Recent content by Snowbird

Hi Tracy! I am so sorry for what you are going through. I have been there with my husband. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but to my way of thinking, I like to leave the decisions up to the patient. My husband would not eat 'mush', and he did not want the feeding tube either...

big business............. One more thing, Bubba. Have you had a CBC & ESR? Also complete chemistry screening? These are all very simple blood tests. My husband went to the doctor with a sore shoulder with restricted movement. the doctor gave him muscle relaxers and pain killers. I...

Hi Big AL! Now that you mention the EMG tests, that is likely what my husband had 4 times, and they were still inconclusive. Actually, he had the last one in Toronto, when we went for a second opinion in April 2004, and my husband had to actually tell them to STOP because he had had enough of...

Hi Fellows! I am sorry that you are having symptoms. We found that the testing phases were harder than dealing with the illness. The waiting, the uncertainties, the fears. This is such a difficult disease to diagnose because the diagnosis is one of elimination. I am a firm believer in...

Thanks Al ! Hi Al & Al et al! LOL! You guys are amazing! We, the family of ALS, thank you for such a wonderful site. This is a wonderful support system for all family members. I know it is extremely hard to not get dragged into the muck at times, but save your energies for building...

Keeping the bowels runnin' ............. Here are a few more suggestions: 1 tbsp ground flax per day, either on cereal, ice-cream, pudding, or whatever. Ground flax has several other benefits as well. I love it! "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" also has great merit. However, apples...

Sandy, I have to agree with your sentiments exactly. I also loved and still love my husband more than life itself, and I would do anything to have him back, even in heavy care. I can also understand the loneliness that a person may feel. You & I have turned that loneliness into extra love...

I can understand your concern. However, stay true to your husband. You can still have sex with him if he is not in too much pain. It just means that you have to do the work and 'be on top'. No problem. He will love it, and love you for it. We had great sex that way for almost 3 years, but...

Everyone's symptoms are different, and can progress at different rates. And sometimes things seem to stabilize for while. My husband never did get any bulbar symptoms to speak of, although in the last few months he had to swallow much slower than normal. He eventually got aspiration...

Hi Everyone! I also got quite a chuckle over the posts. I can definitely relate. As for the nosepicking, I suppose I rubbed my husband's nose and also helped him blow it quite often. And the ball scratching, .............well quite honestly I didn't know it was such a big thing to guys...

WOW! My heart goes out to all of you! I was my husband's main caregiver for 3 years while he LIVED with ALS. But again, the key is to LIVE with ALS. I know how hard that sounds, but you have the choice to let it get you down, or fight it head on. My suggestions are to get your loved...

Hi Becca! I would agree with Al. I have not heard of bone pain with ALS. However, if you are a young person, growing pains are very common. Sometimes a very simple food supplement can alleviate the pain rather quickly. Our bodies know what they need, and if something is lacking, they...

Hi Crystal! I am sorry to hear about your dad. As everyone has mentioned, spend your time, money, and energies enjoying your dad and your family. Build more precious memories, lots of them. What really helped me to make our days happier (and this is not a commercial), was purchasing Dr...

Hi Terri! It might be unusual, but I don't know. Every case is different. No, he never did have bulbar involvement. The only reason that his speech weakened was due to his lack of air, and also the sedatives & morphine. Each month his lung capacity dropped by 10% until he could no longer...

Hi Al! Some days I am down to my last frayed nerve. Sorry I took it the wrong way. Shalom! Pat