Dr. Meghan Beier, psychologist at the Rowan Center for Behavioral Medicine, explored the emotional aspects of amyloidosis. She discussed mental health issues in amyloidosis and present strategies for coping.

This webinar was original presented on March 19, 2025.

0:00 — Welcome
3:24 — Introduction
5:40 — Common Mood Challenges
9:22 — Anxiety & Depression Risk Factors
13:02 — Amyloidosis & Mood
23:59 — Strategies for Coping
27:22 — Identifying Values
34:53 — Dialectics (Incorporating “AND”)
41:38 — Willingness
45:06 — Helpful Resources
47:42 — Q&A Session
47:56 — How can I manage anger around my disease and disease management?
50:58 — What do I do if acceptance seems like surrendering or giving up?
52:30 — How do I talk to my loved one as a caregiver?
55:13 — How do I replace the dopamine rush of exercise I can’t do any more?
57:37 — How can journaling help my mental health?
59:38 — Conclusion

From our National AL-Amyloidosis Patient-to-Provider Connection Forum, featuring leading experts, patient advocacy groups, real patient stories, and actionable strategies to improve diagnosis and care delivery.

In this ARC Talks webinar, physical therapists Kelsi Schiltz, and Katie Johnson provided recommendations for managing neuropathy symptoms.

Discussion included daily exercises to help mitigate symptoms, what to expect during a physical therapy appointment, and the benefits physical therapy can provide for amyloidosis patients.

0:00 — Intro
2:31 — Overview
4:56 — What Is Physical Therapy?
10:23 — What is Neuropathy?
14:12 — How can PT help with Neuropathy?
19:35 — How does Neuropathy impact balance?
24:09 — Neuropathy management & exercises
28:32 — What is Dysautonomia?
34:00 — How can PT help with dysautonomia?
40:06 — Hydration for Dysautonomia
41:16 — Compression for Dysautonomia
44:13 — Exercises for Dysautonomia
51:39 — Other Therapy for Dysautonomia
53:03 — Q&A Section
53:23 — Can PT help even if I struggle with cardiac involvement?
54:34 — How can I find a PT with amyloidosis experience?
55:52 — Can a PT help evaluate my home so it can work for my needs?
56:41 — Do you have resources for people outside of the US?
57:54 — Can treatment reduce my neuropathy?

Dr. Melissa Hershman, assistant professor from the OHSU Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, provides an informative overview of how, and where, amyloidosis can present in the G.I. tract. She reviews patient symptoms, many of which are nonspecific and can be associated with other more common issues, delaying diagnosis. Dr. Hershman goes through how G.I. amyloidosis is tested for, where in the G.I. tract biopsies are most commonly performed, and how the tissue is stained for diagnosis by pathology. In closing, she reviews the array of treatments available to assist patients.

Dr. Sarah S. Lee, Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, at the City of Hope, provides a brief yet comprehensive clinical overview of amyloidosis. In this video Dr. Lee discusses the breadth of amyloidosis, the wide range of symptom presentations, and which organs are typically involved. Focusing on AL (light chain) and TTR (transthyretin) types, she then goes through a diagnostic workup to arrive at a diagnosis, stressing the importance of typing once the presence of amyloid has been confirmed. Concluding her overview, Dr. Lee describes treatments available and how they impact patient quality of life and prognosis.

Nir Pillar, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles, received a 2023 PhRMA Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship in Translational Medicine for his research combining novel microscopy methodologies and artificial intelligence to improve detection of systemic amyloidosis. Watch this video to learn about Pillar and his research.