Symptoms of Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP)

The symptoms of CIDP begin with a combination of muscle weakness, as well as numbness and pain in the extremities. A person may also have impaired balance and difficulty walking as an early symptom. The disease usually begins in the legs but can begin in the arms at times.  The disease can affect people of any age from childhood through one’s 80’s. Once the disease begins it typically progresses and can cause severe weakness and even death if left untreated. The time to progress can vary from a matter of days to weeks to even months.  CIDP does not typically involve the muscles of the eyes or the heart.