Recent content by danjay

Briana - much of your sisters symptoms are similar to mine. My first symptoms were choking 10 years ago. Then numbness and burning moving up my throat and into my mouth. Wasn't until 4 years ago I began to have problems in my neck and then shoulders. I slowly became less and less able to...

Do consider the prostate issue. I was getting up 6 times a night until my Dr. prescribed flomax (great name eh?). It is a smooth muscle relaxant and it did the trick for me. I open up the capsule and pour the little beads in my PEG at dinner. I think every male in my family by the age of 55...

Alma - best of luck tomorrow with the PEG tube. Have had mine a year now and I am more than grateful. It is easy to use and as my swallowing has deteriorated I just don't have to worry about getting nutrition. It just isn't a big deal to live with but is a livesaver. Dan

Thanks Joel - I really appreciate your perspective. Dan

I haven't had any infection but I have had granulation at my PEG site. They use a cream that stings (can't recall the name) mightily but cleared it up and it hasn't come back. Not at all a big deal. Hope that helps. Dan

My initial symptoms were choking and as of now I take all my food by PEG tube. On the other hand my speech is still pretty good, just have to deal with saliva. I never had pain or tightness though in my neck. I think we are all just unique in progression. If the swallowing study might give...

Mary Jo - for me heat leaves me very tired but cold and the winter is much worse on my bones. I doubt the temperature has any effect on progression but certainly has a lot to do with comfort which effects your attitude and energy level and that is very important. Dan

This is obviously a very smart and thoughtful man but like many of you I find it sad that he has painted himself into such an intellectual corner. What I am finding is that indeed my list of 100 things loses entries, but doggone it entries get added too. The touch of my wife's hand on my arm...

Glen - best of luck with the procedure. I bet you'll be happy you did it. As for burping, anyone else burp through their tube? I do, much to my children's embarrassment. Can't do the alphabet, more of a bubbling cauldron effect. Dan

Glen - Barry's description of his tube and how he feeds himself is precisely what I do. Got my tube last August and as has been said over and over here, it was a life-saver. best of luck Dan

Rose - the grace with which you handle all this is a model for us all. Thank you Dan

I missed the game but channel 9 in Denver had a great segment on their evening news. Broadcast the critical sentences in Gehrig's speech twice and had an interview with a six year survivor, David Shouser - great interview. If you'll let me, here is the url. Otherwise, google channel 9 Denver...

Thanks Joel for the answer. When I still felt shy about the lump under my shirt I thought the button type might be cool but basic and reliable is more on my mind now. Am only ten months into it now. Had to replace the fitting on the end, but that is very easy. My tube remains in good shape...

I stayed overnight in the hospital. That was the doctor's standard practice, to be sure we were properly trained to use the PEG. Beyond that my experience is as all the others have described, it's no big deal and has been a lifesaver. The only other issue that I think about is that I intend...

We all must pass through this door someday. May we all do it with this peace and surrounded by this kind of love.