I can hardly sit quietly in a chair for more than fifteen minutes. I then get muscle aches all over with involuntary muscle contractions, forcing me to get up and walk around. As the day goes on, it gets progressively worse. In addition, my feet burn and become so cramped that my toes are bent. According to the neurologist I have chronic idiopathic axonal neuropathy (CIAP) and there is nothing that can be done about it. Is there really nothing you can do?
Margaret (72)
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
A diagnosis of CIAP means little more than a deterioration in the function of the nerves and the cause of this is unknown. Unfortunately, there is usually little that can be done about nerve damage, even if the cause is known.
That is not to say that there is nothing that can be done about the complaints. Nerve pain in particular can often be treated with all kinds of medicines that affect the transmission of stimuli. You should think of medicines for epilepsy and medicines for depression. It often takes a bit of trial and error with these types of resources.
The most understanding of this is at the pain clinics. A lot of research is done into CIAP in the UMC Utrecht in particular. If you live in the area, it may be worth asking if you can be referred there.
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