Understanding CIDP

  • A patient talking with healthcare professional
  • A patient talking with healthcare professional

Living with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)?

The CIDP Hub has been created to provide people who are newly diagnosed with CIDP with some general information about CIDP.

CIDP is a condition that affects your peripheral nerves.

Your nerves are responsible for sending messages to and from the brain.

Healthy nerves are wrapped in a sheath called myelin, much like an electric wire is wrapped in a rubber insulation. When the myelin is damaged or removed, messages sent to and from the brain are interrupted and may never make it to their destination – like your fingers and toes.

Lower body nerves
 
  • Healthy nerves

    Send messages to and from the brain to other parts of your body.

    These messages help parts of your body - like your fingers and toes - move and feel sensations.

  • Damaged nerves

    In CIDP, the immune systems attacks and damages the myelin protecting your nerves.

    Messages may never make it to their destination, which causes weakness and loss of feeling.

  • Healthy nerves
  • Damaged nerves

The reason why CIDP develops is unknown, but it may have a genetic element. If left untreated, CIDP can cause permanent damage to the nerves.

What symptoms are associated with CIDP?

CIDP has a variety of symptoms that differ from person to person. Everyone’s experience with CIDP is different – your symptoms and their impact on your life will be as individual as you are.

The symptoms of CIDP depend upon the types of nerves that have been affected in your body. Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe and change in severity over time and in response to treatment.

Head
Head
Arms
Arms
Fingers & hands
Fingers & hands
Legs
Legs
Toes & feet
Toes & feet
  • Common symptoms:
    • Weakness
    • Numbness
    • Tingling
    • Burning sensation
    • Loss of movement
  • Additional symptoms:
    • Feeling tired (fatigue)
    • Impaired coordination
    • Balance issues
    • Trouble walking
    • Pain