Condition: Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a rare neurological disorder in which there is inflammation of nerve roots and peripheral nerves and destruction of the fatty protective covering (myelin sheath) over the nerves. This disorder causes weakness, paralysis and/or impairment in motor function, especially of the arms and legs (limbs).

Sensory loss may also be present causing numbness, tingling, or prickling sensations. The motor and sensory impairments usually affect both sides of the body (symmetrical), and the degree of severity may vary. The course of CIDP may also vary from case to case.

Some affected individuals may follow a slow steady pattern of symptoms while others may have symptoms that wax and wane, with the most severe symptoms occurring after many months or a year or more. In contrast to Acute Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathy and other forms of Guillain Barre Syndrome, most patients cannot identify a preceding viral or infectious illness. In most cases, there is no family history of other similar disorders or disease affecting many nerves (polyneuropathy).