Is there a cure?

Currently, there is no known cure. But we remain hopeful that will change. Our Medical Advisory Board leads in the field of research, treatment and exploring what’s possible for ensuring our patients get the right care and support until a cure is found.

What is the treatment for CIDP?

Treatment options are similar to GBS treatment, though will not require a lengthy hospital stay:

• Prednisone, similar to protective anti-inflammatory corticosteroids that are normally made by the body, may be used as an initial treatment for several reasons. It often improves strength, can be conveniently taken by mouth, and is inexpensive. Side effects can limit its use.
• High dose Intravenous Immune Globulins (IVIG), protective blood proteins obtained from healthy volunteers, can be readily given through an arm vein.
• Plasma Exchange (PE), or Plasmapheresis, is when some of the patient’s blood is removed and the blood cells returned without the liquid plasma portion of the patient’s blood. It may work by removing harmful antibodies contained in the plasma.

Treatment of CIDP is somewhat of an art. If a patient shows good improvement with an initial treatment but experiences additional weakness, it may be repeated or another therapy may be tried.

If treated early and aggressively, most CIDP patients respond well to therapy that can limit the damage to peripheral nerves and contribute to improved function and quality of life.

How long will recovery take?

Post-treatment life depends on whether the disease was caught early enough to benefit from treatment options. Patients respond in various ways. The gradual onset of CIDP can delay diagnosis by several months or even years, resulting in significant nerve damage that may take several courses of treatment before benefits are seen. The chronic nature of CIDP differentiates long-term care from GBS patients. Adjustments inside the home may need to be made to facilitate a return to normal life.