is over 100 MS patients.

Take thee to Chicago.