Recent content by applesos

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    Excessive Burping

    Thank you both for responding. I don't know how to get air out of the tube, but the Hospice nurse comes in 10 min. and guess what I'm going to ask her to do!
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    Excessive Burping

    Anyone else experiencing lots of burping? I'm on a PEG tube and mostly don't have a problem but occasionally, I could have an entire day where I'm burping continuously and it's irritating! I don't know why this happens or if there's a way to stop it.
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    Questions about VA benefits

    I was diagnosed in July, 2014. I'm a Navy vet. I also found that the PAV rep got things accomplished, particularly from the medical side. I'm still waiting to hear from the compensation side. Apparently, the two departments don't share info. My wife and I drive 2 hrs. to the Tampa VA...
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    Stowing the PEG tube

    My husband's PEG tube is about 12" long, so we struggled to find a way to "stow" it between feedings without using tape. Eventually, I took out his dogtag chain from Navy days and asked him to put it on. Then I took an old clip style earring and attached it to the chain. Now, after feeding...
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    Need "Planning Ahead" Advice

    Diane, thanks for taking the time to go through the things that worked, those that didn't, the ones you wish you had thought of, and the ones where your timing was a bit off. With the unpredictability of symptom progression, no caregiver is going to make the right decisions all of the time...
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    Need "Planning Ahead" Advice

    Donna, thanks. I'd love to learn about the ideas your designer suggested. I don't know how to "personal message" you. I'm new at this. We have relatives who renovate homes for a living and I asked them to take a look at the patio and consider my idea. They weren't as keen on it as I am...
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    Need "Planning Ahead" Advice

    It certainly does! My PALS doesn't want to discuss what may come. He told me never to say the word "wheelchair" in his presence again. Regardless, I continue to try to plan on my own about what we may need to do. One of my worries about renovating the house is that once we do that, my...
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    Dental Concerns

    I've read all of your various responses and am relieved to hear that this doesn't have to be a huge problem as long as his dentist is forewarned and knows how to handle these difficulties. I wasn't even aware of the food particles, etc., that might be building up in his mouth. I'll watch for...
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    Dental Concerns

    My husband was diagnosed in July 2014 and already has frequent swallowing and choking episodes. I'm wondering if this will present a major problem if he has his teeth cleaned or other dental procedures. Has anyone out there been through this?
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    very thick saliva in back of throat ...

    My husband's doctor prescribed Atropine Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution (1%). You put a drop under your tongue about 3 times a day, or when you're having saliva problems and it definitely reduces the saliva and choking incidences. Everything has a downside, though. It tastes terrible and the...
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    ALS Men Please Advise!

    I really appreciate your advice. Seems like our situation mirrors yours. I couldn't hold this "secret" in and told family and close friends, which helped me to feel that I wasn't in this alone. Once the "ice bucket" challenge caught on, some of my friends and family videotaped themselves and...
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    ALS Men Please Advise!

    Thanks for the great information. We've been to see the VSO at our local VA Clinic several times, but before we had all of the private neurologist's records. He now has all of our documentation. Is this the person who will be pushing our case forward with the Gainesville VA?
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    Need "Planning Ahead" Advice

    My husband is newly diagnosed and right now has pretty good mobility. Is this a good time to discuss what room we'll eventually use for him and his equipment, what modifications we should get started on, what type of bed and mattress will be most comfortable? How can I know whether our...
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    very thick saliva in back of throat ...

    Just joined the forum yesterday and already getting such great ideas. My husband is newly diagnosed, but is starting to have a really hard time eating his meals. I'm not sure if it's the thick saliva in the back of his throat, but it certainly could be and I'm going to try some of these...
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