When I was at my worst, in a powerchair all day, I emailed a wise member of this Forum, Doc David (since deceased.) I asked him when or if I would ever walk again? He said simply, “When your nerves are healed.” It sounds to me like you probably had a classic case of GBS & when the nerves heal, you will be able to do what you did before. It also sounds like you have had a lot of nerve regeneration lately, so happy for you…

Hey–if your running…its just your nerves healing…dont listen to that pesimistic post..evryone different…remember misery loves company…success breeds success! You are on the road back!!

Hi

Absolutely! That is one of the things that I had to “figure out” – even a small cut can take ages to heal – finally had an “ah-ah” moment and realised that this is the way it is.

I have had two surgeries since diagnosis – the laproscopic incisions on my abdomen and groin took probably 3-4 months to heal to red, and another year to really calm down. They were tiny – only 1/2 inch each ! I had to go and get them cleaned at the GP’s about two weeks post surgery because they were so angry.

In terms of a reason, my understanding is the autoimmune thing is the reason for slow healing. I have been told that cosmetic surgery and even things like skin peels or micro-dermabrasion are “out of the question”, because the likelihood of problems and unsatisfactory results is quite high.

Guess I will grow old disgracefully! :rolleyes:

Debs

Hello Monica,
I can only tell you what my thoughts are. It is true, my progression did stop. I have remained stable without relapsing or showing any signs of progression for almost four years now. I will not need IVIG’s or other medications ever again unless I start progressing again. I benefit from just physical therapy and exercise now. I have read and been told that the nerves CAN start to heal if the progression of CIDP is CONTROLLED, so you could be healing! But, if you still need the IVIG’s, if you still have GOOD days and BAD days, then CIDP is only being CONTROLLED, it has not yet stopped progressing. I knew I was no longer progressing because I went through two to three years without relapsing or having bad days. I am still remaining stable without IVIG’s, meaning the end of progression for me. Since I STOPPED progressing, I don’t know how it works when the progression is just being CONTROLLED, perhaps when you’ve healed enough, progression ends.
I was severly damaged, so I will be left with alot of residuals, some things will never go away. Had I been just mildly damaged, I’d probably heal almost as good as new.

Movement I think affects the nerves in the process of recovering and promotes healing and regrowth of your nerves. My baby who is 13 months old walks a bit like me but her nerves are not damaged. With time her constant movement will result in her gradually learning to walk more efficiently. Her nerves respond to practice and I think it is the same with someone who has nerve damage. In swimming one moves muscles that are not normally used in other forms of exercise. How can one say that your nerves are not affected by this movement? I think there is a two way relationship between your nerves and movement. Your nerves cause movement but movement helps the nerves to recover. Conversely the lack of movement I think would impede the healing of your nerves.