Re: Do I have CIDP

Slightly elevated spinal fluid protein might suggest CIDP, and it is possible to have a normal EMG early on. The problem is that there are so many causes of neuropathy that it is important to have a very thorough evaluation if the cause isn’t obvious. If you are progressing quickly it might be good to go ahead and get a 2nd opinion at a major neuropathy/neuromuscular disease clinic (The Neuropathy Association [url]www.neuropathy.org[/url] has a partial listing.) Large medical centers with medical schools often have good centers and the faster the diagnosis the sooner treatment starts before disease progression. I had extensive blood tests (30 tubes at once) for rare sensori-motor neuropathies, MRI of the brain and entire spine, full body CAT scan, bone marrow biopsy, nerve biopsy, and 6 EMGs along the way because my case wasn’t typical. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for referral to a subspecialist, it can save you a lot of time!