IVIG for CIDP: What You Need to Know About Treatment and Alternatives

When IVIG for CIDP, intravenous immunoglobulin used to treat chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, a progressive nerve disorder that causes weakness and numbness. Also known as intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, it’s one of the most common first-line treatments for people whose immune system mistakenly attacks their own nerves. CIDP isn’t just tingling or occasional numbness—it’s a slow, steady loss of strength in arms and legs that can make walking, holding objects, or even buttoning a shirt hard. Unlike sudden nerve damage, CIDP creeps in over weeks or months, often getting worse without treatment.

IVIG works by flooding the bloodstream with healthy antibodies from donated blood plasma. These antibodies help calm down the overactive immune response that’s damaging nerve insulation—called myelin. Think of it like putting out a fire with a firehose of good immune cells. Studies show about 60-70% of CIDP patients see clear improvement after IVIG, often within a few weeks. But it’s not a cure. Most people need regular infusions every 3 to 6 weeks to keep symptoms under control. Side effects? Headaches, chills, or nausea during the infusion are common, but serious reactions like kidney issues or blood clots are rare. It’s not for everyone—people with severe IgA deficiency or a history of blood clots need special care.

There are other options too. Plasma exchange, a procedure that removes harmful antibodies from the blood. Also known as plasmapheresis, it’s just as effective as IVIG for many, but requires more frequent visits to a clinic and access to specialized equipment. Corticosteroids, like prednisone, suppress the immune system more broadly. Also known as steroid therapy, they’re cheaper and taken orally, but long-term use brings risks like weight gain, bone loss, and high blood sugar. Some patients try newer drugs like rituximab or subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg), which lets you get treatment at home instead of a hospital. Not all insurance covers them, and not all doctors have experience with them yet.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just theory—it’s real-world advice from people managing CIDP, doctors explaining how IVIG fits into daily life, and comparisons between treatments that actually work. You’ll see how patients handle infusion schedules, what to expect after the first treatment, and why some switch from IVIG to something else. There’s no fluff here—just clear, practical info on what helps, what doesn’t, and what to ask your neurologist before starting any therapy.