CAREGIVER SUPPORT Amgen By Your Side Is Here to Support Your Important Work as a Caregiver

We understand that the health of the caregiver is just as important as the health of the patient. The following resources can help ensure that you, as a caregiver, are doing as much for yourself as you are doing for others.

Caring for Caregivers

Caring for Caregivers Video
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Today, we’re going to talk about how you can care for others while also taking care of yourself. Here’s what we mean. 

Think about a time when a friend of yours was struggling. How did you respond in that situation? Now, think about a time when YOU were struggling. How did you respond in that situation… to yourself? There was likely a difference. We tend to be much more compassionate with our friends while being tougher on ourselves. How can we treat ourselves with that same gentleness and care? 

In your role as a caregiver, when we put others first, we can forget to look after ourselves. The way to be a resilient caregiver is with self-compassion… treating yourself the same way you would treat a friend.

Now, what prevents us from self-compassion is the harsh critic whispering in our head. It says things like …

“You’ll never be able to do this” or

“You always mess this up.”

With self-compassion, you replace those mental judgments with thoughts a friend would comfort you with. Like …

I see you’re doing your best.”

“The people you care for are in good hands with you.”

Or… “You’re a strong person for dealing with this for so long.”

Another way to practice self-compassion is with journaling. It doesn’t have to be formal. You can even just write in your phone. However you do it, use the three parts of self-compassion to process what you’re experiencing as a caregiver. 

1) Self-Kindness

Write kind, understanding words of comfort to yourself:

It’s okay. You made a mistake. But it wasn’t the end of the world.”

2) Common Humanity

Write how the things you’re going through are connected to the larger human experience:

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how we learn.”

3) Mindfulness

Write about how you feel (embarrassed, sad, ashamed, or frightened) in a non-judgmental way:

I got angry, overreacted, and was embarrassed afterwards.”

If you change the tone of your inner voice and journal regularly, self-compassion will make you more resilient and able to bounce back from life’s challenges.

And that’s important. Because the opportunity to be a caregiver may be one of the most fulfilling things you ever do.

But…to KEEP doing it, it’s important to be intentional about caring for yourself in the process.

People who have grit practice more than others. However, they don’t just do the same thing over and over again. Instead, they practice the areas they’re weak in. This can often be painful and hard. After all, doing something that you’re not good at can be tiring.

You can build grit by adopting a habit of daily practice, learning as you go and, and most importantly, moving through the challenging parts.

Sometimes it can even help to say out loud, “This is so frustrating because I’m challenging myself.”

'O' Stands for Outcome.

What is the specific outcome you want? This is more than the goal itself. IT’S WHAT YOU HOPE THAT GOAL GETS YOU. For example, a goal to take your medication everyday as prescribed could result in an outcome of having more freedom and less symptoms that get in the way. 

A common mistake when setting a goal is to only think about how great life will be after accomplishing it without considering what is currently holding us back.

A helpful skill is to think of the outcome you want and create a plan that will get you through any challenges that stand in your way.

‘A’ Stands for Achievable.

Think about the skills or abilities that are needed to achieve your goal. How can you make it practical and within reach? For example, reading one book per month is probably achievable. Becoming a professional NBA player may not be... because you may not have the ability or skill to achieve that goal.

You could set a goal to practice basketball one hour per day, though!

How will you know your plan is working? What are the things you (or others) could see that will let you know you are closer to achieving your goal?

Think of the way your smartphone tracks your steps and how you can compare the steps you took today to yesterday’s. You can compare week to week, or even month to month. Is it something within your control? Is it realistic? What is the time frame you are wanting to achieve this goal in? 

Rather than just thinking “I want to be healthy,” think of how you can frame it in a way that is time bound and within your control. For example, “Starting on Monday, after work, I will begin exercising 20 minutes a day, three times per week.”

A specific question you can ask to determine if your goals are achievable is to fill in the blank: I will know my plan is working if “blank.” What are the specific indicators that show you, and others, that you are closer to reaching your goal?

‘L’ Stands for Link.

Think again about the goal you want to achieve. Now think of something you really like to do that you could bundle with that goal. Perhaps it’s scrolling through social media posts, playing a game on your phone, or watching Netflix. Linking steps toward your goal with something you like is a way of doing what you want to do AND what you should be doing to achieve a specific goal.

The trick is that you must do the two things together. One shouldn’t happen without the other. Unlike doing something fun as a reward AFTER completing a task you’re not so fond of, this behavioral practice ties together something you like with completing necessary tasks.

