shopathonic
Active member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2007
- Messages
- 68
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Country
- US
- State
- CA
- City
- Beverly Hills
I read the following on the ALS network Web site:
"Unlike other diseases, living or dying is a choice. In other words, ALS itself is not fatal when a ventilator is used successfully and complications are avoided. Methods of mechanical ventilation, used to relieve symptoms and prolong survival, include nasal (noninvasive) ventilation or tracheostomy (invasive) ventilation."
Why, then, do many (or is it most?) ALS patients not avail themselves of ventilators and thus succumb to the disease, often within a short time? Is it because of expense? Because the progression of their disease does not lend itself to the use of a ventilator? Because some simply wish to let the disease take its course rather than prolonging their suffering?
Thanks for any information anyone might have about this.
Jeff
"Unlike other diseases, living or dying is a choice. In other words, ALS itself is not fatal when a ventilator is used successfully and complications are avoided. Methods of mechanical ventilation, used to relieve symptoms and prolong survival, include nasal (noninvasive) ventilation or tracheostomy (invasive) ventilation."
Why, then, do many (or is it most?) ALS patients not avail themselves of ventilators and thus succumb to the disease, often within a short time? Is it because of expense? Because the progression of their disease does not lend itself to the use of a ventilator? Because some simply wish to let the disease take its course rather than prolonging their suffering?
Thanks for any information anyone might have about this.
Jeff