In 1999, I had a vaginal hysterectomy and a human donor
(cadaver) fascia placed to correct urinary incontinence.
Postop. my ankles were so weak I could not walk without
assistance for several days. My doctor told me this was due
to being in the lithotomy position for so long (4-5 hours)
and would resolve. I did get to where I could walk, but my
ankles remained extremely weak. I was never able to wear a
shoe with a heel because my ankles would roll and/or twist.
Lithotomy position
Four weeks after surgery, I severely sprained my left
ankle. Over the next several months, I developed numbness,
tingling, and weakness in my left hand and foot. These
symptoms gradually progressed to my right hand and foot. I
began to loose my balance and walking coordination.
I was misdiagnosed with carpal tunnel in my wrist and
plantar fasciitis in my feet. The neuropathy symptoms
continued to worsen to the point that I could barely walk
secondary to weak ankles and numbness in my feet. In
addition, I was loosing the use of my hands.
I December 2001, I saw a neurologist who diagnosed me with
CIDP. This was confirmed on a nerve conduction study, nerve
biopsy, and spinal fluid. I have been treated with plasma
exchange, chemotherapy, cortisone, Revif, and IVIG.
Presently, I take cortisone and IVIG 2 days every two weeks.
My symptoms are becoming progressively debilitating. I have
constant pain in my hands and feet. I am also experiencing
fatigue. I reminded my neurologist of the donor sling. She
believes that this may be the cause of the autoimmune
disease. My symptoms occurred immediately after surgery and
continued to progress In spite of very aggressive therapy.
I maintain an elevated sed rate of 45-80 with high doses of
steroids.
I am currently seeing a urologist re recurrent UTIs. He
also thinks the sling may be the cause of the CIDP. He will
remove the sling and make a new one from my rectus fascia.
I am not sure what happened during surgery but I do believe
that my CIDP began during surgery. Hopefully, we will find
what it was, treat it, and cure the CIDP.
I eventually saw a neurologist who
diagnosed me with CIDP. I was treated with IVIG and had
great improvement, but over time the IG is not as
effective.
(Its true IVIg in the long run will
become ineffective) Dr Khan