Responding to my mother-in-law’s rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis
We understand now that her pain has more than one source
In my last column, I mentioned that my mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She already suffers from the symptoms of familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), including itching and burning sensations in her hands and feet. The pain of her neuropathy symptoms makes it hard for her to walk around, relegating her primarily to a motorized wheelchair.
She had suspected for some time that there was something more to her pain, but no one knew what to make of it. It wasn’t until recently, when she went to the doctor again, that she learned she had rheumatoid arthritis. Before that, she had complained of joint pain in addition to the burning sensations and tingling. Many of us had wrongly suspected that the joint pain was related to her neuropathy.
In a way, the rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise to her. What was most surprising was how late the diagnosis came.
Because of the pain, we help her get around the house and outdoors, as well as with any heavy lifting or kitchen work. The joint pain makes it difficult for her to be out of her motorized wheelchair. Her walking around must be limited, and she has to be careful to avoid her feet brushing against any objects that might exacerbate her peripheral neuropathy pain.
My mother-in-law is currently being treated with gabapentin, topical treatments, and medical marijuana. She seems to rely mainly on medical marijuana, complaining that gabapentin makes her feel loopy and forgetful at times.
Our family must be cognizant of my mother-in-law’s pain levels and try to ensure that she has the best possible quality of life, given the circumstances.
Note: FAP News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of FAP News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to familial amyloid polyneuropathy.
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