Recent content by Laurie H.

Thank you for sending me the link to your blog. You have a beautiful family! I admire the strength and courage you and your husband are showing through all of this. Despite your challenges, you are still reaching out to help others such as me, who are confused and frightened because of lack...

Thanks for the information! This website has been wonderful. It feels good to be connected with people who can help. L

Thank you for responding. Did you have muscle twitching throughout your body? Can you explain the weakness and atrophy in your hand? I have had difficulty opening some jars. My hands do not feel as nimble as they used to. I am not dropping things, but my 4th finger and pinkie finger on both...

Hello! Thank you for responding. What is FTD? And what symptoms did your husband experience at the beginning? How is he doing now? Laurie H.

Just recently, I have started having painful cramps in the bottoms of my feet (muscles or tendons pull from my big toes all the way down to my heels along the inside edge of my arches) and also in my right calf. They have woken me up at night but I also have them during the day. Lately when...

Thanks to all of you who responded so quickly to my questions. It is comforting to connect with people who are compassionate and so willing to help. THANK YOU! Laurie H.

Hi, Lori. I hope that your husband is doing okay. How frightening for you to take him to the ER and then find out about ALS. How did you know to take him to the ER? How is he doing now? I am glad that the BiPAP is helping him. What is the best sleeping position for him? I am struggling to...

Thank you for responding. How long did it take your husband to get diagnosed? What were his first symptoms? I have not been diagnosed but am seeing a neurologist and pulmonologist. So far, they have given me no clear answers as to the cause of my clonus, hyperrelexia, breathing problems...

Has anyone experienced this? It is getting harder and harder for me to sleep at night. Even though I prop myself up in bed with several pillows (I am almost in sitting position), my breathing muscles do not seem to work right. It almost feels as if my lungs are going to sleep. I get a...

I will be thinking about you and hoping you are doing okay. Is there a specific doctor that you recommend from Mayo? I am on a waiting list for the neurology department, with no clear idea when I will get in. How long did it take you to get in? What symptoms did you have? Can you explain...

I had a Pulmonary Function Test in 2005 and just had another one a few weeks ago (Oct.2009). I am wondering if anyone can help me understand the results. Conclusions of 2005 Test: "The FVC,FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF25-75% are within normal limits, but there is curvature to the flow volume loop...

I have had both upper and lower motor neuron symptoms, including bilateral clonus, hyperreflexia, tingling, and muscle twitching. My neurologist did a skin biopsy which was normal. My MRI was normal, though it was done on a 1.5T machine without contrast. My EMG results showed "the bilateral...

My EMG results showed that "the bilateral peroneal F-waves are absent" and "the EMG of the right deltoid showed a few polyphasics with a few narrow units." My neurologist did not explain what either of these phrases meant; I had requested a copy of the physician notes and read them myself. Do...

Wynn: No, I was not tested for M. Gravis. What are the symptoms of this? What tests would be run? Laurie

In December, I noticed tingling in my hands and my feet. At about this time, I broke out in hives and had angioedema (swelling of lips and eyelids). Allergy testing revealed that they were both autoimmune in origin. My allergist said, "If I were your husband or you, I would be very concerned...