Ezekiel is caregiver to his mother-in-law, who has familial amyloid polyneuropathy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in strategic and organizational communications from Temple University and currently lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When not writing, he’s skateboarding or hanging out with his wife, Maryann.
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…
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The stresses of everyday life weigh heavily on patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy. When faced with major external stressors, such as the diagnosis of a severe ailment in another family member, however, the stress and…
Summer months can be difficult for patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms cause a great deal of discomfort, which may be exacerbated by hot temperatures and direct sunlight. As the patient’s limbs experience burning sensations,…
During the years that I’ve been acquainted with my mother-in-law, I’ve familiarized myself with the symptoms and treatments of her polyneuropathy. She’s specifically prone to peripheral neuropathy symptoms, the most prominent being tingling and burning sensations in her…
For those suffering from symptoms of familial amyloid polyneuropathy — such as loss of nerve function in the hands, feet, arms, and legs — Neurontin (gabapentin) may be a commonly prescribed treatment. While caregivers must be…
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,…
Familial amyloid polyneuropathy comes with plenty of symptoms that patients and caregivers must be aware of. Symptoms such as autonomic neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome,…
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.
The diagnosis of a rare disease in a loved one is enough to usher a new caregiver through a cognitive process caused by an onslaught of emotions. This cognitive process, prompted by a traumatic event and known as the…
For new caregivers, depression is a clear and present danger. As the fourth of the five stages of grief, first described by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, depression is the manifestation of an intense preoccupation with the present. While loved…
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…
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…
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…
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