Zachary Koontz was diagnosed with CIDP as a senior in college at age 22 after nearly 7 years of visiting different types of health care providers, including podiatrists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and back specialists, for symptoms of leg cramps, stumbling, and tripping. Soon after his correct diagnosis, a single intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment along with corticosteroids restored reflexes in his legs. But when Zach shifted to high-dose prednisone monotherapy after leaving home to go to graduate school, his improvement was not sustained and the high dose corticosteroid treatment increased his anxiety, disrupted his sleep patterns, and caused him to gain about 40 lbs. over 4 months. However, he was fortunately able to stop prednisone and restart IVIG treatments, which have now led to an 8-year remission and allowed him to pursue recreational running. Zach completed his first full marathon in 2019!
