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Caregivers Should Be Aware of Gabapentin’s Side Effects

For caregivers tasked with the care of a loved one suffering from familial amyloid polyneuropathy, understanding the symptoms of the disease and its prescribed treatments is crucial. Peripheral neuropathy affects nerve function in the patient’s arms, legs, feet, and hands. Neurontin (gabapentin) is one of the most common…

Traveling with Nerve Pain Symptoms

The peripheral symptoms of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) may prove troublesome for the maneuverability of patients. Caregivers are faced with the daunting task of helping patients navigate day-to-day errands and long-term travel. Symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and…

Addressing The Bargaining Stage of Grief as a Caregiver

The bargaining stage of grief begins when the reality of a traumatic event sinks in. As a stage of coping, bargaining is composed of the “if only” that comes as the result of appealing to an outside force or higher power. Someone going through the bargaining phase petitions a higher…

Addressing Feelings of Caregiver Anger

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy is a disease with an onset that appears randomly. With a large range of ages at which symptoms first appear, news of a diagnosis can blindside both those with the disease and their caregivers. The second phase of the grieving process is anger. For a…

How New Caregivers Must Address Feelings of Denial

The diagnosis of a disease like familial amyloid polyneuropathy in a loved one has a profound impact on the daily life of a new caregiver. Faced with the future implications of this diagnosis, the caregiver likely experiences a range of emotions best defined by the five stages of grief.

Navigating the Turbulent Feelings of Caregiving

The onset of familial amyloid polyneuropathy forces daunting shifts in the relationships between caregivers and their loved one. When my mother-in-law was diagnosed with polyneuropathy, she began to despair of life itself. Her sensitivity to touch made things that were once part of everyday life, such as hugging, nearly impossible.