So how does it work? If your goal is to spend an hour a day organizing and doing household chores so your weekends can be more relaxing.

You might bundle a not so fun task like laundry with watching your favorite Netflix show. Or maybe you’re trying to finish a paper and you decide to bundle this not so fun task with...a fancy coffee drink

But there’s one important catch. In order to stick to the plan and make this work, you have to have some self-control. If you reward yourself without doing what you should be doing, such as watching Netflix without doing laundry, the system will begin to fall apart.

‘S’ Stands for Steps.

Larger goals can be broken down into smaller goals.

Small steps together equal a giant leap. The trick is to break goals down into the smallest, most manageable steps you can.

Think about someone who wants to go on a long run but is out of shape. While it may be tempting to want to start on the run and simply see how far you can go, it can be more helpful to start small and track your progress.

Perhaps start by getting running shoes. Another step may be running around the block after dinner. Then you might build up to running around the block two times the next day and three times the next. This allows you to check off each goal along the way, which can keep you motivated. You can also reflect on where you’ve been by documenting your progress and sharing with friends or family.

So, to recap, here are the easy-to-remember skills in G.O.A.L.S.:

Grit

Outcome

Achievable

Link, and

Steps

And using them is how to achieve the goals that matter to you. 

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Cómo puedes cuidar de los otros a la vez que también te cuidas.

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Your Child and Cystinosis

A guide intended to support you as you learn about your child’s condition and how to treat it.

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Keeping Yourself Healthy While Caring for Others

As a caregiver, you already know how difficult urea cycle disorder (UCD) can be for patients living with the disease. However, it’s equally important to take care of yourself. Making sure that you are eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep, and attending your own doctor appointments are just a few of the healthy choices to remember. Here are some other important suggestions to consider:

Woman on phoneWoman on phone

  • Go for a 15-minute walk at least 3 times a week
  • Take frequent breaks during the day to relax
  • Accept support with caregiving tasks from others close to you
  • Always schedule and attend your own medical appointments
  • Find a friend or professional therapist who can listen and provide additional support

Amgen By Your Side can help you discover ways to connect with others, if interested

Learn more about how to get your PROCYSBI® (cysteamine bitartrate) treatment

Have More Questions?

Learn how to connect with a Patient Access Liaison (PAL) who can help you explore enrollment options.

How to Enroll

USE and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

What is the most important safety information I should know about PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Skin, bone, and joint problems. People treated with high doses of cysteamine bitartrate may develop abnormal changes of their skin and bones, such as stretch marks, bone injuries (such as fractures), bone deformities, and joint problems. Check your skin while taking PROCYSBI. Tell your doctor if you notice any skin changes or problems with your bones or joints. Your doctor will check you for these problems.
  • Skin rash. Skin rash is common with cysteamine bitartrate and may sometimes be severe. Tell your doctor right away if you get a skin rash. Your dose of PROCYSBI may need to be decreased until the rash goes away. If the rash is severe, your doctor may tell you to stop taking PROCYSBI. 
  • Stomach and bowel (intestinal) problems. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate may develop ulcers and bleeding in their stomach or bowel. People treated with PROCYSBI may also develop abnormal swelling and narrowing of the large bowel which must be treated promptly. Tell your doctor right away if you get abdominal pain, bloody or persistent diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, vomit blood, poor weight gain or weight loss.
  • Central nervous system symptoms. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate develop seizures, depression, and become very sleepy. The medicine may affect how your brain is working (encephalopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms.
  • Low white blood cell count and certain abnormal liver function blood tests. Your doctor should check you for these problems.
  • Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) has happened in some people who take immediate-release cysteamine bitartrate. This is a condition where there is high pressure in the fluid around the brain. Your doctor should do eye examinations to find and treat this problem early.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking PROCYSBI: headache, buzzing or “whooshing” sound in the ear, dizziness, nausea, double vision, blurry vision, loss of vision, pain behind the eye, or pain with eye movement.

What is PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI (cysteamine bitartrate) delayed-release capsules and delayed-release oral granules is a prescription medicine used to treat nephropathic cystinosis in adults and children 1 year of age and older. It is not known if PROCYSBI is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.

Do not take PROCYSBI if you are allergic to penicillamine or cysteamine.

Before taking PROCYSBI, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • drink alcohol.
  • have a skin rash or bone problems.
  • have or have had stomach or bowel (intestinal) problems including ulcers or bleeding.
  • have a history of seizures, lack of energy, unusual sleepiness, depression, or changes in your ability to think clearly.
  • have liver or blood problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PROCYSBI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think that you are pregnant. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking PROCYSBI during pregnancy.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment with PROCYSBI. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take PROCYSBI.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking PROCYSBI?

  • Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how PROCYSBI affects you. PROCYSBI can make you sleepy or less alert than normal.
  • Do not drink alcohol if you take PROCYSBI. Drinking alcohol while taking PROCYSBI may change how PROCYSBI works and may cause an increase in the amount of PROCYSBI in your blood that may cause serious side effects.

What are the possible side effects of PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about PROCYSBI?"

The most common side effects of PROCYSBI include: vomiting, nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, pink eye, diarrhea, cold, tiredness, flu, headache, problems with body salts or electrolytes, infection of ear, nose or throat, joint pain.

These are not all the possible side effects of PROCYSBI. Call your doctor for medical information about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional important safety information, click here for the Patient Package Insert and discuss with your doctor. 

USE and IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 

What is the most important safety information I should know about PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • Skin, bone, and joint problems. People treated with high doses of cysteamine bitartrate may develop abnormal changes of their skin and bones, such as stretch marks, bone injuries (such as fractures), bone deformities, and joint problems. Check your skin while taking PROCYSBI. Tell your doctor if you notice any skin changes or problems with your bones or joints. Your doctor will check you for these problems.
  • Skin rash. Skin rash is common with cysteamine bitartrate and may sometimes be severe. Tell your doctor right away if you get a skin rash. Your dose of PROCYSBI may need to be decreased until the rash goes away. If the rash is severe, your doctor may tell you to stop taking PROCYSBI. 
  • Stomach and bowel (intestinal) problems. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate may develop ulcers and bleeding in their stomach or bowel. People treated with PROCYSBI may also develop abnormal swelling and narrowing of the large bowel which must be treated promptly. Tell your doctor right away if you get abdominal pain, bloody or persistent diarrhea, bloating, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, vomit blood, poor weight gain or weight loss.
  • Central nervous system symptoms. Some people who take other medicines that contain cysteamine bitartrate develop seizures, depression, and become very sleepy. The medicine may affect how your brain is working (encephalopathy). Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of these symptoms.
  • Low white blood cell count and certain abnormal liver function blood tests. Your doctor should check you for these problems.
  • Benign intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) has happened in some people who take immediate-release cysteamine bitartrate. This is a condition where there is high pressure in the fluid around the brain. Your doctor should do eye examinations to find and treat this problem early.

Tell your doctor right away if you develop any of the following symptoms while taking PROCYSBI: headache, buzzing or “whooshing” sound in the ear, dizziness, nausea, double vision, blurry vision, loss of vision, pain behind the eye, or pain with eye movement.

What is PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI (cysteamine bitartrate) delayed-release capsules and delayed-release oral granules is a prescription medicine used to treat nephropathic cystinosis in adults and children 1 year of age and older. It is not known if PROCYSBI is safe and effective in children under 1 year of age.

Do not take PROCYSBI if you are allergic to penicillamine or cysteamine.

Before taking PROCYSBI, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • drink alcohol.
  • have a skin rash or bone problems.
  • have or have had stomach or bowel (intestinal) problems including ulcers or bleeding.
  • have a history of seizures, lack of energy, unusual sleepiness, depression, or changes in your ability to think clearly.
  • have liver or blood problems.
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if PROCYSBI will harm your unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you think that you are pregnant. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking PROCYSBI during pregnancy.
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed during treatment with PROCYSBI. Talk with your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take PROCYSBI.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over the counter medicines, vitamins, dietary and herbal supplements. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

What should I avoid while taking PROCYSBI?

  • Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how PROCYSBI affects you. PROCYSBI can make you sleepy or less alert than normal.
  • Do not drink alcohol if you take PROCYSBI. Drinking alcohol while taking PROCYSBI may change how PROCYSBI works and may cause an increase in the amount of PROCYSBI in your blood that may cause serious side effects.

What are the possible side effects of PROCYSBI?

PROCYSBI can cause serious side effects, including:

  • See "What is the most important information I should know about PROCYSBI?"

The most common side effects of PROCYSBI include: vomiting, nausea, stomach (abdominal) pain, pink eye, diarrhea, cold, tiredness, flu, headache, problems with body salts or electrolytes, infection of ear, nose or throat, joint pain.

These are not all the possible side effects of PROCYSBI. Call your doctor for medical information about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

For additional important safety information, click here for the Patient Package Insert and discuss with your doctor.