What does it mean to have demyelinating neuropathy?

Bad thing!: The myelin is the "cable" sheathing of the nerve. When this sheathing is"chewed" up, nerve impulses are altered or impaired, causing, pain, numbness, or loss of function. There are many causes: autoimmune, metabolic, and toxic. Many cases are idiopathic, thereby making treatment symptomatic.

Neuropathy: The nerves are covered with an insultating material called myelin. Much like a telephone cable that has rubber covering it too acts as insulation "myelin" does the same for a nerve. If the myelin is weakened by disease or some pathological process one develops a demyelinating neuropathy of which there are many causes.