I have been cleared to post, earlier than usual, because I have some information you do need to know.
Let me introduce myself. I am not military, tho' my father was WW1 infantry and my brother was WW2, Korea, VietNam AF. I learned of your wife's situation because I subscribe to a Google notification of posts regarding Guillane-Barre/Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy.
Yes, plasmaphoresis would be a step. If there is improvement prior to that, perhaps they might suggest a period of time on a maintenance dose of gabapentin [the generic of Neurontin].
What I must get across to you and your wife ... it is not horrific coincidence that she had to deal with breast CA and now has to deal with CIDP.
"Been there; done that". Apparently my immune system went into overdrive fighting the tiniest of beginnings of breast CA. The CA was found and surgeries performed. [Yes, as Christina Applegate, the actress posted, I will have the perkiest breasts at the bridge table in the nursing home.] Some time later I began to lose feeling in my feet except for needles sticking into toes. Then came the electrical zaps from fingers to shoulders. My neuro sent me to her neuro "guru" in Houston and after testing, yes I have CIDP.
At the moment I am off all medication. Four years later I am stable, tho' not cured. I have residuals, but not unmanageable ... I do hike, for instance. Yes, there can be, and usually are, relapses, but in my case more fatigue and feet than anything else.
So there is definitely hope. And do understand that a very good immune system fought that nasty breast CA as long as it could. She should be very proud of her outstanding immune system!
Sorry I went on so long,
Rocky
Quote:
Originally Posted by JJ_BPK
This is probably the IVIG she had. I ask if it was like chemo and was told it was similar. I was not there for the treatment, but I did sit thru all her 4 hr bi-weekly chemo(s) when she had breast cancer. They let me do the post chemo shots, at home, as it was a daily 60 trip.
Today the doc told her the next step IF NEEDED is some sort of blood therapy? They take blood out, infuse it??, then put it back?? Sounds like it may be plasmapharesis ??
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