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bmra

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Jun 3, 2012
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16
Reason
Loved one DX
Country
US
State
Nj
City
Flemington
My father in law was diagnosed with ALS last month after symptoms for over a year. I was concerned about his eating and choking but the specialists at ALS clinic didn't think he needed peg tube yet. Then we were concerned with his breathing but his levels are still good so they didn't feel he needed. Bi-pap yet. Well now he has a cold, and he is coughing ALOT. It looks like he can't catch his breath (but he does). He can barely eat because of the coughing and sleeping is hard due to the post nasal drip aggravating his already sensitive cough reflex. Oh and he is bulbar onset. Any suggestions or advice on how to handle this cold would be greatly appreciated... I Nuedexta, getting more than emotional? | ALS Therapy Development Institute so worried.
Michelle
 
I've been through that too back in Feb before the bipap and cough assist machines. A rough time clearing the throat. The bipap certainly helps with getting a pretty good breath but the cough assist machine do provide the lungs more air for a more effective cough. Just went through my second cold of the year two weeks back and had little trouble with it with the use of those machines. Get them as quickly as you can.
 
Actually, get a compression vest ( breaks up the mucus), the cough assist ( pulls the mucus out) and a suction machine to get it swept away... With those three colds last about a week with Rog... He's bulbar onset as well

Jen
 
Allergy season is prolonged this year as well because we had a dry winter. I'm taking lo ra ta dine daily and some musinex for the post nasal drip.(guaifenesin)
The cough assist has been a blessing. 30 minutes of bipap before meals makes eating a bit less of a struggle.

Please have your FIL contact his clinic and let them know that he continues with these issues and needs some kind of intervention and support because they are affecting the quality of his life.
 
Thanks to all for the advice. I am going to encourage him to call the clinic on monday. I hope they recommend those things for him. It was so scary last night listening to him cough. He did go see his gp this morning who told him to take musinex as well.
Michelle
 
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