I was diagnosed in 2009 with polyneuropathy. I've been having worsening symptoms (burning feet, worse weakness, dizziness) so I was doing more research. All I can find about polyneuropathy online says "CIDP." I'm wondering, are they the same thing? Would it be useful to see a specialist? I also have acute cerebellar ataxia; it's difficult to know which symptoms are from which condition.
Hi, Lori!
Neuropathy, sometimes called peripheral neuropathy, is a collection of disorders that occur when nerves of the peripheral nervous system (the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord) are damaged.
There are several types:
1. Mononeuropathy - such as in carpal tunnel syndrome, which involves a single nerve;
2. Multiple neuropathy - which involves two or more nerves individually affected; and,
3. Polyneuropathy - which is a generalized and simultaneous disorder of peripheral nerves such as in diabetic neuropathy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or CIDP.
CIDP stands for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. For a specific diagnosis, the following conditions must be present:
- Chronic, or progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the limbs; and,
- Characterized by damage to the myelin sheath (the fatty covering that wraps around and protects nerve fibers) of the peripheral nerves.
Symptoms include tingling or numbness (beginning in the toes and fingers), weakness of the arms and legs, loss of deep tendon reflexes (areflexia), fatigue, and abnormal sensations.
CIDP is closely related to Guillain-Barre syndrome and it is considered the chronic counterpart of that acute disease.
As you see, it IS an absolute necessity for you to see a specialist so as to be certain.
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Armando Abrero said:
Hi, Lori!
Neuropathy, sometimes called peripheral neuropathy, is a collection of disorders that occur when nerves of the peripheral nervous system (the part of the nervous system outside of the brain and spinal cord) are damaged.
There are several types:
1. Mononeuropathy - such as in carpal tunnel syndrome, which involves a single nerve;
2. Multiple neuropathy - which involves two or more nerves individually affected; and,
3. Polyneuropathy - which is a generalized and simultaneous disorder of peripheral nerves such as in diabetic neuropathy, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or CIDP.
CIDP stands for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy. For a specific diagnosis, the following conditions must be present:
- Chronic, or progressive weakness and impaired sensory function in the limbs; and,
- Characterized by damage to the myelin sheath (the fatty covering that wraps around and protects nerve fibers) of the peripheral nerves.
Symptoms include tingling or numbness (beginning in the toes and fingers), weakness of the arms and legs, loss of deep tendon reflexes (areflexia), fatigue, and abnormal sensations.
CIDP is closely related to Guillain-Barre syndrome and it is considered the chronic counterpart of that acute disease.
As you see, it IS an absolute necessity for you to see a specialist so as to be certain.
I agree to finding a neurologist as soon as possible. Many of them have worked with MS and other disorders, but few have experience with CIDP patients. If your provider does their research and consults with providers who do have experience, this is helpful. Armondo's explanation of CIDP is right on. There are multiple tests available for diagnosing CIDP request them as soon as possible my symptoms drastically increased prior to treatment. I hope you find the answers you need.
Thank you for your responses! Armando, your reply was very useful. I was just confused because the neurologist who diagnosed it just said "polyneuropathy" and nothing about demyelating or anything.
My gp sent me to a neurologist (after multiple tests :S ) and the neurologist did the reflex tests and an electrical conduct test of some sort -- sorry, I'm not good at details. I have bouts of weakness, I have numb spots all over my body, I'm starting to have pins and needles sensation in addition to burning, and lately I have been very lightheaded and dizzy lately. My legs are very weak sometimes and fatigue is a big problem with me. I walk with a cane, but sometimes I don't feel safe even doing that, I'm not sure my legs will hold me up Eeeek! Anyway, I have this polyneuropathy as well as ataxia, so I want to see a neurologist who knows both conditions well, if such a person exists.
Any suggestions?
Our neuromuscular told us that "cerebellar signs" or cerebellar ataxia is actually hard to distinguish from ataxia due to CIDP. Our son's first neurologist was super concerned over what she called his cerebellar signs (ataxia, unable to maintain balance with feet together and eyes closed) and ordered an immediate brain MRI, which ended up being normal. The polyneuropathy can cause the ataxia and balance issues--when you can't feel your feet like normal then you can't walk like you should! The proprioception deficits can mimic cerebellar ataxia.
There are other causes of a polyneuropathy than CIPD. CiPD is really rare.
Just to illustrate the above.
Imagine an electric cable or telephone wire whose plastic cover or sheath is stripped, damaged or brittled by fire. Electric shock, short circuits, static sound (in case of the telephone) occurs.
The myelin sheath acts the same way. It protects the nerve in the core. So in much the same way as above, demyelination causes neurons to malfunction.
Okay, thank you for the information!
Lori, there are many causes for polyneuropathy. CIDP is only one. Chemo, Diabetes, toxin exposure… Ate more. It is best to be diagnosed by a neurologist that is very familiar with CIDP. That way you can be acturately diagnosed and treated.
Join my club....really I was also diagnosed but in 2011 with serve sensory polyneuropathy. I also have burning feet, dizziness and more.....there isn't nothing as much as I been searching as well...the closes is CIDP it seems.
I been trying to see spicialists for over a year. good luck. I can't even get in. I think I need to have further testing to make sure it isn't more then just what I said I have. I could have MS or any other dieases that minic them. never know.
Until I feel like they done more tests I hear that everyone else has have then I feel the job wasn't complete. simple
I don't know how you were diagnose? I was by EMG and MRI's.
having those other simtoms makes me wonder too.