Rumination and Response - a Column by Ezekiel Lim

About a month ago, my father-in-law came down with what seemed like a cold. But his condition gradually worsened, which sent him to the hospital. There he was diagnosed with COVID-19. Because he takes on most of the caregiving duties for my mother-in-law, who has familial amyloid polyneuropathy,…

For neuropathy patients, especially those who have familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), the caregiver may become their arms, legs, eyes, and ears. While that may seem like a daunting task, there’s a benefit: Caregivers experience an emotional side to their daily duties that seems to make them one with patients.

A diagnosis of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), or the onset of peripheral neuropathy symptoms, may cause patients to worry about missing out on the activities they enjoy. Spending time with family, hosting, cooking, and participating in backyard sports may seem daunting due to neuropathy…

The companionship of dogs and other pets may benefit patients by helping them cope as they manage the symptoms of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). But depending on when the pet becomes part of the family, its presence may also be a hindrance, unknowingly aggravating the patient’s pain. That’s especially…

As I mentioned in my last column, my mother-in-law’s peripheral neuropathy symptoms seemed to take a turn for the worse in April. At the same time, my wife and I were experiencing additional life changes with the birth of our second daughter. Our priorities shifted, and we were…

The past month was challenging for my family. My wife and I were expecting the birth of our new child at any moment, according to my wife’s symptoms and her doctors’ words. But at the same time, my mother-in-law was experiencing pain related to peripheral neuropathy, which has resulted…

March signals a change in seasons, often accompanied by a change in temperatures. Caregivers of patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) must be mindful of the transition from cold temperatures to warmer ones. My mother-in-law’s peripheral neuropathy symptoms make her susceptible to pain during extreme hot or…

Author’s note: I received no compensation for writing about the following products. I just really like shoes. My mother-in-law suffers from peripheral neuropathy pain due to familial amyloid polyneuropathy, or FAP. This pain requires her to move around in a motorized wheelchair because too much walking can be…

My mother-in-law, who has familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), often experiences tingling and burning sensations as well as pain in her hands and feet. Because of that, she must keep them covered at all times. This is the reality of peripheral neuropathy. She also experiences other symptoms that…

Starting in late November and often lasting through March, the cold weather in much of the U.S. can be a burden for many patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Those living on the East Coast or in the Midwest often face especially brutal winters. My mother-in-law’s FAP symptoms require…